High velocity anomaly beneath the Deccan volcanic province: Evidence from seismic tomography

Analysis of teleseismicP-wave residuals observed at 15 seismograph stations operated in the Deccan volcanic province (DVP) in west central India points to the existence of a large, deep anomalous region in the upper mantle where the velocity is a few per cent higher than in the surrounding region. The seismic stations were operated in three deployments together with a reference station on precambrian granite at Hyderabad and another common station at Poona. The first group of stations lay along a west-northwesterly profile from Hyderabad through Poona to Bhatsa. The second group roughly formed an L-shaped profile from Poona to Hyderabad through Dharwar and Hospet. The third group of stations lay along a northwesterly profile from Hyderabad to Dhule through Aurangabad and Latur. Relative residuals computed with respect to Hyderabad at all the stations showed two basic features: a large almost linear variation from approximately +1s for teleseisms from the north to—1s for those from the southeast at the western stations, and persistance of the pattern with diminishing magnitudes towards the east. Preliminary ray-plotting and three-dimensional inversion of theP-wave residual data delineate the presence of a 600 km long approximately N−S trending anomalous region of high velocity (1–4% contrast) from a depth of about 100 km in the upper mantle encompassing almost the whole width of the DVP. Inversion ofP-wave relative residuals reveal the existence of two prominent features beneath the DVP. The first is a thick high velocity zone (1–4% faster) extending from a depth of about 100 km directly beneath most of the DVP. The second feature is a prominent low velocity region which coincides with the westernmost part of the DVP. A possible explanation for the observed coherent high velocity anomaly is that it forms the root of the lithosphere which coherently translates with the continents during plate motions, an architecture characteristic of precambrian shields. The low velocity zone appears to be related to the rift systems (anomaly 28, 65 Ma) which provided the channel for the outpouring of Deccan basalts at the close of the Cretaceous period.     

Low VS crustal zones in the Campanian Plain (Southern Italy)

Shear wave velocities of the lithospheric structure to 73 km depth have been defined along three profiles crossing the Campanian Plain (Southern Italy) from the simultaneous non linear inversion of the local and regional dispersion data. The former consist of group velocity dispersion data obtained from some seismic events which occurred at the borders of the Campanian Plain and recorded at Napoli, and the latter of group and phase dispersion data obtained in previous studies. The main features of the representative V_S models are a carbonate basement deepening to ～5 km in the central part of the Plain and a low velocity zone at a depth of ～15 km, rising to 7 km in the southern part, close to Somma-Vesuvio. The low velocity layer can be correlated with that found at ～10 km of depth below Campi Flegrei and the Neapolitan area, and at 5 km below the Somma-Vesuvio caldera area. Such regional velocity reduction can be associated to the presence of a zone with less than 5% partial melting that can be interpreted as magmatic reservoir of the Campanian volcanism.     

2D model of the crust and uppermost mantle along rift profile, Siberian craton

A two-dimensional model of the crust and uppermost mantle for the western Siberian craton and the adjoining areas of the Pur-Gedan basin to the north and Baikal Rift zone to the south is determined from travel time data from recordings of 30 chemical explosions and three nuclear explosions along the RIFT deep seismic sounding profile. This velocity model shows strong lateral variations in the crust and sub-Moho structure both within the craton and between the craton and the surrounding region. The Pur-Gedan basin has a 15-km thick, low-velocity sediment layer overlying a 25-km thick, high-velocity crystalline crustal layer. A paleo-rift zone with a graben-like structure in the basement and a high-velocity crustal intrusion or mantle upward exists beneath the southern part of the Pur-Gedan basin. The sedimentary layer is thin or non-existent and there is a velocity reversal in the upper crust beneath the Yenisey Zone. The Siberian craton has nearly uniform crustal thickness of 40–43 km but the average velocity in the lower crust in the north is higher (6.8–6.9 km/s) than in the south (6.6 km/s). The crust beneath the Baikal Rift zone is 35 km thick and has an average crustal velocity similar to that observed beneath the southern part of craton. The uppermost mantle velocity varies from 8.0 to 8.1 km/s beneath the young West Siberian platform and Baikal Rift zone to 8.1–8.5 km/s beneath the Siberian craton. Anomalous high Pn velocities (8.4–8.5 km/s) are observed beneath the western Tunguss basin in the northern part of the craton and beneath the southern part of the Siberian craton, but lower Pn velocities (8.1 km/s) are observed beneath the Low Angara basin in the central part of the craton. At about 100 km depth beneath the craton, there is a velocity inversion with a strong reflecting interface at its base. Some reflectors are also distinguished within the upper mantle at depth between 230 and 350 km.     

Crustal structure under the Sydney Basin and Lachlan Fold Belt,determined from explosion seismic studies

The Lachlan Fold Belt has the velocity‐depth structure of continental crust, with a thickness exceeding 50 km under the region of highest topography in Australia, and in the range 41–44 km under the central Fold Belt and Sydney Basin. There is no evidence of high upper crustal velocities normally associated with marginal or back‐arc basin crustal rocks. The velocities in the lower crust are consistent with an overall increase in metamorphic grade and/or mafic mineral content with depth. Continuing tectonic development throughout the region and the negligible seismicity at depths greater than 30 km indicate that the lower crust is undergoing ductile deformation.

The upper crustal velocities below the Sydney Basin are in the range 5.75–5.9 km/s to about 8 km, increasing to 6.35–6.5 km/s at about 15–17 km depth, where there is a high‐velocity (7.0 km/s) zone for about 9 km evident in results from one direction. The lower crust is characterised by a velocity gradient from about 6.7 km/s at 25 km, to 7.7 km/s at 40–42 km, and a transition to an upper mantle velocity of 8.03–8.12 km/s at 41.5–43.5 km depth.

Across the central Lachlan Fold Belt, velocities generally increase from 5.6 km/s at the surface to 6.0 km/s at 14.5 km depth, with a higher‐velocity zone (5.95 km/s) in the depth range 2.5–7.0 km. In the lower crust, velocities increase from 6.3 km/s at 16 km depth to 7.2 km/s at 40 km depth, then increase to 7.95 km/s at 43 km. A steeper gradient is evident at 26.5–28 km depth, where the velocity is about 6.6—6.8 km/s. Under part of the area an upper mantle low‐velocity zone in the depth range 50–64 km is interpreted from strong events recorded at distances greater than 320 km.

There is no substantial difference in the Moho depth across the boundary between the Sydney Basin and the Lachlan Fold Belt, consistent with the Basin overlying part of the Fold Belt. Pre‐Ordovician rocks within the crust suggest fragmented continental‐type crust existed E of the Precambrian craton and that these contribute to the thick crustal section in SE Australia.     

Application of spectral analysis technique on ground magnetic data to calculate the Curie depth point of the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez,Egypt

The bottom of the magnetized crust determined from the spectral analysis of magnetic anomaly is interpreted as a level of the Curie point isotherm. A spectral analysis technique was used to estimate the depth of the magnetic anomalies sources (Curie point depth analysis) of the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The depth to the tops and centers of the magnetic anomalies are calculated by azimuthally averaged power spectrum method for the whole area. The results obtained suggests from this study showed that the average depth to the top of the crustal block ranges between 1.15 and 1.9 km, whereas the average depth to the center of the deepest crustal block ranges between 9.1 and 12.7 km. Curie point depths in the study area range between 14.5 km in the northwestern part of the study area and 26 km in the southeastern part of the study area. The results imply a high geothermal gradient (34.7 °C/km) and corresponding high heat flow value (72.87 mW/m²) in the northwestern part of the study area. The southeastern part of the study area displays a low geothermal gradient (24.26 °C/km) and low heat flow value (50.9 mW/m²). These results are consistent with the existence of the possible promising geothermal reservoir in the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez especially at Hammam Faraun area.     

Spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution technique of gravity data to decipher the basement depth in the Dehradun-Badrinath area

The stratigraphic and tectonic setting in the northwest part of Himalayan belt is complex and thrusted due to the collision of Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. During the past, the Himalaya is divided into four parts; these are Outer Himalaya, Lesser Himalaya, Greater or Higher Himalaya and Tethys Himalaya. The appearance of basement rocks played a significant role in the Himalayan periphery for stratigraphic, structural and tectonic movement. The deformation pattern of the crustal rocks causing the rise of basement rocks which constitutes an integral part of crustal configuration during the evolutionary stages of the Himalaya. In this study, an attempt has been made to estimate the basement depth configuration using spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution technique of gravity data in the northwest Himalaya region. The elevation increases continuously from 500 m to 5100 m in SW to NE direction, however, Bouguer gravity anomaly decreases continuously from ?130 mGal to ?390 mGal in SW to NE direction due to the isostaic adjustment. Gravity anomaly is very low near Harsil, Badrinath and Joshimath area and observed higher elevation due to the deep rooted basement. However, there are extrusion of crystalline basement in and around the Badrinath area due to the resettlement of geologic process which are overlaid to the top surface of the sedimentary layers. Euler deconvolution technique has been applied to detect the direct basement depth and results show a good correlation with the average depth of the spectral analysis and other works carried by different authors. Three gravity profiles are selected in appropriate places orienting SW-NE direction with a profile length of 160 km, 150 km and 140 km respectively in the study area for calculating the average depth of the basement rock. The average basement depth calculated is around 11.27 km using the spectral analysis technique and results are well correlated with the results of various workers. Euler deconvolution studies along the three selected profiles have been interpreted. It has been observed that there are more number of cluster points falling between depth ranges of 10 to 15 km, dipping in SW to NE direction. Euler’s study shows deep rooted connection near Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), Main Central Thrust (MCT), Bearing Thrust (BT) and Vaikrita Thrust (VT) locations as per profile study. Based on these studies three geological models have been prepared along the profiles showing different tectonic resettlement and depth of crystalline basement. Crystalline rocks exposed at the surface may be due to uplift along the shear in the MCT zone by kinetic flow basically, Munsiayari Thrust (MT) and VT in the of NW-Himalaya region.     

3D crustal structure in the neotectonic basin of the Gulf of Saronikos (Greece)

An on-/offshore seismic network consisting of 36 three-component stand-alone digital stations was deployed in the area of the Saronikos Gulf, in the vicinity of Athens (Greece), in the fall of 2001. In the present study, from an initial set of more than 1000 micro-earthquakes, 374 were selected and 6666 P- and S-wave arrivals were inverted, based on a 3D linearized tomography algorithm, in order to determine the 3D velocity structure of the region.

The resulting 3D velocity distribution, in agreement to the micro-seismicity distribution, reflects the Saronikos structure down to a depth of 12 km. So, the neotectonic basin of the Saronikos Gulf is divided in two parts by a central platform, which implies the existence of a NNE–SSW-trending rupture zone. This zone is probably the offshore extension of a large thrust belt dominating the adjacent onshore areas. Due to their different structure, the two basins are dominated by different velocity values in comparison to the central platform.

The western part is characterised by higher seismic activity than the eastern one. Furthermore, the western Saronikos Gulf is divided in a northern and a southern part by a well-defined rupture zone trending E–W. This seems to be the extension of the Corinthiakos Gulf fault zone. At the depth of 17 km, the velocity increases considerably and the crustal thickness is restricted down to 20 km. This ‘unexpected’ low thickness in the region of Saronikos Gulf seems to be the result of the extensional stress field, which dominates the region, as well as of the emergence of the mantle material along the volcanic arc, which clearly appears at the depth of 12 km. Yet the lack of deep events and, hence, the poor resolution below the depth of 17 km does not support a definite conclusion about the crust–mantle boundary in this region.     

Crustal structure of the Gujarat region,India: New constraints from the analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

In this study, receiver function analysis is carried out at 32 broadband stations spread all over the Gujarat region, located in the western part of India to image the sedimentary structure and investigate the crustal composition for the entire region. The powerful Genetic Algorithm technique is applied to the receiver functions to derive S-velocity structure beneath each site. A detail image in terms of basement depths and Moho thickness for the entire Gujarat region is obtained for the first time. Gujarat comprises of three distinct regions: Kachchh, Saurashtra and Mainland. In Kachchh region, depth of the basement varies from around 1.5 km in the eastern part to 6 km in the western part and around 2–3 km in the northern part to 4–5 km in the southern part. In the Saurashtra region, there is not much variation in the depth of the basement and is between 3 km and 4 km. In Gujarat mainland part, the basement depth is 5–8 km in the Cambay basin and western edge of Narmada basin. In other parts of the mainland, it is 3–4 km. The depth of Moho beneath each site is obtained using stacking algorithm approach. The Moho is at shallower depth (26–30 km) in the western part of Kachchh region. In the eastern part and epicentral zone of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, large variation in the Moho depths is noticed (36–46 km). In the Saurashtra region, the crust is more thick in the northern part. It varies from 36–38 km in the southern part to 42–44 km in the northern part. In the mainland region, the crust is more thick (40–44 km) in the northern and southern part and is shallow in Cambay and Narmada basins (32–36 km). The large variations of Poisson’s ratio across Gujarat region may be interpreted as heterogeneity in crustal composition. High values of σ (∼0.30) at many sites in Kachchh and few sites in Saurashtra and Mainland regions may be related to the existence of high-velocity lower crust with a mafic/ultramafic composition and, locally, to the presence of partial melt. The existing tectono-sedimentary models proposed by various researchers were also examined.     

论羌塘地块结构的不均一性和深部信息

根据藏北羌塘地区最新地质、地球物理资料(以MT为主)综合分析，对比西部和东部综合剖面各单元结构特征，发现羌塘地块结构不均一性特征明显。西部隆起区结构独特，浅中部与深部结构有别，存在一南倾低阻异常带。西中部剖面南羌塘坳陷与西部隆起区深部结构相似，壳内低阻层呈双层。其他地段和东部剖面均呈中隆两坳格局，壳内低阻层仅一层。中部隆起带的深部总是对应一直立极低阻异常带。北羌塘坳陷低阻凹陷规模大，基底埋深大，横向分块明显，北中段热力改造较强，深部存在l～2个极低阻异常区带。总体上表现为南北分区带、东西分块段、垂向分圈层，MT显示壳内低阻层顶界面深度不一，横向变化大，低阻层呈①直切式：从深50～60km处呈柱状直接切断两侧高阻体，升达地面；②蘑菇云状：从深100km处呈宽约50km的蘑菇云状升入到地下10km；③上下叠置三明治式：以双层低阻层或多层高阻体上下叠置呈三明治式结构。南部基底电阻率显著高于北部，基底构造分三块：西南部、中东部和东部。这种结构不均一既有其深部构造作用控制，可能存在热异常柱，又有后期改造作用的叠加。     

Tectonic stress field in the epicentral zone of the Latur earthquake of 1993

In situ stress measurements by hydraulic fracturing were carried out in the 617 m deep borehole specially drilled in the epicentral zone of the 1993 Latur earthquake for the purpose of research. The stress measurements carried out at 592 m depth in this borehole are the deepest of all such measurements made so far in the Indian shield. The maximum and minimum principal horizontal stresses (S _H max andS _h min) have been derived from the hydrofracture data using the classical method. TheS _{H max} andS _h min are found to be 16.5 and 9.6 MPa at 373 m depth, and 25.0 and 14.1 MPa at 592 m depth, indicating that the vertical gradients ofS _hmax andS _hmin in the epicentral zone are 39 MPa/km and 21 MPa/km respectively. The principal horizontal stresses in the epicentral zone are comparable with those at Hyderabad and 30% higher than in most other comparable intra-continental regions. Analysis of the results indicate that the stresses in the focal region of the 1993 Latur earthquake have not undergone any significant change following its occurrence and this is in agreement with a similar inference drawn from the seismic data analysis. It appears that the Latur earthquake was caused due to rupturing of the overpressured fault segment at the base of the seismogenic zone.     

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.     

Seismotectonics of the Calabrian arc

Relocation of intermediate and deep earthquakes of Tyrrhenian Sea area through joint hypocenter determination for the period 1962–1979, has allowed a more detailed definition of the geometry of this peculiar Benioff zone. Earthquakes dip along a quasi-vertical plane to 250 km depth; there is a 50° dip in the 250–340 km depth range, and a low dip angle to 480 km depth. The structure sketched from the hypocenters is almost continuous, but most energy has been released in the 230–340 km depth interval. An evaluation of fault plane solutions of intermediate earthquakes in this area indicates predominance of down-dip compressions in the central part of the slab. At the border, strike-slip motion occurs independent of depth. Some earthquakes that occurred at intermediate depth (less than 100 km) along the Ionian margin of Calabria show predominance of reverse faulting, with the P-axis oriented SE-NW. However, shallow earthquakes in the Calabria-Sicily region indicate a more complex motion, with predominance of normal faulting. A possible interpretation of these features according to the available geological history, which involves subduction of continental lithosphere, is discussed.     

Shear wave velocity structure beneath the Archaean granites around Hyderabad, inferred from receiver function analysis

Broadband receiver functions abstracted from teleseismicP waveforms recorded by a 3-component Streckeisen seismograph at Hyderabad, have been inverted to constrain the shear velocity structure of the underlying crust. Receiver functions obtained from the Hyderabad records of both shallow and intermediate focus earthquakes lying in different station-event azimuths, show a remarkable coherence in arrival times and shapes of the significant shear wave phases:Ps, PpPs, PsPs/PpSs, indicating horizontal stratification within the limits of resolution. This is also supported by the relatively small observed amplitudes of the tangential component receiver functions which are less than 10% of the corresponding radial component. Results of several hundred inversions of stacked receiver functions from closely clustered events (within 2°), show that the crust beneath the Hyderabad granites has a thickness of 36 ± 1 km, consisting of a 10 km thick top layer in which shear wave velocity is 3.54 ± 0.07 km/sec, underlain by a 26 ± 1 km thick lower crust in which the shear wave velocity varies uniformly with a small gradient of 0.02 km/sec/km. The shear wave velocity at its base is 4.1 ± 0.05 km/sec, just above the moho transition zone which is constrained to be less than 4 km thick, overlying a 4.74 ±0.1 km/sec half space.     

Crustal structure of the northern part of the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin of India from deep seismic soundings and gravity data

A crustal depth section was obtained from Deep Seismic Soundings (DSS) along the Alampur-Koniki-Ganapeshwaram profile, cutting across the northern part of the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, India, running just south of latitude 16° N and between longitude 78° E and 81°E. The existence of a low-angle thrust fault at the eastern margin of the Cuddapah basin (Kaila et al., 1979) was confirmed along a second profile. Another low-angle thrust, along which charnockites with the granitic basement are upthrust against the Dharwars was delineated further east. The contact of the khondalites (lower Precambrian) with quaternary sediments near the east coast of India seems to be a fault boundary, which may be responsible for the thick sedimentary accumulation in the adjoining offshore region.The basement in the western part of the Cuddapah basin is very shallow and is gently downdipping eastward, to a depth of 1.7 km about 20 km west of Atmakur. It attains a depth of about 4.5 km in the deepest part of the Kurnool sub-basin, around Atmakur. Under the Nallamalai ranges its depth varies between 3.5 and 6.5 km, with an easterly dip. In the region north of the Iswarkuppam dome, the basement is at a depth of about 5.0 km, to about 6.8 km in the eastern part of the Cuddapah basin. Outside the eastern margin of the basin, the depth of the basement is about 1.8 km and further eastwards it is exposed. A fault at the contact of the khondalites with quaternary sediments near the east coast brings the basement down to a depth of approximately 1.3 km.In the Kurnool sub-basin the depth to the Moho discontinuity varies from 35 km under Atmakur to 39 km under the Nallamalai hills. In the region of the Iswarkuppam dome it is at a depth of about 36 km, deepening to about 39 km before rising to 37 km towards the east. Two-dimensional velocity modelling using ray-tracing techniques tends to confirm these results.Gravity modelling of the crustal structure, utilizing a four-layer crustal model in most parts along this profile, conforms to the observed gravity values. A weak zone in the eastern part of the profile where high-density material (density 3.05 g/cm³) has been found seems to be responsible for the gravity high in that part.     

Broad depth range seismic imaging of the subducted Nazca Slab, North Chile

In this paper, we present a compilation of modern seismic and seismological methods applied to image the subduction process in North Chile, South America. We use data from active and passive seismic experiments that were acquired within the framework of the German Collaborative Research Center SFB267 ‘Deformation Processes in the Andes’. The investigation area is located between 20° and 25°S and extends from the trench down to 100 km depth. In the depth range between the sea bottom and 15 km, we process an offshore seismic reflection profile using a recently developed velocity-model-independent stacking procedure. We find that the upper part of the subducting oceanic lithosphere in this depth range is characterized by a horst-and-graben structure. This structure supports an approximately 3 km thick coupling zone between the plates. In the depth range between 15 and 45 km, we analyse the spatial distribution of aftershocks of the Antofagasta earthquake (1995). The aftershock hypocenters are concentrated in an approximately 3 km thick layer. Finally, in the depth range between 45 and 100 km, we apply Kirchhoff prestack depth migration to the onshore ANCORP profile. A double reflection zone is observed between 45 and 60 km depth, which may represent the upper and lower boundary of the subducted oceanic crust. Over the whole range down to more than 80–90 km depth, we obtain an image of the subducting slab. At that depth, the hypocenters of local earthquakes deviate significantly in the direction perpendicular to the slab face from the reflective parts of the slab. Consequently, our results yield a complete seismic image of the downgoing plate and the associated seismic coupling zone.     

Deep seismic investigations in the Baikal rift zone

The largest rift zone of Europe and Asia is located in the region of Lake Baikal. In 1968–1970 deep seismic measurements were carried out along a number of profiles with a total length of about 2000 km within the rift zone and in the adjacent parts of the Siberian platform and the region of the Baikal Mountains. These investigations were of a reconnaissance nature, and therefore the point sounding method was used.A low-velocity region for compressional waves (7.6–7.8 km/sec) has been found and could be traced over a large area in the upper parts of the mantle. The width of this anomalous zone is 200–400 km. The Baikal rift lies in its northwestern part. Within the studied part of the Siberian platform the thickness of the earth's crust is 37–39 km, while in the rift zone it is 36 km, and further to the southeast the crust-mantle boundary lies at a depth of 45–46 km. The Baikal rift proper is bounded in the northwest by a deep fracture zone and does not seem to be associated with any significant “root” or “antiroot” in the relief of the Mohorovi?i? discontinuity.The reduced compressional velocity in the upper parts of the mantle beneath the Baikal zone is considered to correspond to the same phenomena found under the mid-oceanic ridges and the extended rift system in the Basin and Range province of North America. The Baikal rift in the narrow sense of the word lies over the northwestern edge of the anomalous mantle region. This asymmetric position seems to be its main peculiarity.     

VRANCEA99—the crustal structure beneath the southeastern Carpathians and the Moesian Platform from a seismic refraction profile in Romania

The VRANCEA99 seismic refraction experiment is part of an international and multidisciplinary project to study the intermediate depth earthquakes of the Eastern Carpathians in Romania. As part of the seismic experiment, a 300-km-long refraction profile was recorded between the cities of Bacau and Bucharest, traversing the Vrancea epicentral region in NNE–SSW direction.

The results deduced using forward and inverse ray trace modelling indicate a multi-layered crust. The sedimentary succession comprises two to four seismic layers of variable thickness and with velocities ranging from 2.0 to 5.8 km/s. The seismic basement coincides with a velocity step up to 5.9 km/s. Velocities in the upper crystalline crust are 5.9–6.2 km/s. An intra-crustal discontinuity at 18–31 km divides the crust into an upper and a lower layer. Velocities within the lower crust are 6.7–7.0 km/s. Strong wide-angle PmP reflections indicate the existence of a first-order Moho at a depth of 30 km near the southern end of the line and 41 km near the centre. Constraints on upper mantle seismic velocities (7.9 km/s) are provided by Pn arrival times from two shot points only. Within the upper mantle a low velocity zone is interpreted. Travel times of a PLP reflection define the bottom of this low velocity layer at a depth of 55 km. The velocity beneath this interface must be at least 8.5 km/s.

Geologic interpretation of the seismic data suggests that the Neogene tectonic convergence of the Eastern Carpathians resulted in thin-skinned shortening of the sedimentary cover and in thick-skinned shortening in the crystalline crust. On the autochthonous cover of the Moesian platform several blocks can be recognised which are characterised by different lithological compositions. This could indicate a pre-structuring of the platform at Mesozoic and/or Palaeozoic times with a probable active involvement of the Intramoesian and the Capidava–Ovidiu faults. Especially the Intramoesian fault is clearly recognisable on the refraction line. No clear indications of the important Trotus fault in the north of the profile could be found. In the central part of the seismic line a thinned lower crust and the low velocity zone in the uppermost mantle point to the possibility of crustal delamination and partial melting in the upper mantle.     

Thinning of granitic-gneissic crust below uplifting hyderabad granitic region of the eastern Dharwar craton (south Indian shield): Evidence from AMT/CSAMT experiment

Hyderabad granitic region (HGR) forms one of the most unusual geotectonic segment of the south Indian shield. Analysis of multiparametric geological, geophysical and IGS-GPS studies have earlier suggested that this region is neotectonically uplifting at a rapid rate. We propose that consequent to such uplift, only a thin veneer of surface granitic layer now remains. In order to quantitatively examine the thickness of highly resistive granitic-gneissic crust below HGR, a audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) / controlled source AMT (CSAMT) experiment was conducted at three separate locations, situated about 50 km east of Hyderabad. The study reveals a maximum thickness of 5.5 to 6.0 km for the granitic — gneissic crust beneath HGR, which is underlain by thick low resistive exhumed intermediate (granulitic ?) crust. This finding is in sharp contrast to that of a thick granitic-gneissic crust (15–20 km) usually found in comparable late Archaean terrains elsewhere.     

Magnetotelluric images of the crustal structure of Chyulu Hills volcanic field, Kenya

Electromagnetic experiments were conducted in 1995 as part of a multidisciplinary research project to investigate the deep structure of the Chyulu Hills volcanic chain on the eastern flank of the Kenya Rift in East Africa. Transient electromagnetic (TEM) and broadband (120–0.0001 Hz) magnetotelluric (MT) soundings were made at eight stations along a seismic survey line and the data were processed using standard techniques. The TEM data provided effective correction for static shifts in MT data. The MT data were inverted for the structure in the upper 20 km of the crust using a 2-D inversion scheme and a variety of starting models. The resulting 2-D models show interesting features but the wide spacing between the MT stations limited model resolution to a large extent. These models suggest that there are significant differences in the physical state of the crust between the northern and southern parts of the Chyulu Hills volcanic field. North of the Chyulu Hills, the resistivity structure consists of a 10–12-km-thick resistive (up to 4000 Ω m) upper crustal layer, ca. 10-km-thick mid-crustal layer of moderate resistivity (50 Ω m), and a conductive substratum. The resistive upper crustal unit is considerably thinner over the main ridge (where it is ca. 2 km thick) and further south (where it may be up to 5 km thick). Below this cover unit, steep zones of low resistivity (0.01–10 Ω m) occur underneath the main ridge and at its NW and SE margins (near survey positions 100 and 150–210 km on seismic line F of Novak et al. [Novak, O., Prodehl, C., Jacob, A.W.B., Okoth, W., 1997. Crustal structure of the southern flank of the Kenya Rift deduced from wide-angle P-wave data. In: Fuchs, K., Altherr, R., Muller, B., Prodehl, C. (Eds.), Structure and Dynamic Processes in the Lithosphere of the Afro-Arabian Rift System. Tectonophysics, vol. 278, 171–186]). These conductors appear to be best developed in upper crustal (1–8 km) and middle crustal (9–18 km) zones in the areas affected by volcanism. The low-resistivity anomalies are interpreted as possible magmatic features and may be related to the low-velocity zones recently detected at greater depth in the same geographic locations. The MT results, thus, provide a necessary upper crustal constraint on the anomalous zone in Chyulu Hills, and we suggest that MT is a logical compliment to seismics for the exploration of the deep crust in this volcanic-covered basement terrain. A detailed 3-D field study is recommended to gain a better understanding of the deep structure of the volcanic field.     

Magnetotelluric Investigation of the Hydrothermal System and Heat Source in the Muine-Toyoha Geothermal Area, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract. Magnetotelluric (MT) surveys were carried out around the Muine volcano, Hokkaido, Japan, where it is expected that the heat and metal source forming the polymetallic Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu-In Toyoha deposit is present at depth. Measurements were performed at 20 sites, 18 of which were located along a WSW-ENE profile traversing the north ridge of Mt. Muine. A resistivity model obtained from 2D inversion of the MT data shows subsurface specific conductive and resistive features. Conductive layers are present at the surface of Mt. Muine. The low resistivity is probably due to the clay-rich rocks associated with the hydrothermal alteration. A high resistivity layer, which corresponds to the pre-Tertiary Usubetsu Formation, crops out east of Mt. Muine and dips westward. At the west foot of Mt. Muine, relatively high resistive layers are widely exposed. The resistivity increases with depth and exceeds 1000 ohm-m. This fact indicates that this region is not influenced by the recent hydrothermal activity. An extremely conductive zone about 3–6 km wide and 6–9 km thick exists at a depth of 2 km below Mt. Muine. This zone mostly corresponds to an elastic wave attenuation zone detected by a seismic survey. It is interpreted as a large hydrothermal reservoir or melted magma, which is a heat source of the hydrothermal system in this area.