Structure profonde du mont Ross d'après la réfraction sismique (îles Kerguelen, océan Indien austral)

1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 1806-1821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Recq ◽  
Isabelle Le Roy ◽  
Philippe Charvis ◽  
Jean Goslin ◽  
Daniel Brefort
Keyword(s):  
Lower Crust ◽  
Poisson Ratio ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Type Model ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
Volcanic Feature ◽  
Plutonic Complex ◽  
Ring Complexes

Mont Ross is the main volcanic feature of the Kerguelen Archipelago (terres Australes et Antarctiques françaises). This newly formed volcano buildup over 2 Ma provides us with an outstanding model of volcanism occurring on an intraplate structure already aged 40 Ma. Mont Ross is the subaerial part of a plutonic complex located in Galliéni Peninsula. From seismic refraction studies, P-wave velocities within the upper crust range downward from 5.35 km/s at sea level to 6.60 km/s at a depth of 11 km. These are definitely higher than those encountered within surrounding basalts known as plateau basalts. These high velocities reveal, at first glance, an origin and composition of the basement of Mont Ross far distinct from those of tholeiitic or transitional lava flows generated near spreading centres. By comparison with plutonic ring complexes, it is reasonable to state that monzonite and syenite are the basic materials of the basement. Seismic velocities (6.85 to 7.30–7.35 km/s) and related Poisson ratio (σ = 0.30) within lower crust are consistent with gabbros as prominent material. The thickness of the lower crust below Mont Ross (6–7 km) is roughly the same as that below the archipelago. Gabbros are exposed around several plutonic ring complexes spread over the archipelago. The transition to mantle might be modelled by a 2 km thick transition zone, with high velocity gradient, already noticed below the archipelago. Velocities of 7.30–7.35 km/s at the base of the crust below Mont Ross do not preclude contamination of the lower crust by mantle material. Both gravity and seismic data substantiate the occurrence of high density (velocity) within the upper crust below Mont Ross. Isostatic compensation of Mont Ross is rather achieved by a flexural deflection of the lithosphere than by an Airy-type model. The structures of Mont Ross and Hawaiian volcanoes bear analogies likely related to their intraplate genesis.

scholarly journals Determination of rock densities in the Carpathian-Pannonian Basin lithosphere: based on the CELEBRATION 2000 experiment

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbora Šimonová ◽  
Miroslav Bielik
Keyword(s):  
Lower Crust ◽  
Pannonian Basin ◽  
Average Density ◽  
East European Craton ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
East European ◽  
P Wave Velocity

Abstract The international seismic project CELEBRATION 2000 brought very good information about the P-wave velocity distribution in the Carpathian-Pannonian Basin litosphere. In this paper seismic data were used for transformations of in situ P-wave velocities to in situ densities along all profiles running across the Western Carpathians and the Pannonian Basin: CEL01, CEL04, CEL05, CEL06, CEL09, CEL11 and CEL12. The calculation of rock densities in the crust and lower lithosphere was done by the transformation of seismic velocities to densities using the formulae of Sobolev-Babeyko, Christensen-Mooney and in the lower lithosphere also by Lachenbruch-Morgan’s formula. The density of the upper crust changes significantly in the vertical and horizontal directions, while the interval ranges of the calculated lower crust densities narrow down prominently. The lower lithosphere is the most homogeneous - the intervals of the calculated densities for this layer are already very narrow. The average density of the upper crust (ρ̅ = 2.60 g · cm−3) is the lowest in the Carpathian Foredeep region. On the contrary, the highest density of this layer (ρ̅ = 2.77 g · cm−3) is located in the Bohemian Massif. The average densities ρ̅ of the lower crust vary between 2.90 and 2.98 g · cm−3. The Palaeozoic Platform and the East European Craton have the highest density (ρ̅ = 2.98 g · cm−3 and ρ̅ = 2.97 g · cm−3, respectively). The lower crust density is the lowest (ρ̅ = 2.90 g · cm−3) in the Pannonian Basin. The range of calculated average densities ρ̅ for the lower lithosphere is changed in the interval from 3.35 to 3.40 g · cm−3. The heaviest lower lithosphere can be observed in the East European Craton (ρ̅ = 3.40 g · cm−3). The lower lithosphere of the Transdanubian Range and the Palaeozoic Platform is characterized by the lowest density ρ̅ = 3.35 g · cm−3.

Thermal regime of the lithosphere in the Canadian ShieldThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme Lithoprobe — parameters, processes, and the evolution of a continent.

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Perry ◽  
Carmen Rosieanu ◽  
Jean-Claude Mareschal ◽  
Claude Jaupart
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flow ◽  
Heat Generation ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Surface Heat ◽  
Canadian Shield ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Surface Heat Flow ◽  
Mantle Heat Flow

Geothermal studies were conducted within the framework of Lithoprobe to systematically document variations of heat flow and surface heat production in the major geological provinces of the Canadian Shield. One of the main conclusions is that in the Shield the variations in surface heat flow are dominated by the crustal heat generation. Horizontal variations in mantle heat flow are too small to be resolved by heat flow measurements. Different methods constrain the mantle heat flow to be in the range of 12–18 mW·m–2. Most of the heat flow anomalies (high and low) are due to variations in crustal composition and structure. The vertical distribution of radioelements is characterized by a differentiation index (DI) that measures the ratio of the surface to the average crustal heat generation in a province. Determination of mantle temperatures requires the knowledge of both the surface heat flow and DI. Mantle temperatures increase with an increase in surface heat flow but decrease with an increase in DI. Stabilization of the crust is achieved by crustal differentiation that results in decreasing temperatures in the lower crust. Present mantle temperatures inferred from xenolith studies and variations in mantle seismic P-wave velocity (Pn) from seismic refraction surveys are consistent with geotherms calculated from heat flow. These results emphasize that deep lithospheric temperatures do not always increase with an increase in the surface heat flow. The dense data coverage that has been achieved in the Canadian Shield allows some discrimination between temperature and composition effects on seismic velocities in the lithospheric mantle.

Dynamics of the extension in the Fonualei Rift in the northern Lau Basin at 16 °S

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Jegen ◽  
Anke Dannowski ◽  
Heidrun Kopp ◽  
Udo Barckhausen ◽  
Ingo Heyde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Pacific Plate ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
Lau Basin ◽  
Australian Plate ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Refraction Seismic ◽  
Roll Back

<p>The Lau Basin is a young back-arc basin steadily forming at the Indo-Australian-Pacific plate boundary, where the Pacific plate is subducting underneath the Australian plate along the Tonga-Kermadec island arc. Roughly 25 Ma ago, roll-back of the Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone commenced, which lead to break up of the overriding plate and thus the formation of the western Lau Ridge and the eastern Tonga Ridge separated by the emerging Lau Basin.</p><p>As an analogue to the asymmetric roll back of the Pacific plate, the divergence rates decline southwards hence dictating an asymmetric, V-shaped basin opening. Further, the decentralisation of the extensional motion over 11 distinct spreading centres and zones of active rifting has led to the formation of a composite crust formed of a microplate mosaic. A simplified three plate model of the Lau Basin comprises the Tonga plate, the Australian plate and the Niuafo'ou microplate. The northeastern boundary of the Niuafo'ou microplate is given by two overlapping spreading centres (OLSC), the southern tip of the eastern axis of the Mangatolu Triple Junction (MTJ-S) and the northern tip of the Fonualei Rift spreading centre (FRSC) on the eastern side. Slow to ultraslow divergence rates were identified along the FRSC (8-32 mm/a) and slow divergence at the MTJ (27-32 mm/a), both decreasing southwards. However, the manner of divergence has not yet been identified. Additional regional geophysical data are necessary to overcome this gap of knowledge.</p><p>Research vessel RV Sonne (cruise SO267) set out to conduct seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data along a 185 km long transect crossing the Lau Basin at ~16 °S from the Tonga arc in the east, the overlapping spreading centres, FRSC1 and MTJ-S2, and extending as far as a volcanic ridge in the west. The refraction seismic profile consisted of 30 ocean bottom seismometers. Additionally, 2D MCS reflection seismic data as well as magnetic and gravimetric data were acquired.</p><p>The results of our P-wave traveltime tomography show a crust that varies between 4.5-6 km in thickness. Underneath the OLSC the upper crust is 2-2.5 km thick and the lower crust 2-2.5 km thick. The velocity gradients of the upper and lower crust differ significantly from tomographic models of magmatically dominated oceanic ridges. Compared to such magmatically dominated ridges, our final P-wave velocity model displays a decreased velocity gradient in the upper crust and an increased velocity gradient in the lower crust more comparable to tectonically dominated rifts with a sparse magmatic budget.</p><p>The dominance of crustal stretching in the regional rifting process leads to a tectonical stretching, thus thinning of the crust under the OLSC and therefore increasing the lower crust’s velocity gradient. Due to the limited magmatic budget of the area, neither the magnetic anomaly nor the gravity data indicate a magmatically dominated spreading centre. We conclude that extension in the Lau Basin at the OLSC at 16 °S is dominated by extensional processes with little magmatism, which is supported by the distribution of seismic events concentrated at the northern tip of the FRSC.</p>

Reconnaissance seismic refraction-reflection surveys in northwestern New Mexico

1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1263-1274
Author(s):  
Lawrence H. Jaksha ◽  
David H. Evans
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Uppermost Mantle ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Crustal Thinning

Abstract A velocity model of the crust in northwestern New Mexico has been constructed from an interpretation of direct, refracted, and reflected seismic waves. The model suggests a sedimentary section about 3 km thick with an average P-wave velocity of 3.6 km/sec. The crystalline upper crust is 28 km thick and has a P-wave velocity of 6.1 km/sec. The lower crust below the Conrad discontinuity has an average P-wave velocity of about 7.0 km/sec and a thickness near 17 km. Some evidence suggests that velocity in both the upper and lower crust increases with depth. The P-wave velocity in the uppermost mantle is 7.95 ± 0.15 km/sec. The total crustal thickness near Farmington, New Mexico, is about 48 km (datum = 1.6 km above sea level), and there is evidence for crustal thinning to the southeast.

Velocity Structure of the Northeastern End of the Bayan Har Block, China, and the Seismogenic Environment of the Jiuzhaigou and Songpan-Pingwu Earthquakes: Inferences from Double-Difference Tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Yang ◽  
Zhifeng Ding ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Jia Cheng ◽  
Xuemei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Crust ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Earthquake Swarm ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Double Difference ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Bayan Har

ABSTRACT The 2017 Mw 6.5 Jiuzhaigou mainshock hit the northeastern end of the Bayan Har block, which has experienced many historical earthquakes, including the 1976 M 7.2 Songpan-Pingwu earthquake swarm. We used the double-difference tomography method to perform a joint inversion of the seismic source and P-wave velocity (VP) structure of the Jiuzhaigou-Songpan-Pingwu region. The results show significant lateral heterogeneity in the VP in the mid-upper crust. The velocity structure in the shallow crust correlates well with the surface geology. The Jiuzhaigou mainshock and Songpan-Pingwu earthquake swarm both occurred at the boundary between high- and low-VP anomalies. The Songpan-Pingwu earthquake swarm may be related to the eastward flow of low-viscosity material in the mid-lower crust of the Tibetan plateau. Low-viscosity material intrudes into the bedrock when it encounters the rigid Motianling massif, resulting in surface uplift and thrust earthquakes. By contrast, the Jiuzhaigou earthquake is associated with strain energy accumulating at the boundary between high- and low-VP anomalies related to the different movement rates of the low-VP material in the mid-lower crust and the high-VP body in the mid-upper crust. In this case, the high-VP body ruptures with a strike-slip sense to the southeast.

The structure of Archean–Ketilidian crust along the continental shelf of southwestern Greenland from a seismic refraction profile

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deping Chian ◽  
Keith Louden
Keyword(s):  
Lower Crust ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Mobile Belt ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Wave Velocities ◽  
Air Gun

The velocity structure of the continental crust on the outer shelf of southwestern Greenland is determined from dense wide-angle reflection–refraction data obtained with large air-gun sources and ocean bottom seismometers along a 230 km seismic line. This line crosses the geological boundary between the Archean block and the Ketilidian mobile belt. Although the data have high noise levels, P- and S-wave arrivals from within the upper, intermediate, and lower crust, and at the Moho boundary, can be consistently identified and correlated with one-dimensional WKBJ synthetic seismograms. In the Archean, P- and S-wave velocities in the upper crust are 6.0 and 3.4 km/s, while in the intermediate crust they are 6.4 and 3.6 km/s. These velocities match for the upper crust a quartz–feldspar gneiss composition and for the intermediate crust an amphibolitized pyroxene granulite. In the Ketilidian mobile belt, P- and S-wave velocities are 5.6 and 3.3 km/s for the upper crust and 6.3 and 3.6 km/s for the intermediate crust. These velocities may represent quartz granite in the upper crust and granite and granitic gneiss in the intermediate crust. The upper crust is ~5 km thick in the Archean block and the Ketilidian mobile belt, and thickens to ~9 km in the southern part of the Archean. This velocity structure supports a Precambrian collisional mechanism between the Archean block and Ketilidian mobile belt. The lower crust has a small vertical velocity gradient from 6.6 km/s at 15 km depth to 6.9 km/s at 30 km depth (Moho) along the refraction line, with a nearly constant S-wave velocity around 3.8 km/s. These velocities likely represent a gabbroic and hornblende granulite composition for the lower crust. This typical (but somewhat thin) Precambrian crustal velocity structure in southwestern Greenland shows no evidence for a high-velocity, lower crustal, underplated layer caused by the Mesozoic opening of the Labrador Sea.

scholarly journals A P-wave velocity model of the upper crust of the Sannio region (Southern Apennines, Italy)

1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Iannaccone ◽  
L. Improta ◽  
P. Capuano ◽  
A. Zollo ◽  
G. Biella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Apulia Platform

This paper describes the results of a seismic refraction profile conducted in October 1992 in the Sannio region, Southern Italy, to obtain a detailed P-wave velocity model of the upper crust. The profile, 75 km long, extended parallel to the Apenninic chain in a region frequently damaged in historical time by strong earthquakes. Six shots were fired at five sites and recorded by a number of seismic stations ranging from 41 to 71 with a spacing of 1-2 km along the recording line. We used a two-dimensional raytracing technique to model travel times and amplitudes of first and second arrivals. The obtained P-wave velocity model has a shallow structure with strong lateral variations in the southern portion of the profile. Near surface sediments of the Tertiary age are characterized by seismic velocities in the 3.0-4.1 km/s range. In the northern part of the profile these deposits overlie a layer with a velocity of 4.8 km/s that has been interpreted as a Mesozoic sedimentary succession. A high velocity body, corresponding to the limestones of the Western Carbonate Platform with a velocity of 6 km/s, characterizes the southernmost part of the profile at shallow depths. At a depth of about 4 km the model becomes laterally homogeneous showing a continuous layer with a thickness in the 3-4 km range and a velocity of 6 km/s corresponding to the Meso-Cenozoic limestone succession of the Apulia Carbonate Platform. This platform appears to be layered, as indicated by an increase in seismic velocity from 6 to 6.7 km/s at depths in the 6-8 km range, that has been interpreted as a lithological transition from limestones to Triassic dolomites and anhydrites of the Burano formation. A lower P-wave velocity of about 5.0-5.5 km/s is hypothesized at the bottom of the Apulia Platform at depths ranging from 10 km down to 12.5 km; these low velocities could be related to Permo-Triassic siliciclastic deposits of the Verrucano sequence drilled at the bottom of the Apulia Platform in the Apulia Foreland.

Crustal Structure of Eastern North Carolina: Piedmont and Coastal Plain

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 2288-2304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Zhao ◽  
Wenbin Guo
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Thin Layers ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
S Wave ◽  
The West ◽  
Atlantic Margin

Abstract We present the results from an onshore seismic refraction and wide‐angle reflection profile, conducted in 2015, across the coastal plain and eastern Piedmont provinces of North Carolina. We use forward modeling to create 1D synthetic seismogram models and then invert first break picks to create 2D P‐ and S‐wave velocity models. The crustal thickness is 38 km beneath the Piedmont and central coastal plain, but it thins to 32 km at the coastline. The average thickness of the upper crust is 11 km with an average P‐wave velocity (VP) of 6.0  km/s and S‐wave velocity (VS) of 3.5  km/s. A prominent seismic low‐velocity zone (LVZ) (VP<6.0 and VS<3.6  km/s) exists between the depths of 6 and 11 km, beneath the western third of the seismic profile. The middle crust varies greatly in thickness, increasing from 3 km in the west (eastern Piedmont) to 13 km in the east (coastal plain), with seismic velocities of 6.5  km/s for VP and 3.8  km/s for VS. The lower crust thins significantly toward the rifted Atlantic margin, decreasing from 24 km thick in the west (Piedmont) to 8 km at the coastline, with velocities of approximately 6.9  km/s for VP and 3.9  km/s for VS. We estimate the composition of the crust by comparing the measured values of VP and Poisson’s ratio with laboratory measurements. The upper and middle crusts are in agreement with a felsic composition, while the lower crustal composition is predominately felsic to intermediate. The LVZ in the upper crust is associated with thin layers of the mylonitic rocks involved in the top and the bottom of thrusting, and the top of the lower crust could be the master detachment fault during the thin‐skinned Alleghanian orogeny. The eastward thinning of the lower crust is consistent with crustal extension during the Mesozoic rifting of the Atlantic margin.

Crustal seismic velocity and density structure of the Intermontane and Coast belts, southwestern Cordillera

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 1362-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
George D Spence ◽  
Nancy A McLean
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
High Density ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Reflection Data

Seismic refraction - wide-angle reflection data were recorded along a 450 km profile across the Intermontane, Coast, and Insular belts of the Canadian Cordillera. Crust and upper mantle structure was interpreted from traveltime inversion and forward-amplitude modelling, and the resultant seismic velocities were used to constrain modelling of the Bouguer gravity data along the profile. A high-velocity, high-density block in the upper 8 km of crust was interpreted as the subsurface extension of Harrison terrane; the Harrison fault at its eastern boundary may extend to at least 8 km depth and perhaps 20 km. Throughout the crust, both seismic velocities and densities are in general high beneath the Insular belt, low beneath the Coast and western Intermontane belts, and intermediate beneath the eastern Intermontane belt. However, densities are unusually low in the lower crust beneath the Coast belt (2800 kg/m3), relative to velocities (6.6-6.8 km/s). This indicates that Coast belt plutonic material is present throughout the crust; strong upper mantle reflectivity, previously interpreted on a Lithoprobe reflection line beneath the western Coast belt, may be high-density residue associated with the unusually low density plutonic material. Based on gravity data, Wrangellia must terminate sharply against the western edge of the Coast belt. In the lower crust, the lowest seismic velocities are found vertically beneath the surface trace of the Fraser fault, where velocities just above the Moho only reach 6.5 km/s, in contrast with 6.8 km/s beneath the western Coast belt and eastern Intermontane belt. This provides support for a subvertical geometry for the Fraser fault, perhaps with a broad zone of diffuse shearing in the lower crust. At this location, the Fraser fault does not appear to vertically offset the Moho, which is well-constrained at a uniform depth of km east of the Harrison fault.

Crustal structure across the Nain – Makkovik boundary on the continental shelf off Labrador from seismic refraction data

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Reid
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Crustal Structure ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
P Wave Velocity

A detailed seismic refraction profile was shot along the continental shelf off Labrador, across the boundary between the Archean Nain Province to the north and the Proterozoic Makkovik orogenic zone to the south. A large air-gun source was used, with five ocean-bottom seismometers as receivers. The data were analysed by forward modelling of traveltimes and amplitudes and provided a well-determined seismic velocity structure of the crust along the profile. Within the Nain province, thin postrift sediments are underlain by crust with a P-wave velocity of 6.1 km/s, which increases with depth and reaches 6.6 km/s at about 8 km. Moho is at around 28 km, and there is no evidence for a high-velocity (>7 km/s) lower crust. The P- and S-wave velocity structure is consistent with a gneissic composition for the Archean upper crust, and with granulites becoming gradually more mafic with depth for the intermediate and lower crust. In the Makkovik zone, the sediments are thicker, and a basement layer of P-wave velocity 5.5–5.7 km/s is present, probably due to reworking of the crust and the presence of Early Proterozoic volcanics and metasediments. Upper crustal velocities are lower than in the Nain Province. The crustal thickness, at 23 km, is less, possibly due in part to greater crustal stretching during the Mesozoic rifting of the Labrador Sea. The crustal structure across the Nain–Makkovik boundary is similar to that across the corresponding Archean–Ketilidian boundary off southwest Greenland.

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