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Three-dimensional tomographic model of the crust beneath the Hong Kong region

Xia Shaohong, Qiu Xuelin, C. H. Tong, Xu Huilong and Zhao Minghui
Three-dimensional tomographic model of the crust beneath the Hong Kong region
Geology (Boulder) (November 2011) 40 (1): 59-62

Abstract

We present the first three-dimensional seismic velocity model of the Hong Kong region, including the Dangan Island fault zone (DIFZ). The crust beneath Hong Kong is predominantly igneous, and is characterized by relatively high seismic velocity. Further south, we observe an elongated velocity anomaly beneath part of the DIFZ where significant seismicity has been recorded. This anomaly demarcates the contrasting seismic velocity structures on the opposite sides of the fault zone from the surface to a depth of at least 20 km, suggesting that the DIFZ extends to the lower crust and dips subvertically. Our model also indicates that there is an abrupt change in the along-strike crustal structure of the fault zone, with a significantly higher seismic velocity in the region west of the seismically active area. We anticipate that this first three-dimensional subsurface tectonic model of Hong Kong and the DIFZ will help assess the influence of crustal heterogeneities on the spatial pattern of intraplate earthquakes in this densely populated region of south China.


ISSN: 0091-7613
EISSN: 1943-2682
Coden: GLGYBA
Serial Title: Geology (Boulder)
Serial Volume: 40
Serial Issue: 1
Title: Three-dimensional tomographic model of the crust beneath the Hong Kong region
Affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Guangzhou, China
Pages: 59-62
Published: 20111114
Text Language: English
Publisher: Geological Society of America (GSA), Boulder, CO, United States
References: 30
Accession Number: 2012-016226
Categories: Solid-earth geophysicsStructural geologyApplied geophysics
Document Type: Serial
Bibliographic Level: Analytic
Annotation: With GSA Data Repository Item 2012016
Illustration Description: illus. incl. geol. sketch map
N22°04'60" - N22°34'60", E113°49'60" - E114°30'00"
Secondary Affiliation: University of London, GBR, United Kingdom
Country of Publication: United States
Secondary Affiliation: GeoRef, Copyright 2017, American Geosciences Institute. Reference includes data from GeoScienceWorld, Alexandria, VA, United States. Reference includes data supplied by the Geological Society of America, Boulder, CO, United States
Update Code: 201209

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