Abstract The Ordos Block is a critical component of the North China Craton (NCC), which is located at the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Over the years, it has undergone complex tectonic evolution due to the influence of multiple factors, such as the India–Eurasia plate collision, the subduction of the Pacific Plate, and the southward movement of the Siberian Plate. To investigate the crustal structure and dynamic evolution of the northern margin of the Ordos Block, this study employs joint inversion of receiver functions and gravity data and then integrates results from geology, geophysics, and geodesy. The overall results indicate that the crustal thickness shows a thickening trend from south to north. The generally high Poisson’s ratio suggests that the crust is rich in silica or subjected to high crustal stress. Furthermore, the common conversion point (CCP) stacking results identify distinct layering in the subsurface structure of the northern margin, including the Conrad discontinuity and low-velocity zones, thus reflecting its complex deep structure. Driven by the eastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau and the northwestward subduction of the Pacific Plate, the block rotates counterclockwise, playing a significant role in the formation of surrounding rift basins. The abovementioned findings emphasize the influence of surrounding tectonic activities on the crustal structure and dynamics of the northern margin of the Ordos Block, thus highlighting the potential for strong earthquakes in the region.
Fund: This study was funded by the Earthquake Agency of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Director's Fund Project (Grant No. 2023QN13), the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Grant No. 2024MS0421), and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Science and Technology Plan (Grant No. 2023YFSH0004).
About author: Cui Feng-Zhi , Master's degree, graduated in 2021 from Guilin University of Technology with a major in Geology. He is currently working at the In nerMongolia Earthquake Administration, focusing on tectonic geology and digital seismology.
Cite this article:
. nversion of the Deep Structure of the Northern Margin of the Ordos Block Using Teleseismic Receiver Functions and Gravity Data[J]. APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, 2025, 22(4): 1425-1443.
2025, Vol. 22 
