Crustal structure of the central Qaidam basin imaged by seismic wide-angle reflection/refraction profiling

► We present the deep crustal structure of the central Qaidam basin, the largest basin within the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. ► The sedimentary fill of the Qaidam basin reaches a maximum thickness of 8 km, and the basin shape mirrors the uplifted Moho. ► Low-velocity zones with a 3-5% reduction in seismic velocity are detected in the lower crust beneath the Qaidam basin. ► The crystalline crust is thickest (58-62 km) towards the Qilian Shan and thinnest beneath the center of the basin (52 km). ► Our results suggest that the Qaidam crust has an essentially felsic composition with an intermediate layer at its base.