Moho Interface Modeling Beneath the Himalayas, Tibet and Central Siberia Using GOCO02S and DTM2006.0

Abstract

We apply a newly developed method to estimate the Moho depths and density contrast beneath the Himalayas, Tibet and Central Siberia. This method utilizes the combined least-squares approach based on solving the inverse problem of isostasy and using the constraining information from the seismic global crustal model (CRUST2.0). The gravimetric forward modeling is applied to compute the isostatic gravity anomalies using the global geopotential model (GOCO02S) and the global topographic/bathymetric model (DTM2006.0). The estimated Moho depths vary between 60 - 70 km beneath most of the Himalayas and Tibet and reach the maxima of similar to 79 km. The Moho depth under Central Siberia is typically 50 - 60 km. The Moho density contrast computed relative to the CRUST2.0 lower crustal densities has the maxima of similar to 300 kg m(-3) under Central Tibet. It substantially decreases to 150 - 250 kg(-3) under Himalayas and north Tibet. The estimated Moho density contrast under central Siberia is within 100 - 200 kg m(-3).