scholarly journals Seismic Anisotropy in Subduction Zones: Evaluating the Role of Chloritoid

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungjin Lee ◽  
Mainak Mookherjee ◽  
Taehwan Kim ◽  
Haemyeong Jung ◽  
Reiner Klemd

Subduction zones are often characterized by the presence of strong trench-parallel seismic anisotropy and large delay times. Hydrous minerals, owing to their large elastic anisotropy and strong lattice preferred orientations (LPOs), are often invoked to explain these observations. However, the elasticity and the LPO of chloritoid, which is one of such hydrous phases relevant in subduction zone settings, are poorly understood. In this study, we measured the LPO of polycrystalline chloritoid in natural rock samples, obtained the LPO-induced seismic anisotropy, and evaluated the thermodynamic stability field of chloritoid in subduction zones. The LPO of chloritoid aggregates displayed a strong alignment of the [001] axes subnormal to the rock foliation, with a girdle distribution of the [100] axes and the (010) poles subparallel to the foliation. New elasticity data of single-crystal chloritoid showed a strong elastic anisotropy of chloritoid with 47% for S-waves (VS) and 22% for P-waves (VP), respectively. The combination of the LPO and the elastic anisotropy of the chloritoid aggregates produced a strong S-wave anisotropy with a maximum AVS of 18% and a P-wave anisotropy with an AVP of 10%. The role of chloritoid LPO in seismic anisotropy was evaluated in natural rock samples and a hypothetical blueschist. Our results indicate that the strong LPO of chloritoid along the subduction interface and in subducting slabs can influence the trench-parallel seismic anisotropy in subduction zones with “cold” geotherms.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungjin Lee ◽  
Mainak Mookherjee ◽  
Taehwan Kim ◽  
Haemyeong Jung ◽  
Reiner Klemd

<p>Subduction zones are often characterized by the presence of strong trench-parallel seismic anisotropy and large delay times. Hydrous minerals, owing to their large elastic anisotropy and strong lattice preferred orientations (LPOs) are often invoked to explain these observations. However, the elasticity and LPO of chloritoid, which is one such hydrous phases relevant in subduction zone settings, is poorly understood. In this study, we measured the LPO of polycrystalline chloritoid in natural rock samples and obtained the LPO-induced seismic anisotropy and evaluated the thermodynamic stability field of chloritoid in subduction zones. The LPO of chloritoid aggregates displayed a strong alignment of the [001] axes subnormal to the rock foliation, with a girdle distribution of the [100] axes and the (010) poles subparallel to the foliation. New elasticity data of single-crystal chloritoid showed a strong elastic anisotropy of chloritoid with 47% for S-waves (V<sub>S</sub>) and 22% for P-waves (V<sub>P</sub>), respectively. The combination of the LPO and the elastic anisotropy of the chloritoid aggregates produced a strong S-wave anisotropy of AV<sub>S</sub> = 18% and a P-wave anisotropy of AV<sub>P</sub> = 10%. Our results indicate that the strong LPO of chloritoid along the hydrated slab-mantle interface and in subducting slabs can influence trench-parallel seismic anisotropy in subduction zones with “cold” geotherms.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungsoon Choi ◽  
Olivier Fabbri ◽  
Gültekin Topuz ◽  
Aral Okay ◽  
Haemyeong Jung

<p>Lawsonite is an important mineral to understand seismic anisotropy in subducting oceanic crust because of its large elastic anisotropy and prevalence in cold subduction zones. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how lawsonite twinning affects seismic anisotropy despite previous reports showing the existence of twins in lawsonite. We thus investigated the effect of twins in lawsonite on crystal preferred orientation (CPO), fabric strength, and seismic anisotropy of lawsonite using the lawsonite blueschists from Alpine Corsica (France) and Sivrihisar Massif (Turkey). CPOs of minerals were measured by using the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) facility attached to scanning electron microscope. The EBSD analyses of lawsonite revealed that {110} twin in lawsonite is developed and [001] axes are strongly aligned subnormal to the foliation and both [100] and [010] axes are aligned subparallel to the foliation. It is found that the existence of twins in lawsonite could induce a large attenuation of seismic anisotropy, especially for the maximum S-wave anisotropy up to 18.4 % in lawsonite and 24.3 % in the whole rocks. Therefore, lawsonite twinning needs to be considered in the interpretation of seismic anisotropy in the subducting oceanic crust in cold subduction zones.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon VanderBeek ◽  
Miles Bodmer ◽  
Manuele Faccenda

<p>Despite the well-established anisotropic nature of Earth’s upper mantle, the influence of elastic anisotropy on teleseismic P-wave imaging remains largely ignored. Unmodeled anisotropic heterogeneity can lead to substantial isotropic velocity artefacts that may be misinterpreted as compositional and thermal heterogeneities. Here, we present a new parameterization for imaging arbitrarily oriented hexagonal anisotropy using teleseismic P-wave delays. We evaluate our tomography algorithm by reconstructing geodynamic simulations of subduction that include predictions for mantle mineral fabrics. Our synthetic tests demonstrate that accounting for both the dip and azimuth of anisotropy in the inversion is critical to the accurate recovery of both isotropic and anisotropic structure. We then perform anisotropic inversions using data collected across the western United States and offshore Cascadia. Our preliminary models show a clear circular pattern in the azimuth of anisotropy around the southern edge of the Juan de Fuca slab that is remarkably similar to the toroidal flow pattern inferred from SKS splits. We also image dipping anisotropic domains coincident with the descending Juan de Fuca slab. In contrast to prior isotropic tomographic results, the Juan de Fuca slab in our anisotropic model is characterized by more uniform P-wave speeds and is without an obvious slab hole below ~150 km depth. We also find a general decrease in the magnitude of mantle low-velocity zones throughout the model relative to prior studies. These results highlight the sensitivity of teleseismic P-waves to anisotropic structure and the importance of accounting for anisotropic heterogeneity in the imaging of subduction zones.</p>


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Seungsoon Choi ◽  
Olivier Fabbri ◽  
Gültekin Topuz ◽  
Aral I. Okay ◽  
Haemyeong Jung

Lawsonite is an important mineral for understanding seismic anisotropy in subducting oceanic crust due to its large elastic anisotropy and prevalence in cold subduction zones. However, there is insufficient knowledge of how lawsonite twinning affects seismic anisotropy, despite previous studies demonstrating the presence of twins in lawsonite. This study investigated the effect of lawsonite twinning on the crystal preferred orientation (CPO), CPO strength, and seismic anisotropy using lawsonite blueschists from Alpine Corsica (France) and the Sivrihisar Massif (Turkey). The CPOs of the minerals are measured with an electron backscatter diffraction instrument attached to a scanning electron microscope. The electron backscatter diffraction analyses of lawsonite reveal that the {110} twin in lawsonite is developed, the [001] axes are strongly aligned subnormal to the foliation, and both the [100] and [010] axes are aligned subparallel to the foliation. It is concluded that the existence of twins in lawsonite could induce substantial seismic anisotropy reduction, particularly for the maximum S-wave anisotropy in lawsonite and whole rocks by up to 3.67% and 1.46%, respectively. Lawsonite twinning needs to be considered when determining seismic anisotropy in the subducting oceanic crust in cold subduction zones.


Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. B183-B195 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. De Meersman ◽  
J.-M. Kendall ◽  
M. van der Baan

We relocate 303 microseismic events recorded in 1998 by sensors in a single borehole in the North Sea Valhall oil field. A semiautomated array analysis method repicks the P- and S-wave arrival times and P-wave polarizations, which are needed to locate these events. The relocated sources are confined predominantly to a [Formula: see text]-thick zone just above the reservoir, and location uncertainties are half those of previous efforts. Multiplet analysis identifies 40 multiplet groups, which include 208 of the 303 events. The largest group contains 24 events, and five groups contain 10 or more events. Within each multiplet group, we further improve arrival-time picking through crosscorrelation, which enhances the relative accuracy of the relocated events and reveals that more than 99% of the seismic activity lies spatially in three distinct clusters. The spatial distribution of events and wave-form similarities reveal two faultlike structures that match well with north-northwest–south-southeast-trending fault planes interpreted from 3D surface seismic data. Most waveform differences between multiplet groups located on these faults can be attributed to S-wave phase content and polarity or P-to-S amplitude ratio. The range in P-to-S amplitude ratios observed on the faults is explained best in terms of varying source mechanisms. We also find a correlation between multiplet groups and temporal variations in seismic anisotropy, as revealed by S-wave splitting analysis. We explain these findings in the context of a cyclic recharge and dissipation of cap-rock stresses in response to production-driven compaction of the underlying oil reservoir. The cyclic nature of this mechanism drives the short-term variations in seismic anisotropy and the reactivation of microseismic source mechanisms over time.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Dohyun Kim ◽  
Haemyeong Jung ◽  
Jungjin Lee

Seismic anisotropy of S-wave, trench-parallel or trench-normal polarization direction of fast S-wave, has been observed in the fore-arc and back-arc regions of subduction zones. Lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of elastically anisotropic chlorite has been suggested as one of the major causes of seismic anisotropy in subduction zones. However, there are two different LPOs of chlorite reported based on the previous studies of natural chlorite peridotites, which can produce different expression of seismic anisotropy. The mechanism for causing the two different LPOs of chlorite is not known. Therefore, we conducted deformation experiments of chlorite peridotite under high pressure–temperature conditions (P = 0.5–2.5 GPa, T = 540–720 °C). We found that two different chlorite LPOs were developed depending on the magnitude of shear strain. The type-1 chlorite LPO is characterized by the [001] axes aligned subnormal to the shear plane, and the type-2 chlorite LPO is characterized by a girdle distribution of the [001] axes subnormal to the shear direction. The type-1 chlorite LPO developed under low shear strain (γ ≤ 3.1 ± 0.3), producing trench-parallel seismic anisotropy. The type-2 chlorite LPO developed under high shear strain (γ ≥ 5.1 ± 1.5), producing trench-normal seismic anisotropy. The anisotropy of S-wave velocity (AVs) of chlorite was very strong up to AVs = 48.7% so that anomalous seismic anisotropy in subduction zones can be influenced by the chlorite LPOs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Durán Oreja ◽  
Jeremie Malecki ◽  
Juan Gómez Barreiro

<p>Two samples of mylonitic-ultramylonitic ortogneisses collected along the Contín shear zone were investigated for crystal preferred orientation and seismic anisotropy. Neutron diffraction data obtained at the D1B beamline at ILL (Institute Laue-Langevin, Grenoble) were analyzed with the Rietveld method as implemented in the code MAUD, to obtain the orientation distribution functions (ODF) of the principal phases (quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, phlogopite, muscovite and riebeckite). Texture and microstructure are compatible with the plastic deformation of the aggregates under medium to low-temperature conditions. Kinematic analysis supports a top-to-the SE sense of shear, suggesting a thrust character. Using preferred orientation data and single crystal elastic tensors, P and S-waves velocities and elastic anisotropy have been calculated. We have explored the role of several factors controlling the elastic properties of rocks, particularly the role of strain state and mineral changes in a shear zone. Those factors have a direct impact on the medium impedance and consequently on the interphase reflectivity. P-wave velocities, S-wave splitting and anisotropy increase with muscovite content. Seismic anisotropy is linked with the texture symmetry, which can result in large deviations between actual anisotropy and that measured along Cartesian XYZ sample directions (lineation/foliation reference frame). This is significant for the prediction and interpretation of seismic data. (Research support CGL2016-78560-P)</p>


1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (02) ◽  
pp. 136-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Gregory

Abstract A shear wave velocity laboratory apparatus and techniques for testing rock samples under simulated subsurface conditions have been developed. In the apparatus, two electromechanical transducers operating in the frequency range 0.5 to 5.0 megahertz (MHz: megacycles per second) are mounted in contact with each end of the sample. Liquid-solid interfaces of Drakeol-aluminum are used as mode converters. In the generator transducer, there is total mode conversion from P-wave energy to plain S-wave energy, S-wave energy is converted back to P-wave energy in the motor transducer. Similar transducers without mode converters are used to measure P-wave velocities. The apparatus is designed for testing rock samples under axial or uniform loading in the pressure range 0 to 12,000 psi. The transducers have certain advantages over those used by King,1 and the measurement techniques are influenced less by subjective elements than other methods previously reported. An electronic counter-timer having a resolution of 10 nanoseconds measures the transit time of ultrasonic pulses through the sample; elastic wave velocities of most homogeneous materials can be measured with errors of less than 1 percent. S- and P-wave velocity measurements on Bandera sandstone and Solenhofen limestone are reported for the axial pressure range 0 to 6,000 psi and for the uniform pressure range 0 to 10,000 psi. The influence of liquid pore saturants on P- and S-wave velocity is investigated and found to be in broad agreement with Biot's theory. In specific areas, the measurements do not conform to theory. Velocities of samples measured under axial and uniform loading are compared and, in general, velocities measured under uniform stress are higher than those measured under axial stress. Liquid pore fluids cause increases in Poisson's ratio and the bulk modulus but reduce the rigidity modulus, Young's modulus and the bulk compressibility. INTRODUCTION Ultrasonic pulse methods for measuring the shear wave velocity of rock samples in the laboratory have been gradually improved during the last few years. Early experimental pulse techniques reported by Hughes et al.2, and by Gregory3 were beset by uncertainties in determining the first arrival of the shear wave (S-wave) energy. Much of this ambiguity was caused by the multiple modes propagated by piezoelectric crystals and by boundary conversions in the rock specimens. Shear wave velocity data obtained from the critical angle method, described by Schneider and Burton4 and used later by King and Fatt5 and by Gregory,3,6 are of limited accuracy, and interpreting results is too complicated for routine laboratory work. The mode conversion method described by Jamieson and Hoskins7 was recently used by King1 for measuring the S-wave velocities of dry and liquid-saturated rock samples. Glass-air interfaces acted as mode converters in the apparatus, and much of the compressional (P-wave) energy apparently was eliminated from the desired pure shear mode. A more detailed discussion of the current status of laboratory pulse methods applied to geological specimens is given in a review by Simmons.8


2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROSALDA PUNTURO ◽  
ROSOLINO CIRRINCIONE ◽  
EUGENIO FAZIO ◽  
PATRIZIA FIANNACCA ◽  
HARTMUT KERN ◽  
...  

AbstractAt the southern boundary of the Rhodope Massif, NE Greece, the Kavala Shear Zone (KSZ) represents an example of the Eastern Mediterranean deep-seated extensional tectonic setting. During Miocene time, extensional deformation favoured syntectonic emplacement and subsequent exhumation of plutonic bodies. This paper deals with the strain-related changes in macroscopic, geochemical and microstructural properties of the lithotypes collected along the KSZ, comprising granitoids from the pluton, aplitic dykes and host rock gneisses. Moreover, we investigated the evolution of seismic anisotropy on a suite of granitoid mylonites as a result of progressive strain. Isotropic compressional and shear wave velocities (Vp,Vs) and densities calculated from modal proportions and single-crystal elastic properties at given pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions are compared to respective experimental data including the directional dependence (anisotropy) of wave velocities. Compared to the calculated isotropic velocities, which are similar for all of the investigated mylonites (average values:Vp~ 5.87 km s−1,Vs~ 3.4 km s−1,Vp/Vs= 1.73 and density = 2.65 g cm−3), the seismic measurements give evidence for marked P-wave velocity anisotropy up to 6.92% (at 400 MPa) in the most deformed rock due to marked microstructural changes with progressive strain, as highlighted by the alignment of mica, chlorite minerals and quartz ribbons. The highest P- and S-wave velocities are parallel to the foliation plane and lowest normal to the foliation plane. Importantly,Vpremains constant within the foliation with progressive strain, but decreases normal to foliation. The potential of the observed seismic anisotropy of the KSZ mylonites with respect to detectable seismic reflections is briefly discussed.


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