Crustal Electrical Conductivity Structure of Southern Tibet from Magnetotelluric Survey

Two superwide bands of frequency magnetotelluric (MT) profiles (Yadong-Xuegula, Jilong-Cuoqin) across the Yaluzangbu suture were deployed along the west-east direction, for the research into the electrical conductivity structure in the shallow and deep crust along the west-east and north-south directions in the southern part of Tibet plateau. The main characters of the electrical conductivity structure in this region are: (1) large-scale high resistive bodies exist near the Yaluzangbu suture surface, which extends to the maximum depth of more than 30 km. They are the reflection of the Gangdise granite; (2) small-scale conductive bodies exist in the southern part of the Yaluzangbu suture, and large-scale ones under the suture and in the northern part; (3) conductive bodies widely spread in the crust along the profiles. They are discontinuous, mainly decline to the north and become larger in scale, steeper near the suture, deeper gradually from south to north; (4) under the Yaluzangbu suture, the conductive bodies become larger in scale, more conductive gradually from west to east. These important electrical characters are caused possibly by the India plate subduction to the north. The variation in characters of the large-scale conductive bodies from west to east may be the proof that the plate collision might cause substantial movement along the west-east direction.