The Deep Velocity Structure of the Southern Margin of the Siberian Craton with Respect to Baikal Rifting

Abstract

The models of the velocity structure of the southern margin of the ancient Siberian Craton are constructed for depths down to 80 km from teleseismic records by the method of longitudinal receiver function (P-to-S). The relationship between depth and surface structures revealed using the modeling indicates a submeridional convergence of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton and the Central Asian mobile belt. This convergence caused sublatitudinal extension of the crust in the contact zone, and this extension could in turn have triggered the Baikal rifting in the southeastern margin of the craton.