Density, temperature, and composition of the North American lithosphere-New insights from a joint analysis of seismic, gravity, and mineral physics data: 1. Density structure of the crust and upper mantle

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 4781-4807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail K. Kaban ◽  
Magdala Tesauro ◽  
Walter D. Mooney ◽  
Sierd A. P. L. Cloetingh
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Density Structure ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Mineral Physics ◽  
The North

scholarly journals Density structure and isostasy of the lithosphere in Egypt and their relation to seismicity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail K. Kaban ◽  
Sami El Khrepy ◽  
Nassir Al-Arifi
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Nile Delta ◽  
Western Desert ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Density Structure ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Gravity Field Model ◽  
Northern Red Sea

Abstract. A joint analysis of the new satellite-terrestrial gravity field model with the recent data on the crustal structure and seismic tomography model was conducted to create an integrative model of the crust and upper mantle; and to investigate the relation of the density structure and the isostatic state of the lithosphere to the seismicity of Egypt. We identified the distinct fragmentation of the lithosphere of Egypt into several blocks. This division is closely related to the seismicity patterns in this region. The relatively dense and strong lithosphere in the Nile Delta limits the seismic activity within this area, while earthquakes are mainly associated with the boundaries of this block. In the same way, the relatively strong lithosphere in the Suez Isthmus and northern Mediterranean prevents the Gulf of Suez from opening further. The central part of Egypt is generally characterized by an increased density of the mantle, which extends to the Mediterranean at a depth of 100 km. This anomaly deepens southward to Gilf El Kebir and eastward to the Eastern Desert. The average density of the crystalline crust is generally reduced in this zone, indicating the increased thickness of the upper crust. The low-density anomaly under the northern Red Sea is limited to 100–125 km, confirming the passive origin of the extension. Most of the earthquakes occur in the crust and uppermost mantle in this structure due to the hot and weak upper mantle underneath. Furthermore, an asymmetric lithosphere structure is observed across the Northern Red Sea. The isostatic anomalies show the fragmentation of the crust of Sinai with the high-density central block. Strong variations of the isostatic anomalies are correlated with the high level of seismicity around Sinai. This tendency is also evident in the North Red Sea, east of the Nile Valley, and in parts of the Western Desert.

scholarly journals Density structure and isostasy of the lithosphere in Egypt and their relation to seismicity

Solid Earth ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 833-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail K. Kaban ◽  
Sami El Khrepy ◽  
Nassir Al-Arifi
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Nile Delta ◽  
Western Desert ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Density Structure ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Gravity Field Model ◽  
Northern Red Sea

Abstract. A joint analysis of the new satellite–terrestrial gravity field model with recent data on the crustal structure and seismic tomography was conducted to create an integrative model of the crust and upper mantle and to investigate the relation of the density structure and the isostatic state of the lithosphere to the seismicity of Egypt. We identified the distinct fragmentation of the lithosphere of Egypt in several blocks. This division is closely related to the seismicity patterns in this region. The relatively dense and strong lithosphere in the Nile Delta limits the seismic activity within this area, while earthquakes are mainly associated with the boundaries of this block. In the same way, the relatively strong lithosphere in the Isthmus of Suez and northern Mediterranean prevents the Gulf of Suez from opening further. The central part of Egypt is generally characterized by an increased density of the mantle, which extends to the Mediterranean at a depth of 100 km. This anomaly deepens southward to Gilf Kebir and eastward to the Eastern Desert. The average density of the crystalline crust is generally reduced in this zone, indicating the increased thickness of the upper crust. The low-density anomaly under the northern Red Sea is limited to 100–125 km, confirming the passive origin of the extension. Most of the earthquakes occur in the crust and uppermost mantle in this structure due to the hot and weak upper mantle underneath. Furthermore, an asymmetric lithosphere structure is observed across the northern Red Sea. The isostatic anomalies show the fragmentation of the crust of Sinai with the high-density central block. Strong variations in the isostatic anomalies are correlated with the high level of seismicity around Sinai. This tendency is also evident in the northern Red Sea, east of the Nile Valley, and in parts of the Western Desert.

Reflections from discontinuities beneath antarctica

1971 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1441-1451
Author(s):  
R. D. Adams
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Deep Structure ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Nuclear Explosions ◽  
Novaya Zemlya ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Velocity Channel ◽  
Upper Boundary

abstract Early reflections of the phase P′P′ recorded at North American seismograph stations from nuclear explosions in Novaya Zemlya are used to examine the crust and upper mantle beneath a region of eastern Antarctica. Many reflections are observed from depths less than 120 km, indicating considerable inhomogeneity at these depths in the Earth. No regular horizons were found throughout the area, but some correlation was observed among reflections at closely-spaced stations, and, at many stations, reflections were observed from depths of between 60 and 80 km, corresponding to a likely upper boundary of the low-velocity channel. Deeper reflections were found at depths of near 420 and 650 km. The latter boundary was particularly well-observed and appears to be sharply defined at a depth that is constant to within a few kilometers. The boundary at 420 km is not so well defined by reflections of P′P′, but reflects well longer-period PP waves, arriving at wider angles of incidence. This boundary appears to be at least as pronounced, but not so sharp as that near 650 km. The deep structure beneath Antarctica presents no obvious difference from that beneath other continental areas.

Electromagnetic images of the Trans-Hudson orogen: the North American Central Plains anomaly revealed

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan G Jones ◽  
Juanjo Ledo ◽  
Ian J Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Properties ◽  
North American ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lithospheric Mantle ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Conductivity Anomaly ◽  
Central Plains ◽  
Slave Craton ◽  
The North ◽  
Kimberlite Field

Magnetotelluric studies of the Trans-Hudson orogen over the last two decades, prompted by the discovery of a significant conductivity anomaly beneath the North American Central Plains (NACP), from over 300 sites yield an extensive database for interrogation and enable three-dimensional information to be obtained about the geometry of the orogen from southern North Dakota to northern Saskatchewan. The NACP anomaly is remarkable in its continuity along strike, testimony to along-strike similarity of orogenic processes. Where bedrock is exposed, the anomaly can be associated with sulphides that were metamorphosed during subduction and compression and penetratively emplaced deep within the crust of the internides of the orogen to the boundary of the Hearne margin. A new result from this compilation is the discovery of an anomaly within the upper mantle beginning at depths of ~80–100 km. This lithospheric mantle conductor has electrical properties similar to those for the central Slave craton mantle conductor, which lies directly beneath the major diamond-producing Lac de Gras kimberlite field. While the Saskatchewan mantle conductor does not directly underlie the Fort à la Corne kimberlite, which is associated with the Sask craton, the spatial correspondence is close.

Azimuth and slowness anomalies of seismic waves measured on the central California seismographic array. Part I. Observations

1966 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michio Otsuka
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Central California ◽  
The North ◽  
Upper Mantle Structure ◽  
Coast Ranges ◽  
The University

abstract Arrays of seismographs are usually considered to be detectors which give enhanced signals from distant earthquakes. They also provide, however, a new way of learning more about the structure of the crust and upper mantle. The deviation of the seismic-wave surface from its expected configuration may be regarded as a consequence of non-homogeneous and anisotropic conditions in the earth. The operations of the University of California network of telemetry stations in the Coast Ranges of California provides an opportunity to discover the practicality of this approach. The situation of this network near the continental margin gives the study particular interest. The differences in arrival-times between array elements of coherent peaks or troughs of P and pP phases from 28 teleseisms in the period of 1963-1964 were read from the telemetry records of the central California seismographic array. The direction of approach and velocities of the wave fronts were then determined and compared with the great circle azimuths and with the apparent velocities calculated from the Jeffreys-Bullen tables. The observed anomalies in direction of approach and apparent velocites are found to be cyclic functions of the direction of the source. The amplitudes of these functions are almost 10 degrees in azimuth anomaly and 1.0 sec/deg in slowness anomaly. Error analyses show that the anomaly functions cannot be attributed to the measurement errors. The derived anomaly functions provide a powerful means of examining crustal and upper mantle structure under the array and perhaps at the source. Variations between subsets of the array indicate significant differences in structure between portions of the Coast Ranges to the north and to the south of Hollister.

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