Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits

Crustal structure and fluid or melt originating in the deep crust and mantle are critical in regional magmatic mineral systems. However, the crustal structure and the processes that entrain and focus fluids from a deep-source region to a metallogenic belt remain relatively undisclosed. We present a...

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Main Authors: Lanfang He, Qinyun Di, Zhongxing Wang, Jianqing Lai, Guoqiang Xue, Wenbo Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/2/225
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author Lanfang He
Qinyun Di
Zhongxing Wang
Jianqing Lai
Guoqiang Xue
Wenbo Guo
author_facet Lanfang He
Qinyun Di
Zhongxing Wang
Jianqing Lai
Guoqiang Xue
Wenbo Guo
author_sort Lanfang He
collection DOAJ
description Crustal structure and fluid or melt originating in the deep crust and mantle are critical in regional magmatic mineral systems. However, the crustal structure and the processes that entrain and focus fluids from a deep-source region to a metallogenic belt remain relatively undisclosed. We present a magnetotelluric (MT) study of the eastern Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt (QMB) in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Data from 33 MT stations in two sections and 7 dispersed stations are acquired using a surface electromagnetic prospecting (SEP) system in frequency band ranges from 320 Hz to 0.00034 Hz. Data are converted by Bostick conversion and two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear conjugate gradient inversion. Our MT results reveal the geoelectrical crustal structure of the QMB, which consists of a southern low-resistivity domain that reflects the Kumukuri rift, a high-resistivity middle domain that represents the southern QMB in the central Kunlun belt, and a northern low-resistivity domain that covers the northern QMB and southwestern Qaidam block. We present a comprehensive tectonic and geophysical model of QMB based on the MT interpretation and geological analysis. We infer the high-resistivity domain as a reflection of a rigid crust and detached lithospheric mantle, this belt separate the QMB into northern and southern QMB. Most of the mineral deposits are found in the northern low-resistivity domain of QMB. Our study and findings provide an understanding of the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau, the crustal structure that controls the temporal and spatial distribution of magmatic rocks, and the geological signature associated with mineral deposits.
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spelling doaj.art-eab69a7b77d74934a6a349a5e62306872023-11-16T22:18:36ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-02-0113222510.3390/min13020225Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral DepositsLanfang He0Qinyun Di1Zhongxing Wang2Jianqing Lai3Guoqiang Xue4Wenbo Guo5Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, ChinaCAS Engineering Laboratory for Deep Resources Equipment and Technology, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, ChinaCAS Engineering Laboratory for Deep Resources Equipment and Technology, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, ChinaKey Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of Nonferrous Metals and Geological Environment Monitoring, Ministry of Education, School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaKey Laboratory of Mineral Resources, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, ChinaXi’an Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration Corporation, Bureau of Geological Exploration for Nonferrous Metals in Northwest China, Xi’an 710068, ChinaCrustal structure and fluid or melt originating in the deep crust and mantle are critical in regional magmatic mineral systems. However, the crustal structure and the processes that entrain and focus fluids from a deep-source region to a metallogenic belt remain relatively undisclosed. We present a magnetotelluric (MT) study of the eastern Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt (QMB) in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Data from 33 MT stations in two sections and 7 dispersed stations are acquired using a surface electromagnetic prospecting (SEP) system in frequency band ranges from 320 Hz to 0.00034 Hz. Data are converted by Bostick conversion and two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear conjugate gradient inversion. Our MT results reveal the geoelectrical crustal structure of the QMB, which consists of a southern low-resistivity domain that reflects the Kumukuri rift, a high-resistivity middle domain that represents the southern QMB in the central Kunlun belt, and a northern low-resistivity domain that covers the northern QMB and southwestern Qaidam block. We present a comprehensive tectonic and geophysical model of QMB based on the MT interpretation and geological analysis. We infer the high-resistivity domain as a reflection of a rigid crust and detached lithospheric mantle, this belt separate the QMB into northern and southern QMB. Most of the mineral deposits are found in the northern low-resistivity domain of QMB. Our study and findings provide an understanding of the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau, the crustal structure that controls the temporal and spatial distribution of magmatic rocks, and the geological signature associated with mineral deposits.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/2/225crustal structurenorthern Tibetan PlateaumagnetotelluricQimantaghmetallogenic belt
spellingShingle Lanfang He
Qinyun Di
Zhongxing Wang
Jianqing Lai
Guoqiang Xue
Wenbo Guo
Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits
Minerals
crustal structure
northern Tibetan Plateau
magnetotelluric
Qimantagh
metallogenic belt
title Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits
title_full Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits
title_fullStr Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits
title_full_unstemmed Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits
title_short Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits
title_sort crustal structures of the qimantagh metallogenic belt in the northern tibetan plateau from magnetotelluric data and their correlation to the distribution of mineral deposits
topic crustal structure
northern Tibetan Plateau
magnetotelluric
Qimantagh
metallogenic belt
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/2/225
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