Crustal model based on aeromagnetic profiles,gravity studies and wave velocities in rocks and crust

Summary Regional airborne magnetic profiles from India and U.S.A. are analyzed. Profiles are i) 130 km offshore Manglore to 60 km offshore Madras (India) along 13th parallel; ii) Washington to San Francisco (U.S.A.): iii) Brownsville (Texas) to Guatemala City (Mexico). Depth to the sources of magnetic anomalies along Manglore-Madras profile and Washington-San Francisco profiles is calculated either by elementary approximation ofSmellie or Prism model method ofVacquier et al. It is significant that depth values for some of the anomalies obtained by these methods are in very good agreement with those based on drilling data. The magnetic pictures along these profiles are compared with Bouguer gravity anomaly maps and it is shown that in almost all cases where magnetic bodies lie below 5 km (approximately) from sea level they are not reflected in gravity maps whereas all the magnetic bodies which are above 5 km (approximately) produce a markable feature in Bouguer gravity anomaly. This indicates that density of material below this level is almost equal to that of normal basic rocks (2.80 gm/cm³) and those above 5 km have a density less than this. Based on these results the top most layer in crust is considered to be metasedimentary including intrusive rocks and below this it is tentatively taken as Quartz-diorite accounting for the quartz rich Archean formations. Curves representing the variation of compressional wave velocity in i) granite; ii) quartz-diorite; iii) gabbro and iv) dunite, with pressure and temperature as reported from measurements in laboratory, are studied in the light of the general variation of P-wave velocity in the earth's crust reported from seismic sounding studies. It is found that a change in composition from metasedimentary zone to quartz diorite at about 5 km below sea level is supported by this study. It is found that further increase in compressional wave velocity in earth's crust can be explained by a compositional change from quartz diorite to gabbro. At certain places an unusual high velocity for compressional wave at the base of the crust is reported. This can be explained by considering that gabbro merges to Dunite in those areas. Based on this crustal model a probable explanation for the origin of granite masses is attempted.     

Age of the source of the Jarrafa gravity and magnetic anomalies offshore Libya and its geodynamic implications

The interpretation of the Jarrafa magnetic and gravity highs, NW Libyan offshore, suggests that it may be caused by a body of high-density and high magnetization. Analysis of their power spectra indicates two groups of sources at: (1) 2.7 km depth, probably related to the igneous rocks, some of which were penetrated in the JA-1 borehole, (2) 5 km depth, corresponding to the top of the causative body and (3) 10 km depth, probably referring to the local basement depth. The boundary analysis derived from applied horizontal gradient to both gravity and magnetic data reveals lineaments many of which can be related to geological structures (grabens, horsts and faults).The poor correlation between pseudogravity fields for induced magnetization and observed gravity fields strongly suggests that the causative structure has a remanent magnetization (D = −16°, I = 23°) of Early Cretaceous age, fitting with the opening of the Neo Tethys 3 Ocean.Three-dimensional interpretation techniques indicate that the magnetic source of the Jarrafa magnetic anomaly has a magnetization intensity of 0.46 A/m, which is required to simulate the amplitude of the observed magnetic anomaly. The magnetic model shows that it has a base level at 15 km.The history of the area combined with the analysis and interpretation of the gravity and magnetic data suggests that: (1) the source of the Jarrafa anomaly is a mafic igneous rock and it may have formed during an Early Cretaceous extensional phase and (2) the Jarrafa basin was left-laterally sheared along the WNW Hercynian North Graben Fault Zone, during its reactivation in the Early Cretaceous.     

Mapping basement structures in the northwestern offshore of Abu Dhabi from high‐resolution aeromagnetic data

This paper presents a case study of mapping basement structures in the northwestern offshore of Abu Dhabi using high‐resolution aeromagnetic data. Lineament analysis was carried out on the derivatives of the reduced‐to‐the‐pole magnetic data, along with supporting information from published geologic data. The lineament analysis suggests three well‐defined basement trends in the north–south, northeast–southwest, and northwest–southeast directions. The reduced‐to‐the‐pole magnetic data reveal high positive magnetic anomalies hypothesized to be related to intra‐basement bodies in the deep seated Arabian Shield. Depth to basement was estimated using spectral analysis and Source Parameter Imaging techniques. The spectral analysis suggests that the intruded basement blocks are at the same average depth level (around 8.5 km). The estimated Source Parameter Imaging depths from gridded reduced‐to‐the‐pole data are ranged between 4 km and 12 km with a large depth variation within small distances. These estimated depths prevent a reliable interpretation of the nature of the basement relief. However, low‐pass filtering of the horizontal local wavenumber data across two profiles shows that the basement terrain is characterized by a basin‐like structure trending in the northeast–southwest direction with a maximum depth of 10 km. Two‐dimensional forward magnetic modelling across the two profiles suggests that the high positive magnetic anomalies over the basin could be produced by intrusion of mafic igneous rocks with high susceptibility values (0.008 to 0.016 SI.     

Gravity interpretation of nonoutcropping sedimentary basins in which the density contrast decreases parabolically with depth

The decrease in density contrast of sedimentary rocks with depth in many sedimentary basins can be approximated by a parabolic density function. Analytical gravity expression of an outcropping two-dimensional vertical step along which the density contrast decreases parabolically with depth is derived in the space domain. A modification ofBott's (1960) method of gravity interpretation is proposed by considering two outcropping vertical steps on either side of the first and last observation points in addition toN outcropping vertical prisms in order to interpret the gravity anomalies of nonoutcropping basins. The thicknesses of the two outcropping vertical steps are made equal to the thicknesses of the two outcropping vertical prisms placed below the first and last observation points. The initial depth estimates of the sedimentary basin are calculated by the infinite slab formula ofVisweswara Rao et al. (1993). The gravity effects of theN outcropping prisms and the two outcropping vertical steps are calculated at each anomaly point and the depth to the floor of the basin are adjusted based on the differences between the observed and calculated anomalies. A gravity anomaly profile of Los Angeles basin, California is interpreted.     

Determination of depths to centroids of three-dimensional sources of potential-field anomalies with examples from environmental and geologic applications

A method is developed for determining the depth to the centroid (the geometric center) of ‘semi-compact' sources. The method, called the anomaly attenuation rate (AAR) method, involves computing radial averages of AARs with increasing distances from a range of assumed source centers. For well-isolated magnetic anomalies from ‘semi-compact' sources, the theoretical AARs range from 2 (close to the sources) to 3 (in the far-field region); the corresponding theoretical range of AARs for gravity anomalies is 1 to 2. When the estimated source centroid is incorrect, the AARs either exceed or fall short of the theoretical values. The levelling-off of the far-field AARs near their theoretical maximum values indicates the upper (deeper) bound of the centroid location. Similarly, near-field AARs lower than the theoretical minimum indicate the lower (shallower) bound of the centroid location. It is not always possible to determine usable upper and lower bounds of the centroids because the method depends on characteristics of sources/anomalies and the noise level of the data. For the environmental magnetic examples considered in this study, the determined deeper bounds were within 4% of the true centroid-to-observation distance. For the case of the gravity anomaly from the Bloomfield Pluton, Missouri, USA, determination of only the shallower bound of the centroid location (7 km) was possible. This estimate agrees closely with the centroid of a previously determined three-dimensional model of the Bloomfield Pluton. For satellite magnetic anomalies, the method is appropriate only for high-amplitude, near-circular anomalies due to the inherent low signal-to-noise ratio of satellite magnetic anomalies. Model studies indicate that the AAR method is able to place depths within ±20–30 km of actual center locations from a 400-km observation altitude. Thus, the method may be able to discriminate between upper crustal, lower crustal, and mantle magnetic sources. The results from the prominent Kentucky anomaly are relatively well-resolved (centroid depth 30 km below the Earth's surface). For the Kiruna Magsat anomaly, the deleterious effects from neighboring anomalies make a determination difficult (possible depth could be between 20 and 30 km). The centroid depths are deeper for the Kursk anomaly (40–50 km). These depths may indicate that magnetic anomalies from the near-surface Kursk iron formations (a known contributor) and deep crustal magnetic sources could combine to form the Kursk Magsat anomaly.     

Continental magnetic anomalies and the evolution of the Scotia arc

Linear belts 50–100 km in width of long-wavelength positive magnetic anomalies exceeding 500 nT are observed on continental blocks of the Scotia arc. The most developed is the West Coast Magnetic Anomaly which may be traced for more than 1300 km along the Antarctic Peninsula. Comparison of magnetic profile data after low-pass filtering and reduction to pole reveals a striking similarity between the individual anomaly belts. Correlation of the anomalies with positive gravity anomalies, seismic refraction data and geology indicates that the sources are linear batholiths intruded during Mesozoic/Cenozoic subduction. The anomaly belts are truncated at the block margins reflecting Cenozoic fragmentation of a cuspate convergent margin. An early Cenozoic reconstruction, based on the assumption that the batholiths once formed a continuous curvilinear feature, shows a good alignment of Mesozoic strato-tectonic terrains and is compatible with the known history of Scotia Sea opening.     

Magnetic and gravimetric modeling of the central Adriatic region

The high-amplitude wide magnetic anomaly that covers a large area of the north-eastern – central Adriatic Sea in the Croatian offshore is ∼100 km wide and extends NW–SE for ∼350 km. The anomaly is located between the Dinarides and Apennines chains, in an interesting geodynamic scenario. The presence of intruded gabbroid rocks in the Croatian archipelago also contributes to making this intriguing and still not extensively investigated anomaly potentially significant to the geologic and geophysical context in which it is located. In this work, we model the Bouguer and magnetic anomalies across the Adriatic Sea. The 2D geophysical modeling was produced across four cross sections considering surface heat flow data to calculate the Curie depth. The magnetic susceptibilities and densities used for the synthetic bodies are in agreement with the literature and with those derived by previous models. The results suggest the presence of an uplifted magnetized basement with high magnetic susceptibility (0.075 SI units) to be the main contributor to the observed magnetic anomaly. This magnetic susceptibility is interpreted as representative of a gabbroid-intruded basement. The high-susceptibility basement is in lateral continuity with a relatively low susceptibility basement (0.025–0.038 SI units). The results of the geophysical modeling are compared with a conceptual geological model realized from the integration of surface, well and geophysical data, the latter concerning seismic, tomographic, magnetic and gravimetric anomalies and heat flow data. These data have been merged in an integrated data-base using MOVE software, and the geophysical modeling was performed using GM-SYS. The comparison allowed to confirm the hypothesis that the magnetic anomaly is related to the basement and to its position in the complex geodynamic evolution of the Apennines–Adriatic–Dinarides system.     

Magnetic Signatures and Curie Surface Trend Across an Arc–Continent Collision Zone: An Example from Central Philippines

Ground and aeromagnetic data are combined to characterize the onshore and offshore magnetic properties of the central Philippines, whose tectonic setting is complicated by opposing subduction zones, large-scale strike-slip faulting and arc–continent collision. The striking difference between the magnetic signatures of the islands with established continental affinity and those of the islands belonging to the island arc terrane is observed. Negative magnetic anomalies are registered over the continental terrane, while positive magnetic anomalies are observed over the Philippine Mobile Belt. Several linear features in the magnetic anomaly map coincide with the trace of the Philippine Fault and its splays. Power spectral analysis of the magnetic data reveals that the Curie depth across the central Philippines varies. The deepest point of the magnetic crust is beneath Mindoro Island at 32 km. The Curie surface shallows toward the east: the Curie surface is 21 km deep between the islands of Sibuyan and Masbate, and 18 km deep at the junction of Buruanga Peninsula and Panay Island. The shallowest Curie surface (18 km) coincides with the boundary of the arc–continent collision, signifying the obduction of mantle rocks over the continental basement. Comparison of the calculated Curie depth with recent crustal thickness models reveals the same eastwards thinning trend and range of depths. The coincidence of the magnetic boundary and the density boundary may support the existence of a compositional boundary that reflects the crust–mantle interface.     

3D upper crustal density structure of the Deccan Syneclise,Central India

A constrained 3D density model of the upper crust along a part of the Deccan Syneclise is carried out based on the complete Bouguer anomaly data. Spectral analysis of the complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map of the study region suggests two major sources: short wavelength anomalies (<100 km) caused primarily due to the density inhomogeneities at shallow crustal level and long wavelength anomalies (>100 km) produced due to the sources deeper than the upper crust. A residual map of the short wavelength anomalies is prepared from the complete Bouguer anomaly using Butterworth high‐pass filter (100 km cut‐off wavelength). Utilizing the constraints from deep resistivity sounding, magnetotellurics and deep seismic sounding studies, 2.5D density models have been generated along 39 profiles of this region. The mismatch between the calculated response of the a priori 2.5D model with the residual (short wavelength) gravity anomalies is minimized by introducing high‐density intrusive bodies (≥2.81 g/cm³) in the basement. With these 2.5D density models, the initial geometry of our 3D density model, which includes alluvium, Deccan trap, Mesozoic sediment and high‐density intrusive bodies in the basement up to a depth of 7 km (upper crust), is generated. In the final 3D model, Deccan trap extends from 200 m to nearly 1700 m below the 90–150 m thick Quaternary sediment. Further down, the sub‐trappean Mesozoic sediment is present at a depth range of 600–3000 m followed by the basement. The derived 3D density model also indicates six intrusive bodies of density 2.83 g/cm³ in the basement at an average depth of about 4–7 km that best fits the residual gravity anomaly of the study area.     

THE 3-D VELOCITY STRUCTURE OF CRUST AND UPPERMOST MANTLE AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS IN FUJIAN PROVINCE

It is important to detect the fine velocity structures of the crust and uppermost mantle to understand the regional tectonic evolution, earthquake generation processes, and to conduct earthquake risk assessment. The inversion of uppermost mantle velocity and Moho depth are strongly influenced by crustal velocity heterogeneity. In this study, we collected first arrivals of Pg and Pn and secondary arrivals of Pg wave from the seismograms recorded at Fujian provincial seismic network stations. New 3-D P-wave velocities were inverted by multi-phase joint inversion method in Fujian Province. Our results show that the fault zones in Fujian Province have various velocity patterns. The shallow crust is characterized by high velocity that represents mountains, while the mid-lower crust shows low velocities. The anomalous velocities are correlated closely with tectonic faults in Fujian Province. Velocity anomalies mainly show NE-trending distribution, especially in the mid-lower crust and uppermost mantle, which is consistent with the NE-trending of the regional main fault zones. Meanwhile, a part of velocity patterns show NW trending, which is related to the secondary NW-oriented faults. Such velocity distribution also shows a geological structural pattern of "zoning in east-west direction and blocking in north-south direction" in Fujian area. In the crust, a low velocity zone is found along Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone as mentioned by previous study, however our result shows the low velocity exists at depth of 20~30km in mid-lower crust. Compared with previous study, this low velocity zone is larger and deeper both in range and depth. The crustal thickness of 28~35km from our joint inversion is similar to the results from the receiver functions of previous studies. The thinnest crust(28km)is observed at offshore in the north of Quanzhou; while the thickest crust(35km)is located west of Zhangzhou near the Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone. Generally, thinner crustal thickness is found in offshore of Fujian Province, and thicker crustal thickness is in the mainland. However, we also found that crustal thickness becomes thinner along the east side of Yongan-Jinjiang Fault. The values of Pn velocities in the region vary from 7.71 to 8.26km/s. The velocity distribution of the uppermost mantle presents a large inhomogeneity, which is correlated with the distribution of the fault zone. High Pn velocity anomalies are found mainly along the west side of the Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone(F₂), and the east side of the Shaowu-Heyuan fault zone(F₁), which is strip-shaped throughout the central part of Fujian. Low Pn velocity anomalies are observed along the coast and Taiwan Straits, including the Changle-Zhaoan fault zone, the coastal fault zone, and the Fuzhou Basin. We also found a low Pn velocity anomaly zone, which extends to the coast, in the Shaowu-Heyuan fault zone at the junction of the Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces. In the west of Taiwan Straits, both high and low Pn velocity anomalies are observed. Our results show that the historical strong earthquakes(larger than magnitude 6.0) are mainly distributed between positive and negative anomaly zones at different depth profiles of the crust, and similar anomalies distribution also exists at the uppermost mantle, suggesting that the occurrence of strong earthquakes in the region is not only related to the anomalous crustal velocity structure, but also affected by the velocity anomaly structure from the uppermost mantle.     

Interpretation of the Gravity and Magnetic Anomalies of the Cappadocia Region,Central Turkey

The Cappadocia region, located in Central Turkey, is characterized by widespread lava flows and volcanoclastic deposits dating from Miocene to Quaternary. Gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies of the region appear to present similar high and low amplitude regions, although the aeromagnetic anomalies exhibit a rather complex pattern which is thought to be caused by remanent magnetization. The low-pass filtered aeromagnetic map shows a deep-seated magnetic anomaly which may be linked to the widespread volcanic activity at the surface. The pseudogravity transformation of the upward continued anomaly has been constructed. The pseudogravity anomaly demonstrates some form of clockwise rotation. This anomaly was modelled by means of a three-dimensional method. The top and bottom of the body are at 6.3km and 11km (including the flight height) from the ground surface, respectively. This deep body is ellipsoidal and extends along an E-W direction, which is in line with the regional stress direction deduced from GPS measurements. A new mobilistic dynamo-tectonic system appears to explain the body’s E-W elongation. The modelled body may be the source for the inferred geothermal energy of the region. Magnetic measurements were carried out on oriented rock samples collected from outcrops of ignimbrites and basalts, providing directions and intensities of remanent magnetization, susceptibilities and Koeningsberger (Q) ratios. Standard deviations of remanent directions of the Natural Remanent Magnetization (NRM) display a wide scatter implying unreliability of the surface data. Reduction to pole (RTP) transformation of magnetic anomalies was successful with the induced magnetization angle despite the complex pattern of magnetic anomalies.     

Geophysical signatures of uranium mineralization and its subsurface validation at Beldih,Purulia District,West Bengal,India: a case study

The Beldih open cast mine of the South Purulia Shear Zone in Eastern India is well known for apatite deposits associated with Nb–rare‐earth‐element–uranium mineralization within steeply dipping, altered ferruginous kaolinite and quartz–magnetite–apatite rocks with E–W strikes at the contact of altered mafic–ultramafic and granite/quartzite rocks. A detailed geophysical study using gravity, magnetic, and gradient resistivity profiling surveys has been carried out over ～1 km² area surrounding the Beldih mine to investigate further the dip, depth, lateral extension, and associated geophysical signatures of the uranium mineralization in the environs of South Purulia Shear Zone. The high‐to‐low transition zone on the northern part and high‐to‐low anomaly patches on the southeastern and southwestern parts of the Bouguer, reduced‐to‐pole magnetic, and trend‐surface‐separated residual gravity–magnetic anomaly maps indicate the possibility of highly altered zone(s) on the northern, southeastern, and southwestern parts of the Beldih mine. The gradient resistivity survey on either side of the mine has also revealed the correlation of low‐resistivity anomalies with low‐gravity and moderately high magnetic anomalies. In particular, the anomalies and modeled subsurface features along profile P6 perfectly match with subsurface geology and uranium mineralization at depth. Two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional residual gravity models along P6 depict the presence of highly altered vertical sheet of low‐density material up to a depth of ～200 m. The drilling results along the same profile confirm the continuation of uranium mineralization zone for the low‐density material. This not only validates the findings of the gravity model but also establishes the geophysical signatures for uranium mineralization as low‐gravity, moderate‐to‐high magnetic, and low‐resistivity values in this region. This study enhances the scope of further integrated geophysical investigations along the South Purulia Shear Zone to delineate suitable target areas for uranium exploration.     

山西阳高──河北容城剖面大地电磁资料的二维反演解释

介绍了一种快速二维大地电磁自动反演方法及其在阳高－容城剖面大地电磁资料解释中的应用．二维反演结果显示，研究区浅层电性结构与地表地质有较好的对应性；在中、下地壳范围内发育着断断续续的低阻带，并沿剖面大致分为三段；上地幔低阻带由北西向南东方向逐渐变浅，上地幔低阻带深度陡变带与巨型重力异常高梯度带对应．与一此较大型的断裂带对应的区段在电性上有较清楚的显示．     

Crustal structure in the Falcón Basin area, northwestern Venezuela, from seismic and gravimetric evidence

The Falcón Basin in northwestern Venezuela has a complex geological history driven by the interactions between the South American and Caribbean plates. Igneous intrusive bodies that outcrop along the axis of the basin have been associated with crustal thinning, and gravity modeling has shown evidence for a significantly thinned crust beneath the basin. In this study, crustal scale seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection data derived from onshore/offshore active seismic experiments are interpreted and forward-modeled to generate a P-wave velocity model for a 450 km long profile. The final model shows thinning of the crust beneath the Falcón Basin where depth to Moho decreases to 27 km from a value of 40 km about 100 km to the south. A deeper reflected phase on the offshore section is interpreted to be derived from the downgoing Caribbean slab. Velocity values were converted to density and the resulting gravimetric response was shown to be consistent with the regional gravity anomaly. The crustal thinning proposed here supports a rift origin for the Falcón Basin.     

Magnetic studies of basalt fragments recovered by deep drilling in Iceland,and the “magnetic layer” concept

The magnetic susceptibility of 1300 samples of igneous rock drill cuttings obtained from eight deep drill holes in Iceland has been measured, in order to directly provide limits on the thickness of the layer which is the source of the magnetic anomalies over Iceland. The remanent magnetism of some of the material has also been studied, and the variation of magnetic susceptibility in 740 lava flows from eastern Iceland has been analysed as a function of depth of burial.All the results indicate no systematic change of susceptibility with depth up to 2.0 km. The Curie point of all deeply buried basalts in Iceland appears to be close to that of magnetite, so that the magnetic layer may be 5 km or more in thickness when susceptibility contrasts are considered; lateral contrasts in primary remanence may reach to 3 km depth. Derivation of a magnetic layer thickness in Iceland from analyses of magnetic anomalies, using methods which have been conventionally applied to marine magnetic anomalies could, on the other hand, yield much lower apparent thickness values (less than 1 km).We therefore argue that estimates of the magnetic layer thickness in oceanic regions should be based on considerations of magnetite Curie point isotherm behaviour, rather than on anomaly analysis.     

中国境内天山地壳上地幔结构的地震层析成像

根据横跨中国境内天山的库车—奎屯宽频带流动地震台阵和区域地震台网记录的近震和远震P波走时数据,利用地震层析成像方法重建了沿该地震台阵剖面下方400 km深度范围内地壳上地幔的P波速度结构.结果表明：沿新疆库车—奎屯剖面,天山地壳具有明显的横向分块结构,且南、北天山地壳显示了较为强烈的横向变形特征,表明塔里木地块对天山地壳具有强烈的侧向挤压作用;在塔里木和准噶尔地块上地幔顶部有厚度约60～90 km的高速异常体,塔里木—南天山下方的高速异常体产生了较为明显的弯曲变形,而准噶尔—北天山下方的高速异常体向南一直俯冲到中天山南侧边界下方300 km的深度,两者形成了不对称对冲构造;在塔里木和准噶尔地块下方150～400 km深度存在上地幔低速体,其中塔里木地块一侧的上地幔低速物质上涌到南天山地块的下方;在塔里木—南天山200～300 km深度范围的上地幔存在高速异常体,它可能是地幔热物质向上迁移过程融断的塔里木岩石圈的拆离体. 上述结果表明,塔里木地块的俯冲可能涉及整个岩石圈深度,但其前缘仅限于南天山的北缘;青藏高原隆升的远程效应可能不但驱动塔里木岩石圈向北俯冲,同时还造成天山造山带南侧上地幔物质的涌入;天山造山带上地幔广泛存在的低速异常有助于其上地幔的变形,而上地幔物质的强烈非均匀性应有助于推动天山造山带上地幔小尺度地幔对流的形成;根据研究区地壳上地幔速度结构特征推断,新近纪以来天山快速隆升的主要力源来自青藏高原快速隆升的远程效应,相对软弱的上地幔为加速天山造山带的变形和隆升创造了必要条件.     

Gravity anomaly, lithospheric structure and seismicity of Western Himalayan Syntaxis

A compiled gravity anomaly map of the Western Himalayan Syntaxis is analysed to understand the tectonics of the region around the epicentre of Kashmir earthquake of October 8, 2005 (Mw = 7.6). Isostatic gravity anomalies and effective elastic thickness (EET) of lithosphere are assessed from coherence analysis between Bouguer anomaly and topography. The isostatic residual gravity high and gravity low correspond to the two main seismic zones in this region, viz. Indus–Kohistan Seismic Zone (IKSZ) and Hindu Kush Seismic Zones (HKSZ), respectively, suggesting a connection between siesmicity and gravity anomalies. The gravity high originates from the high-density thrusted rocks along the syntaxial bend of the Main Boundary Thrust and coincides with the region of the crustal thrust earthquakes, including the Kashmir earthquake of 2005. The gravity low of HKSZ coincides with the region of intermediate–deep-focus earthquakes, where crustal rocks are underthrusting with a higher speed to create low density cold mantle. Comparable EET (∼55 km) to the focal depth of crustal earthquakes suggests that whole crust is seismogenic and brittle. An integrated lithospheric model along a profile provides the crustal structure of the boundary zones with crustal thickness of about 60 km under the Karakoram–Pamir regions and suggests continental subduction from either sides (Indian and Eurasian) leading to a complex compressional environment for large earthquakes.     

Inversion of magnetic measurements of the CHAMP satellite over the Pannonian Basin

The Pannonian Basin is a deep intra-continental basin that formed as part of the Alpine orogeny. In order to study the nature of the crustal basement we used the long-wavelength magnetic anomalies acquired by the CHAMP satellite. The anomalies were distributed in a spherical shell, some 107,927 data recorded between January 1 and December 31 of 2008. They covered the Pannonian Basin and its vicinity. These anomaly data were interpolated into a spherical grid of 0.5° × 0.5°, at the elevation of 324 km by the Gaussian weight function. The vertical gradient of these total magnetic anomalies was also computed and mapped to the surface of a sphere at 324 km elevation. The former spherical anomaly data at 425 km altitude continued downward to 324 km. To interpret these data at the elevation of 324 km we used an inversion method. A polygonal prism forward model was used for the inversion. The minimum problem was solved numerically by the Simplex and Simulated annealing methods; a L₂ norm in the case of Gaussian distribution parameters and a L₁ norm was used in the case of Laplace distribution parameters. We interpret that the magnetic anomaly was produced by several sources and the effect of the sable magnetization of the exsolution of hemo-ilmenite minerals in the upper crustal metamorphic rocks.     

The variation of crustal thickness across the Swiss Alps based on gravity and explosion seismic data

Summary Recently determined gravity anomalies along the NW-SE oriented Swiss Geotraverse from Basel to Bellinzona are used in combination with seismic refraction data to deduce a crustal section across the Swiss Alps. Topographic, Bouguer, free air, isostatic and geological corrections were applied to the data. Geological features considered in the corrections are the Swiss Molasse basin filled with sediments and the Ivrea body of high-density material. The resultant Bouguer anomaly over the Gotthard massif is 130 mgal lower than the Bouguer anomaly at the northern end of the profile near Basel. The Alpine region is associated with negative isostatic anomalies down to –20 mgal. The crustal thickness is found to increase gradually from the northern end of the profile (thicknessH=30 km) towards the Helvetic nappes at the northern margin of the Alps (H=38 km) and more rapidly towards the Gotthard massif (H=50 km) and further south to Biasca down to a depth of 58 km. From Biasca southward the crustal thickness thins quite rapidly to reach a depth of 30 km at the southern end of the profile near Bellinzona. Thus the Alps have a distinct asymmetric crustal root whose maximum thickness is almost twice the average crustal thickness in Central Europe. With the Mohorovii-discontinuity deduced from seismic observations an average constant density contrast of –0.33 gcm^–3 is found between the lower crust and upper mantle underneath the Alps.Institut für Geophysik, ETH Zürich, Contribution No. 130.     

中国及邻近地区CHAMP卫星磁异常的分布特征

本文利用CHAMP卫星磁测资料建立的新一代高阶地磁场模型POMME-4.2S,计算中国及邻区400 km高度的卫星磁异常及其垂直梯度,给出7个磁场分量的分布图,比较了截断水平对磁异常分布的影响,初步分析了磁异常与岩石圈构造的关系.主要结果表明,在四川盆地、塔里木盆地和松辽盆地等主要磁异常区,ΔZ异常中心的南北两边出现ΔX的异常中心,东西两边出现ΔY的异常中心.在球谐模型为90阶时,磁异常分布的基本形态已经确定,更高的模型阶数对磁异常只有微小调整.在磁异常较强的地区,磁异常及其垂直梯度同步变化.卫星磁异常与地形变化、断裂带分布、莫霍面深度和岩石圈厚度没有直接的对应关系,而与居里等温面深度、磁性层厚度有明显的相关性.居里等温面深、磁性层较厚的地区显示正磁异常,居里等温面浅、磁性层较薄的地区显示负磁异常.