Lithospheric magnetic variations on the Tibetan Plateau based on a 3D surface spline model, compared with strong earthquake occurrences

The National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) of the United States has collected aeromagnetic data for input into a series of geomagnetic models to improve model resolution; however, in the Tibetan Plateau region, ground-based observations remain insufficient to clearly reflect the characteristics of the region’s lithospheric magnetism. In this study, we evaluate the lithospheric magnetism of the Tibetan Plateau by using a 3D surface spline model based on observations from >200 newly constructed repeat stations (portable stations) to determine the spatial distribution of plateau geomagnetism, as well as its correlation with the tectonic features of the region. We analyze the relationships between M ≥ 5 earthquakes and lithospheric magnetic field variations on the Tibetan Plateau and identify regions susceptible to strong earthquakes. We compare the geomagnetic results with those from an enhanced magnetic model (EMM2015) developed by the NGDC and provide insights into improving lithospheric magnetic field calculations in the Tibetan Plateau region. Further research reveals that these magnetic anomalies exhibit distinct differences from the magnetic–seismic correlation mechanisms observed in other tectonic settings; here, they are governed primarily by the combined effects of compressional magnetism, thermal magnetism, and deep thermal stress. This study provides new evidence of geomagnetic anomalies on the Tibetan Plateau, interprets them physically, and demonstrates their potential for identifying seismic hazard zones on the Plateau.