Recently formed elastic anisotropy and petrological models for the continental subcrustal lithosphere in southern Germany

This paper advances new evidence for elastic anisotropy in the continental subcrustal lithosphere in southern Germany. The range of petrological models compatible with the observed azimuthal variation of seismic P-wave velocity is explored. The azimuthal distribution of amplitudes of mantle phases and the observed increase of P velocity with depth both indicate a continuation of anisotropy with depth together with an increase of preferred orientation. Even depletion of the upper mantle in basaltic components, as suggested by mantle xenoliths from various parts of Germany, cannot explain the velocity-depth and azimuthal amplitude observations without an increase of anisotropy with depth.Preferred orientation of olivine is the most likely mechanism for the observed phenomena. Its fast a-axis at the Moho level is directed towards N22.5°E. The b-axis is also required to be horizontal; i.e., the b-plane, one of the preferred glide planes of olivine, is vertical, with a strike of N22.5°E. Therefore, this preferred glide plane of olivine practically coincides with the plane of maximum horizontal shear stress deduced from fault-plane solutions of earthquakes in western Germany. This is a strong indication that the preferred orientation of olivine is formed in the recent West European crustal stress field leaking into the upper mantle. The distribution of velocities to a depth of at least 50 km requires slight horizontal rotation of the a-axis with depth by ～ 10° towards N32°E, and a change in the modal composition towards a depletion increasing with depth compatible with the composition of mantle xenoliths from western Germany. Further experiments are needed to substantiate this suggestion, which could lead to a better understanding of the interaction of crustal and upper-mantle stress-strain fields.     

Anisotropy and Flow in Pacific Subduction Zone Back-arcs

—We have obtained constraints on the strength and orientation of anisotropy in the mantle beneath the Tonga, southern Kuril, Japan, and Izu-Bonin subduction zones using shear-wave splitting in S phases from local earthquakes and in teleseismic core phases such as SKS. The observed splitting in all four subduction zones is consistent with a model in which the lower transition zone (520–660 km) and lower mantle are isotropic, and in which significant anisotropy occurs in the back-arc upper mantle. The upper transition zone (410–520 km) beneath the southern Kurils appears to contain weak anisotropy. The observed fast directions indicate that the geometry of back-arc strain in the upper mantle varies systematically across the western Pacific rim. Beneath Izu-Bonin and Tonga, fast directions are aligned with the azimuth of subducting Pacific plate motion and are parallel or sub-parallel to overriding plate extension. However, fast directions beneath the Japan Sea, western Honshu, and Sakhalin Island are highly oblique to subducting plate motion and parallel to present or past overriding plate shearing. Models of back-arc mantle flow that are driven by viscous coupling to local plate motions can reproduce the splitting observed in Tonga and Izu-Bonin, but further three-dimensional flow modeling is required to ascertain whether viscous plate coupling can explain the splitting observed in the southern Kurils and Japan. The fast directions in the southern Kurils and Japan may require strain in the back-arc mantle that is driven by regional or global patterns of mantle flow.     

Intensity and direction of lattice-preferred orientation of olivine: are electrical and seismic anisotropies of the Australian mantle reconcilable?

It has been hypothesised that seismic and electrical anisotropy at the base of the lithosphere are caused by strain-induced lattice-preferred orientation (LPO) of olivine [100] axes parallel to present-day plate motion. This would imply that seismic and electrical anisotropy observations can provide geodynamicists with fundamental information for characterising mantle flow. The qualitative agreement between the fast direction of SV-waves and direction of maximum electrical conductance modelled deeper than 150 km below the North Central craton of Australia appear to support a common alignment mechanism, and the observed, anisotropic electrical conductances can be generated by hydrogen diffusivity in a water-poor (<1000 ppm H/Si) olivine mantle. A quantitative test is proposed for the hypothesis that electrical anisotropy is generated by anisotropic hydrogen diffusion rates (D) in olivine. Electrical anisotropy factors are computed using random resistor network models assuming that D[100]≈20×D[010]≈40×D[001]. Electrical and seismic anisotropies calculated from olivine LPO angular distribution functions modelled for a range of shear strains under a simple shear deformation demonstrate that the intensity of olivine [100] alignments (and associated shear strains) that would be required to explain the electrical anisotropy in the mantle below central Australia are significantly greater than predicted by Rayleigh wave anisotropies. The poor agreement between the observed electrical anisotropies and the electrical anisotropies that would be predicted from the Rayleigh wave anisotropies indicates that either (i) electrical anisotropy in the upper mantle below central Australia is not generated by hydrogen diffusivity alone or (ii) the seismic anisotropy is underestimated. The orientation of the olivine [100] axes maxima is inferred to be ∼30° rotated relative to the direction of present-day absolute plate motion (APM) that is determined relative to the hotspot reference frame (HS2-NUVEL1). Both the APM direction that is determined relative to a reference frame defined by requiring no-net rotation of the lithosphere (NNR-NUVEL1) and GPS-derived plate motion vectors fit the geophysical observations of upper mantle anisotropy better. This may support the contention that hotspots are not stationary relative to the deep mantle.     

Deformation, static recrystallization, and reactive melt transport in shallow subcontinental mantle xenoliths (Tok Cenozoic volcanic field, SE Siberia)

Partial melting and reactive melt transport may change the composition, microstructures, and physical properties of mantle rocks. Here we explore the relations between deformation and reactive melt transport through detailed microstructural analysis and crystallographic orientation measurements in spinel peridotite xenoliths that sample the shallow lithospheric mantle beneath the southeastern rim of the Siberian craton. These xenoliths have coarse-grained, annealed microstructures and show petrographic and chemical evidence for variable degrees of reaction with silicate melts and fluids, notably Fe-enrichment and crystallization of metasomatic clinopyroxene (cpx). Olivine crystal preferred orientations (CPO) range from strong to weak. [010]-fiber patterns, characterized by a point concentration of [010] normal to the foliation and by dispersion of [100] in the foliation plane with a weak maximum parallel to the lineation, predominate relative to the [100]-fiber patterns usually observed in lithospheric mantle xenoliths and peridotite massifs. Variations in olivine CPO patterns or intensity are not correlated with modal and chemical compositions. This, together with the analysis of microstructures, suggests that reactive melt percolation postdated both deformation and static recrystallization. Preferential crystallization of metasomatic cpx along (010) olivine grain boundaries points to an influence of the preexisting deformation fabrics on melt transport, with higher permeability along the foliation. Similarity between orthopyroxene (opx) and cpx CPO suggests that cpx orientations may be inherited from those of opx during melt-rock reaction. As observed in previous studies, reactive melt transport does not weaken olivine CPO and seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle, except in melt accumulation domains. In contrast, recovery and selective grain growth during static recrystallization may lead to development of [010]-fiber olivine CPO and, if foliations are horizontal, result in apparent isotropy for vertically propagating SKS waves, but strong anisotropy for horizontally propagating surface waves.     

Mechanism and tectonic implications of the great Banda Sea earthquake of November 4, 1963

The Banda Sea earthquake of November 4, 1963 (h = 100 km, m_B = 7.8) is probably one of the largest intermediate-depth shocks to have occurred worldwide this century. The mechanism of this earthquake is studied in detail on the basis of P-wave first motion, surface wave and aftershock data. From the analysis of long-period multiple surface waves, a seismic moment of 3.1 × 10²⁸ dyn-cm is obtained, which is the largest reported so far for any intermediate or deep focus shock. This value, together with the estimated fault area of 90 × 70 km², gives an average dislocation of 7.0 m and a stress drop of 120 bar. This event represents an oblique thrust movement on a plane with dip direction N170°E, dip 48° and rake 52°. A geometrical consideration for the fault plane and the configuration of the inclined seismic zone beneath the Banda arc suggests, almost definitely, that the large-scale faulting took place within the subducted plate and offset it. Further repetition of such large-scale faulting might eventually break the subducted plate. The 1963 Banda Sea earthquake thus represents a seismological manifestation of the large-scale deformation of the subducted plate in the mantle.     

Age-dependent Large-scale Fabric of the Mantle Lithosphere as Derived from Surface-wave Velocity Anisotropy

—Systematic variations of the seismic radial anisotropy ξ to depths of 200–250 km in North America and Eurasia and their surroundings are related to the age of continental provinces, and typical depth dependences of ξ _R are determined. The relative radial anisotropy ξ _R in the mantle lithosphere of Phanerozoic orogenic belts is characterized by ν _SH > ν _SV , with its maximum depth of about 70 km, on the average, while beneath old shields and platforms, it exhibits a maximum deviation from ACY400 model (Montagner and Anderson, 1989) at depths of about 100 km with ν _SV ≥ν _SH signature. An interpretation of the observed seismic anisotropy by the preferred orientation of olivine crystals results in a model of the mantle lithosphere characterized by anisotropic structures plunging steeply beneath old shields and platforms, compared to less inclined anisotropies beneath Phanerozoic regions. This observation supports the idea derived from petrological and geochemical observations that a mode of continental lithosphere generation may have changed throughout earth's history.     

Deformation and seismic anisotropy of the lithospheric mantle in the southeastern Carpathians inferred from the study of mantle xenoliths

Peridotite xenoliths with a broad range of textures provides evidence for consistent microstructural evolution in a vertical transect of the shallow lithospheric mantle (35–55 km depth) beneath the Persani Mountains, SE Carpathians, Romania, due to ongoing plate convergence in the Carpathian Arc nearby. The recrystallized grain size, crystal preferred orientations strength, and resulting seismic anisotropy vary continuously and display a strong correlation to equilibrium temperatures, suggesting a continuous change in deformation conditions with depth. The shallowmost xenoliths have microstructures typical of high stress deformation, marked by strong recrystallization to fine grain sizes, which results in weak crystal preferred orientations and anisotropy. The deepest xenoliths have coarse-grained porphyroclastic microstructures and strong crystal preferred orientations. Replacive orthopyroxene structures, consuming olivine, and high H₂O concentrations in the pyroxenes are observed in some xenoliths indicating limited percolation of fluids or volatile-rich melts. Despite the high stress deformation and high H₂O contents in some of the studied xenoliths, analysis of olivine crystallographic orientations indicates that [100] slip systems, rather than “wet” [001] accommodate most of the deformation in all samples. Seismic anisotropy estimated from the measured olivine and pyroxene crystal preferred orientations suggests that the strike-parallel fast SKS polarization directions and ~ 1 s delay times measured in the SE Carpathians are likely the consequence of convergence-driven belt-parallel flow in the lithospheric mantle.     

Homologous temperature of olivine: Implications for creep of the upper mantle and fabric transitions in olivine

The homologues temperature of a crystalline material is defined as T/T_m, where T is temperature and T_m is the melting(solidus) temperature in Kelvin. It has been widely used to compare the creep strength of crystalline materials. The melting temperature of olivine system,(Mg,Fe)_2SiO_4, decreases with increasing iron content and water content, and increases with confining pressure. At high pressure, phase transition will lead to a sharp change in the melting curve of olivine. After calibrating previous melting experiments on fayalite(Fe_2SiO_4), the triple point of fayalite-Fe_2SiO_4 spinel-liquid is determined to be at 6.4 GPa and 1793 K. Using the generalized means, the solidus and liquidus of dry olivine are described as a function of iron content and pressure up to 6.4 GPa. The change of T/T_m of olivine with depth allows us to compare the strength of the upper mantle with different thermal states and olivine composition. The transition from semi-brittle to ductile deformation in the upper mantle occurs at a depth where T/T_m of olivine equals 0.5. The lithospheric mantle beneath cratons shows much smaller T/T_m of olivine than orogens and extensional basins until the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary where T/T_m 0.66, suggesting a stronger lithosphere beneath cratons. In addition, T/T_m is used to analyze deformation experiments on olivine. The results indicate that the effect of water on fabric transitions in olivine is closely related with pressure. The hydrogen-weakening effect and its relationship with T/T_m of olivine need further investigation. Below 6.4 GPa(200 km), T/T_m of olivine controls the transition of dislocation glide from [100] slip to [001] slip. Under the strain rate of 10~(-12)–10~(-15) s~(-1) and low stress in the upper mantle, the [100](010) slip system(A-type fabric) becomes dominant when T/T_m 0.55–0.60. When T/T_m 0.55–0.60, [001] slip is easier and low T/T_m favors the operation of [001](100) slip system(C-type fabric). This is consistent with the widely observed A-type olivine fabric in naturally deformed peridotites, and the C-type olivine fabric in peridotites that experienced deep subduction in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes. However, the B-type fabric will develop under high stress and relatively low T/T_m. Therefore, the homologues temperature of olivine established a bridge to extrapolate deformation experiments to rheology of the upper mantle. Seismic anisotropy of the upper mantle beneath cratons should be simulated using a four-layer model with the relic A-type fabric in the upper lithospheric mantle, the B-type fabric in the middle layer, the newly formed A- or B-type fabric near the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary, and the asthenosphere dominated by diffusion creep below the Lehmann discontinuity. Knowledge about transition mechanisms of olivine fabrics is critical for tracing the water distribution and mantle flow from seismic anisotropy.     

Age and associated stress field of middle Miocene back-arc basalt magmatism in Northeast Japan

A large volume of middle Miocene basaltic rocks is widely distributed across the back-arc region of Northeast Japan, including around the Dewa Mountains. Petrological research has shown that basaltic rocks of the Aosawa Formation around the Dewa Mountains were generated as a result of the opening of the Sea of Japan. To determine the precise ages of the middle Miocene basaltic magmatism, we conducted U–Pb and fission-track (FT) dating of a rhyolite lava that constitutes the uppermost part of the Aosawa Formation. In addition, we estimated the paleostress field of the volcanism using data from a basaltic dike swarm in the same formation. The rhyolite lava yields a U–Pb age of 10.73 ±0.22 Ma (2σ) and a FT age of 10.6 ±1.6 Ma (2σ), and the paleostress analysis suggests a normal-faulting stress regime with a NW–SE-trending σ₃-axis, a relatively high stress ratio, and a relatively high magma pressure. Our results show that the late Aosawa magmatism occurred under NW–SE extensional stress and ended at ~ 11 Ma.     

中国东北诺敏河火山岩石圈变形:来自剪切波分裂的证据

中国东北新生代板内火山广泛发育,其中诺敏河火山由于上地幔结构研究的匮乏,火山成因尚不明确.利用布设在诺敏河火山周围的40个流动台站所记录到的远震剪切波数据,测量得到82对各向异性参数和219个无效分裂结果.结果表明,研究区快慢波延迟时间变化范围为0.4~1.4 s,平均0.78±0.21 s;各向异性快波方向范围为N77°W-N18°E,绝大多数快波方向集中在N6.9°W±9.87°,平行于中生代晚期岩石圈伸展变形方向,推测由残留在岩石圈中的化石各向异性所引起.同时,在火山中心及周边部分台站,只观测到无效分裂而没有观测到有效分裂结果,可能是由于残存在岩石圈内的古老形变被上涌的热地幔物质所侵蚀.

     

Anisotropy beneath Hawaii from surface wave particle motion observations

Observed polarization ellipses for fundamental-mode surface waves observed at a digital station in Hawaii deviate from those expected for isotropic models of crust and mantle structure for that region. The anomalous motion occurs as rotations of the ellipse about all three axes in a cartesian corrdinate system. The largest and most consistent deviations occur as anomalous slopes of the ellipse about the horizontal axis transverse to the direction of propagation.The observed orientations and magnitudes of these angles can be explained by models of the upper mantle which contain olivine for which thea-axis dips significantly from the horizontal and which includes a sufficiently thick sedimentary layer (1 km) and a thicker than normal oceanic crust (15 km). The ellipses are also generally inclined from great circle paths about the vertical axis and are tilted about the axis aligned with the propagation direction. Both angles are small and difficult to measure, but the inclination angles are consistent with a model of the upper mantle in which thea-axis of olivine is preferentially oriented in an east-west direction.     

通过SKS分裂分析非洲中东部 地区地震各向异性

利用非洲台阵(Africa Array)最新的地震记录,通过测量远震SKS震相的分裂参数,详细分析了非洲中东部地区地球介质各向异性可能的成因,包括随应力场变化定向排布的裂隙和岩浆透镜体,以及橄榄石晶格的定向排布等. 结果表明,现今上地幔流动导致的橄榄石晶格定向排布是其各向异性的主要成因,该结果与250 km深度的地幔流动模型一致. 对于少数台站出现的异常结果,则尝试用D″各向异性和双层各向异性模型来解释,并在此基础上讨论了D″各向异性的研究意义.      

利用DONET海底观测网研究日本南海海域俯冲带地震波各向异性

基于DONET海底观测网的直达S波地震记录,采用波形旋转互相关方法和最小特征值最小化方法求得了日本南海海域俯冲带横波分裂快轴方向和分裂时间,获得了该俯冲带地震波的各向异性结果.结果显示:该俯冲带地震波的各向异性快轴方向基本平行于南海海槽走向,分裂时间为0.1—0.96 s.这表明:日本南海海域俯冲带各向异性来源于太平洋...     

Parameters of split transverse waves from local earthquakes along eastern Hokkaido recorded before the Tokachi-Oki September 26, 2003, earthquake (M = 8.0)

The parameters of split S waves from local weak earthquakes along eastern Hokkaido Island are studied over the period of 2003, including the strong Tokachi-oki September 26, 2003 earthquake (M = 8.0). Earthquake records of five stations belonging to the ISV seismological network were used. The studies of the split S wave parameters showed that they vary in space and time along Hokkaido Island. The zones of the Hidaka Mountains (ERM, MYR), Tokachi Plain (IWN, URH), and Kushiro Plain (AKK) are distinguished along Hokkaido. The anisotropy coefficients beneath the ERM, MYR, IWN, URH, and AKK stations attain 10.5, 10, 5, 3.5, and 6.5%, respectively. Beneath ERM, azimuths of the fast S wave (?) are predominantly in the N-S direction until July and in the E-W direction from July (parallel and normal to the Japan trench strike). By the time of the Tokachi-oki earthquake, the ? directions were oriented SE in agreement with the direction of the Pacific plate motion. The ? directions on the northern side of the Hidaka Range (MYR) are predominantly orthogonal to those beneath ERM, which can be evidence for differences in the direction of deformations on opposite sides of the range. Higher seismicity, the variation of S wave parameters, and a high anisotropy of the medium point to an intense development of deformation (dilatancy) processes in the area of the Hidaka Mountains. The fast wave azimuths beneath AKK are predominantly 50°–70°, and this orientation is consistent with the direction of migration of the Kurile arc front along the trench. Beneath IWN, the azimuths ? are oriented along the N-NE directions, and beneath URH, along the direction of the Pacific plate motion (100°–150°). Strengthening of mechanical properties of the medium and development and accumulation of shear deformations in a subhorizontal plane are supposed to take place in the Tokachi Plain area.     

Hugoniot equation of state of olivine and its geodynamic implications

Large olivine samples were hot-pressed synthesized for shock wave experiments. The shock wave experiments were carried out at pressure range between 11 and 42 GPa. Shock data on olivine sample yielded a linear relationship between shock wave velocity D and particle velocity u described by D=3.56(?0.13)+2.57(?0.12)u. The shock temperature is determined by an energy relationship which is approximately 790°C at pressure 28 GPa. Due to low temperature and short experimental duration, we suggest that no phase change occurred in our sample below 30 GPa and olivine persisted well beyond its equilibrium boundary in metastable phase. The densities of metastable olivine are in agreement with the results of static compression. At the depth shallower than 410 km, the densities of metastable olivine are higher than those of the PREM model, facilitating cold slab to sink into the mantle transition zone. However, in entire mantle transition zone, the shock densities are lower than those of the PREM model, hampering cold slab to flow across the "660 km" phase boundary.     

Looking for layered anisotropic structures in the mantle beneath the northern Apennines

Competing geodynamic scenarios proposed for northern Apennines (Italy) make very different predictions for the orientation of strain in the upper mantle. Constraints on the pattern are offered by observations of seismic anisotropy. Previous study of the anisotropy beneath the northern Apennines used birefringence of core-refracted shear waves (SKS phases), and demonstrated the presence of two domains: Tuscan and Adria. In the transition between the two domains, across the Apennines orogen, anisotropy measurements reflect a complex deep structure. To define better the upper-mantle structure beneath this area we analyze seismological data recorded by a set of seismic stations that operated for 3 years, between 2003 and 2006, located in the outer part of the Apennines belt, in the Adria terrane, collected by the RETREAT Project. Directionally distributed sets of SKS records were inverted for layered anisotropic structures with a well-tested method, adding new results to previous hypotheses for this area. New data analysis argues for two-layer anisotropy for sites located on the Apennines wedge and also one site in the Tuscan terrane. Beneath the wedge an upper layer with nearly north-south fast polarization pervades the lithospheric mantle, while at depth a nearly NW–SE Apennines-parallel direction is present in the lower layer. Beneath Tuscany a shallower NW–SE direction and a deeper E–W one suggest the deeper strain from active slab retreat, with a mantle-wedge circulation (i.e. an east–west corner flow), overlain by an Apennines-parallel fast polarization that could be a remnant of lower-crust deformation.     

Backazimuthal Variations of Splitting Parameters of Teleseismic SKS Phases Observed at the Broadband Stations in Germany

—SKS phases observed at broadband stations in Germany show significant shear-wave splitting. We have analyzed SKS and SKKS phases for shear-wave splitting from 13 stations of the German Regional Seismic Network (GRSN), from 3 three-component stations of the Gräfenberg array (GRF) and from one Austrian station (SQTA). The data reveal strong differences in the splitting parameters (fast direction φ and delay time δt from a single event at various stations as well as variations at the individual stations for events with different backazimuths. The backazimuthal variations of the splitting parameters at some stations can be explained by two-layer anisotropy models with horizontal symmetry axes. The best resolved two-layer model is the GRA1 model (upper layer φ = 40°, δt = 1.15s; lower layer φ = 115°, δt = 1.95s). The upper layer can be attributed to the lithosphere. Because of the magnitude of the delay time of the upper layer, the lower layer must lie within the asthenosphere. At other stations splitting parameters are consistent with an anisotropic one-layer model for the upper mantle. Stations near the Bohemian Massif show fast directions near EW. Throughout NE Germany the directions are oriented NW/SE. The reason for this direction is probably the nearby Tornquist-Teisseyre line. The observed fast axes are subparallel to this prominent Transeuropean suture zone. At stations in southern Germany near the Alps we observed ENE/WSW directions. Below some stations we also found indications of inclined anisotropic layers.     

橄榄石晶格优选方位和上地幔地震波速各向异性

根据福建省明溪幔源包体（二辉橄榄岩）中橄榄石晶格优选方位（ＬＰＯ）及其晶体弹性刚度系数,计算了地震波速度及其各向异性．研究结果表明,该区地震波各向异性是由橄榄石塑性流动产生晶格优选方位而引起的．与构造背景有关的ＶＰ,Ｖｓ１,Ｖｓ２和△Ｖｓ分布特征表明,中国东南沿海地区上地幔物质流动方向（由ＮＷＷ向ＳＥＥ）与橄榄石［１００］定向排列方向（ａ轴）和ＶＰ最大方向有一致的趋势．     

橄榄石晶格优选方位和上地幔地震波速各向异性

根据福建省明溪幔源包体（二辉橄榄岩）中橄榄石晶格优选方位（ＬＰＯ）及其晶体弹性刚度系数，计算了地震波速度及其各向异性．研究结果表明，该区地震波各向异性是由橄榄石塑性流动产生晶格优选方位而引起的．与构造背景有关的ＶＰ，Ｖｓ１，Ｖｓ２和△Ｖｓ分布特征表明，中国东南沿海地区上地幔物质流动方向（由ＮＷＷ向ＳＥＥ）与橄榄石［１００］定向排列方向（ａ轴）和ＶＰ最大方向有一致的趋势．     

Upper mantle anisotropy beneath central and southwest Japan: An insight into subduction-induced mantle flow

Analysis of seismic anisotropy in the crust and mantle wedge above subduction zones gives much information about the dynamic processes inside the Earth. For this reason, we measure shear wave polarization anisotropy in the crust and upper mantle beneath central and southwestern Japan from local shallow, intermediate, and deep earthquakes occurring in the subducting Pacific slab. We analyze S phases from 198 earthquakes recorded at 42 Japanese F-net broadband seismic stations. This data set yields a total of 980 splitting parameter pairs for central and southwestern Japan. Dominant fast polarization directions of shear waves obtained at most stations in the Kanto–Izu–Tokai areas are oriented WNW–ESE, which are sub-parallel to the subduction direction of the Pacific plate. However, minor fast polarization directions are oriented in NNE–SSW directions being parallel to the strike of the Japan Trench, especially in the north of Izu Peninsula and the northern Tokai district. Generally, fast directions obtained at stations located in Kii Peninsula and the Chubu district are oriented ENE–WSW, almost parallel to the Nankai Trough, although some fast directions have NW–SE trends. The fast directions obtained at stations in northern central Honshu are oriented N–S. Delay times vary considerably and range from 0.1 to 1.25 s depending on the source depth and the degree of anisotropy along the ray path. These lateral variations in splitting character suggest that the nature of anisotropy is quite different between the studied areas. Beneath Kanto–Tokai, the observed WNW–ESE fast directions are probably caused by the olivine A-fabric induced by the corner flow. However, the slab morphology in this region is relatively complicated as the Philippine Sea slab is overriding the Pacific slab. This complex tectonic setting may induce lateral heterogeneity in the flow and stress state of the mantle wedge, and may have produced NNE–SSW orientations of fast directions. The ENE–WSW fast directions in Kii Peninsula and the Chubu district are more coherent and may be partly induced by the subduction of the Philippine Sea plate. The N–S fast directions in northern central Honshu might be produced by the trench-parallel stretching of the wedge due to the curved slab at the arc–arc junction.