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.

Quaternary sodic and potassic intraplate volcanism in northeast China controlled by the underlying heterogeneous lithospheric structures

Geology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingli Fan ◽  
Qi-Fu Chen ◽  
Yinshuang Ai ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Mingming Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lithospheric Mantle ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Potassic Volcanism

The origin and mantle dynamics of the Quaternary intraplate sodic and potassic volcanism in northeast China have long been intensely debated. We present a high-resolution, three-dimensional (3-D) crust and upper-mantle S-wave velocity (Vs) model of northeast China by combining ambient noise and earthquake two-plane wave tomography based on unprecedented regional dense seismic arrays. Our seismic images highlight a strong correlation between the basalt geochemistry and upper-mantle seismic velocity structure: Sodic volcanoes are all characterized by prominent low seismic velocities in the uppermost mantle, while potassic volcanoes still possess a normal but thin upper-mantle “lid” depicted by high seismic velocities. Combined with previous petrological and geochemical research findings, we propose that the rarely erupted Quaternary potassic volcanism in northeast China results from the interaction between asthenospheric low-degree melts and the overlying subcontinental lithospheric mantle. In contrast, the more widespread Quaternary sodic volcanism in this region is predominantly sourced from the upwelling asthenosphere without significant overprinting from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle.

Unraveling the upper mantle heterogeneity from integrated multi-observable inversions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Fullea ◽  
Sergei Lebedev ◽  
Zdenek Martinec ◽  
Nicolas Celli
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Tomography ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Density Field ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Satellite Gravity ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Multiple Data Sets

<p>The lateral and vertical thermochemical heterogeneity in the mantle is a long standing question in geodynamics. The forces that control mantle flow and therefore Plate Tectonics arise from the density and viscosity lateral and vertical variations. A common approach to estimate the density field for geodynamical purposes is to simply convert seismic tomography anomalies sometimes assuming constraints from mineral physics. Such converted density field does not match in general with the observed gravity field, typically predicting anomalies the amplitudes of which are too large. Knowledge on the lateral variations in lithospheric density is essential to understand the dynamic/residual isostatic components of the Earth’s topography linking deep and surface processes. The cooling of oceanic lithosphere, the bathymetry of mid oceanic ridges, the buoyancy and stability of continental cratons or the thermochemical structure of mantle plumes are all features central to Plate Tectonics that are dramatically related to mantle temperature and composition.</p><p><br>Conventional methods of seismic tomography, topography and gravity data analysis constrain distributions of seismic velocity and density at depth, all depending on temperature and composition of the rocks within the Earth. However, modelling and interpretation of multiple data sets provide a multifaceted image of the true thermochemical structure of the Earth that needs to be appropriately and consistently integrated. A simple combination of gravity, petrological and seismic models alone is insufficient due to the non-uniqueness and different sensitivities of these models, and the internal consistency relationships that must connect all the intermediate parameters describing the Earth involved. In fact, global Earth models based on different observables often lead to rather different, even contradictory images of the Earth.</p><p><br> Here we present a new global thermochemical model of the lithosphere-upper mantle (WINTERC-grav) constrained by state-of-the-art global waveform tomography, satellite gravity (geoid and gravity anomalies and gradiometric measurements from ESA's GOCE mission), surface elevation and heat flow data. WINTERC-grav is based upon an integrated geophysical-petrological approach where all relevant rock physical properties modelled (seismic velocities and density) are computed within a thermodynamically self-consistent framework allowing for a direct parameterization of the temperature and composition variables.</p>

Lateral inhomogeneities in P velocity under the Tarbela array of the lesser Himalayas of Pakistan

1977 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 725-734
Author(s):  
William H. Menke
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Horizontal Layer ◽  
Main Central Thrust ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Lesser Himalayas ◽  
Velocity Anomalies

abstract Three-dimensional seismic-velocity heterogeneities (to a depth of 125 km) under the Tarbela array are determined by the Aki et al. (1976a) method of inverting teleseismic travel-time residuals. Velocity anomalies are clearly present and are elongated in the northwest direction. An overall 2 to 3 per cent decrease in velocity to the northeast is observed across any horizontal layer. These features result from a 4° dip of geologic structures in the direction N41°E. This direction is similar to some observed trends of seismicity in the Tarbela area and to the trend of the Himalayan Main Central Thrust (MCT) east and north of Tarbela, but not to the trend of the fault traces nor the strike of geologic structures in the Tarbela area. Just to the southeast of the Tarbela array, these faults bend sharply westward, forming a mountainous loop. In this study it is concluded that the westerly trending fault traces and westerly striking geology are both only surficial and not representative of structures at greater depth. These deep structures within the lower crust and upper mantle preserve a strike similar to more eastern areas along the MCT. They are shown to be volumetrically and tectonically the more important features.

High density fluids in the lower crust and upper mantle

Physica B+C ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 139-140 ◽  
pp. 834-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Touret ◽  
A.M. Van Den Kerkhof
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
High Density ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle

Probing the oceanic upper mantle using M2 tidal magnetic field, waveform tomography, satellite gravity field, surface elevation and heat flow data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zdenek Martinec ◽  
Javier Fullea ◽  
Jakub Velimsky
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Heat Flow ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Surface Elevation ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Flow Data ◽  
Satellite Gravity ◽  
Waveform Tomography

<p>Conventional methods of seismic tomography, surface topography and gravity data analysis constrain distributions of seismic velocity and density at depth, all depending on temperature and composition of the rocks within the Earth. WINTERC-grav, a new global thermochemical model of the lithosphere-upper mantle constrained by state-of-the-art global waveform tomography, satellite gravity (geoid and gravity anomalies and gradiometric measurements from ESA's GOCE mission), surface elevation and heat flow data has been recently released. WINTERC-grav is based upon an integrated geophysical-petrological approach where all relevant rock physical properties modelled (seismic velocities and density) are computed within a thermodynamically self-consistent framework allowing for a direct parameterization of the temperature and composition variables. In this study, we derive a new three dimensional distribution of the electrical conductivity in the Earth's upper mantle combining WINTERC-grav's thermal and compositional fields along with laboratory experiments constraining the conductivity of mantle minerals and melt. We test the derived conductivity model over oceans by simulating a tidally induced magnetic field. Here, we concentrate on the simulation of M2 tidal magnetic field induced by the ocean M2 tidal flow that is modelled by two different assimilative barotropic models, TPXO8-atlas (Egbert and Erofeeva, 2002) and DEBOT (Ein\v spigel and Martinec, 2017). We compare our synthetic results with the M2 tidal magnetic field estimated from 5 years of Swarm satellite observations and CHAMP satellite data by the comprehensive inversion of Sabaka et al. (2018).</p>

Lithospheric structure in the southern Canadian Cordillera from a network of seismic refraction lines

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1485-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron M. Clowes ◽  
Colin A. Zelt ◽  
John R. Amor ◽  
Robert M. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Driving Mechanism ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Simultaneous Inversion

Lithospheric velocity structure and its relationship to regional tectonics and development of the southern Canadian Cordillera are derived from a synthesis of interpretations from nine in-line seismic refraction–wide-angle reflection profiles and broadside data recorded during the Lithoprobe Southern Cordillera Refraction Experiment (SCoRE) and other refraction experiments across southern British Columbia, and one profile in northwestern Washington. Consistency of the SCoRE two-dimensional models at their intersection positions is achieved through application of a simultaneous inversion of all relevant traveltime data. The cross-sectional and map presentations demonstrate the strong degree of three-dimensional heterogeneity within the crust and upper mantle. A first-order characteristic is the continuous increase in crustal velocities westward from the Foreland belt to the Insular belt. The variations do not correlate with the morphogeological belts; they do correspond with large-scale geological and (or) tectonic features and seismic reflection results. Crustal thickness varies from 30 to 48 km; a lack of comparable variation in Bouguer gravity anomalies requires significant density changes in the crust. Variations in the seismic parameters do not correlate well with variations in crustal resistivity or heat flow, suggesting that generalizations relating low resistivities, high temperatures, and low seismic velocities must be treated with caution. Seismic heterogeneities are due primarily to lithological and (or) structural variations and are superimposed on the generally low velocities attributed to the thermal regime. An upper mantle reflector beneath the mainland Cordillera is inferred to be the top of a shallow asthenosphere. Westward flow in the warm asthenosphere interacts with the cold lithosphere of the subducting Juan de Fuca plate below the central Coast belt, forming a "sink" that could provide a driving mechanism for the flow.

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