Three-dimensional crustal density distribution beneath North China by sequential inversion of local earthquake traveltimes and gravity anomaly

A three-dimensional crustal density model beneath North China is determined using P-wave traveltimes and gravity datum by sequential inversion method in this paper. To improve the uniqueness of the solution, we used a linear relationship between velocity and density to achieve mutual conversions and constraints between velocity difference and density difference. Algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) was used in density inversion, which highly improved the calculation speed comparing with common least squares method. The inversion results indicate that the crustal density beneath North China is extremely inhomogeneous with its distribution coherent with regional tectonics. The lower crust of Taihang mountain tectonic zone shows an obvious low density characteristic. We proposed that it may be an indicator of upwelling of mantle materials or partial melting of lowermost crust.