Lateral variation of crustal structure and composition in the Cathaysia block of South China and its geodynamic implications

Abstract In order to clarify lateral variations in the crustal structure and composition of the Cathaysia block in South China which was affected by violent Mesozoic and Cenozoic tectono-magmatic activities, we studied the crustal thickness and the Poisson’s ratio in this region using the H – κ stacking method of teleseismic receiver functions. Our results show that the Poisson’s ratio varies between 0.20 and 0.29 and the crustal thickness ranges from 26 to 34 km in the Cathaysia block. The crustal thickness and Poisson’s ratio show considerable variations across the Lishui-Haifeng Fault. The Southeast Coast Magmatic Belt is characterized by Poisson’s ratios >0.25 and a crustal thickness of 28–33 km, reflecting probably intermediate to mafic compositions of the crust. The southwestern part of the Cathaysia Fold Belt exhibits a crustal thickness of 27–30 km and Poisson’s ratios