Magma plumbing system and origin of the intraplate volcanoes in Mainland China: an overview of constraints from geophysical imaging

Abstract

Volcanic eruptions, despite causing large-scale disasters, also provide important natural resources and are an effective way to understand the Earth's internal structure and its evolution. Herein, a comprehensive review is presented on recent progress in geophysical imaging of the structure and origin of intraplate volcanoes in Mainland China. We primarily focus on the Changbaishan, Wudalianchi, Tengchong, Hainan, and Ashikule volcanoes as they are currently active and hence, likely potential hazards during future eruptions, particularly the Changbianshan volcano. The Changbaishan and Wudalianchi volcanoes are widely believed to be caused by the dehydration of the stagnant Pacific slab in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) along with wet upwelling in the big mantle wedge (BMW). There are a number of different views regarding the formation mechanism of the Tengchong volcano. Some studies suggest that a BMW structure is also present under eastern Tibet, and the Tengchong volcano has a deep origin, similar to volcanism in northeast China. Others suggest that the Tengchong volcano is caused by a local and shallow process. Most tomographic studies suggest that the Hainan volcano is a hotspot, and its track has been located in Southeast China by combining seismological, geochemical, and numerical modeling data. A gap exists between the subducted Indian Plate and the Tarim lithosphere beneath the Ashikule volcano, which provides a channel for asthenospheric upwelling to give rise to intralplate volcanism in the Ashikule basin. The interactions of lithospheres may produce shear heating of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), which can generate localized melting. This process has been proposed as an explanation for the intraplate volcanism in Ashikule.

Three‐Dimensional Electrical Structure and Magma System of the Monogenetic Longgang Volcanic Field, Northeast China, Inferred From Broadband Magnetotelluric Data

“…Because they are underlain by subducted oceanic slabs in the mantle transition zone, they may be caused by hydrous melt from oceanic slabs. The MT method has also been used to investigate the structure and crustal magma system of active volcanoes in Northeast China (Gao et al., 2020; Qiu et al., 2014; J. Tang et al., 2001; W. Yu et al., 2021; Zhan et al., 2006). However, it still has not been used to study the deep structure of the LVF.…”

“…In recent years, many scholars have used MT to study magma chambers beneath volcanic areas around the world (Comeau et al., 2015, 2021; Cordell et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2020; Heise et al., 2010; Hill et al., 2009, 2015; S. Li et al., 2020; Sun, Zhan, Zhao, et al., 2020; Ye et al., 2018; H. Zhang et al., 2016). Most previous deep geophysical research has focused on the CVF (Qiu et al., 2014; J. Tang et al., 2001) and Wudalianchi volcanic (WDLCV) system (Gao et al., 2020; W. Yu et al., 2021; Zhan et al., 2006) in this region, found to be volcanoes of different genesis. Comeau et al.…”

“…The MT method has also been used to investigate the structure and crustal magma system of active volcanoes in Northeast China (Gao et al, 2020;Qiu et al, 2014;J. Tang et al, 2001;W. Yu et al, 2021;Zhan et al, 2006).…”

“…Most previous deep geophysical research has focused on the CVF (Qiu et al, 2014;J. Tang et al, 2001) and Wudalianchi volcanic (WDLCV) system (Gao et al, 2020;W. Yu et al, 2021;Zhan et al, 2006) in this region, found to be volcanoes of different genesis.…”