Seismic evidence for a detachment layer above the subducted continental Indian slab beneath the Indo-Burma Ranges

Myanmar, located at the southern edge of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, plays a crucial geological role in understanding the interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates. While previous studies have employed various methods to investigate the subducting slab beneath Myanmar, the fine-scale structure of the slab, particularly beneath the Indo-Burma Ranges, remains unresolved. In this study, we utilize seismic data from a dense seismic array across the Indo-Burma Ranges in central Myanmar to investigate the structural characteristics of the subducting slab. Using receiver function analysis, we identify a series of seismic discontinuities associated with the subducting Indian slab. By integrating geodetic and seismicity data, our imaging reveals that the Indian slab beneath central Myanmar is a continental slab and highlights the presence of a shear zone or detachment layer above it. These findings provide new insights into the subduction process and contribute to a deeper understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Indo-Burma region.