Abstract
To provide constraints on the formation mechanisms of intracontinental volcanisms and intriguing lithospheric thickness variations in the East Sayan Mountains and surrounding areas, we stack P-to-s receiver functions to image the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities. Mantle transition zone (MTZ) thickening observed in a continuous area is attributable to ancient slab remnants, and Cenozoic volcanisms in the peripheral area can be explained by slab dehydration. The thinning of the MTZ in the Tuva-Mongolian Massif can be explained by mantle upwelling branches induced by slab subduction. Our results reveal an approximately circular area in the MTZ that is significantly thicker than usual, suggesting the presence of detached mantle lithosphere in the form of a lithospheric drip extending to the MTZ. The presence of the drip is consistent with geochemical and lithospheric thickness observations, and the drip could be triggered by passage of a mantle plume currently located beneath western Lake Baikal.
Recommended Citation
Y. Liao et al., "Receiver Function Imaging of the Mantle Transition Zone Beneath the East Sayan Mountains and Adjacent Area in Central Asia: Implications for Lithospheric Drip and Intraplate Cenozoic Volcanism," Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 52, no. 15, article no. e2025GL117229, Wiley; American Geophysical Union, Aug 2025.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL117229
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Publication Status
Open Access
Keywords and Phrases
mantle dynamics; mantle transition zone; Mongolia; receiver function; Sayan Mountains; Siberia
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1944-8007; 0094-8276
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 Wiley; American Geophysical Union, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publication Date
16 Aug 2025
