Theoretical deficiencies of isostatic schemes in modeling the crustal thickness along the convergent continental tectonic plate boundaries

Abstract

The results of global and regional studies often show significant disagreement between the Moho depths determined using seismic and isostatic models. In this study, we estimate the differences between these two models in central Eurasia. The Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) inverse problem of isostasy is utilized to determine the isostatic Moho depths. The estimated VMM Moho depths are then corrected for the sediment density contrast. The application of this correction improves the agreement between the isostatic and seismic Moho models. The existing discrepancies between the isostatic and seismic models are finally modeled by applying the non-isostatic correction, which accounts for the unmodelled mantle density heterogeneities and other geodynamic processes, which are not taken into account in classical isostatic models. Our results reveal that the non-isostatic correction still cannot fully describe mechanisms affecting the Moho geometry along the convergent continent-tocontinent tectonic plate boundaries occurring beneath Himalayas despite an overall good performance of the applied method.

Keywords

crust / gravity / Himalaya / isostasy / Moho interface / Tibetan Plateau

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