Crust and upper mantle structure beneath the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, the <i>Japan</i> Sea, and the Philippine Sea

A new 3D S-velocity model for the crust and upper mantle beneath Yellow Sea, East China Japan Philippine Sea is determined by means of Rayleigh-wave analysis depths ranging from 0 to 400 km, most conspicuous features earth structure in this region are revealed model. In depth range 5 30 principally affected thickness crust. areas with thin (oceanic crust), highest values determined, while lower shown a transitional For decrease observed crustal towards north can be result back-arc spreading that formed sea 32 10 Ma. Thus, four models proposed explain oceanic sea, supported results present study difference type western part eastern-northeastern consistent two different theories, origins both parts sea. 60 shows higher than eastern part, because age greater part. The 0.2 km/s between implies temperature within lithosphere may reach ~370°C. controversy previous lithospheric-thickness determinations solved determining 90 km. Okinawa Trough characterized lithosphere, thick asthenosphere, low S-velocities. These other evidence suggest formation Asian rifting system, realistic asthenosphere all area has been precisely located mapped S-velocity, first time. Pacific slabs their corresponding wedges above also