Lithospheric Thickening Controls the Ongoing Growth of Northeastern Tibetan Plateau: Evidence From <i>P</i> and <i>S</i> Receiver Functions
Chen Zhang, Zhen Guo, Yongshun John Chen
Abstract
Abstract We determined the lithospheric structure of northeastern Tibet using a receiver function study along a long north‐south profile. Our most important finding is that significant lithospheric thickening is observed beneath the growing northeastern Tibetan plateau, while the lithosphere is relatively thin beneath the well‐developed portions of Tibetan Plateau and Asian continent. These observations also detect a contrasting lithospheric structure across the South Qilian suture. Abrupt steps in the Moho and lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary across this suture indicate that the South Qilian suture is a major tectonic boundary that might cut through the entire lithosphere. This study shows the importance of mantle lithospheric thickening in controlling the growth of Tibetan Plateau.