Three-dimensional Moho topography beneath the Tibetan Plateau determined by Γxy, Γxz and Γyz of GOCE gravity gradients.

[Display omitted] • The direct function relationships between three-dimensional Moho topography and Γ xy Γ xz as well as Γ yz of GOCE gravity gradients are deduced. • The deepest Moho in the Tibetan Plateau is approximately 72 km, located at western Kunlun Block. • Clear Moho folds are identified and their dominated wavelengths are approximately 700 km. For understanding the structure of crust and upper mantle underneath the Tibetan Plateau, it is important to determine the Moho topography. The spatial resolution of Moho topography beneath the Tibetan Plateau inverted by seismic methods is relatively low due to the uneven and sparse seismic stations. In recent years after the implementation of gravity satellite missions, gravity method has been used extensively for various purposes because of precise and globally evenly distributed gravity observations. Compared with gravity data, gravity gradients are more sensitive to Moho undulation and can provide more details. Therefore, a method of determining three-dimensional Moho topography by using Γ xy , Γ xz and Γ yz of GOCE gravity gradients is developed in this paper. The Moho topography of the Tibetan Plateau is obtained and the result show that, the deepest Moho may reach to ∼72 km depth, located at western Kunlun Block; the dominated wavelengths of Moho undulations in west-east direction are approximately 754 km, and those in north–south direction are approximately 708 km; more tectonic information can be observed in our inverted Moho topography than that from CRUST1.0. By comparing results with previous publications, our method is precise and effective and provides an optional way to estimate Moho topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]