Rayleigh phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy from ambient noise data in the Sanjiang lateral collision zone in the SE margin of the Tibetan plateau

Abstract

The Sanjiang lateral collision zone in the SE margin of the Tibetan Plateau is located at the east edge of the junction of the Eurasian and Indian plates. Using the continuous seismic waveforms recorded by 146 temporary and 21 permanent seismic stations in the study area, we obtain Rayleigh wave phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy for periods 2 s to 40 s from the surface wave direct tomography method. This direct tomography method can obtain finer high-resolution results than the traditional surface wave tomography. Our results show that the low-velocity anomalies are found beneath the Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault (LXF), Red River fault (RRF), Chuxiong fault and Tengchong volcanoes, the high-velocity anomalies are in the region of Weixi and Panzhihua at periods 5 ~ 8 s. The fast velocity directions mainly align N-S. At periods 10 ~ 15 s, the distributions of low-velocity anomalies are consistent with the strikes of LXF and RRF. At periods 20 ~ 35 s, the high- and low-velocity anomalies are bounded by the RRF, which may imply the fault is divided by the thick crust (indicated by low-velocity anomalies) and the thin crust with shallow mantle (indicated by high-velocity anomalies). The fast velocity directions at the periods 10 ~ 35 s rotate clockwise from north to south of the study area. The intensity of anisotropy in the low-velocity zone is stronger than that in the high-velocity zone, and the intensity in the north of the study area is stronger than that in the south. Results indicate the source of anisotropy may be different in each subzone.