Abstract
SEVERAL models have been proposed for the geodynamical evolution of the Tibet–Himalayas collision zone1–6. It is now generally recognized that the high elevations of the region have been caused by mechanical thickening of the crust and flow in the mantle, but there is debate as to whether the thickening has occurred by the underthrusting of Indian crust under Tibet, or by distributed shortening and thickening of the Tibetan crust as India has pushed northwards into it. Here we address this question using seismic measurements of heterogeneity and anisotropy at depth, obtained with a temporary teleseismic array spanning 500km from the Lesser Himalayas to central Tibet (Fig. 1). We observe a significant change in seismic anisotropy across the Indus–Tsangpo suture (ITS), suggesting a change in mode or direction of deformation at depth. In the Himalayas, our results are consistent with the stacking of Indian and Tibetan lithospheres, whereas north of the ITS the data indicate ductile flow in the mantle and show no sign of the Indian lithosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ni, J. & Barazangi, M. J. geophys. Res. 89, 1147–1163 (1984).
Molnar, P. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A326, 33–88 (1988).
England, P. & Houseman, G. J. geophys. Res. 94, 17561–17579 (1989).
Hirn, A. et al. Nature 307, 25–27 (1984).
Le Pichon, X., Fournier, M. & Jolivet, L. Tectonics 11, 1085–1098 (1992).
Armijo, R., Tapponnier, P. & Han, T. J. geophys. Res. 94, 2787–2838 (1989).
Silver, P. & Chan, W. W. J. geophys. Res. 96, 16429–16454 (1991).
Vinnik, L. P., Makeyeva, L. I., Milev, A. & Usenko, A. Y. Geophys. J. Int. 111, 433–447 (1992).
Nicolas, A. & Christensen, N. I. in Composition, Structure and Dynamics of the Lithosphere—Asthenosphere System (eds Fuchs, K. & Froidevaux, C.) 111–123 (Geodyn. Ser. 16, Am. geophys. Un., Washington DC, 1987).
Makeyeva, L. I., Vinnik, L. P. & Roecker, S. W. Nature 358, 144–147 (1992).
Gao, S. et al. Nature 371, 149–151 (1984).
Molnar, P. Nature 358, 105–106 (1992).
Avouac, J. C. & Taponnier, P. Geophys. Res. Lett. 20, 895–898 (1993).
Gripp, A. E. & Gordon, R. G. Geophys. Res. Lett 17, 1109–1112 (1990).
McNamara, D. E., Owens, T. J., Silver, P. G. & Wu, F. T. J. geophys. Res. 99, 13655–13665 (1994).
Hirn, A. et al. Nature 307, 23–25 (1994).
Barazangi, M. & Ni, J. Geology 10, 179–185 (1982).
Brandon, C. & Romanowicz, B. J. geophys. Res. 91, 6547–6564 (1986).
Bourjot, L. & Romanowicz, B. Geophys. Res. Lett. 19, 881–884 (1992).
Molnar, P. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 101, 68–77 (1990).
Mavko, G. M. J. geophys. Res. 85, 5173–5189 (1990).
Wu, G. J., Xiao, X. C. & Li, T. D. Global Geoscience Transect Vol. 3 (Am. Geophys. Un., Washington DC, 1991).
Coulon, C., Maluski, H., Bollinger, L. & Wang, S. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 79, 281–302 (1986).
Turner, S., Sandiford, M. & Foden, J. Geology 20, 931–934 (1992).
Molnar, P. & Chen, W. P. J. geophys. Res. 88, 1180–1196 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hirn, A., Jiang, M., Sapin, M. et al. Seismic anisotropy as an indicator of mantle flow beneath the Himalayas and Tibet. Nature 375, 571–574 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/375571a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/375571a0
This article is cited by
-
Upper mantle deformation beneath the northeastern part of Indian plate from shear-wave splitting analysis
Geo-Marine Letters (2024)
-
SKS and SKKS Splitting Measurements Beneath the NW Himalaya
Pure and Applied Geophysics (2022)
-
Dynamic mechanisms controlling the topography of Longmenshan area
Science China Earth Sciences (2020)
-
Crustal P-wave velocity structure in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and insights into crustal deformation
Science China Earth Sciences (2018)
-
Seismic Anisotropy Determined by Shear-Wave Splitting Beneath the Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Pure and Applied Geophysics (2016)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.