An amplitude constrained P-wave velocity profile for the upper mantle beneath the Eastern United States

1979 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1733-1744
Author(s):  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Velocity Profile ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Epicentral Distance ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Lateral Velocity ◽  
The North ◽  
P Wave Velocity

abstract A P-wave velocity profile for the upper mantle at depths between 200 and 800 km beneath Eastern United States has been constructed from a combination of data from natural and artificial sources. Data for this part of the upper mantle are scarce, particularly beyond 20° epicentral distance, because of the sparse distribution of relevant sources and stations. Nevertheless, this study is the first to use amplitude constraints in a model determination for this region, and the model that has been chosen can account for the main observed amplitude features as well as travel times. The resulting velocity profile is similar to those previously determined for the regions to the north and west, but has a broadening of velocity transitions relative to those in the western United States. Evidence is found for the existence of lateral velocity inhomogeneity within the mantle.

P-Wave Residuals in Western Canada

1975 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-181
Author(s):  
E. J. Roebroek ◽  
E. Nyland
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
The United States ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Lateral Variation ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
P Wave Velocity Structure

A study of over 1500 P-wave phases which pass, for the most part, through the upper mantle beneath Western Canada, shows that there is no significant lateral variation in P-wave velocity structure beneath Western Canada, and that the Wiggins and Helmberger model for the Western regions of the United States does not fit the data for Western Canada.One possible interpretation of the data for Western Canada is closer to the classical Herrin model of P-wave velocity as a function of depth than it is to the Wiggins and Helmberger A model.

scholarly journals Project Tor: Deep lithospheric variation across the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone, Southern Scandinavia

1999 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
Trine Pedersen ◽  
Søren Gregersen
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Northern Germany ◽  
Rectangular Array ◽  
Teleseismic Tomography ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Southern Scandinavia

The Tor project makes use of teleseismic tomography across the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone and has now revealed significant variations in the deep lithosphere under northern Germany, Denmark and southern Sweden. Here we present the first interpretations of P-wave traveltime anomalies from the Tor project. The project utilised 120 seismographs placed in a rectangular array, the largest seismic antenna so far used in Europe, for half a year in the period 1996–1997. The present investigation establishes a 3D crustal/upper mantle model of the P-wave velocity based on existing data. A picture of the crustal influence on the seismic P-wave rays is established by ray tracing through the model. When this is subtracted from that observed by the Tor array, a picture of the influence of the lower lithosphere/asthenosphere system emerges. For several earthquakes it is shown that the observed P-wave traveltime anomalies of nearly 2 seconds can be divided almost equally between known crustal effects and lower lithosphere/asthenosphere differences. The transition appears gradual from most directions but for rays coming from the north-east direction the transition appears sharper. This means that the broad scale deep lithosphere transition is gradual with the sharpest discontinuity plane dipping down steeply in a north-easterly direction from the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone. Based on existing knowledge of the area we conclude that the transition from thin to thick lithosphere occurs within a short distance, and that the lithosphere/asthenosphere boundary dips steeply down from the surface expression of the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone.

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