Increase in melt fraction along a south-north traverse below the Tibetan Plateau: evidence from seismology

• Published in: Tectonophysics 1997-05, Vol.273 (1), p.17-30
• Main Authors: Hirn, Alfred, Sapin, Martine, Lépine, Jean Claude, Diaz, Jordi, Mei, Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: crust; mantle; melt; seismology; Tibet
• ISSN: 0040-1951; 1879-3266
• DOI: 10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00286-7

A mid-crustal low-velocity zone and crustal melt fraction contrast the Lhasa block in the Maxiang Yangbajain zone with the Tethyan Himalayas in the south. Evidence from wide-angle reflections is extended by vertical reflection and differential S to P wave teleseismic delays. The temperature and rheology implied allow phase transitions which may change crustal buoyancy and elevation (Le Pichon et al., 1997), and may allow lateral mass flow. In the uppermost mantle, particular path geometries to a tight temporary teleseismic array allow detection of a decrease in velocity northward through the Lhasa block. A larger relative variation in late teleseismic S with respect to P indicates an increase in Poisson's ratio, hence of partial melt fraction. This may be seen as evidence of a higher position of the mantle asthenosphere. Level Tibet hence appears to be underlain by variation in the structure within the crust across the Indus-Tsangpo suture, and in the structure within the mantle, further northward of the middle Lhasa block. These variations are most readily attributable to spatial variation in partial melt fraction, and hence temperature, which also induces phase transformations. Mode and amount of deformation and control of buoyancy on elevation may vary accordingly. The dynamics of the system is evidenced by seismic anisotropy which we relate to ductile flow.