The State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution (also called the Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Tectonic Evolution , Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), was approved to open up to the public in May, 1989, and upgraded as national key lab in April, 2005. Being a department focusing on the research of comprehensive geological theories, the laboratory is aiming at systematical interpretations of the formation, structure, forming mechanisms, and evolution, of the continental lithosphere, by basing on the theoretical framework of the Earth System Science, focusing on major international scientific issues in the domain of continental lithosphere, and following the clue in research of the interactive effects among different layers in the deep of the earth. By doing so, the laboratory may be able to make creative contributions to the theoretical development of lithosphere evolution and set up a good example for the development of domestic research on lithosphere evolution.

 

   The research direction of the laboratory: The laboratory will use the knowledge of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and other subjects, and establish field laboratories as a means, to investigate the materials, structure, and state of the continental lithosphere in China and its neighboring countries, understand the dynamic process of lithosphere in the whole activities of the solid earth, explore the mechanisms of interactive effects within the earth, so as to make contributions to the establishment of systematic theories for Solid Earth Science.

 

   The long-term goal of the laboratory: contribute to the research of lithosphere evolution and provide scientific basis for decision-making in constructing national resources protection system and supporting sustainable social development; open up completely and implement brand-new operational mechanism; attract and foster young talents, realize the multi-discipline integration, so as to transform the laboratory  into a international research and exchange center in the study of lithosphere evolution and a base for attracting and cultivating both domestic and foreign talents.

 

   Recent research tasks of the laboratory will be the process and mechanism of formation, transformation, and destruction for continental lithosphere, including (1) early formation and evolution of continental lithosphere represented by craton in northern China; (2) transformation and destruction process of continental lithosphere represented by the east part of northern China; (3) deep continental subduction and crust-mantle interaction represented by the northern margin of Dabie-Sulu - Qinling-North Qaidam and the high-pressure metamorphic belt in Tibet; (4) orogeny and mainland proliferative hyperplasia represented by the North-Central-East Asia orogenic zone; (5) mountain root formation and evolution mechanisms of continent-continent collision orogeny represented by Himalayan orogenic belts.

 

   There are four observation systems in the Laboratory, namely: (1) analysis and test system for the composition and properties of the lithosphere, including component determination, radioisotope analysis, stable isotope analysis, micro-analysis of composition and structure, fluid inclusion analysis; (2) observation System for deep structure of earth, mainly used to long-term observation of earthquakes and real time seismic observation through mobile seismic network; (3) determination system for geochronology, including the isotope chronometry of 14 C, U-Series, 39 Ar-40 Ar, Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, and OSL; (4) data-processing computer system. The advanced equipments of the laboratory are capable of yielding high-quality data of international standards and meeting the basic needs of the lithosphere evolution research.

 

  To encourage and support the research of both domestic and foreign scientists in the field of innovation lithosphere evolution, laboratory has set up special funds for open projects, domestic and foreign scientists are welcome to apply for the funds.

 

    The laboratory will put priority on applications of creative research, under the same conditions, priorities shall be given to outstanding young scientists and post-doctoral research and interdisciplinary research.

Approved funds for open projects will be mainly used in analysis and test, thesis publication, patent applications, field investigation and missions. The use of laboratory equipment for researches will be encouraged.

 

    During the process of the projects, guest researchers who are in charge of the projects shall enjoy the same treatment and comply with the requirements of the laboratory.

 

    Achievements of open projects in the lithosphere evolution belong to the laboratory. The title of the laboratory shall be specified when publishing theses or applying for patents about the achievements: " State Key Laboratory of Lithosphere evolution, Geology and Geophysics and the Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences".

 

    State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences猫聦芦猫聛聶猫聛聹State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics. Chinese Academy of Sciences. 猫聤聮猫聛聶猫聛潞"

 

State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution

May 2005.