Communications Earth & Environment (Oct 2024)

The magmatic plumbing beneath the Wudalianchi volcanic region, northeast China, is recharged by magma reservoirs under Keluo volcano

  • Ziqiang Lü,
  • Jianshe Lei,
  • Dapeng Zhao,
  • Yi-Gang Xu,
  • Lijun Liu,
  • Changqing Sun,
  • Yinshuang Ai,
  • Tuncay Taymaz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01748-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract The intraplate magmatic systems of the Wudalianchi potassic volcanic region in northeast China have historically exhibited eruption activity, and there is evidence that they retain the potential for future eruptions. However, the characteristics of this complex volcanic region remain debated and poorly understood due to the relatively low resolution of existing crustal tomography. Here we present a high-resolution shear-wave velocity model of the crust and uppermost mantle obtained by applying full-waveform ambient noise tomography to data recorded at 106 recently deployed broadband seismic stations. Our results reveal two vertical low-velocity anomalies discovered beneath the Nuominhe and Keluo volcanoes, which appear to be magma ascending pathways connecting a mantle source and crustal reservoirs. A horizontally interconnected low-velocity zone in the middle-lower crust indicates a magmatic migration pathway transporting potassium-rich melts directly among the potassic volcanic units. In addition, the Wudalianchi volcano is likely recharged by deeper and larger crustal magma reservoirs under the Keluo volcano. The unique geometries of the magmatic plumbing systems provide valuable seismic evidence for the volcanic eruption dynamics and potential volcanic hazards.