Elastic properties, fabric and seismic anisotropy of amphibolites and their contribution to the lower crust reflectivity

In this paper the elastic properties of amphibolites from the Serie dei Laghi and the Ivrea zone (Southern Alps, N-Italy) were investigated as a function of their mineralogical composition, microfabric and density.Three orthogonal cores were cut parallel and normal to foliation and lineation; from those, bulk and grain density were measured and the interconnected porosity was calculated. Bulk density varies from 2.75 to 3.07 g/cm³ and calculated porosity ranges from 0.02 to 0.88%.The same cores were also used to measure seismic velocity of ultrasonic waves at room temperature and at increasing confining pressure up to 300 MPa. At high pressure the matrix properties are separated from the crack-induced properties. P-wave velocity varies with respect to the direction of propagation: the slowest direction is always normal to foliation and the fastest parallel to the mineral lineation. The mineral lineation is typically defined by the elongation of amphibole crystals, in which the fastest Vp direction is parallel to the c axis, that is also the elongation axis. The Vp ranges between 6.76 and 7.54 km/s in the direction parallel to lineation and between 6.32 and 7.06 km/s in the direction normal to foliation. This defines a Vp anisotropy of up to 14%, whose shape varies from orthorhombic to axially symmetric (either prolate or flattened). It was observed that both Vp and Vp anisotropy increase with the amount of amphibole and decrease with the amount of plagioclase. Moreover, the c axis distribution of amphiboles is responsible of the Vp anisotropy intensity and shape, in agreement with observations from previous studies. The seismic properties calculated with the approach of Mainprice (1990), using the fabric data, the elastic constants and the modal composition, gave results in good agreement with the measurements.Exposed rocks in the Ivrea and Serie dei Laghi zones show that amphibolites are interlayered with metapelites on a scale from 1 to 100 m. Because of the very large acoustic impedance contrast (20.34 ± 1.75 for amphibolites, 17.16 ± 0.4 for metapelites), they represent a very reflective portion in the middle-lower crust.     

Experimental and texture-derived P-wave anisotropy of principal rocks from the TRANSALP traverse: An aid for the interpretation of seismic field data

A representative suite of deformed, metamorphic rocks from the TRANSALP reflection seismic traverse in the Eastern Alps was studied in the laboratory with respect to elastic properties and whole-rock texture. Compressional wave (P-wave) velocities and their anisotropies were measured at various experimental conditions (dry, wet, confining pressure), and compared to the texture-related component of anisotropy. Here ‘texture’ refers to crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs), which were determined by neutron texture goniometry. In gneisses and schists P-wave anisotropies are mainly controlled by the microcrack fabric. In marbles and amphibolites CPO contributes very significantly to anisotropy. At 200 MPa confining pressure the degree of anisotropy is between 5% and 15%, depending on rock composition and/or CPO intensity. Special emphasis was also put on discussing possible effects of fluids on seismic velocity and anisotropy. Distributions of water-filled microcracks and pores are distinctly anisotropic, with maximum contribution to bulk rock velocity mostly parallel to the foliation pole. Decreasing P-wave velocity and increasing anisotropy of immersed samples may be explained by crack-induced changes of the elastic moduli of bulk rock. The main conclusion regarding interpretation of TRANSALP data is that strong reflections in the deep Alpine crust are probably due to marble–gneiss and metabasite–gneiss contacts, although P-wave anisotropy and boundaries between zones of ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ series may contribute to reflectivity to some extent.     

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

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 (φ0) 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 (φij) that is significantly different from the value for its isotropic counterpart (φ0). 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, 1.756l.944 fluid-tidied 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).     

Laboratory measurement of P-wave velocity in crustal and upper mantle xenoliths from Ichino-megata, NE Japan: ultrabasic hydrous lower crust beneath the NE Honshu arc

Ultrasonic laboratory measurements of P-wave velocity (Vp) were carried out up to 1.0 GPa in a temperature range of 25–400 °C for crustal and mantle xenoliths of Ichino-megata, northeast Japan. The rocks used in the present study cover a nearly entire range of lithological variation of the Ichino-megata xenoliths and are considered as representative rock samples of the lower crust and upper mantle of the back arc side of the northeast (NE) Honshu arc. The Vp values measured at 25 °C and 1.0 GPa are 6.7–7.2 km/s for the hornblende gabbros (38.6–46.9 wt.% SiO₂), 7.2 km/s for the hornblende-pyroxene gabbro (43.8 wt.% SiO₂), 6.9–7.3 km/s for the amphibolites (36.1–44.3 wt.% SiO₂), 8.0–8.1 km/s for the spinel lherzolites (46.2–47.2 wt.% SiO₂) and 6.30 km/s for the biotite granite (72.1 wt.% SiO₂). Combining the present data with the Vp profile of the NE Honshu arc [Iwasaki, T., Kato, W., Moriya, T., Hasemi, A., Umino, N., Okada, T., Miyashita, K., Mizogami, T., Takeda, T., Sekine, S., Matsushima, T., Tashiro, K., Miyamachi, H. 2001. Extensional structure in northern Honshu Arc as inferred from seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection profiling. Geophys. Res. Lett. 28 (12), 2329–2332], we infer that the 15 km thick lower crust of the NE Honshu arc is composed of amphibolite and/or hornblende (±pyroxene) gabbro with ultrabasic composition. The present study suggests that the Vp range of the lower crustal layer (6.6–7.0 km/s) in the NE Honshu arc, which is significantly lower than that obtained from various seismic measurements (e.g. the northern Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc: 7.1–7.3 km/s), is due to the thick hydrous lower crustal layer where hornblende, plagioclase and magnetite are dominant.     

中国大陆科学钻探主孔100～2000m岩石弹性波速度：对地震深反射的约束

在常温常压条件对中国大陆科学钻CCSD主孔岩心的700样品进行了弹性波速度测量，并建立了主孔2000m的波速(Vp和Vs)连续剖面，为检验地球物理模型的合理解释提供了岩石物理学方面的宝贵资料。主孔中新鲜榴辉岩纵波速度(Vp)最大(7.86km／s)，正副片麻岩波速最小，又分别为5.53km／s和5．71km／s，榴辉岩的波速随着退变质作用的增强而明显减小。主孔2000m总平均Vp速度为6．2km／s，它与地球物理探测方法获得的大别-苏鲁造山带上地壳具有6.2-6．3km／s高速层结论是一致的。大部分岩石具有明显地震波各向异性。水饱和度使岩石纵波(Vp)速度和剪切波速度(Vs)分别增加19％和6％，而使Vp的各向异性降低3％～4％。不同岩性界面的反射系数(Rc)是产生地震反射的主要原因。金红石榴辉岩与片麻岩之间具有很高的反射系数(0.24-0．31)。韧性剪切带中糜棱岩化片麻岩和面理化榴辉岩使岩石各向异性和反射强度明显增加。岩石微裂隙与主孔原位波速变化有密切关系。饱水岩石速度(Vp和Vs)可以代表CCSD主孔原位状态的地震波速度。上述成果为本区地震反射体成因提供了重要的岩石物理性质约束。     

The effect of crustal anisotropy on reflector depth and velocity determination from wide-angle seismic data: a synthetic example based on South Island, New Zealand

When deriving velocity models by forward modelling or inverting travel time arrivals from seismic refraction data, a heterogeneous but isotropic earth is usually assumed. In regions where the earth is not isotropic at the scale at which it is being sampled, the assumption of isotropy can lead to significant errors in the velocities determined for the crust and the depths calculated to reflecting boundaries. Laboratory velocity measurements on rocks collected from the Haast Schist terrane of South Island, New Zealand, show significant (up to 20%) compressional (P) wave velocity anisotropy. Field data collected parallel and perpendicular to the foliation of the Haast Schist exhibit as much as 11% P-wave velocity anisotropy. We demonstrate, using finite-difference full-wavefield modelling, the types of errors and problems that might be encountered if isotropic methods are used to create velocity models from data collected in anisotropic regions. These reflector depth errors could be as much as 10–15% for a 10-km thick layer with significant (20%) P-wave velocity anisotropy. The implications for South Island, New Zealand, where the problem is compounded by extreme orientations of highly anisotropic rocks (foliation which varies from horizontal to near vertical), are considered. Finally, we discuss how the presence of a significant subsurface anisotropic body might manifest itself in wide-angle reflection/refraction and passive seismic datasets, and suggest ways in which such datasets may be used to determine the presence and extent of such anisotropic bodies.     

Southward extrusion of eclogite-bearing mafic–ultramafic bodies in the Sanbagawa belt, central Shikoku, Japan

Several mafic rock masses, which have experienced eclogite facies metamorphism, are distributed in flat-lying non-eclogitic schists in an intermediate structural level (thermal core) of the Sanbagawa belt. The largest, Iratsu mass, and an associated peridotite, the Higashi-Akaishi mass, extend E–W for about 8 km, and N–S for about 3 km, and are surrounded by pelitic, basic and quartz schists. The Iratsu mass consists of metabasites of gabbroic and basaltic origin, with intercalations of ultramafic rocks, felsic gneiss, quartz schist and metacarbonate. The Iratsu mass can be divided into two layers along a WNW-trending metacarbonate layer. The Higashi-Akaishi mass consists of peridotite with intercalations of garnet clinopyroxenite. It is situated beneath the western half of the Iratsu mass, and their mutual boundary dips gently or steeply to the N or NE. These masses underwent eclogite, and subsequent epidote-amphibolite facies metamorphism as has been reported elsewhere. The Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses and the surrounding rocks underwent ductile deformation under epidote-amphibolite facies (or lower P–T) metamorphic conditions. Their foliation generally trends WNW and dips moderately to the NNE, and the mineral lineation mostly plunges to the N and NE. In non-eclogitic schists surrounding the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses, the foliation generally trends WNW and dips gently or steeply to the N or S and the mineral lineation mostly plunges to the NW, N and NE. Kinematic analysis of deformation structures in outcrops and oriented samples has been performed to determine shear senses. Consistent top-to-the-north, normal fault displacements are observed in peridotite layers of the Higashi-Akaishi mass and eclogite-bearing epidote amphibolite layers of the Iratsu mass. Top-to-the-northeast or top-to-the-northwest displacements also occur in non-eclogitic pelitic–quartz schists on the northern side of the Iratsu mass. In the structural bottom of the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses and to the south, reverse fault (top-to-the-south) movements are recognized in serpentinized peridotite and non-eclogitic schists. These observations provide the following constraints on the kinematics of the rock masses: (1) northward normal displacement of Iratsu relative to Higashi-Akaishi, (2) northward normal displacement of non-eclogitic schists on the north of the Iratsu mass and (3) southward thrusting of the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses upon non-eclogitic schists in the south. The exhumation process of the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses can be explained by their southward extrusion.     

Anisotropic seismic properties of the upper mantle beneath the Torre Alfina area (Northern Apennines, Central Italy)

Central Italy is an active tectonic area that has been recently studied by several regional mantle, Pn and SKS, studies which revealed the presence of a strong regional anisotropy. In this paper, we present the first petrophysical results on the only mantle xenoliths from Central Italy, which place new constraints on the upper mantle structures of this region. The Torre Alfina mantle xenoliths are very small in size, from few millimetres to about 1.5 cm. They are mainly dunites and harzburgites, with subordinate lherzolites and wehrlites. Since olivine and spinel are always present, they should have crystallised in the spinel-bearing lherzolite field. Their mineralogical composition is ol+spl±opx±cpx. Both olivines and pyroxenes are present as porphyroclasts and as neoblasts. The xenoliths show different degrees of recrystallization. Geothermobarometry on these xenoliths give a temperature range of 1040±40 °C and a pressure estimate of about 1.5 GPa, corresponding to 50 to 60 km depth. Previous seismic studies have estimated the Moho to be at 20 to 25 km in this region, hence the xenoliths come from a hot mantle, probably asthenospheric, below a lithosphere of about 25 to 40 km in thickness below the Moho. We measure the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of olivines and pyroxenes using a SEM and the Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) technique. The CPO shows all three axes of olivine are tightly clustered: [100] axis is typically more tightly clustered than [010] and [001] is the most widely distributed axis. The fabric strength expressed by the integral J index, varies from 4.5 to 25.9, and decreases with the degree of recrystallization. We use CPO data to calculate anisotropic seismic properties of the xenoliths. They are very homogenous and probably statistically representative of the mantle below the Torre Alfina area. Vp ranges from 8.4 to 9.1 km/s, Vs₁ from 4.8 to 5.0 km/s. The seismic anisotropy is more variable; AVp ranges from 9.8% to 19.3% and AVs from 7.3% to 13.4%. The majority of the xenoliths display an orthorhombic seismic symmetry, but xenoliths with a transverse isotropic behaviour have also been observed.

We consider four geodynamic models for the source region of the xenoliths (extension, shear, upwelling, slab tilted), defined by different orientations of the structural reference frame, and we calculated for each model the variation of the seismic properties with temperature, pressure and volume fraction of orthopyroxene. After comparing this variation of calculated seismic parameters with seismic observations from the region, we form the hypothesis that the xenoliths come from either an extensional tectonic zone (lineation X and foliation plane XY horizontal) or transcurrent shear zone (lineation X horizontal and foliation plane XY vertical) and that the mantle beneath Torre Alfina is composed by 70% olivine and 30% orthopyroxene forming an anisotropic layer of about 160 or 110 km in thickness, respectively.     

Fabric and seismic properties of carrara marble mylonite

Shear deformation in calcite-rich rocks can produce strong lattice preferred orientations (LPO), which result in a high anisotropy of bulk seismic properties because of the high elastic anisotropy of calcite (32% Vp anisotropy). Deformed rocks often show also strong shape preferred orientations (SPO). Theories for averaging the elastic properties have not yet satisfactorily predicted the contribution to the seismic anisotropy caused by the SPO alone.A calcite mylonite from Carrara (Italy) was investigated, which is characterised by a strong SPO and a weak LPO. It was composed of about 80% calcite, then white mica, quartz and hematite. Flattening of mica and of calcite grains defined the mylonitic foliation, and elongation of calcite grains defined the lineation. On average calcite grains have aspect ratios of about 2.5:1.6:1, and grain sizes of about 10 μm. At 400 MPa confining pressure, the measured Vp (km/s) parallel to the lineation (X direction) was highest (6.63), lower in the intermediate Y direction (6.47); the Vp normal to the foliation (Z direction) was lowest (6.30). This yielded a Vp anisotropy of 5%. The LPO, determined by automated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), was very weak (texture index 1.1), with intensities between 0.6 and 1.6 m.r.d. in the c-axis pole figure. Extrapolation of the texture index to an infinite number of orientation measurements indicated that the observed variations were mostly random noise in the orientation distributions and that the bulk rock texture was random. The Vp anisotropy of the Voigt, Reuss and Hill averages calculated from this calcite LPO is predicted to be close to zero. Adding 5% of muscovite with (001) perfectly aligned parallel to the foliation, we calculated a total anisotropy of 2.8%. The anisotropy calculated for the special directions X, Y and Z remained at 2.6% only.It was concluded that the measured seismic anisotropy cannot be explained by the LPO of calcite and by 5% of mica alone. It is also attributed to the strong SPO and to further grain boundary effects.     

Directional dependence of P- and S-wave propagation and polarization in foliated rocks from the Kola superdeep well: Evidence from laboratory measurements and calculations based on TOF neutron diffraction

We have measured P- and S-wave velocities on two amphibolite and two gneiss samples from the Kola superdeep borehole as a function of pressure (up to 600 MPa) and temperature (up to 600 °C). The velocity measurements include compressional (Vp) and shear wave velocities (Vs1, Vs2) propagating in three orthogonal directions which were in general not parallel to inherent rock symmetry axes or planes. The measurements are accompanied by 3D-velocities calculations based on lattice preferred orientation (LPO) obtained by TOF (Time Of Flight) neutron diffraction analysis which allows the investigation of bulk volumes up to several cubic centimetres due to the high penetration depth of neutrons. The LPO-based numerical velocity calculations give important information on the different contribution of the various rock-forming minerals to bulk elastic anisotropy and on the relations of seismic anisotropy, shear wave splitting, and shear wave polarization to the structural reference frame (foliation and lineation). Comparison with measured velocities obtained for the three propagation directions that were not in accordance with the structural frame of the rocks (foliation and lineation) demonstrate that for shear waves propagating through anisotropic rocks the vibration directions are as important as the propagation directions. The study demonstrates that proper measurement of shear wave splitting by means of two orthogonal polarized sending and receiving shear wave transducers is only possible when their propagation and polarization directions are parallel and normal to foliation and lineation, respectively.     

Petrological model of the northern Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc crust: constraints from high-pressure measurements of elastic wave velocities of the Tanzawa plutonic rocks, central Japan

Ultrasonic compressional wave velocities (Vp) and shear wave velocities (Vs) were measured with varying pressure up to 1.0 GPa in a temperature range from 25 to 400 °C for a suite of tonalitic–gabbroic rocks of the Miocene Tanzawa plutonic complex, central Japan, which has been interpreted as uplifted and exposed deep crust of the northern Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) arc. The Vp values of the tonalitic–gabbroic rocks increase rapidly at low pressures from 0.1 to 0.4 GPa, and then become nearly constant at higher pressures above 0.4 GPa. The Vp values at 1.0 GPa and 25 °C are 6.3–6.6 km/s for tonalites (56.4–71.1 wt.% SiO₂), 6.8 km/s for a quartz gabbro (53.8 wt.% SiO₂), and 7.1–7.3 km/s for a hornblende gabbro (43.2–47.7 wt.% SiO₂). Combining the present data with the P wave velocity profile of the northern IBM arc, we infer that 6-km-thick tonalitic crust exists at mid-crustal depth (6.1–6.3 km/s Vp) overlying 2-km-thick hornblende gabbroic crust (6.8 km/s Vp). Our model shows large differences in acoustic impedance between the tonalite and hornblende gabbro layers, being consistent with the strong reflector observed at 12-km-depth in the IBM arc. The measured Vp of Tanzawa hornblende-bearing gabbroic rocks (7.1–7.3 km/s) is significantly lower than that Vp modeled for the lowermost crustal layer of the northern IBM arc (7.3–7.7 km/s at 15–22 km depth). We propose that the IBM arc consists of a thick tonalitic middle crust and a mafic lower crust.     

Pan-African high pressure granulites from SE-Kenya: Petrological and geothermobarometric evidence for a polycyclic evolution in the Mozambique belt

Two different Pan-African tectono-metamorphic events are recognised in the Taita Hill Tsavo East National Park/Galana river area, SE-Kenya (Mozambique belt) based on petrographic and geothermobarometric evidence. Structurally, this area can be subdivided into four units: (1) the easternmost part of the basement along the Galana river is characterized by subhorizontal slightly to the west and east dipping foliation planes. Migmatic paragneisses with intercalated marbles, calcsilicates and metapelites and bands of amphibolites are the dominant rock type. (2) The western part of the Galana river within the Tsavo East National Park is a ca. 25 km wide shear zone with subvertical foliation planes. The eastern part shows similar rocks as observed in unit 1, while towards west, metasedimentary units become rare and the main rock types are tonalitic gneisses with intercalated amphibolites. (3) A 10 km wide zone (Sagala Hills zone) between the strike slip zone (unit 2) and the Taita Hills (unit 4) is developed. This zone is characterized by elongated and folded felsic migmatic amphibole and garnet bearing orthogneiss bodies with intercalated bands of mafic rocks. (4) The Taita Hills are a slightly to the N dipping nappe stack. The main rock type in the Taita Hills are amphibole–biotite–plagioclase–quartz ± garnet ± clinopyroxene ± scapolite bearing migmatic gneisses with mafic bands. In the southern part, metapelites, marbles and some amphibolites are common.Although the geological structures are different in units 1 and 2, the calculated PT conditions are similar with peak PT of 760–820 °C and 7.5–9.5 kbar. Temperatures in unit 3 (Sagalla Hills zone) and unit 4 (Taita Hills) are slightly higher ca. 760–840 °C, but pressure is significantly higher, ranging from 10 to 12 kbar. Sillimanite growth around kyanite, garnet zonation pattern, mineral reaction textures, and PT calculations constrain a “clock-wise” PT-path with near isobaric cooling following the peak of metamorphism. The different PT conditions, tectonic setting, and a different age of metamorphism are evidence that units 1 and 2 (Galana river) belong to a different tectono-metamorphic event than unit 3 (Sagala Hills zone) and 4 (Taita Hills). The major shear zone (unit 2) marks a tectonic suture dividing the two different tectono-metamorphic domains. It is also likely that it played an important role during exhumation of the granulite facies rocks from units 3 and 4.     

Three-dimensional discrete element simulation of indirect tensile behaviour of a transversely isotropic rock

This paper presents the development of a three-dimensional discrete element model using flat-joint and smooth-joint contact models to investigate the effect of anisotropy on the tensile behaviour of slate, a transversely isotropic rock, under Brazilian testing from both macro and microscales. The effect of anisotropy is further realised by exploring the influence of foliation orientations (β and ψ) on the tensile strength, fracture pattern, microcracking and stress distribution of the transversely isotropic rock. The variation of tensile strength with foliation orientation is presented. The cross-weak-plane fracture growth observed in laboratory is reproduced, and the criterion for which to form is also given from the aspect of foliation orientation. Furthermore, the proportional variations of microcracks well account for the effects of foliation orientation on the tensile strength and failure pattern. Finally, it is found that the existence of weak planes increases both the heterogeneity and the anisotropy of stress distributions within the transversely isotropic rock, with the degree of influence varying with the foliation orientation.     

Pressure dependence and anisotropy of P-wave velocities in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt (China): Implications for seismic properties of subducted slabs and origin of mantle reflections

The compressional wave velocities (Vp), pressure derivatives (Vp′) and anisotropy (A) of three types of eclogites and country rocks from the Dabie–Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt, China, have been measured under confining pressures up to 800 MPa. Type-1 eclogites, which are coarse-grained and subjected to almost no retrograde metamorphism, experienced recovery-accommodated dislocation creep at peak metamorphic conditions (in the diamond stability field). Type-2 eclogites are fine-grained reworked Type-1 materials that experienced recrystallization-accommodated dislocation creep under quartz/coesite boundary conditions during the early stage of exhumation. Type-3 eclogites are retrogressed samples that were overprinted by significant amphibolite facies metamorphism during a late stage of exhumation within the crust. Type-1 eclogites are richer in Al₂O₃ and MgO but poorer in SiO₂ and Na₂O than Type-2 and Type-3 eclogites. Anisotropy of Type-1 and Type-2 eclogites is generally low (<4%) because volumetrically important garnet is elastically quasi-isotropic, while Type-3 eclogites can exhibit high anisotropy (>10%) due to the presence of strongly anisotropic retrograde minerals such as amphibole, plagioclase and mica. The transition of the pressure dependence of velocity from the poroelastic to elastic regimes occurs at a critical pressure (P_c), which depends mainly on the density and distribution of microcracks and in turn on the exhumation history of rocks. The Vp–pressure relationship can be expressed by Vp=a(lnP)²+blnP+c (P≤P_c) and Vp=V₀+DP (P≥P_c), where P is the confining pressure, a and b are constants describing the closure of microcracks below P_c, c is the velocity when P is equal to one (MPa), V₀ is the projected velocity of a crack-free sample at room pressure, and D is the intrinsic pressure derivative above P_c. When data are curve-fit, pressure derivatives and anisotropy as functions of pressure are determined. The average Vp of the eclogites in the linear regime is 8.42+1.41×10⁻⁴P for Type-1, 7.80+1.58×10⁻⁴P for Type-2, and 7.33+2.04×10⁻⁴P for Type-3, where Vp is in km/s and P in MPa. The decrease in V₀ and increase in D from Type-1 to Type-3 eclogites are attributed to a decrease in garnet content and an increase in retrograde minerals. The NE–SW trending, NW-dipping, slab-like high Vp anomaly (8.72 km/s at a depth of 71 km) which extends from the Moho to at least 110 km beneath the Dabie–Sulu region, can be interpreted as the remnant of a subducted slab which is dominated by Type-1 eclogites and has frozen in the upper mantle since about 200–220 Ma. Such relic crustal materials, subducted and preserved as eclogite layers intercalated with felsic gneiss, garnet–jadeite quartzite, marble and serpentinized peridotite, could be responsible for regionally observed seismic reflectors in the upper mantle.     

Seismic properties of the upper crust in the central Friuli area (northeastern Italy) based on petrophysical data

The compressional and shear wave velocities have been measured at room temperature and pressure up to 450 MPa on 5 sedimentary rock samples, representative of the most common lithologies of the upper crust in the central Friuli area (northeastern Italy). At 400 MPa confining pressure the Triassic dolomitic rock shows the highest velocities (Vp  7 km/s, Vs  3.6 km/s), the Jurassic and Triassic limestones samples intermediate velocities (Vp  6.3 /s, Vs  3.5 km/s) and the Cenozoic and Paleozoic sandstones the lowest velocities (Vp  6.15 km/s, Vs  3.35 km/s). The Paleozoic sandstone sample is characterized by the strongest anisotropy (10%) and significant birefringence (0.2 km/s) is found only on the Cenozoic sandstone sample. We elaborated the synthetic profiles of seismic velocities, density, elastic parameters and reflection coefficient, related to 4 one-dimensional geological models extended up to 22 km depth. The synthetic profiles evidence high rheological contrasts between Triassic dolomitic rocks and the soft sandstones and the Jurassic limestones. The Vp profiles obtained from laboratory measurements match very well the in-situ Vp profile measured by sonic log for the limestones and dolomitic rocks, supporting our one-dimensional modelling of the calcareous-carbonatic stratigraphic series. The Vp and Vs values of the synthetic profiles are compared with the corresponding ones obtained from the 3-D tomographic inversion of local earthquakes. The laboratory Vp are generally higher than the tomographic ones with major discrepancies for the dolomitic lithology. The comparison with the depth location of seismicity reveals that the seismic energy is mainly released in correspondence of high-contrast rheological boundaries.     

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.     

Constraints on seismic velocity anomalies beneath the Siberian craton from xenoliths and petrophysics

High seismic Vp velocity anomalies (8.7–9.0 km s^− 1) have long been known about in regions of the uppermost mantle of the Siberian craton, often in association with kimberlite fields. Laboratory measurement of seismic properties of five xenoliths, three peridotites and two eclogites, from the Udachnaya kimberlite under confining pressures up to 600 MPa were extrapolated to uppermost mantle P–T conditions of 1500 MPa and 500 °C, however none of the velocities are high enough to explain the observations. Eclogites or peridotites are commonly considered to be the source of anomalous high velocities. We prefer a peridotitic source to an eclogitic source due to the unusual chemistry and regional uniformity of eclogitic garnets required, maximum velocity limitations on laboratory measurements of seismic properties of natural eclogites, and purported abundance of eclogites in the lithosphere. Alternatively, a highly depleted peridotite, such as dunite or harzburgite, can produce velocities high enough to match observations. Olivine petrofabrics in most peridotites, including the three peridotites used in this study, are great enough to produce the observed high velocities provided olivine petrofabrics are continuous enough and correctly oriented to be seismically detectable and the modal proportion of olivine is high. There have been suggestions by other authors that the Siberian upper mantle is highly depleted and that a lithosphere-scale shear zone exists, which may have acted to organize fabrics into segments large enough for detection. Anomalously high Vp–Vs velocity ratios of greater than 1.8 are expected parallel to the olivine [100] maxima required to be present in a high-velocity olivine-dominated upper mantle. Vp–Vs velocity ratios can serve as a means of inferring large-scale anisotropy when limited seismic data are available, as in Siberia.     

Crustal structure at the easternmost termination of the Variscan belt based on CELEBRATION 2000 and ALP 2002 data

The eastern margin of the Variscan belt in Europe comprises plate boundaries between continental blocks and terranes formed during different tectonic events. The crustal structure of that complicated area was studied using the data of the international refraction experiments CELEBRATION 2000 and ALP 2002. The seismic data were acquired along SW–NE oriented refraction and wide-angle reflection profiles CEL10 and ALP04 starting in the Eastern Alps, passing through the Moravo-Silesian zone of the Bohemian Massif and the Fore-Sudetic Monocline, and terminating in the TESZ in Poland. The data were interpreted by seismic tomographic inversion and by 2-D trial-and-error forward modelling of the P waves. Velocity models determine different types of the crust–mantle transition, reflecting variable crustal thickness and delimiting contacts of tectonic units in depth. In the Alpine area, few km thick LVZ with the Vp of 5.1 km s^− 1 dipping to the SW and outcropping at the surface represents the Molasse and Helvetic Flysch sediments overthrust by the Northern Calcareous Alps with higher velocities. In the Bohemian Massif, lower velocities in the range of 5.0–5.6 km s^− 1 down to a depth of 5 km might represent the SE termination of the Elbe Fault Zone. The Fore-Sudetic Monocline and the TESZ are covered by sediments with the velocities in the range of 3.6–5.5 km s^− 1 to the maximum depth of 15 km beneath the Mid-Polish Trough. The Moho in the Eastern Alps is dipping to the SW reaching the depth of 43–45 km. The lower crust at the eastern margin of the Bohemian Massif is characterized by elevated velocities and high Vp gradient, which seems to be a characteristic feature of the Moravo-Silesian. Slightly different properties in the Moravian and Silesian units might be attributed to varying distances of the profile from the Moldanubian Thrust front as well as a different type of contact of the Brunia with the Moldanubian and its northern root sector. The Moho beneath the Fore-Sudetic Monocline is the most pronounced and is interpreted as the first-order discontinuity at a depth of 30 km.     

Seismic anisotropy of the lithosphere around the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) based on teleseismic body-wave data of the TOR experiment

A passive teleseismic experiment (TOR), traversing the northern part of the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) in Germany, Denmark and Sweden, recorded data for tomography of the upper mantle with a lateral resolution of few tens of kilometers as well as for a detailed study of seismic anisotropy. A joint inversion of teleseismic P-residual spheres and shear-wave splitting parameters allows us to retrieve the 3D orientation of dipping anisotropic structures in different domains of the sub-crustal lithosphere. We distinguish three major domains of different large-scale fabric divided by first-order sutures cutting the whole lithosphere thickness. The Baltic Shield north of the Sorgenfrei–Tornquist Zone (STZ) is characterised by lithosphere thickness around 175 km and the anisotropy is modelled by olivine aggregate of hexagonal symmetry with the high-velocity (ac) foliation plane striking NW–SE and dipping to NE. Southward of the STZ, beneath the Norwegian–Danish Basin, the lithosphere thins abruptly to about 75 km. In this domain, between the STZ and the so-called Caledonian Deformation Front (CDF), the anisotropic structures strike NE–SW and the high-velocity (ac) foliation dips to NW. To the south of the CDF, beneath northern Germany, we observe a heterogeneous lithosphere with variable thickness and anisotropic structures with high velocity dipping predominantly to SW. Most of the anisotropy observed at TOR stations can be explained by a preferred olivine orientation frozen in the sub-crustal lithosphere. Beneath northern Germany, a part of the shear-wave splitting is probably caused by a present-day flow in the asthenosphere.     

Lower lithospheric structure beneath the Trans-European Suture Zone from POLONAISE''97 seismic profiles

The large-scale POLONAISE'97 seismic experiment investigated the velocity structure of the lithosphere in the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) region between the Precambrian East European Craton (EEC) and Palaeozoic Platform (PP). In the area of the Polish Basin, the P-wave velocity is very low (Vp <6.1 km/s) down to depths of 15–20 km, and the consolidated basement (Vp5.7–5.8 km/s) is 5–12 km deep. The thickness of the crust is 30 km beneath the Palaeozoic Platform, 40–45 km beneath the TESZ, and 40–50 km beneath the EEC. The compressional wave velocity of the sub-Moho mantle is >8.25 km/s in the Palaeozoic Platform and 8.1 km/s in the Precambrian Platform. Good quality record sections were obtained to the longest offsets of about 600 km from the shot points, with clear first arrivals and later phases of waves reflected/refracted in the lower lithosphere. Two-dimensional interpretation of the reversed system of travel times constrains a series of reflectors in the depth range of 50–90 km. A seismic reflector appears as a general feature at around 10 km depth below Moho in the area, independent of the actual depth to the Moho and sub-Moho seismic velocity. “Ringing reflections” are explained by relatively small-scale heterogeneities beneath the depth interval from 90 to 110 km. Qualitative interpretation of the observed wave field shows a differentiation of the reflectivity in the lower lithosphere. The seismic reflectivity of the uppermost mantle is stronger beneath the Palaeozoic Platform and TESZ than the East European Platform. The deepest interpreted seismic reflector with zone of high reflectivity may mark a change in upper mantle structure from an upper zone characterised by seismic scatterers of small vertical dimension to a lower zone with vertically larger seismic scatterers, possible caused by inclusions of partial melt.