A new method for identification of protocatagenesis, mesocatagenesis, and apocatagenesis zones in a terrigenous sedimentary cover by applying layer seismic velocities

This method pertains to oil and gas geology and to geology of sedimentary basins prospective for oil and gas. It includes identifying catagenesis zones in drilled areas within the sedimentary cover of the basin based on assay results for drill cores and cuttings using the standard methods. Analysis is primarily made in order to determine rock catagenesis based on the optical characteristics of vitrinite. A correlation between catagenesis zones and layer seismic velocities obtained from regional and exploration seismic data is made for a drilled area. Both the layer seismic velocities and the degree of rock catagenesis increase with depth under the influence of increasing rock density. Correlations between layer velocities and the degree of rock catagenesis have been established. The following ratios have been determined for the Scotian shelf, Canada, and the Barents shelf, Russia: a protocatagenesis zone (the cap) corresponds to layer seismic velocities (V _lay) of 1.5–3.3 km/s, a mesocatagenesis zone (the principal hydrocarbon generation area) corresponds to V _lay of 3.3–5.0 km/s, and an apocatagenesis zone (an area with a very low hydrocarbon potential) corresponds to V _lay of over 5.0 km/s. An advantage of the new method of identification of catagenesis zones is that it can be used prior to drilling. Its conceptual originality and cost efficiency lie precisely in this.     

Seismic microzonation for Penang using geospatial contour mapping

Shear wave velocity (V _s) and the fundamental site period of the subsurface condition are the primary parameters that affect seismic soil amplification in particular sites. Within the topmost layer of the soil, which measures 30 m, the average shear wave velocity V _s30 is commonly used to build codes for site classification for the design of earthquake-resistant structures and to conduct microzonation studies. In this study, the development of a microzonation map for V _s30 distribution, National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program V _s30 site classification, and a fundamental site period for Penang are presented. The multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) test was conducted for more than 50 sites with available borehole data to develop the microzonation maps. The ten selected V _s profiles measured by MASW show a good correlation with the data obtained using empirical correlations in a previous study. The highest V _s values were identified at the northeastern and southeastern parts of Penang Island, corresponding to the shallow bedrock and the outcrop zone. Conversely, the lowest V _s values were found in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the Penang mainland owing to the thick layer of soft clay and silt deposits. The site period map shows the variation in site periods, with the highest value of 1.03 s at the western part of the Penang mainland and the lowest value of 0.02 s at the eastern part of the Penang Island. The microzonation maps developed in this study are vital to studies on seismic hazard and earthquake mitigation programs in Malaysia.     

Three-dimensional P- and S-wave velocity structures beneath the Japan Islands obtained by high-density seismic stations by seismic tomography

We construct fine-scale 3D P- and S-wave velocity structures of the crust and upper mantle beneath the whole Japan Islands with a unified resolution, where the Pacific (PAC) and Philippine Sea (PHS) plates subduct beneath the Eurasian (EUR) plate. We can detect the low-velocity (low-V) oceanic crust of the PAC and PHS plates at their uppermost part beneath almost all the Japan Islands. The depth limit of the imaged oceanic crust varies with the regions. High-V_P/V_S zones are widely distributed in the lower crust especially beneath the volcanic front, and the high strain rate zones are located at the edge of the extremely high-V_P/V_S zone; however, V_P/V_S at the top of the mantle wedge is not so high. Beneath northern Japan, we can image the high-V subducting PAC plate using the tomographic method without any assumption of velocity discontinuities. We also imaged the heterogeneous structure in the PAC plate, such as the low-V zone considered as the old seamount or the highly seismic zone within the double seismic zone where the seismic fault ruptured by the earthquake connects the upper and lower layer of the double seismic zone. Beneath central Japan, thrust-type small repeating earthquakes occur at the boundary between the EUR and PHS plates and are located at the upper part of the low-V layer that is considered to be the oceanic crust of the PHS plate. In addition to the low-V oceanic crust, the subducting high-V PAC plate is clearly imaged to depths of approximately 250 km and the subducting high-V PHS zone to depths of approximately 180 km is considered to be the PHS plate. Beneath southwestern Japan, the iso-depth lines of the Moho discontinuity in the PHS plate derived by the receiver function method divide the upper low-V layer and lower high-V layer of our model at depths of 30–50 km. Beneath Kyushu, the steeply subducting PHS plate is clearly imaged to depths of approximately 250 km with high velocities. The high-V_P/V_S zone is considered as the lower crust of the EUR plate or the oceanic crust of the PHS plate at depths of 25–35 km and the partially serpentinized mantle wedge of the EUR plate at depths of 30–45 km beneath southwestern Japan. The deep low-frequency nonvolcanic tremors occur at all parts of the high-V_P/V_S zone—within the zone, the seaward side, and the landward side where the PHS plate encounters the mantle wedge of the EUR plate. We prove that we can objectively obtain the fine-scale 3D structure with simple constraints such as only 1D initial velocity model with no velocity discontinuity.     

Crustal transect from the North Atlantic Knipovich Ridge to the Svalbard Margin west of Hornsund

The crustal structure along a 312 km transect, stretching from the axial mountains of the North Atlantic Knipovich Ridge to the continental shelf of Svalbard, has been obtained using seismic reflection data and wide angle OBS data. The resulting seismic V_p and V_s models are further constrained by a 2-D-gravity model. The principal objective of this study is to describe and resolve the physical and compositional properties of the crust in order to understand the processes and creation of oceanic crust in this extremely slow-spreading counterpart of the North Atlantic Ridge Systems. V_p is estimated to be 3.50–6.05 km/s for the upper oceanic crust (oceanic layer 2), with a marked increase away from the ridge. The measured V_p of 6.55–6.95 km/s for oceanic layer 3A and 7.10–7.25 km/s for layer 3B, both with a V_p/V_s ratio of 1.81, except for slightly higher values at the ridge axis, does not allow a clear distinction between gabbro and mantle-derived peridotite (10–40% serpentized). The thickness of the oceanic crust varies a lot along the transect from the minimum of 5.6 km to a maximum of 8.1 km. The mean thickness of 6.7 km for the oceanic crust is well above the average thickness for slow-spreading ridges (<10 mm/year half-spreading rate). The areas of increased thickness could be explained by large magma production-rates found in the zones of axial highs at the ridge axis, which also have generated the off-axial highs adjacent the ridge. We suggest that these axial and off-axial highs along the ridge control the lithological composition of the oceanic crust. This approach suggests normal gabbroic oceanic crust to be found in the areas bound by the active magma segments (the axial and off-axial highs) and mantle-derived peridotite outside these zone.     

3-D velocity structure of the 2003 Bam earthquake area (SE Iran): Existence of a low-Poisson's ratio layer and its relation to heavy damage

To understand the generation mechanism of the Bam earthquake (Mw 6.6), we studied three-dimensional V_P, V_S and Poisson's ratio (σ) structures in the Bam area by using the seismic tomography method. We inverted accurate arrival times of 19490 P waves and 19015 S waves from 2396 aftershocks recorded by a temporal high-sensitivity seismic network. The 3-D velocity structure of the seismogenic region was well resolved to a depth of 14 km with significant velocity variations of up to 5%. The general pattern of aftershock distribution was relocated by using the 3-D structure to delineate a source fault for a length of approximately 20 km along a line 4.5 km west of the known geological Bam fault; this source fault dips steeply westward and strikes a nearly north–south line. The main shallow cluster of aftershocks south of the city of Bam is distributed just under the minor surface ruptures in the desert. The 3-D velocity structure shows a thick layer of high V_S and low σ (minimum: 0.20) at a depth range of 2–6 km. The deeper layer, with a thickness of about 2 km, appears to have a low V_S and high σ (maximum: 0.28) from 6 km depth beneath Bam to a depth of 9 km south of the city. The inferred increase of Poisson's ratio from 2 to 10 km in depth may be associated with a change from rigid and SiO₂-rich rock to more mafic rock, including the probable existence of fluids. The main seismic gap of aftershock distribution at the depth range of 2 to 7 km coincides well with the large slip zone in the shallow thick layer of high V_S and low σ. The large slip propagating mainly in the shallow rigid layer may be one of the main reasons why the Bam area suffered heavy damage.     

On velocity anomalies beneath southeastern China: An investigation combining mineral physics studies and seismic tomography observations

Seismic tomography studies reveal distinct velocity and V_P/V_S anomalies in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath the Yangtze Craton and Cathaysia Block in southeastern China. The anomalies under the Yangtze Craton are characterized by high velocity (both V_P and V_S) and low V_P/V_S ratio, while those beneath the Cathaysia Block are characterized by low velocity (especially V_S) and high V_P/V_S ratio. Here, we conduct analyses of phase relations and thermoelasticity to model the effects of thermal and chemical homogeneities in the MTZ, by taking advantage of recent simultaneous V_P and V_S seismic tomography results under southeastern China. We attempt to quantify the seismic tomography results and examine the effects of temperature, chemical composition, and water (or protonization) on velocity anomalies in the deep mantle. We find V_P/V_S to be a powerful parameter in distinguishing the various effects of temperature, chemical composition, and protonization. We conclude that an ancient stagnated oceanic slab is most likely the main cause of the observed fast velocity and low V_P/V_S anomalies in the MTZ under the Yangtze Craton. This ancient slab material is most likely a product of paleo Pacific subduction around 100–125 Ma ago, when the oceanic plate abruptly changed its direction of motion. Such an event has been shown to be closely related to the magmatic activities around eastern China, the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism zone between the Yangtze Craton and the North China Craton, and the destruction of the lower crust of the North China Craton. The anomalies under the Cathaysia Block, on the other hand, are likely due to dehydration-induced partial melting of subducted Pacific slab materials. Here the large low V_S anomaly in MTZ coincides with the extensive Mesozoic to Cenozoic igneous features on the surface, suggesting a state with lower viscosities in the upper mantle. Dehydration-induced partial melting in MTZ may have also promoted deformation of the South China fold belt. Our results suggest that these lithospheric processes are directly related to the tectonic interaction between the oceanic and continental plates in southeastern China and that a better understanding of past deep mantle dynamic processes may place important constraints on the evolution of the cratons in China.     

3-D crustal structure of the extensional Granada Basin in the convergent boundary between the Eurasian and African plates

Three-dimensional P and S wave velocity models of the crust under the Granada Basin in Southern Spain are obtained with a spatial resolution of 5 km in the horizontal direction and 2 to 4 km in depth. We used a total of 15407 P and 13704 S wave high-quality arrival times from 2889 local earthquakes recorded by both permanent seismic networks and portable stations deployed in the area. The computed P and S wave velocities were used to obtain three-dimensional distributions of Poisson's ratio (σ) and the porosity parameter (V_p×V_s). The 3-D velocity images show strong lateral heterogeneities in the region. Significant velocity variations up to ±7% in P and S velocities are revealed in the crust below the Granada Basin. At shallow depth, high-velocity anomalies are generally associated with Mesozoic basement, while the low-velocity anomalies are related to the neogene sedimentary rocks. The south–southeastern part of the Granada Basin exhibits high σ values in the shallowest layers, which may be associated with saturated and unconsolidated sediments. In the same area, V_p×V_s is high outside the basin, indicating low porosity of the mesozoic basement. A low-velocity zone at 18-km depth is found and interpreted as a weak–ductile crust transition that is related to the cut-off depth of the seismic activity. In the lower crust, at 34-km depth, a clear slow V_p and V_s anomalous zone may indicate variations in lithology and/or with the rigidity of the lower crust rocks.     

Seismic velocities of granulite-facies xenoliths from Central Ireland: Implications for lower crustal composition and anisotropy

V_p and V_s values have been measured experimentally and calculated for granulite-facies lower crustal xenoliths from central Ireland close to the Caledonian Iapetus suture zone. The xenoliths are predominantly foliated and lineated metapelitic (garnet–sillimanite–K-feldspar) granulites. Their metapelitic composition is unusual compared with the mostly mafic composition of lower crustal xenoliths world-wide. Based on thermobarometry, the metapelitic xenoliths were entrained from depths of c. 20–25 ± 3.5 km and rare mafic granulites from depths of 31–33 ± 3.4 km. The xenoliths were emplaced during Lower Carboniferous volcanism and are considered to represent samples of the present day lower crust.V_p values for the metapelitic granulites range between 6.26 and 7.99 km s^{− 1} with a mean value of 7.09 ± 0.4 km s^{− 1}. Psammite and granitic orthogneiss samples have calculated V_p values of 6.51 and 6.23 km s^{− 1}, respectively. V_s values for the metapelites are between 3.86 and 4.34 km s^{− 1}, with a mean value of 4.1 ± 0.15 km s^{− 1}. The psammite and orthogneiss have calculated V_s values of 3.95 and 3.97 km s^{− 1}, respectively.The measured seismic velocities correlate with density and with modal mineralogy, especially the high content of sillimanite and garnet. V_p anisotropy is between 0.15% and 13.97%, and a clear compositional control is evident, mainly in relation to sillimanite abundance. Overall V_s anisotropy ranges from 1% to 11%. Poisson's ratio (σ) lies between 0.25 and 0.35 for the metapelitic granulites, mainly reflecting a high V_p value due to abundant sillimanite in the sample with the highest σ. Anisotropy is probably a function of deformation associated with the closure of the Iapetus ocean in the Silurian as well as later extension in the Devonian. The orientation of the bulk strain ellipsoid in the lower crust is difficult to constrain, but lineation is likely to be NE–SW, given the strike-slip nature of the late Caledonian and subsequent Acadian deformation.When corrected for present-day lower crustal temperature, the experimentally determined V_p values correspond well with velocities from the ICSSP, COOLE I and VARNET seismic refraction lines. Near the xenolith localities, the COOLE I line displays two lower crustal layers with in situ V_p values of 6.85–6.9 and 6.9–8.0 km s^{− 1}, respectively. The upper (lower velocity) layer corresponds well with the metapelitic granulite xenoliths while the lower (higher velocity) layer matches that of the basic granulite xenoliths, though their metamorphic pressures suggest derivation from depths corresponding to the present-day upper mantle.     

Comparison of P- and S-wave velocity profiles obtained from surface seismic refraction/reflection and downhole data

High-resolution seismic-reflection/refraction data were acquired on the ground surface at six locations to compare with near-surface seismic-velocity downhole measurements. Measurement sites were in Seattle, WA, the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, and the San Fernando Valley, CA. We quantitatively compared the data in terms of the average shear-wave velocity to 30-m depth (V_s30), and by the ratio of the relative site amplification produced by the velocity profiles of each data type over a specified set of quarter-wavelength frequencies. In terms of V_s30, similar values were determined from the two methods. There is <15% difference at four of the six sites. The V_s30 values at the other two sites differ by 21% and 48%. The relative site amplification factors differ generally by less than 10% for both P- and S-wave velocities. We also found that S-wave reflections and first-arrival phase delays are essential for identifying velocity inversions. The results suggest that seismic reflection/refraction data are a fast, non-invasive, and less expensive alternative to downhole data for determining V_s30. In addition, we emphasize that some P- and S-wave reflection travel times can directly indicate the frequencies of potentially damaging earthquake site resonances. A strong correlation between the simple S-wave first-arrival travel time/apparent velocity on the ground surface at 100 m offset from the seismic source and the V_s30 value for that site is an additional unique feature of the reflection/refraction data that could greatly simplify V_s30 determinations.     

S-waves profiles from noise cross correlation at small scale

Cross correlations of ambient seismic noise recordings are studied to infer shear-wave velocities (V_S) profiles versus depth. Experiments are performed, over inter-station distances ranging from 60 m to about 400 m, in the crowded and noisy historical centre of Napoli, where the conditions for the use of active (controlled source) seismic spreadings are prohibitive, even for just one receiver. From the noise cross correlation, group velocity dispersion curves are extracted, with FTAN method, and their non-linear inversion supplies V_S profiles versus depth. The information of nearby stratigraphies and the range of V_S variability for samples of Neapolitan soils and rocks confirms the validity and reliability of the results obtained with our expeditious procedure. If successfully tested in other geological settings, the proposed approach is a low cost methodology to get reliable V_S velocity profiles versus depth.     

Regional VS30 model for the St. Lawrence Lowlands,Eastern Canada

Shear-wave velocity of the top 30?m, V_S30, is commonly used for prediction of the seismic site response. This paper presents development, validation and uncertainty assessment of a regional V_S30 model based on a combination of simplified 3D geology and statistically representative velocity values. Results identify soft marine sediments in deep sedimentary basins as zones most susceptible to seismic shaking. Compared to the available urban-scale seismic zonation studies, the regional model showed a success rate of roughly 64% in predicting local site category. The standard deviation was in average 30% of the expected V_S30 value.     

Crust–upper mantle seismic velocity structure across Southeastern China

One in-line wide-angle seismic profile was conducted in 1990 in the course of the Southeastern China Continental Dynamics project aimed at the study of the contact between the Cathaysia block and the Yangtze block. This 380-km-long profile extended in NW–SE direction from Tunxi, Anhui Province, to Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. Five in-line shots were fired and recorded at seismic stations with spacing of about 3 km along the recording line. We have used two-dimensional ray tracing to model P- and S-wave arrivals and provide constraints on the velocity structure of the upper crust, middle crust, lower crust, Moho discontinuity, and the top part of the lithospheric mantle. P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and V_P/V_S ratio are mapped. The crust is 36-km thick on average, albeit it gradually thins from the northwest end to the southeast end (offshore) of the profile. The average crustal velocity is 6.26 km/s for P-waves but 3.6 km/s for S-waves. A relatively narrow low-velocity layer of about 4 km of thickness, with P- and S-wave velocities of 6.2 km/s and 3.5 km/s, respectively, marks the bottom of the middle crust at a depth of 23-km northwest and 17-km southeast. At the crust–mantle transition, the P- and S-wave velocity change quickly from 7.4 to 7.8 km/s (northwest) and 8.0 to 8.2 km/s (southeast) and from 3.9 to 4.2 km/s (northwest) and 3.9 to 4.5 km/s (southeast), respectively. This result implies a lateral contrast in the upper mantle velocity along the 140 km sampled by the profile approximately. The average V_P/V_S ratio ranges from 1.68–1.8 for the upper crust to 1.75 for the middle and 1.75–1.85 for lower crust. With the interpretation of the wide-angle seismic data, Jiangshan–Shaoxin fault is considered as the boundary between the Yangtze and the Cathaysia block.     

Generalized geophysical model and dynamic properties of the continental crust

Detailed seismic investigations of the continental crust have produced evidence of definite regularities in the general layering of the consolidated crust despite its high degree of inhomogeneity. Three main layers may be resolved in the inner part of a continent: an upper layer with velocities of 5.8–6.4 km/s and a velocity gradient about 0.04–0.05 s⁻¹, an intermediate layer with velocities of 6.2–6.6 km/s and velocity gradient about zero, and a lower layer with velocities of 6.8–7.2 km/s and a high-velocity gradient of 0.05–0.1 s⁻¹. The intermediate layer is characteristically different not only because of its low average velocity gradient, but also because of its more pronounced horizontal layering, inversion zones, and its higher “transparency” and V_p/V_s ratio. The gravity and magnetic data have shown that basement inhomogeneities disappear at the top of the intermediate layer. Also there are few earthquakes in this layer. These pecularities may be interpreted as the result of partial melting (weakening) of rocks and their possible horizontal mobility inside this layer.Thus, dynamic models of tectonic processes must take into consideration the possible existence of a weak zone in the crust.     

Spatial distribution of soil shear-wave velocity and the fundamental period of vibration – a case study of the Saguenay region,Canada

The spatial distribution of soil shear-wave velocity and the fundamental period of vibration were selected as input parameters for the determination of potential seismic site effects in the Saguenay region, Canada. The methodology used in this study involved three clear steps. First, a 3D geological model of the surficial deposits was built taking into consideration the type, spatial distribution and thickness of the deposits. Second, representative average V_s values were determined for each of the major soil units. Finally, the average shear-wave velocity from the ground surface to bedrock (V_sav), the shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m (V_s30) and the fundamental site resonance period (T₀) were calculated over a regular grid for the study area. The results include the spatial distribution of the fundamental site resonance period, the average shear-wave velocity in the first 30 m of the ground and the spatial distribution of National Building Code of Canada seismic soil classes for the Saguenay region.     

Vp/Vs Anisotropy and Implications for Crustal Composition Identification and Earthquake Prediction

Abstract: The ratio of P- to S-wave velocities (Vp/Vs) is regarded as one of the most diagnostic properties of natural rocks. It has been used as a discriminant of composition for the continental crust and provides valuable constraints on its formation and evolution processes. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal changes in Vp/Vs before and after earthquakes are probably the most promising avenue to understanding the source mechanics and possibly predicting earthquakes. Here we calibrate the variations in Vp/Vs in dry, anisotropic crustal rocks and provide a set of basic information for the interpretation of future seismic data from the Wenchuan earthquake Fault zone Scientific Drilling (WFSD) project and other surveys. Vp/Vs is a constant (Ф0) for an isotropic rock. However, most of crustal rocks are anisotropic due to lattice-preferred orientations of anisotropic minerals (e.g., mica, amphibole, plagioclase and pyroxene) and cracks as well as thin compositional layering. The Vp/Vs ratio of an anisotropic rock measured along a selected pair of propagation-vibration directions is an apparent value (Фij) that is significantly different from the value for its isotropic counterpart (Ф0). The usefulness of apparent Vp/Vs ratios as a diagnostic of crustal composition depends largely on rock seismic anisotropy. A 5% of P- and S-wave velocity anisotropy is sufficient to make it impossible to determine the crustal composition using the conventional criteria (Vp/Vs≤1.756 for felsic rocks, 1.7561.944 fluid-filled porous/fractured or partially molten rocks) if the information about the wave propagation-polarization directions with respect to the tectonic framework is unknown. However, the variations in Vp/Vs measured from borehole seismic experiments can be readily interpreted according to the orientations of the ray path and the polarization of the shear waves with respect to the present-day principal stress directions (i.e., the orientation of cracks) and the frozen fabric (i.e., foliation and lineation).     

Lower crustal fluid distribution in the northeastern Japan arc revealed by high-resolution 3D seismic tomography

The Ou Backbone Range strikes northwards through the central northeastern Japan arc and is bounded on both sides by the active reverse Uwandaira and Sen'ya faults. We have applied a traveltime inversion method (seismic tomography) with spatial velocity correlation to active and passive seismic data in order to investigate a three-dimensional (3-D) velocity structure. The data set contains 33,993 P- and 18,483 S-wave arrivals from 706 natural sources and 40 blasts, as well as 2803 P-wave traveltime data from 10 explosions detonated during the 1997 controlled source experiment. The traveltime inversion reveals a zone beneath the Ou Backbone Range in which P-wave velocities (V_P) are approximately 6–8% lower than the average velocity at equivalent depths. The low V_P and a low V_P to S-wave velocity (V_S) ratio (V_P/V_S) of about 1.65 suggest the presence of aqueous fluids in the middle crust.     

VS crustal models of the Roccamonfina volcano and relationships with Neapolitan volcanoes (southern Italy)

Shear wave velocities of the crust and upper mantle are defined beneath the Roccamonfina volcano and surrounding Apennines (southern Italy) from the simultaneous nonlinear inversion of the local group velocity dispersion data, obtained from seismic events recorded in 1988–2004 at Roccamonfina station of the INGV-RSNC network, and regional dispersion data obtained in previous studies. The main features of the representative V_S models are a carbonatic basement and a low velocity zone at 6–10?km of depth. The sedimentary succession is ~5?km thick below the Roccamonfina volcano and lays above a high V_S (3.8?km/s) ascribable to solidified magma body, while it is ~10?km thick below the surrounding Apennines. A low velocity layer with an average thickness of 10?km is detected below the Roccamonfina volcano which can be associated with the presence of partial melting and interpreted as magmatic reservoir. Such low velocity layer, also found below the surrounding Apennines but with a reduced thickness of 2–3?km, extends to the Campanian Plain and to the Neapolitan volcanic area, from Campi Flegrei to Somma-Vesuvius.     

Delamination and ultra‐deep subduction of continental crust: constraints from elastic wave velocity and density measurement in ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic rocks

Thirty‐three samples, including 22 eclogites, collected from the Dabie ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt in eastern China, have been studied for seismic properties. Compressional (V_p) and shear wave (V_s) velocities in three mutually perpendicular directions under hydrostatic pressures up to 1.0 GPa were measured for each sample. At 1.0 GPa, V_p (7.5–8.4 km s^?1), V_s (4.2–4.8 km s^?1), and densities (3.2–3.6 g cm^?3) in the UHP eclogites are higher than those of UHP orthopyroxenite (7.3–7.5 km s^?1, 4.1–4.3 km s^?1, 3.2–3.3 g cm^?3, respectively) and HP eclogites (7.1–7.9 km s^?1, 4.0–4.5 km s^?1, 3.1–3.5 g cm^?3, respectively). Kyanitites (with 99.5% kyanite) show extremely high velocities and density (9.37 km s^?1, 5.437 km s^?1, 3.581 g cm^?3, respectively). The eclogites show variation of V_p‐ and V_s‐anisotropy up to 9.70% and 9.17%, respectively. Poisson’s ratio (σ) ranges from 0.218 to 0.278 (with a mean of 0.255) for eclogites, 0.281–0.298 for granulites and 0.248 to 0.255 for amphibolites. The σ values for serpentinite (0.341) and marble (0.321) are higher than for other lithologies. The elastic moduli K, G, E of kyanitite were obtained as 163, 102 and 253 GPa, respectively. The V_p and density of representative UHP metamorphic rocks (eclogite & kyanitite) were extrapolated to mantle depth (15 GPa) following a reasonable geotherm, and compared to the one dimension mantle velocity and density model. The comparison shows that V_p and density in eclogite and kyanitite are greater than those of the ambient mantle, with differences of up to ΔV_p > 0.3 km s^?1 and Δρ > 0.3–0.4 g cm^?3, respectively. This result favours the density‐induced delamination model and also provides evidence in support of distinguishing subducted high velocity materials in the upper mantle by means of seismic tomography. Such ultra‐deep subduction and delamination processes have been recognized by seismic tomography and geochemical tracing in the postcollisional magmatism in the Dabie region.     

围压下裂隙对地震波速度影响的物理实验研究

构建了等直径不同裂隙密度和等裂隙密度不同裂隙直径两组物理模型,进行不同围压条件下多方向的超声波速度测试,并运用Hudson理论进行了理论模型计算。结果显示,计算与实测结果吻合较好。随围压的增大,纵、横波速度均近线性增加,纵、横波各向异性基本保持不变;裂隙密度从2%增大到6%,纵波速度不同程度降低,其中慢纵波降低幅度相对较大,快横波变化不明显,而慢横波则大幅降低。随着裂隙密度的增大,纵、横波各向异性均增大,且横波各向异性增加速率大于纵波;裂隙直径从2 mm增大到3 mm,快纵波速度增加很小,慢纵波增加明显,横波速度均不发生改变。随着裂隙直径的增大,纵波各向异性逐渐降低,横波各向异性保持不变。最后结合试验结果分析了Hudson理论在不同深度进行参数预测的必要条件。研究结果有助于油气生产、地下水的开采与控制、污染处理等。      

Geochemistry, petrofabrics and seismic properties of eclogites from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling boreholes in the Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China

We present an integrated study of geochemistry, petrofabrics and seismic properties of strongly sheared eclogites from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) project in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane, eastern China. First, geochemical data characterize diverse protoliths of the studied eclogites. The positive Eu- and Sr-anomalies, negative Nb anomaly and flat portion of heavy rare earth elements in coarse-grained rutile eclogites (samples B270 and B295) suggest a cumulate origin in the continental crust, whereas the negative Nb anomaly and enrichment of light rare earth elements in retrograde eclogites (samples B504, B15 and B19) imply an origin of continental basalts or island arc basalts. Second, P-wave velocities (V_p) of three typical eclogite samples were measured under confining pressures up to 500 MPa and temperatures to 700 °C. At 500 MPa and room temperature, the mean V_p reaches 8.50-8.53 km/s in samples B270 and B295 but drops to 7.86 km/s in sample B504, and the P-wave anisotropy changes from 1.7-2.7% to 5.5%, respectively. The pressure and temperature derivatives of V_p are larger in the retrograde eclogite than in fresh ones. Third, the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements of the eclogites reveal random crystal preferred orientation (CPO) of garnet and pronounced CPO of omphacite, which is characterized by a strong concentration of [001]-axes sub-parallel to the lineation and of (010)-poles perpendicular to the foliation. The asymmetric CPO of omphacite in sample B270 recorded a top-to-the-south shear event during subduction of the Yangtze plate. The calculated fastest V_p is generally sub-parallel to the lineation, but a different deformation environment during exhumation could form second-order variations in omphacite CPO and affect the V_p distribution in eclogites (e.g., the fastest V_p is at ~ 35° from the foliation in sample B295). Comparison between measured and calculated seismic properties indicates that the CPO of omphacite controls the seismic anisotropy of eclogites at high pressure, and compositional layering and retrograde minerals will increase the anisotropy. Calculated P-wave velocities agree well with velocities measured at 500 MPa and room temperature for fresh eclogites, but much higher than those of retrograde eclogite. As a case study, the laboratory-derived V_p-P and V_p-T relationships were used to estimate P-wave velocities of eclogites and peridotites beneath the Western Superior Province, Canada. The results indicate that besides the fabric-induced anisotropy, the direction dependence of pressure and temperature derivatives of V_p can significantly increase seismic anisotropy of eclogites with depth, which results in eclogites being an important candidate for the seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. Due to their very high density and velocity, garnet-rich eclogites within peridotite could be detected in seismic reflections in subduction zones.