Estimating bend-faulting and mantle hydration at the Marianas trench from seismic anisotropy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Mark ◽  
Douglas Wiens ◽  
Daniel Lizarralde
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Oceanic Lithosphere ◽  
Spatial Variations ◽  
Uppermost Mantle ◽  
Hydrous Minerals ◽  
Seismic Refraction Data ◽  
Mantle Velocity

<p><span>Bend faults formed in oceanic lithosphere approaching deep ocean trenches promote water circulation and the formation of hydrous minerals. As the plate subducts, these minerals can dehydrate into the mantle wedge, generating the melts that feed arc volcanoes, or subduct fully into the deeper mantle. Balancing the global water budget requires an estimate of the amount of water recycled to the mantle by subduction, but current estimates for water fluxes at subduction zones span several orders of magnitude, mainly because of large uncertainties in the amount of water carried in the lithospheric mantle of the incoming plate. </span></p><p><span>We use active source seismic refraction data collected on the incoming plate at the Marianas trench to measure azimuthal seismic anisotropy in the uppermost mantle, and assess the degree of faulting and associated serpentinization of the uppermost mantle based on spatial variations in the observed anisotropy. We find that the fast direction of anisotropy varies with distance from the trench, rotating from APM-parallel at the eastern side of the study area to approximately fault-parallel near the trench. The fast direction orientations suggest that a coherent set of bend-faults are beginning to form at least 200 km out from the trench, although the extrinsic anisotropy signal from the faults does not substantially overprint the signal from preexisting mineral fabrics until the plate is ~100 km from the trench. The average (isotropic) mantle velocity decreases slightly as the plate nears the trench. Preliminary interpretation suggests that the observed spatial variations in anisotropy can be explained by serpentinization localized along pervasive, trench-parallel faults or joints.</span></p>

Lattice preferred orientation of talc and implications for seismic anisotropy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungjin Lee ◽  
Haemyeong Jung ◽  
Reiner Klemd ◽  
Matthew Tarling ◽  
Dmitry Konopelko
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Preferred Orientation ◽  
Azimuthal Anisotropy ◽  
Hydrous Minerals ◽  
Ultra High Pressure ◽  
Lattice Preferred Orientation ◽  
Radial Anisotropy ◽  
First Time

<p>Strong seismic anisotropy is generally observed in subduction zones. Lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of olivine and elastically anisotropic hydrous minerals has been considered to be an important factor causing anomalous seismic anisotropy. For the first time, we report on measured LPOs of polycrystalline talc. The study comprises subduction-related ultra-high-pressure metamorphic schists from the Makbal Complex in Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan and amphibolite-facies metasomatic schists from the Valla Field Block in Unst, Scotland. The here studied talc revealed a strong alignment of [001] axes (sub)normal to the foliation and a girdle distribution of [100] axes and (010) poles (sub)parallel to the foliation. The LPOs of polycrystalline talc produced a significant P–wave anisotropy (AVp = 72%) and a high S–wave anisotropy (AVs = 24%). The results imply that the LPO of talc influence both the strong trench-parallel azimuthal anisotropy and positive/negative radial anisotropy of P–waves, and the trench-parallel seismic anisotropy of S–waves in subduction zones.</p>

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
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Elastic Anisotropy ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Stability Field ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Hydrous Minerals ◽  
Rock Samples ◽  
Natural Rock

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.

Lattice preferred orientation and seismic anisotropy of chloritoid in subduction zone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungjin Lee ◽  
Mainak Mookherjee ◽  
Taehwan Kim ◽  
Haemyeong Jung ◽  
Reiner Klemd
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zone ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Elastic Anisotropy ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Stability Field ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Hydrous Minerals ◽  
Natural Rock

<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>

Crustal structure and velocity anisotropy beneath the Beaufort Sea

1981 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 724-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Mair ◽  
J. A. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Shear Velocity ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Velocity Anisotropy ◽  
Chukchi Plateau ◽  
Seismic Refraction Data ◽  
Mantle Velocity ◽  
Compressional Velocity ◽  
Sedimentary Layer

Crustal-scale seismic refraction data obtained in the Beaufort Sea during 1976 reveal a 4–5 km thick sedimentary layer overlying an oceanic crust that thickens rapidly as it approaches the continental terrace of Alaska. A synthetic seismogram analysis of multiple reflected, water-wave events indicates that the upper sedimentary layer has a compressional velocity of 1.8 km/s and a shear velocity of about 0.2 km/s. An oceanic layer 2A of 4.3 km/s, a layer 3A of 6.6 km/s, and a layer 3B of 7.6 km/s overlying an anisotropic (3%) upper mantle with a median velocity of 8.3 km/s are interpreted. The direction of maximum upper-mantle velocity appears to be approximately north–south in the area surveyed, suggesting that a rotation of the Northwind Ridge–Chukchi Plateau away from the Barrow–Martin Point sector of Alaska may have occurred.

The petrological and geochemical study of granitoid rocks from Mashhad area, Iran: Evidence for the Late Triassic Collisional Belt Northeast of Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banafsheh Vahdati ◽  
Seyed Ahmad Mazaheri
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Crustal Contamination ◽  
Oceanic Lithosphere ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Thrust Tectonics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Lree Enrichment ◽  
Granitoid Rocks

<p>Mashhad granitoid complex is part of the northern slope of the Binalood Structural Zone (BSZ), Northeast of Iran, which is composed of granitoids and metamorphic rocks. This research presents new petrological and geochemical whole-rock major and trace elements analyses in order to determine the origin of granitoid rocks from Mashhad area. Field and petrographic observations indicate that these granitoid rocks have a wide range of lithological compositions and they are categorized into intermediate to felsic intrusive rocks (SiO<sub>2</sub>: 57.62-74.39 Wt.%). Qartzdiorite, tonalite, granodiorite and monzogranite are common granitoids with intrusive pegmatite and aplitic dikes and veins intruding them. Based on geochemical analyses, the granitoid rocks are calc-alkaline in nature and they are mostly peraluminous. On geochemical variation diagrams (major and minor oxides versus silica) Na<sub>2</sub>O and K<sub>2</sub>O show a positive correlation with silica while Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, TiO<sub>2</sub>, CaO, Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and MgO show a negative trend. Therefore fractional crystallization played a considerable role in the evolution of Mashhad granitoids. Based on the spider diagrams, there are enrichments in LILE and depletion in HFSE. Low degrees of melting or crustal contamination may be responsible for LILE enrichment. Elements such as Pb, Sm, Dy and Rb are enriched, while Ba, Sr, Nd, Zr, P, Ti and Yb (in monzogranites) are all depleted. LREE enrichment and HREE depletion are observed in all samples on the Chondrite-normalized REE diagram. Similar trends may be evidence for the granitoids to have the same origin. Besides, LREE enrichment relative to HREE in some samples can indicate the presence of garnet in their source rock. Negative anomalies of Eu and Yb are observed in monzogranites. Our results show that Mashhad granitoid rocks are orogenic related and tectonic discrimination diagrams mostly indicate its syn-to-post collisional tectonic setting. No negative Nb anomaly compared with MORB seems to be an indication of non-subduction zone related magma formation. According to the theory of thrust tectonics of the Binalood region, the oceanic lithosphere of the Palo-Tethys has subducted under the Turan microplate. Since the Mashhad granitoid outcrops are settled on the Iranian plate, this is far from common belief that these granitoid rocks are related to the subduction zones and the continental arcs. The western Mashhad granitoids show more mafic characteristics and are possibly crystallized from a magma with sedimentary and igneous origin. Thus, Western granitoid outcrops in Mashhad are probably hybrid type and other granitoid rocks, S and SE Mashhad are S-type. Evidences suggest that these continental collision granitoid rocks are associated with the late stages of the collision between the Iranian and the Turan microplates during the Paleo-Tethys Ocean closure which occurred in the Late Triassic.</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.

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