Three-Dimensional Thermal Structure of East Asian Continental Lithosphere

The thermal structure of East Asian continental lithosphere is critical for understanding its diffuse and variable intracontinental deformation in the Cenozoic. Here, we present a three-dimensional model of the lithospheric thermal structure of East Asia, using the latest thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat production measurements in mainland China. The results show great lateral heterogeneity of lithospheric temperature. The crust of orogenic belts such as the Tibetan Plateau, the Mongolia Plateau, the Tian Shan orogen, and Northeast China, is generally characterized by high temperatures. Other regions of high crustal temperatures include the southeast coast of China and Lake Baikal. The heat sources for the crust also vary. In the Tibetan Plateau, high crustal temperatures result mainly from radiogenic heat production within the thick crust, indicating the influence of continental collision. However, high heat flow from the upper mantle is the main cause of high surface heat flow in the eastern part of East Asia, where the relatively thin lithosphere and hot asthenosphere is related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate. This subduction is also responsible for Cenozoic continental volcanoes in East Asia.