Seismic anisotropy and mantle flow constrained by shear wave splitting in central Myanmar

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enbo Fan ◽  
Yumei He ◽  
Yinshuang Ai ◽  
Stephen S. Gao ◽  
Kelly H. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Wave Splitting

Mantle flow under the Central Alps: Constraints from non-vertical-ray SKS shear-wave splittting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Löberich ◽  
Götz Bokelmann
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Depth Resolution ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Upper Mantle Anisotropy ◽  
Wave Splitting

<p>The association of seismic anisotropy and deformation, as e.g. exploited by shear-wave splitting measurements, provides a unique opportunity to map the orientation of geodynamic processes in the upper mantle and to constraint their nature. However, due to the limited depth-resolution of steeply arriving core-phases, used for shear-wave splitting investigations, it appears difficult to differentiate between asthenospheric and lithospheric origins of observed seismic anisotropy. To change that, we take advantage of the different backazimuthal variations of fast orientation <em>φ</em> and delay time <em>Δt</em>, when considering the non-vertical incidence of phases passing through an olivine block with vertical b-axis as opposed to one with vertical c-axis. Both these alignments can occur depending on the type of deformation, e.g. a sub-horizontal foliation orientation in the case of a simple asthenospheric flow and a sub-vertical foliation when considering vertically-coherent deformation in the lithosphere. In this study we investigate the cause of seismic anisotropy in the Central Alps. Combining high-quality manual shear-wave splitting measurements of three datasets leads to a dense station coverage. Fast orientations <em>φ</em> show a spatially coherent and relatively simple mountain-chain-parallel pattern, likely related to a single-layer case of upper mantle anisotropy. Considering the measurements of the whole study area together, our non-vertical-ray shear-wave splitting procedure points towards a b-up olivine situation and thus favors an asthenospheric anisotropy source, with a horizontal flow plane of deformation. We also test the influence of position relative to the European slab, distinguishing a northern and southern subarea based on vertically-integrated travel times through a tomographic model. Differences in the statistical distribution of splitting parameters <em>φ</em> and <em>Δt</em>, and in the backazimuthal variation of <em>δφ</em> and <em>δΔt</em>, become apparent. While the observed seismic anisotropy in the northern subarea shows indications of asthenospheric flow, likely a depth-dependent plane Couette-Poiseuille flow around the Alps, the origin in the southern subarea remains more difficult to determine and may also contain effects from the slab itself.</p>

scholarly journals Shear-Wave Splitting in the Alpine Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Götz Bokelmann ◽  
Gerrit Hein ◽  
Petr Kolinsky ◽  
Irene Bianchi ◽  
AlpArray Working Group
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Eastern Alps ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Alpine Region ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Wave Splitting ◽  
Ocean Bottom Seismometers

<p>To constrain seismic anisotropy under and around the Alps in Europe, we study SKS shear-wave splitting from the region densely covered by the AlpArray seismic network. We apply a technique based on measuring the splitting intensity, constraining well both the fast orientation and the splitting delay. 4 years of teleseismic earthquake data were processed automatically (without human intervention), from 724 temporary and permanent broadband stations of the AlpArray deployment including ocean-bottom seismometers. We have obtained an objective image of anisotropic structure in and around the Alpine region, at a spatial resolution that is unprecedented. As in earlier studies, we observe a coherent rotation of fast axes in the western part of the Alpine chain, and a region of homogeneous fast orientation in the central Alps.  The spatial variation of splitting delay times is particularly interesting. On one hand, there is a clear positive correlation with Alpine topography, suggesting that part of the seismic anisotropy (deformation) is caused by the Alpine orogeny. On the other hand, anisotropic strength around the mountain chain shows a distinct contrast between western and eastern Alps. This difference is best explained by the more active mantle flow around the Western Alps. We discuss earlier concepts of Alpine geodynamics in the light of these new observational constraints. </p>

scholarly journals Deep Anisotropic Structure under the Central Volcanic Region, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sonja Melanie Greve
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mantle Wedge ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Delay Times ◽  
Wave Splitting

<p>Seismic anisotropy across the Hikurangi subduction zone measured from shear-wave splitting exhibits strong lateral changes over distances of about 250 km. Teleseismic S-phases show trench-parallel fast polarisations with increasing delay times across the forearc and arc region. In the arc region, delay times reach up to 4.5 s, one of the largest delay times measured in the world. Such large delay times suggest strong anisotropy or long travel paths through the anisotropic regions. Delay times decrease systematically in the backarc region. In contrast, local S-phases exhibit a distinct change from trench-parallel fast orientations in the forearc to rench-perpendicular in the backarc, with average delay times of 0.35 s. In the far backarc, no apparent anisotropy is observed for teleseismic S-phases. The three different anisotropic regions across the subduction zone are interpreted by distinct anisotropic domains at depth: 1) In the forearc region, the observed "average" anisotropy (about 4%) is attributed to trench-parallel mantle flow below the slab with possible contributions fromanisotropy in the slab. 2) In the arc region, high (up to 10%) frequency dependent anisotropy in the mantle wedge, ascribed to melt, together with the sub-slab anisotropy add up to cause the observed high delay times. 3) In the far backarc region, the mantle wedge dynamic ends. The apparent isotropy must be caused by different dynamics, e.g. vertical mantle flow or small-scale convection, possibly induced by convective removal of thickened lithosphere. The proposed hypothesis is tested using anisotropicwave propagation in two-dimensional finite difference models. Large-scale models of the subduction zone (hundreds of kilometres) incorporating the proposed anisotropic domains of the initial interpretation result in synthetic shear-wave splittingmeasurements that closely resemble all large-scale features of real data observations across the central North Island. The preferred model constrains the high (10%) anisotropy to the mantle wedge down to about 100 kmunder the CVR, bound to the west by an isotropic region under the western North Island; the slab is isotropic and the subslab region has average (3.5%) anisotropy, down to 300 km. This model succeeds in reproducing the constant splitting parameters in the forearc region, the strong lateral changes across the CVR and the apparent isotropy in the far backarc region, as well as the backazimuthal variations. The influence of melt on seismic anisotropy is examined with different small-scale (tens of kilometres) analytical modelling approaches calculating anisotropy due to melt occurring in inclusions, cracks or bands. Conclusions are kept conservative with the intention not to over-interpret the data due to model complexities. The models show that seismic anisotropy strongly depends on the scale of inclusions and wavelengths. Frequency dependent anisotropy for local and teleseismic shear-waves, e.g. for frequency ranges of 0.01-1Hz can be observed for aligned inclusions on the order of tens of meters. To test the proposed frequency dependence in the recorded data, two different approaches are introduced. Delay times exhibit a general trend of -3 s/Hz. A more detailed analysis is difficult due to the restricted frequency content of the data. Future studies with intermediate frequency waves (such as regional S-phases) are needed to further investigate the cause of the discrepancy between local and teleseismic shear-wave splitting. An additional preliminary study of travel time residuals identifies a characteristic pattern across central North Island. Interpretation highlights the method as a valuable extension of the shear-wave splitting study and suggests a more detailed examination to be conducted in future.</p>

scholarly journals Mantle flow under the Central Alps: Constraints from non-vertical SKS shear-wave splitting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Löberich ◽  
Götz Bokelmann
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Depth Resolution ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Upper Mantle Anisotropy ◽  
Wave Splitting

Abstract. The association of seismic anisotropy and deformation, as e.g. exploited by shear-wave splitting measurements, provides a unique opportunity to map the orientation of geodynamic processes in the upper mantle and to constraint their nature. However, due to the limited depth-resolution of steeply arriving core-phases, used for shear-wave splitting investigations, it appears difficult to differentiate between asthenospheric and lithospheric origins of observed seismic anisotropy. To change that, we take advantage of the different backazimuthal variations of fast orientation &amp;varphi; and delay time Δt, when considering the non-vertical incidence of phases passing through an olivine block with vertical b-axis as opposed to one with vertical c-axis. Both these alignments can occur depending on the type of deformation, e.g. a sub-horizontal foliation orientation in the case of a simple asthenospheric flow and a sub-vertical foliation when considering vertically-coherent deformation in the lithosphere. In this study we investigate the cause of seismic anisotropy in the Central Alps. Combining high-quality shear-wave splitting measurements of three datasets leads to a dense station coverage. Fast orientations &amp;varphi; show a spatially coherent and relatively simple mountain-chain-parallel pattern, likely related to a single-layer case of upper mantle anisotropy. Considering the measurements of the whole study area together, our non-vertical-ray shear-wave splitting procedure points towards a b-up olivine situation and thus favors an asthenospheric anisotropy source, with a horizontal flow plane of deformation. We also test the influence of position relative to the European slab, distinguishing a northern and southern subarea based on vertically-integrated travel times through a tomographic model. Differences in the statistical distribution of splitting parameters &amp;varphi; and Δt, and in the backazimuthal variation of δ&amp;varphi; and δΔt, become apparent. While the observed seismic anisotropy in the northern subarea shows indications of asthenospheric flow, likely a depth-dependent plane Couette-Poiseuille flow around the Alps, the origin in the southern subarea remains more difficult to determine and may also contain effects from the slab itself.

scholarly journals Upper Mantle Anisotropy beneath the Western Segment, NW Indian Himalaya, Using Shear Wave Splitting

Lithosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubhasmita Biswal ◽  
Sushil Kumar ◽  
Sunil K. Roy ◽  
M. Ravi Kumar ◽  
W. K. Mohanty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Plate Motion ◽  
Indian Plate ◽  
Deformation Pattern ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Wave Splitting

Abstract This study investigates the upper mantle deformation pattern beneath the Indo-Eurasia collision zone utilizing the core-refracted (S(K)KS) phases from 167 earthquakes recorded by 20 broadband seismic stations deployed in the Western Himalaya. The 76 new shear wave splitting measurements reveal that the fast polarization azimuths (FPAs) are mainly oriented in the ENE-WSW direction, with the delay times varying between 0.2 and 1.7 s. The FPAs at most of the stations tend to be orthogonal to the major geological boundaries in the Western Himalaya. The average trend of the FPAs at each station indicates that the seismic anisotropy is primarily caused due to strain-induced deformation in the top ~200 km of the upper mantle as a result of the ongoing Indo-Eurasian collision. A contribution from the mantle flow in the direction of the Indian plate motion is possible. The mantle strain revealed in the present study may be due to a combination of basal shear resulting from plate motion and ductile flow along the collision front due to compression.

scholarly journals Shear Wave Splitting and Mantle Flow in Mexico: What Have we Learned?

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl W. Valenzuela ◽  
Gerardo León Soto
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Slow Wave ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Shear Wave Splitting ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Wave Splitting

A review is presented of the shear wave splitting studies of the upper mantle carried out in Mexico during the last decade. When a seismic wave enters an anisotropic medium it splits, which means that a fast and a slow wave are produced. Two parameters are used to quantify anisotropy. These are the fast polarization direction and the delay time between the fast and the slow wave. An example of the measurement technique is presented using an SKS phase because most observations are based on teleseismic data. Results of two studies using local S waves from intraslab earthquakes are also discussed. Key aspects of the interpretation of splitting measurements are explained. These include the depth localization of anisotropy, the relation-ship between olivine fabrics and mantle flow, the role of absolute plate motion, and the role of relative plate motions with a special focus on subduction zones. An important motivation for studying seismic anisotropy is that it makes it possible to constrain the characteristics of upper mantle flow and its relationship to tectonic processes. Mexico has many diverse tectonic environments, some of which are currently active, or were formerly active, and have left their imprint on seismic anisotropy. This has resulted in a wide variety of mechanisms for driving mantle flow. Broadly speaking, the discussion is organized into the following regions: Baja California peninsula, Western Mexican Basin and Range, northern and northeastern Mexico, the Middle America Trench, the Yucatán peninsula, and lowermost mantle anisotropy. Depending on the unique characteristics encountered within each region, the relationship between anisotropy and mantle flow is explored.

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