Crustal structure beneath the eastern part of the Coast Ranges (Diablo Range) of central California from explosion seismic and near earthquake data

Seismic refraction and near earthquake data of the U.S. Geological Survey for central California have been compiled into record sections along profiles and interpreted in terms of crustal structure. The profiles are located northeast of the San Andreas fault of central California and run parallel to the general structures. For the explosion seismic line through the centre of the Diablo Range, an uppermost layer (Franciscan formation) with P velocities of 3.6–5.0 km s^?1 decreases in thickness towards the northwest. The lower boundaries of layers with constant velocities of 5.75 and 6.8 km s^?1 are found at almost constant depths of 12 and 21 km, respectively. Between 21 and 26 km depth a well-defined low-velocity zone appears whose velocity is estimated as ～ 5.3 km s^?1 with the aid of a hedgehog inversion and the calculation of amplitudes. This zone is underlain by a layer 3–5 km thick with a velocity of 7.6 km s^?1. The upper-mantle velocity beneath the Moho at 29–30 km depth is 8.2 km s^?1. The near earthquake profiles, located ～ 20 km southwest and parallel to the explosion seismic line, follow more or less the Hayward and Calaveras fault systems. The velocity-depth distribution derived for the earthquake data is very similar to that found beneath the Diablo Range. However, the low-velocity zone at 21–26 km depth does not seem to exist everywhere along the line. The Moho is not disturbed beneath the Calaveras, Hayward and Silver Creek faults; it rises slightly from the Diablo Range towards the southwest.     

Crustal P-wave velocity structure in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and insights into crustal deformation

The transitional area between the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Ordos Block and Alxa Block,also being the northern segment of the North-South Seismic Belt, is characterized by considerably high seismicity level and high risk of strong earthquakes. In view of the special tectonic environment and deep tectonic setting in this area, this study used two seismic wide-angle reflection/refraction cross profiles for double constraining, so as to more reliably obtain the fine-scale velocity structure characteristics in both the shallow and deep crust of individual blocks and their boundaries in the study area,and further discuss the seismogenic environment in seismic zones with strong historical earthquakes. In this paper, the P-wave data from the two profiles are processed and interpreted, and two-dimensional crustal velocity structure models along the two profiles are constructed by travel time forward modeling. The results show that there are great differences in velocity structure,shape of intra-crustal interfaces and crustal thickness among different blocks sampled by the two seismic profiles. The crustal thickness along the Lanzhou-Huianbu-Yulin seismic sounding profile(L1) increases from ~43 km in the western margin of Ordos Block to ~56 km in the Qilian Block to the west. In the Ordos Block, the velocity contours vary gently, and the average velocity of the crust is about 6.30 km s-1; On the other hand, the velocity structures in the crust of the Qilian Block and the arclike tectonic zone vary dramatically, and the average crustal velocities in these areas are about 0.10 km s-1 lower than that of the Ordos Block. In addition, discontinuous low-velocity bodies(LVZ1 and LVZ2) are identified in the crust of the Qilian Block and the arc-like tectonic zone, the velocity of which is 0.10–0.20 km s-1 lower than that of the surroundings. The average crustal thickness of the Ordos Block is consistently estimated to be around 43 km along both Profile L2(Tongchuan-Huianbu-Alashan left banner seismic sounding profile) and Profile L1. In contrast to the gently varying intra-crustal interfaces and velocity contours in the Ordos Block along Profile L1, which is a typical structure characteristic of stable cratons, the crustal structure in the Ordos Block along Profile L2 exhibits rather complex variations. This indicates the presence of significant structural differences in the crust within the Ordos Block. The crustal structure of the Helan Mountain Qilian Block and the Yinchuan Basin is featured by "uplift and depression" undulations, showing the characteristics of localized compressional deformation.Moreover, there are low-velocity zones with alternative high and low velocities in the middle and lower crust beneath the Helan Mountain, where the velocity is about 0.15–0.25 km s-1 lower than that of the surrounding areas. The crustal thickness of the Alxa Block is about 49 km, and the velocity contours in the upper and middle-lower crust of the block vary significantly. The complex crustal velocity structure images along the two seismic sounding profiles L1 and L2 reveal considerable structural differences among different tectonic blocks, their coupling relationships and velocity structural features in the seismic zones where strong historical earthquakes occurred. The imaging result of this study provides fine-scale crustal structure information for further understanding the seismogenic environment and mechanism in the study area.     

Studies of mantle structure of U.S.S.R. territory on long-range seismic profiles

Long-range seismic sounding carried out during the last few years on the territory of the U.S.S.R. has shown a basic inhomogeneity of the uppermost mantle, as well as evidence of regularities in the distribution of its seismic parameters. The following data were used: times and apparent velocities of P- and S-waves for investigation of mantle velocities, converted waves for seismic discontinuity model studies and wave attenuation for Q-factor estimation. Strong regularities were distinguished in the distribution of average seismic velocities for the uppermost mantle, in their dependence on the age and type of geostructure and on their position relative to the central part of the continent. Old platforms and the inner part of the continent are marked by velocities under the Mohorovi?i? discontinuity of more than 8.2–8.3 km s^?1, young platforms and outer parts of the continent by 8.0–8.2 km s^?1, and orogenic and rift zones by 7.8–8.0 km s^?1. The difference becomes more pronounced at a depth of about 100–200 km: for the old platform mantle velocities of 8.5–8.6 km s^?1 are typical; beneath the orogenic and rift areas, inversion zones with velocities less than 7.8 km s^?1 are observed.The converted waves show fine inhomogeneities of the crust and uppermost mantle, the presence of many discontinuities with positive and negative changes of velocity, and anisotropy of seismic waves in some of the layers. Wave attenuation allowed the determination of the Q-factor in the mantle. It varied from one region to another but a close relation between Q and P-wave velocity is the main cause of its variation.     

One-Dimensional Thermal Modeling of the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt (NE Turkey)

The eastern Pontides orogenic belt is one of the most complex geodynamic settings in the Alpine–Himalayan belt due to the lack of systematical geological and geophysical data. In this study, 1D crustal structure and P-wave velocity distribution obtained from gravity modeling and seismological data in the area has been used for the development of the thermal model of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt. The computed temperature-depth profiles suggest a temperature of 590?±?60°C at a Moho depth of 35?km indicates the presence of a brittle-ductile transition zone. This temperature value might be related to water in the subducted crust of the Tethys oceanic lithosphere. The Curie temperature depth value of 29?km, which may correspond to the crustal magma chambers, is found 5–7?km below the Moho depth. Surface heat flow density values vary from 66.5 and 104.7?mW?m^?2. High mantle heat flow density value of 48?mW?m^?2 is obtained for the area should be related to melting of the lithospheric mantle caused by upwelling of asthenosphere.     

Delineation of Subtrappean Mesozoic Sediments in Deccan Syneclise, India, Using Travel-Time Inversion of Seismic Refraction and Wide-Angle Reflection Data

2-D shallow velocity structure is derived by travel-time inversion of the first arrival seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data along the E–W trending Narayanpur–Nandurbar and N–S Kothar–Sakri profiles, located in the Narmada–Tapti region of the Deccan syneclise. Deccan volcanic (Trap) rocks are exposed along the two profiles. Inversion of seismic data reveals two layered velocity structures above the basement along the two profiles. The first layer with a P-wave velocity of 5.15–5.25 km s^?1 and thickness varying from 0.7–1.5 km represents the Deccan Trap formation along the Narayanpur–Nandurbar profile. The Trap layer velocity ranges from 4.5 to 5.20 km s^?1 and the thickness varies from 0.95 to 1.5 km along the Kothar–Sakri profile. The second layer represents the low velocity Mesozoic sediments with a P-wave velocity of 3.5 km s^?1 and thickness ranging from about 0.70 to 1.6 km and 0.55 to 1.1 km along the E–W and N–S profiles, respectively. Presence of a low-velocity zone (LVZ) below the volcanic rocks in the study area is inferred from the travel-time ‘skip’ and amplitude decay of the first arrival refraction data together with the prominent wide-angle reflection phase immediately after the first arrivals from the Deccan Trap formation. The basement with a P-wave velocity of 5.8–6.05 km s^?1 lies at a depth ranging from 1.5 to 2.45 km along the profiles. The velocity models of the profiles are similar to each other at the intersection point. The results indicate the existence of a Mesozoic basin in the Narmada–Tapti region of the Deccan syneclise.     

Crustal structure of northeastern Tibetan plateau and Ordos block: Waveform interpretation of the Maqen-Jingbian seismic refraction profile

The Maqen-Jingbian wide-angle seismic reflection and refraction experiment was carried out in 1998, which aims at determining detailed structure in the crust and top of the upper mantle and understanding structural relation between the northeastern Tibetan plateau and the Ordos block. The 1-D crustal models inferred by waveform inversion show strong variations in crustal structure, which can be classified into four different types: ① an Ordos platform with the Proterozoic crust and two high-velocity layers in the northeast section, ② a transitional crust between the northeastern Tibetan plateau and the Ordos block across the Haiyuan earthquake zone, ③ the Qilian orogenic zone in the central part, and 4 the Qinling orogenic zone in the southwestern section. The Moho depth increases from ~42 km to ~62 km from the NE part to the SW part of the profile. The crystalline crust consists of the upper crust and lower crust in northeastern Tibetan plateau. There is an obviously low P-wave velocity layer dipping northeastward, which is 12–13 km thick, at the bottom of the upper crust in Qinling orogenic zone and Haiyuan earthquake zone. The lower crust is characterized by alternating high and low P-wave velocity layers. Beneath Ordos block, i.e., the NE part of the profile, the crust shows quite a smooth increase in P-wave velocity down to the Moho at a depth of about 42 km.     

Crustal velocity structure in the southern edge of the Central Alborz (Iran)

Inversion of local earthquake travel times and joint inversion of receiver functions and Rayleigh wave group velocity measurements were used to derive a simple model for the velocity crustal structure beneath the southern edge of the Central Alborz (Iran), including the seismically active area around the megacity of Tehran. The P and S travel times from 115 well-located earthquakes recorded by a dense local seismic network, operated from June to November 2006, were inverted to determine a 1D velocity model of the upper crust. The limited range of earthquake depths (between 2 km and 26 km) prevents us determining any velocity interfaces deeper than 25 km. The velocity of the lower crust and the depth of the Moho were found by joint inversion of receiver functions and Rayleigh wave group velocity data. The resulting P-wave velocity model comprises an upper crust with 3 km and 4 km thick sedimentary layers with P wave velocities (V_p) of ～5.4 and ～5.8 km s^?1, respectively, above 9 km and 8 km thick layers of upper crystalline crust (V_p ～6.1 and ～6.25 km s^?1 respectively). The lower crystalline crust is ～34 km thick (V_p ～ 6.40 km s^?1). The total crustal thickness beneath this part of the Central Alborz is 58 ± 2 km.     

Crustal structure beneath Spain from deep seismic sounding experiments

Major tectonic units of Spain have been investigated by deep seismic sounding experiments since 1974 to determine crustal structures and to delineate their differences. These areas are the central part of the Hercynian Meseta, and the Alpine chains: the Betic Cordillera in the south, including the Balearic promontory and the Alboran Sea, and the Pyrenees in the north.The main features of the crust and the upper mantle along a NNE-SSW cross-section from the Pyrenees to the Alboran Sea are described.The crust under the Meseta is typical of Hercynian areas found elsewhere in Europe, with an average thickness of 31 km, whereas the two Alpine regions are characterized by very large lateral inhomogeneities, such as rapid thickening of the crust to 50 and 40 km under the Pyrenees and the Betics, respectively. The deep-reaching E-W-trending North Pyrenean fault has a throw of 10–15 km at the base of the crust. A P_n velocity of 8.1 km s^?1 is found under the entire Iberian Peninsula.In the Alboran Sea, strongly varying thicknesses of sediments, shallow variable depths to the Moho (～ 13 km under the Alboran ridge), and strong variations of P_n velocity between 7.5 and 8.2 km s^?1 have been found.     

Insight into the Crustal Structure of the Eastern Marmara Region, NW Turkey

In order to investigate crustal structure beneath the eastern Marmara region, a seismic refraction survey was conducted across the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) zone in north west Turkey. Two reversed profiles across two strands of the NAF zone were recorded in the Armutlu Highland where a tectonically active region was formed by different continents. We used land explosions in boreholes and quarry blasts as seismic sources. A reliable crustal velocity and depth model is obtained from the inversion of first arrival travel times. The velocity-depth model will improve the positioning of the earthquake activities in this active portion of the NAF. A high velocity anomaly (5.6–5.8 km s⁻¹) in the central highland of Armutlu block and the low velocity (4.90 km s⁻¹) pattern north of Iznik Lake are the two dominant features. The crustal thickness is about 26 ± 2 km in the north and increases to about 32 ± 2 km beneath the central Armutlu block in the south. P-wave velocities are about 3.95 km s⁻¹ to 4.70 km s⁻¹ for the depth range between about 1 km and 5 km in the upper crust. The eastern Marmara region has different units of upper crust with velocities varying with depth to almost 8 km. The high upper crust velocities are associated with Armutlu metamorphic rocks, while the low velocity anomalies are due to unconsolidated sedimentary sequences. The western side of Armutlu block has complex tectonics and is well known for geothermal sources. If these sources are continuous throughout the portions of the crust, it may be associated with a granitic intrusion and deformation along the NAF zone. That is, the geothermal sources associated with the low velocity may be due to the occurrence of widespread shear heating, even shear melting. The presence of shear melting may indicate the presence of crustal fluid imposed by two blocks of the NAF system.     

华北克拉通北缘—西伯利亚板块南缘的地壳速度结构特征

华北克拉通北缘—西伯利亚板块南缘（张家口—中蒙边界）的深地震测深剖面长600 km,跨越华北板块、内蒙造山带和西伯利亚板块.沿测线采用8个1.5t的爆炸震源激发地震波,使用300套数字地震仪接收,取得了高质量的地震资料.通过资料分析和处理,识别出沉积层及结晶基底的折射波（Pg）、上地壳底面的反射波（P2）、中地壳内的反射波（P3）、中地壳底面的反射波（P4）、下地壳内的反射波（P5,仅在镶黄旗—苏尼特右旗下方出现）和莫霍面的反射波（Pm）等6个震相.采用地震动力学射线方法（seis88）得到的地壳速度结构表明：（1）在华北板块与内蒙造山带之间,内蒙造山带与西伯利亚板块之间,上地壳中存在明显的高速度局部变化,在地表发育大量的古生代花岗岩体、超基性岩体.（2）在中下地壳华北板块南缘的地震波速度大,为6.3~6.7 km/s,西伯利亚板块北缘的速度小,为6.1~6.7 km/s,且界面比较平缓.原因是在内蒙造山带内地壳的缩短和隆升造山引起了中下地壳界面的剧烈起伏,不同海陆块的拼合和物质交换导致了不同区域速度的不均匀性.（3）莫霍面在赤峰断裂带（F₂）以南和索伦敖包—阿鲁科尔沁旗断裂带（F₄）以北较为平缓,平均深度为40~42 km.在F₂—F₄之间呈双莫霍面,莫霍面1明显上隆,深度为33.5 km,层速度为6.6~6.7 km/s.莫霍面2明显下凹,在西拉木伦河断裂带（F₃）下方,最深达到47 km,速度达到最大为6.8~6.9 km/s,这可能是由壳幔物质混合引起的.依据莫霍面的特点,本文认为双莫霍面以南为华北板块北缘,以北为西伯利亚板块南缘,拼合位置在赤峰断裂带（F₂）与索伦敖包—阿鲁科尔沁旗断裂带（F₄）之间的区域.     

秦岭─大别造山带及其南北缘地震层析成像

利用秦岭─大别造山带及其毗邻地区３１０个地震台站记录到的区域地震２３６００条Ｐ波到时数据，重建了该区地壳和上地幔三维速度图像。结果表明：１．秦岭─大别造山带及其毗邻地区地壳和上地幔存在显著的横向不均匀性，直至１１０ｋｍ深度处依然明显。２．地壳上部的速度图像与地表地质构造密切相关：造山带隆起区显著高速；盆地及坳陷区明显低速。由速度鲜明对比勾勒出的秦岭─大别造山带南界基本上位于扬子北缘主边断裂带上。３．中地壳的速度图像表明，造山带内部的一些低速区对应于一些大型推覆构造。４．４０＋０ｋｍ深度处的速度图像反映了该区莫霍界面深度的起伏。大致以１０７°Ｅ为界，以东地区地壳厚度小于４０ｋｍ，以西地区大于４０ｋｍ，且呈现出往西地壳逐渐加厚的趋势。５．位于滦川、商县、丹凤的北秦岭构造带，上地幔顶部出现低速异常，异常速度值约为７．３９—７．５５ｋｍ／ｓ。结合地球物理测深的结果，可能是由下地壳、上地幔顶部的热过程所致。     

Crustal seismic structure and depth distribution of earthquakes in the Archean Kuusamo region,Fennoscandian Shield

Two-dimensional crustal velocity models are derived from passive seismic observations for the Archean Karelian bedrock of north-eastern Finland. In addition, an updated Moho depth map is constructed by integrating the results of this study with previous data sets. The structural models image a typical three-layer Archean crust, with thickness varying between 40 and 52 km. P wave velocities within the 12–20 km thick upper crust range from 6.1 to 6.4 km/s. The relatively high velocities are related to layered mafic intrusive and volcanic rocks. The middle crust is a fairly homogeneous layer associated with velocities of 6.5–6.8 km/s. The boundary between middle and lower crust is located at depths between 28 and 38 km. The thickness of the lower crust increases from 5–15 km in the Archean part to 15–22 km in the Archean–Proterozoic transition zone. In the lower crust and uppermost mantle, P wave velocities vary between 6.9–7.3 km/s and 7.9–8.2 km/s. The average V_p/V_s ratio increases from 1.71 in the upper crust to 1.76 in the lower crust.The crust attains its maximum thickness in the south-east, where the Archean crust is both over- and underthrust by the Proterozoic crust. A crustal depression bulging out from that zone to the N–NE towards Kuusamo is linked to a collision between major Archean blocks. Further north, crustal thickening under the Salla and Kittilä greenstone belts is tentatively associated with a NW–SE-oriented collision zone or major shear zone. Elevated Moho beneath the Pudasjärvi block is primarily explained with rift-related extension and crustal thinning at ∼2.4–2.1 Ga.The new crustal velocity models and synthetic waveform modelling are used to outline the thickness of the seismogenic layer beneath the temporary Kuusamo seismic network. Lack of seismic activity within the mafic high-velocity body in the uppermost 8 km of crust and relative abundance of mid-crustal, i.e., 14–30 km deep earthquakes are characteristic features of the Kuusamo seismicity. The upper limit of seismicity is attributed to the excess of strong mafic material in the uppermost crust. Comparison with the rheological profiles of the lithosphere, calculated at nearby locations, indicates that the base of the seismogenic layer correlates best with the onset of brittle to ductile transition at about 30 km depth.We found no evidence on microearthquake activity in the lower crust beneath the Archean Karelian craton. However, a data set of relatively well-constrained events extracted from the regional earthquake catalogue implies a deeper cut-off depth for earthquakes in the Norrbotten tectonic province of northern Sweden.     

秦岭─大别造山带及其南北缘地震层析成像

利用秦岭─大别造山带及其毗邻地区３１０个地震台站记录到的区域地震２３６００条Ｐ波到时数据，重建了该区地壳和上地幔三维速度图像。结果表明：１．秦岭─大别造山带及其毗邻地区地壳和上地幔存在显著的横向不均匀性，直至１１０ｋｍ深度处依然明显。２．地壳上部的速度图像与地表地质构造密切相关：造山带隆起区显著高速；盆地及坳陷区明显低速。由速度鲜明对比勾勒出的秦岭─大别造山带南界基本上位于扬子北缘主边断裂带上。３．中地壳的速度图像表明，造山带内部的一些低速区对应于一些大型推覆构造。４．４０＋０ｋｍ深度处的速度图像反映了该区莫霍界面深度的起伏。大致以１０７°Ｅ为界，以东地区地壳厚度小于４０ｋｍ，以西地区大于４０ｋｍ，且呈现出往西地壳逐渐加厚的趋势。５．位于滦川、商县、丹凤的北秦岭构造带，上地幔顶部出现低速异常，异常速度值约为７．３９-７．５５ｋｍ／ｓ。结合地球物理测深的结果，可能是由下地壳、上地幔顶部的热过程所致。     

渭河盆地及邻区地壳深部结构特征研究

利用穿越区域南段为秦岭褶皱带山区,中段为渭河断陷盆地,北段为鄂尔多斯地台南缘的宽角反射/折射地震测深剖面所获得的资料对该区地壳结构进行研究.结果表明:该区地壳呈明显的分层、分区结构;上下地壳的分界是由壳内反射波较为连续可靠的P2以及P3所确定的.鄂尔多斯地台是本区M界面最深的地区,地壳厚度大,达42 km左右,结构相对简单,结晶基底浅. 秦岭褶皱带的地壳厚度约37~38 km,结晶基底浅,甚至出露.渭河断陷盆地莫霍界面相对两侧明显且不对称的上隆,地壳结构复杂;而莫霍界面相对鄂尔多斯地块突变隆起和上地幔高速物质侵入于下地壳,是该区发生中强地震的深部构造背景.     

Tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Fold Belt, southeastern Australia: constraints from coupled numerical models of crustal deformation and surface erosion driven by subduction of the underlying mantle

We have used a coupled thermo-mechanical finite-element (FE) model of crustal deformation driven by mantle/oceanic subduction to demonstrate that the tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Fold Belt (LFB) during the Mid-Palaeozoic (Late Ordovician to Early Carboniferous) can be linked to continuous subduction along a single subduction zone. This contrasts with most models proposed to date which assume that separate subduction zones were active beneath the western, central and eastern sections of the Lachlan Orogen. We demonstrate how the existing data on the structural, volcanic and erosional evolution of the Lachlan Fold Belt can be accounted for by our model. We focus particularly on the timing of fault movement in the various sectors of the orogen. We demonstrate that the presence of the weak basal decollement on which most of the Lachlan Fold Belt is constructed effectively decouples crustal structures from those in the underlying mantle. The patterns of faulting in the upper crust appears therefore to be controlled by lateral strength contrasts inherited from previous orogenic events rather than the location of one or several subduction zones. The model also predicts that the uplift and deep exhumation of the Wagga-Omeo Metamorphic Belt (WOMB) is associated with the advection of this terrane above the subduction point and is the only tectonic event that gives us direct constraints on the location of the subduction zone. We also discuss the implications of our model for the nature of the basement underlying the present-day orogen.     

Crustal Architecture of the Inverted Central Lapland Rift Along the HUKKA 2007 Profile

We have studied the lateral velocity variations along a partly buried inverted paleo–rift in Central Lapland, Northern Europe with a 2D wide-angle reflection and refraction experiment, HUKKA 2007. The experiment was designed to use seven chemical explosions from commercial and military sites as sources of seismic energy. The shots were recorded by 102 stations with an average spacing of 3.45 km. Two-dimensional crustal models of variations in P-wave velocity and Vp/Vs-ratio were calculated using the ray tracing forward modeling technique. The HUKKA 2007 experiment comprises a 455 km long profile that runs NNW–SSE parallel to the Kittilä Shear Zone, a major deformation zone hosting gold deposits in the area. The profile crosses Paleoproterozoic and reactivated Archean terranes of Central Lapland. The velocity model shows a significant difference in crustal velocity structure between the northern (distances 0–120 km) and southern parts of the profile. The difference in P-wave velocities and Vp/Vs ratio can be followed through the whole crust down to the Moho boundary indicating major tectonic boundaries. Upper crustal velocities seem to vary with the terranes/compositional differences mapped at the surface. The lower layer of the upper crust displays velocities of 6.0–6.1 km/s. Both Paleoproterozoic and Archean terranes are associated with high velocity bodies (6.30–6.35 km/s) at 100 and 200–350 km distances. The Central Lapland greenstone belt and Central Lapland Granitoid complex are associated with a 4 km-thick zone of unusually low velocities (<6.0 km/s) at distances between 120 and 220 km. We interpret the HUKKA 2007 profile to image an old, partly buried, inverted continental rift zone that has been closed and modified by younger tectonic events. It has structural features typical of rifts: inward dipping rift shoulders, undulating thickness of the middle crust, high velocity lower crust and a rather uniform crustal thickness of 48 km.     

The geophysical significance of oceanic plagiogranite

Rocks ranging in composition from trondhjemite to diorite (plagiogranites) have been recovered from ocean ridges and are common constituents of ophiolites. Velocities and densities of diorite and trondhjemite from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are shown to differ significantly from similar properties of metadolerite and gabbro. Compressional (V_p) and shear (V_s) velocities of plagiogranites are relatively low (V_p = 4.78–5.91km/s at1kbar,V_s = 2.81–3.37km/s at1kbar), as are densities (2.57–2.64 g/cm³) and Poisson's ratios (0.24–0.27). These data lend strong support to the probable existence of a low-velocity/density zone within layer 3 of the oceanic crust. Based on observations in ophiolites, it is postulated that this zone can be up to 1 km in thickness and is laterally discontinuous.     

Seismic image of the Mount Spurr magmatic system

 The three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure of Mount Spurr is determined to depths of 10 km by tomographic inversion of 3,754 first-arriving P-wave times from local earthquakes recorded by a permanent network of 11 seismographs. Results show a prominent low-velocity zone extending from the surface to 3–4 km below sea level beneath the southeastern flank of Crater Peak, spatially coincident with a geothermal system. P-wave velocities in this low-velocity zone are approximately 20% slower than those in the shallow crystalline basement rocks. Beneath Crater Peak an approximately 3-km-wide zone of relative low velocities correlates with a near-vertical band of seismicity, suggestive of a magmatic conduit. No large low-velocity zone indicative of a magma chamber occurs within the upper 10 km of the crust. These observations are consistent with petrologic and geochemical studies suggesting that Crater Peak magmas originate in the lower crust or upper mantle and have a short residence time in the shallow crust. Earthquakes relocated using the three-dimensional velocity structure correlate well with surface geology and other geophysical observations; thus, they provide additional constraints on the kinematics of the Mount Spurr magmatic system. Received: 4 December 1997 / Accepted: 27 February 1998     

Correction to the crustal thickness of the northwestern China using the data of seis-mic tomography

Introduction The gravity anomaly is an indicator of the density distribution of the underground material. Therefore the gravity anomalies have been important data used for studying the deep crustal struc-ture for a long time. Many people have made detailed researches on the regional crustal structure inverted by Bouguer anomalies. In particular some empirical formulae and practical algorithms about the crustal thickness were brought forward, and a series of results were obtained (MENG, 1996)…     

天水-礼县地区地壳速度结构

1984—1985年,利用厂坝铅锌矿工业爆破,在天水—礼县地区布设测线进行了大范围的地震测深工作。对该地区的地壳速度结构的研究结果表明,该地区沉积层平均厚度为2.5km,速度为4.0km/s(P波);地壳平均厚度为43.68km,平均速度为6.20km/s;徽县—礼县地壳速度剖面可分为5层,其中在24—29km深处有一低速层,基底深度变化较大,在礼县地壳浅部发现一断层。对天水—礼县地区还进行了P波、S波联合反演,获得了该区P波与S波速度结构,其地壳范围内的平均波速比为1.73。