New Advances in the Deep Structure of the Pamir Plateau: A Review

Abstract

The Pamir Plateau is situated at the northwestern edge of the India–Eurasia Plate collision zone, making it a key region for studying continental collision and plateau uplift. The deep structure and dynamic processes of this region have long been of great scientific interest. This paper synthesizes recent advancements in the application of geophysical techniques to investigate the deep structure of the Pamir Plateau. The study focuses on the heterogeneity of the crust and lithosphere, the morphology of the Moho and the double Moho structure, the depth variations of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB), and the complex features of the mantle transition zone (MTZ). The results indicate that the deep tectonic structure of the Pamir region is closely associated with subduction of the Indian Plate, the southward compression of the Asian lithosphere, and lateral tectonic interactions from the Tarim Basin, which jointly drive the region's uplift and deformation. The paper further examines the deep interactions between the Pamir Plateau and adjacent regions. Additionally, the study discuss key controversies in current research, such as the spatial relationship between the Moho and deep seismic zones, the mechanisms of lithosphere delamination, and its effects on shallow structural deformation, etc.

Keywords

deep exploration / lithosphere structure / Moho discontinuity / subduction of the Indian Plate / Pamir Plateau–West Kunlun–West Tian Shan

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