Basin Geometry and Crustal Structure in and Around the Jianghan Basin of Central China: Implications for Geothermal Prospecting

Abstract Basin geometry and underneath crustal structures are important for unraveling deep geothermal resources. Here, we used teleseismic waveform data from 58 broadband seismic stations in and around the Jianghan basin in central China to determine the geometry of the basin and the crustal structure using nonlinear waveform inversion and modified H−κ receiver function stacking methods. The results reveal two prominent basin subsidence centers (>5 km deep), coinciding with Moho uplifts (∼5 km), indicative of isostatic compensation and possible upwelling of the mantle. The crustal anisotropy obtained exhibits a divergent pattern from these centers and aligns with the regional north-northeast–south-southwest extension direction. The two subsidence centers also coincide with high-crustal ratios VP/VS and high-surface heat flow, suggesting that the thin crust beneath the basin and mantle upwelling contribute to the geothermal reservoir in the region.