Deformation Mechanism in Central China Revealed by Regional Earthquake Tomography

Abstract The central China region (CCN) has experienced significant deformation and complex structural arrangements. We conducted research on the deformation pattern of the CCN through the 3D velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle obtained via body-wave tomography. This velocity structure strongly correlates with the region’s topographic features. The relationship between velocity distributions and topography indicates that compression in the east–west direction, which can lead to crustal and mantle shortening, may play a crucial role in shaping topography. The various structures between the Qinling mountain range in the west and the Tongbai–Dabie mountain range in the east highlight distinct geological processes occurring along the Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt. In addition, we propose that reservoir water has infiltrated the crystalline basement rock layer up to 15–20 km beneath the Three Gorges Reservoir. Furthermore, the Three Gorges Dam serves as a solid foundation to prevent reservoir water from seeping downstream underground.