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Situated in a transition zone between the western and eastern North China Craton (NCC), the central NCC exhibits complex dynamics features. Significant lithosphere thinning is observed beneath the eastern NCC and the northern segment of the central NCC. To study how the crust responses to the distinct lateral variations of the lithospheric mantle, we develop a method for joint inversion of Rayleigh and Love dispersion curves based on a transverse‐isotropic (or radial anisotropy) medium and obtain a 3‐D crustal radial anisotropy model. The results reveal significant heterogeneities along the Cenozoic Fenhe‐Weihe Rift (FWR). In the northern FWR, the discretely distributed lower crust positive anisotropy and upper crust negative anisotropy suggest the rifting is mainly dominated by the active mantle upwelling resulting in the Datong volcanoes. Similarly, the northern segment of the Taihang Mountain is also strongly affected by the magmatic activities and exhibits different anisotropy properties compared to its central‐to‐southern counterpart. Based on the negative anisotropy observed in the middle‐to‐lower crust beneath most parts of the Taihang Mountain, we speculate that a lower‐crust compression model can be applied to the Taihang Mountain, which is totally different to that of the adjacent Bohai Bay Basin. Possibly, the root of the Taihang Mountain is pushed by the westward moving lower crust coupled with the lateral escaping mantle flow beneath the Bohai Bay Basin. The Taihang Mountain and the Bohai Bay Basin are formed in similar tectonic environments, but are deformed in different ways. Key Points: A 3‐D crustal radial anisotropy model of the central North China Craton is builtMantle upwelling dominates the northern Fenhe‐Weihe Rift and northern Taihang MountainCrustal radial anisotropy evidences the lower‐crust compression beneath the southern the Taihang Mountain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fenhe‐Weihe Rift (FWR) system is one of the most active rift zones in east China, and plays an important role in the reactivation of the North China Craton. In this work, a high‐resolution 3‐D lithospheric S wave velocity model of the FWR is built by joint inversion of receiver functions and ambient noise. Strong correlation between topography and tectonic features is observed at shallow depths. At great depths, strong heterogeneities are observed along the FWR: (1) high‐velocity anomalies emerge beneath the Weihe and Taiyuan basins in the lower crust; (2) two high‐velocity anomalies are imaged in the uppermost mantle beneath the south to central FWR; and (3) two strong large‐scale, low‐velocity zones are observed beneath the north Trans‐North China Oregon: one is at ~60 km and the other one is much larger with a deeper source. Based on the petrologic properties, geochemical analyses, and seismic images obtained in this work, we propose that the rifting mechanisms between the south and north FWR are different. In the south, the rifting could be mainly caused by the passive effects from the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, while in the north the rifting is due to the combined effects of the asthenosphere upwelling and the counterclockwise rotation of the Ordos block. The uppermost mantle high‐velocity anomalies underneath the south to central part of the FWR could be the remnants of strong ancient cratonic root, and act as mechanical barriers to block the rifting processes between the south and north FWR. Plain Language Summary: A high‐resolution 3‐D crustal and uppermost mantle model of S wave velocity of the Fenhe‐Weihe Rift (FWR) is based on joint inversions of receiver functions and ambient noise. Two high‐velocity bodies are imaged in the uppermost mantle beneath the south to central FWR, while a large‐scale, low‐velocity zone was located beneath the north Trans‐North China Oregon. Passive rifting in the southern FWR is due to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, while rifting in the northern FWR is ascribed to the joint effects of the asthenosphere upwelling and propagation of the rifting from the south. Key Points: A high‐resolution 3‐D lithospheric S wave model of the FWR based on joint inversions of receiver functions and ambient noiseTwo high‐velocity bodies in the uppermost mantle beneath south to central FWR and a large‐scale, low‐velocity zone beneath the north TNCODifferent rifting mechanisms between the south and north FWR deciphered by the 3‐D seismic images in this work and previous evidences [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]