Ten profiles of artificial-seismic sounding to fine structure of crust and upper mantle in Chinese mainland: The first profiles and its scientific implications
中国大陆地壳与上地幔精细结构探测十条第一剖面和其作用与科学意义

The physics of earth interiors and geodynamics are of great importance in geosciences. To explore and study medium attributes, structure and deep physical and mechanical processes beneath varied tectonics, special intraplate blocks and their boundaries in the Chinese mainland, ten profiles of artificial-source seismic sounding have been planned, deployed and put into effect. Among them, along the first profiles field work has been carried out, including high-resolution seismic reflection and wide-angle reflection/refraction observations of wave fields. Through data acquisition, processing and inversion, information of layer-block velocity structures at depth has been obtained, which reveals variations in sedimentary formation, crystalline basement and structure of crust and upper mantle along the profiles. From these exploration results, a series issues are raised for further research. They involve generations of ranges, basins, rocks, mineral deposits and disasters, as well as sphere-layer coupling and deep processes in the earth interiors. The results of these first profiles would be significant to understanding the earth itself and its dynamic responses and enlightening the direction of further exploration and deep research.