Structure of the mantle and tectonic zoning of the central Alpine-Himalayan belt

Abstract

The Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt is characterized by longitudinal zoning and transverse segmentation. Using the 3D seismic tomography model, we compiled the sections showing the deviations of seismic P-wave velocities from the average values in the mantle, and analyzed the sections in comparison with the data on the crustal inhomogeneities expressed in geological structures. The sections go across of the central part of the belt from Adriatic to Western Tien Shan, Pamirs, Western Himalayas, and the adjacent territories of the East African rift system, the Arabian, Turanian and Scythian plates, and the East European platform. Our model based on the seismic tomography data is mainly targeted at studying the inhomogeneities in the upper mantle, considering the fact that the resolution of mantle differentiation in terms of P-waves is higher in the upper mantle than in the lower one. Based on the analysis of the sections, we determine the directions of seismically low-velocity upper-mantle flows spreading from the Ethiopian-Afar super-plume, which differ in intensity. The relationships are revealed between these flows and the high-velocity bodies that are subsided into the mantle due to subduction and collision of the plates. The deep-seated features that give evidence of transverse segmentation of the belt are detected.

Keywords

• seismic tomography section
• mantle inhomogeneities revealed from p-waves
• sub-lithospheric flow
• transverse segmentation of the central alpine-himalayan belt