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EARTHQUAKE ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (3): 31-53.doi: 10.12196/j.issn.1000-3274.2025.03.003

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Lithospheric Layered Anisotropy in the Middle Part of Sichuan-Yunnan Block

YANG Yi-wen1, GAO Yuan1, LI Xin-yi1,2   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Earthquake Prediction, Institute of Earthquake Forecasting, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing 100036, China;
    2. Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing 100081, China
  • Received:2024-12-10 Revised:2025-02-19 Online:2025-07-31 Published:2025-10-23

Abstract: The Sichuan-Yunnan secondary block is located in the forefront of the lateral extrusion of material from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the contact with the South China primary block. It is strongly influenced by boundary faults of different activity characteristics, resulting in intense tectonic movements and seismic activity. Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault and Jinpingshan fault (collectively referred to as the generalized Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault system) within the middle of Sichuan-Yunnan block divide Sichuan-Yunnan block into two sub-blocks: northwestern Sichuan block and central Yunnan block, which exhibit distinct differences in tectonic activity intensity levels. Seismic activity along these faults is intense, and the regional lithospheric structure and deep deformation characteristics are critical scientific issues for understanding the lithospheric deformation and lateral growth mechanisms around the margins of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The widespread existence of seismic anisotropy within the earth's interior is the key to accurately interpreting lithospheric structures and deformation. In this paper, based on the faults distribution, seismic activity, ground deformation, stress distribution and deep structures in the region, the deep deformation distribution with different depths and scales is obtained by comparing the anisotropic characteristics derived from S-wave splitting method for near-field earthquakes and teleseismic SKS series phases, and the anisotropic tomography results from composite waves, surface waves and full waveforms. Through analysis of deformation characteristics in the upper crust, entire crust and the lithosphere (including the middle and lower crust and the upper mantle), this study discusses the layered anisotropy and deformation coupled characteristics in the middle part of Sichuan-Yunnan block. These findings provide scientific references for further research into the evolution mechanisms and deep processes of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its surrounding regions.

Key words: Middle part of Sichuan-Yunnan block, Layered anisotropy, S-wave splitting, Receiver function, Velocity structure

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