Lithospheric deformation, foundering and underthrusting beneath Tibet
Abstract:
Long-standing debates exist over the timing and mechanism of uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and, more specifically, over the connection between lithospheric evolution and surface expressions of plateau uplift and volcanism. Receiver function data recorded by regional seismic networks of the China Earthquake Administration suggested a different deformation mechanism between the SE and NE margins of the Tibetan Plateau. On the other hand, waveform tomography revealed a T-shaped high wave speed structure beneath the south-central Tibet, which provides seismic evidence for a scenario of the foundering and underthrusting of the Tibetan and Indian lithosphere.