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Deep crustal contact between the Pamir and Tarim Basin deduced from receiver functions
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  • Qiang Xu,
  • Junmeng Zhao,
  • Xiaohui Yuan,
  • Hongbing Liu,
  • Changhui Ju,
  • Bernd Schurr,
  • Wasja Bloch
Qiang Xu
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Junmeng Zhao
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Hongbing Liu
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Changhui Ju
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Bernd Schurr
Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ
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Wasja Bloch
Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ
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Abstract

The deep crustal deformation in the east Pamir in response to Cenozoic collision with the Tien Shan and Tarim Basin is so far poorly constrained. We present new insights into the crustal structure of the east Pamir and the surrounding regions using P receiver functions from 40 temporary and permanent seismic stations. The crustal thickness reaches a maximum of 88 km beneath the central and southern east Pamir and decreases sharply to 50-60 km along the southern Tien Shan and to 41-50 km below Tarim Basin. The most prominent crustal structures involve a double Moho and two Moho offsets, which suggest that the crustal deformation in the east Pamir is controlled by multiple mechanisms, including delamination of Asian lower crust below the central east Pamir, pure shear shortening along the northeastern margin between the Pamir and Tarim/Tien Shan and eastward underthrusting of Pamir lower crust beneath the southern east Pamir.
16 May 2021Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 48 issue 9. 10.1029/2021GL093271