Open AccessThe lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary revealed by S ‐receiver functions from the Hi‐CLIMB experiment
Author(s) -
Xu Qiang,
Zhao Junmeng,
Pei Shunping,
Liu Hongbing
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.2011.05154.x
Subject(s) - lithosphere , geology , asthenosphere , receiver function , subduction , convergent boundary , seismology , fibrous joint , crust , mantle (geology) , plate tectonics , geophysics , tectonics , oceanic crust , medicine , anatomy
SUMMARY Detailed high‐resolution images of the crust–mantle and lithosphere–asthenosphere boundaries (the Moho and the LAB, respectively) have been well observed by applying an S ‐receiver function technique to data collected by the Hi‐CLIMB (Himalayan‐Tibetan Continental Lithosphere During Mountain Building) experiment. The Moho depth variation in the range of ∼50–70 km is in good agreement with that from previous P ‐receiver function results. The significant variation in the LAB depth indicates that the subducting Indian lithosphere drops northwards from a depth of ∼80 km beneath the Himalayas to ∼130 km just north of the Bangong–Nujiang suture at ∼33.0°N, and undergoes a transition from low angle to flat subduction beneath the Yarlung–Zangbo suture. Our findings provide new seismic constraints on the 3‐D subducting configuration of the Indian lithosphere beneath Tibet.