Dataset of "Lithospheric density variations derived from seismic and satellite gravity constraints"

This repository contains data and figures associated with the manuscript entitled “Lithospheric density variations derived from seismic and satellite gravity constraints”. The abstract of the paper is provided below to offer a rapid overview of our work. The inversion codes could be found in a separate archive at https://zenodo.org/records/16892230 Density variations of the Earth's lithosphere are examined through an inverse modeling approach that integrates constraints from both seismic and satellite gravitational data. To reconstruct the long-wavelength density structure responsible for the lithospheric gravitational field, a seismically derived density model is utilized to provide constraints at spherical harmonic degrees 0-13, while finer structures are constrained by higher degree satellite gravity data. The resultant density model, characterized by the density structure of a spherical equivalent source layer, furnishes a higher-resolution and more accurate depiction of lateral variations of the lithospheric density structure. A comprehensive analysis confirms systematic variations in the resultant density model across different crustal types and basement ages, revealing distinct characteristics for different tectonic settings. On continental scales, the trend of mean crustal density increases with lithospheric thickness and indicates the influence of contrasting thermal-tectonic settings. There is a prominent density contrast between thin, tectonically active lithosphere and thick, stable cratonic lithosphere attributable primarily to their different thermal regimes. We compare our crustal densities with lithospheric magnetic susceptibility and find a negative correlation in hot regimes and a positive correlation in cold regimes. These correlations further illustrate how thermal-tectonic crustal setting shapes both crustal density and susceptibility across all tectonic regimes. In oceanic regions, mid-ocean ridges exhibit the lowest densities, while island arcs and subduction zones show higher densities and elevated magnetic susceptibility, likely reflecting eclogitization of the subducting crust and serpentinization of the mantle wedge due to slab dehydration. Oceanic large igneous provinces display unexpectedly low densities despite their basaltic crusts, together with high susceptibility and low heat flow, suggesting that extensive hydration and serpentinization within their lithospheric mantle may contribute to their buoyancy and long-term stability. Oceanic crustal density increases rapidly within the first ~40 Ma, forming an inverse-L shape characteristic of lithospheric thermal cooling, then stabilizes with increasing density perturbations induced by localized tectonic and magmatic processes.