Peridotite-CO2-H2O and the low-velocity zone

The properties of the seismic low-velocity zone are consistent with incipient melting of mantle peridotite. Vapor-absent melting of amphibole-peridotite has been used to model the low-velocity zone, but evidence that CO₂ exists in the upper mantle indicates that peridotite-CO₂-H₂O would be a better model. The divariant solidus surface for peridodite-CO₂-H₂O is traversed by a series of univariant lines marking the intersections of divariant subsolidus reactions involving dolomite or magnesite, amphibole, or phlogopite (other hydrous minerals are neglected in this treatment), or combinations of these. The vapor phase compositions are buffered to specific values, which limits the range of vapor compositions that can coexist with peridotite at various pressures. Below about 30 kbar, the vapor phase is buffered by the melting of amphibole-peridotite, with composition ranging from H₂O to high CO₂/H₂O. Above about 25 kbar, the vapor phase is buffered by the melting of dolomite-peridotite, with composition ranging from CO₂ to high H₂O/CO₂ at pressures above 30 kbar. The buffered curve for phlogopite-peridotite intersects the dolomite-peridotite curve, generating another line for phlogopite-dolomite-peridotite; the strong buffering capacity of dolomite forces the vapor on this line to high H₂O/CO₂. Near the buffered curve for the solidus of partly carbonated peridotite there is a temperature maximum on the peridotite-vapor solidus surface. On the CO₂ side of the maximum, above 26 kbar, CO₂/H₂O is greater in liquid than in vapor; on the H₂O side of this maximum, and at all pressures below 26 kbar, CO₂/H₂O is greater in vapor than in liquid. The suboccanic low-velocity zone is caused by incipient melting of amphibole-peridotite in the presence of vapor with high CO₂/H₂O, with generation of forsterite-normative liquid. The subcontinental low-velocity zone, where present, is probably caused by incipient melting of dolomite-peridotite, or phlogopite-dolomite-peridotite, either with H₂O-rich vapor or without vapor, with the generation of CO₂-rich, alkalic, SiO₂-poor liquid (larnite-normative) that in extreme conditions may be carbonatitic.     

Evidences for a low-velocity core-mantle transition zone

Using the spectral ratios $\text{P}\text{PcP}\text{,}\text{ScS}{}_{\mathrm{n+1}}\text{ScS}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{,}\text{sScS}{}_{\mathrm{n+1}}\text{sScS}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{and}\text{SKS}\text{ScS}$, models for the core-mantle boundary are found. The models have close similarity with each other, implying an irregular surface with lateral variation in the core-mantle properties. The models are characterized by two to four low-velocity, high-density layers imbedded between the mantle and the core half space. The velocities of the imbedded layers decrease towards the core boundary with a lower bound of 9.3 km/sec for the compressional wave and 3.5 km/sec for the shear wave. The models fitted to the empirical data support the hypothesis of a finite rigid outer core with a higher bound for the shear velocity of 1.4 km/sec. Based on this finite rigidity in the outer core and a layered core-mantle transition zone, the value of Q for the whole mantle is 2,000. For the outer core Q ranges from 100–1,000 , which may indicate that it is chemically zoned.     

Seismic evidence for deep low-velocity anomalies in the transition zone beneath West Antarctica

We present a three-dimensional (3D) SV-wave velocity model of the upper mantle beneath the Antarctic plate constrained by fundamental and higher mode Rayleigh waves recorded at regional distances. The good agreement between our results and previous surface wave studies in the uppermost 200 km of the mantle confirms that despite strong differences in data processing, modern surface wave tomographic techniques allow to produce consistent velocity models, even at regional scale. At greater depths the higher mode information present in our data set allows us to improve the resolution compared to previous regional surface wave studies in Antarctica that were all restricted to the analysis of the fundamental mode. This paper is therefore mostly devoted to the discussion of the deeper part of the model. Our seismic model displays broad domains of anomalously low seismic velocities in the asthenosphere. Moreover, we show that some of these broad, low-velocity regions can be more deeply rooted. The most remarkable new features of our model are vertical low-velocity structures extending from the asthenosphere down to the transition zone beneath the volcanic region of Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica and a portion of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge close to the Balleny Islands hotspot. A deep low-velocity anomaly may also exist beneath the Ross Sea hotspot. These vertical structures cannot be explained by vertical smearing of shallow seismic anomalies and synthetic tests show that they are compatible with a structure narrower than 200 km which would have been horizontally smoothed by the tomographic inversion. These deep low-velocity anomalies may favor the existence of several distinct mantle plumes, instead of a large single one, as the origin of volcanism in and around West Antarctica. These hypothetical deep plumes could feed large regions of low seismic velocities in the asthenosphere.     

利用P波“影区”特征探测青藏高原东部岩石层内低速层

选用我国西藏及其周边地区测震台网35个台站宽频带数字地震仪记录到的2014年10月7日云南普洱M_S6.1地震的波形资料,分析了垂直向分量初至P波的幅度特征.结果表明:在震中距处于5°-18°之间的P波初动幅度相对较小,存在“影区”特征,推测该“影区”是由青藏高原下方岩石层内低速层所引起的;通过试错法,多次对比不同模型的理论波形与观测波形的P波初动振幅随震中距的变化形态,最终确定在78 km深处存在一厚度为24 km的低速层,层内速度梯度约为-0.05/s.      

南北地震带地区地震烈度衰减关系研究

收集了我国南北地震带地区1970年~2012年的85次地震事件的烈度等震线资料,建立了震中烈度与震级之间的经验关系,利用长轴和短轴椭圆模型拟合得到了该地区的地震烈度衰减关系。同时还搜集整理了近年来基于我国各地区的地震资料,研究得到的地震烈度衰减关系,并将其中与南北地震带存在地域重合的研究结果与本文结果进行对比分析。该研究结果能够较好地反映南北地震带地区的地震烈度衰减规律,对该地区的地震灾害快速评估具有一定的参考意义。     

Response spectral attenuation relations for in-slab earthquakes in Indo-Burmese subduction zone

From an analysis of a limited number of strong-motion data recorded in northeast Indian region, the in-slab earthquakes along the Indo-Burmese subduction zone are found to be characterized by much larger ground motion amplitudes than that for the earthquakes along other subduction zones around the world. Specific type of source, propagation path and site geologic condition may perhaps simultaneously be responsible for such anomalous behaviour. The empirical attenuation relations developed by Atkinson and Boore [3] using a global database for subduction zone earthquakes have been therefore suitably modified to be more appropriate for the northeast India. The modified relationships are developed by combining the data for both horizontal and vertical components of motion. The response spectra of the accelerograms recorded in northeast India from earthquakes with widely varying magnitude and distance are, in general, found to match very well with the predictions from the modified attenuation model. The proposed model can thus be used to obtain more realistic estimate of the contribution of in-slab subduction zone earthquakes to seismic hazard in the northeast Indian region.     

Effects of low-velocity layers

Summary Effects of low-velocity channels in the atmosphere, the ocean and the solid earth are discussed. There are two major low-velocity channels in the atmosphere, one with its axis at the tropopause, and another at a height of about 80 km. They produce zones of silence and permit the transmissions of waves involving the whole atmosphere. Low-velocity layers in the ocean result from the combined effects of temperature, pressure and salinity. In the earth, the sudden decrease of velocity at the boundary of the core produces a low-velocity at the boundary of the core produces a low-velocity channel for elastic waves. In the earth's crust there are two major low velocity shannels, one below theMohorovii discontinuity, the other at a depth of about 15 Km. Misinterpretation of their effects has caused incorrect conclusions concerning the structure of the outer portion of the earth's mantle.Presidential Address, International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior, Rome, Sept. 1954.California Institute of Technology,Pasadena, California (Division of the Geological Sciences, Contribution No. 680).     

Dispersion attenuation structure of the crust around the Weifang-Jiashan segment of the Tanlu fault zone in North China

On the condition that the velocity ratio of compressive wave to shear wave is stable during the propagating process of seismic wave, this paper develops an estimation method for medium quality factor based on single station's travel time difference between direct S and P waves and the first period signal of direct P wave. 8 774 high SNR wave data altogether recorded by 75 stations are analyzed. The results show that: (1) under the normal regional stress field, the quality factors Q_mSP in the stable tectonic area are higher than that in the active tectonic area around the Weifang-Jiashan section and its surrounding area in the Tanlu fault zone; (2) in the Juxian-Tancheng section the seismic wave attenuation is relatively quick, and the media is relatively broken, suggesting no tectonic stress accumulation; (3) the Xinyi-Sihong section is currently locking and in accumulating elastic strain energy stage, which has the deep environment and conditions of strong earthquake generation similar to those of the 1668 M8.5 Tancheng strong earthquake.     

The landward thinning of the low-velocity layer across the Kurile-Japan trench

Composite P-wave seismograms are constructed for intermediate earthquakes in the Kurile region using seismic stations in central and western Japan. Ray paths are approximately parallel to the intermediate seismic zone along the Kurile-Japan arc. A compressional velocity structure model is constructed from the travel time and relative amplitude data for the upper mantle involving this intermediate seismic zone. The absence of any significant low-velocity layer below the descending slab of lithosphere can be shown from the data. Instead, the model consistent with the observed data has a non-velocity gradient layer of about 30 km thickness beneath the descending slab. The result suggests that the low-velocity layer beneath the Pacific plate thins landward across the Kurile-Japan trench and does not descend along the base of the descending slab.     

上地幔低速高导层成因的探讨-水和熔体的作用

上地幔中广泛存在低速高导层,对这些低速高导层成因的研究可以帮助我们了解上地幔物质的组成、分布以及地幔动力学过程.目前,地球科学家把上地幔低速高导层的主要成因归结为水或熔体的作用.本文主要介绍了水和熔体在上地幔中的赋存状况、对地震波速的衰减作用以及对电导率的影响.最后本文评述了含水模型和含熔体模型,并对电导率研究进行了展望.     

Site attenuation and source parameters on the North Anatolian Fault zone, eastern Turkey estimated from the aftershocks of 13 March 1992 Erzincan earthquake

Site attenuation and source characteristics of 45 aftershocks of the 13 March 1992 Erzincan, eastern Turkey earthquake have been determined from SH-wave spectra using a least-squares best-fit method. Although the most of the seismograms were recorded on the ophiolitic rock sites and the average regional attenuation correction of Q(f) = 35 f^0.83 was applied, the high fall-off rates ranging between 3.0 and 4.5 beyond the corner frequencies of 8–13 Hz were observed on the SH spectra. The site attenuation value, , has been calculated from the slope of the high frequency part of the SH spectra. It was found that varied in the range of 0.0124–0.0364 s and the average was 0.0246 s with a standard deviation of 0.0047 s. The high fall-off rates of observed spectra have decreased considerably as a result of site attenuation corrections and converged to an average value of 2.3. We concluded that the high fall-off rates of SH wave spectra are mainly controlled by highly deformed Miocene ophiolitic formations which covers a wide area in the North Anatolian Fault zone in the vicinity of Erzincan region. Using the spectra that were corrected for regional and site attenuation, and assuming a Brune's source model; seismic moment, source radius, and stress-drops of the aftershocks were computed. We found that stress-drops for some of the aftershocks in Erzincan area have slightly decreased after removal of site attenuation over SH wave observed spectra.     

The low-velocity plume on the southwestern edge of Yangtze Craton and superlarge ore deposits

A map showing the three-dimensional velocity anomaly on the southwestern edge of Yangtze craton is first compiled. Based on the map, it is suggested that there is a low-velocity plume on the edge of Yangtze craton. The low-velocity plume is the effect of mantle plume, plays an important role in controlling the upwelling of asthenosphere, mantle rise and the formation of intracrustal low-velocity lens, and is also the carrier and provider of vast amount of fluids, mineralizers, minerogenetic materials and energy. Therefore, it is concluded that the low-velocity plume is closely related to Mesozoic and Cenozoic superlarge ore deposits in time and space and genesis.     

Propagation and attenuation characteristics of the crustal phaseLg

TheLg wave consists of the superposition ofS waves supercritically reflected, and thus trapped, in the crust. This mode of propagation explains the strong amplitude of this phase and the large distance range in which it is observed. The numerical simulation leads to successful comparison between observed seismograms in stable continental areas and synthetics computed for simple standard crustal models. In regions with strong lateral variations, the influence of large-scale heterogeneities on theLg amplitude is not yet clearly established in terms of the geometrical characteristics of the crustal structure.The analysis of the decay of amplitude ofLg with epicentral distance allows the evaluation of the quality factor ofS waves in the crust. The results obtained show the same trends as codaQ: a clear correlation with the tectonic activity of the region considered, both for the value ofQ at 1 Hz and for its frequency dependence, suggesting that scattering plays a prominent part among the processes that cause the attenuation.The coda ofLg is made up of scatteredS waves. The study of the spatial attenuation of the coda indicated that a large part of the arrivals that compose the coda propagate asLg. The relative amplitude of the coda is larger at sites located on sediments because, in these conditions, a part ofLg energy can be converted locally into lower order surface modes.     

Dislocation structure of the crust-mantle boundary and low-velocity body within the crust beneath the Dabie Shan collision orogen

The Dabie Shan is located on the eastern side of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt, which marks a geological boundary between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cra- ton. Since the 1980s, the discovery of coesite and mi- crodiamond in the Dabie Shan orogen motivates an extensive interest to the ultra-high pressure (UHP)metamorphism and its exhumation[1,2]. Many results about them were published, which deal with different disciplines, including tectonics, petrology and chro- nology[3?8]. Up to now,…     

High resolution tomography of the Tanlu fault zone near Hefei with passive seismic and magnetotelluric linear array data

As the largest fault trending NNE-SSW to NE-SW in the eastern Eurasia Continent,the Tanlu fault zone(TLFZ)extends over 2,400 km within China,roughly from Wuxue,Hubei Province,to Russia.Since the Quaternary period,the TLFZ has been an earthquake-prone area in eastern China where several major earthquakes resulted by tectonic compression occurred,causing tremendous casualties and significant economic losses.Many studies on different segments of the TLFZ have been carried out in the past few decades.However,numerous key questions regarding the fault zone remain unanswered due to a lack of clear subsurface characterization and fault delineation.In this study,we present high-resolution tomographic results across the TLFZ to the east of Hefei,where one 22-km-long passive seismic array with densely spaced short-period nodes,and a 24-km-long magnetotelluric array were deployed adjacent to each other.We find the velocity and resistivity variations are highly consistent with known surface geology.Sharp property contrasts in both the seismic shear wave velocity and electrical resistivity profiles clearly delineate the Tanlu F1 fault(TLF-1)near Hefei.More interestingly,an upwelling with distinct high velocity is imaged within the Hefei Basin to the west of the TLF-1,whereas a slanted block with low-velocity and low-resistivity seems to cut into or thrust upon the high-grade to low-grade middle-pressure rocks in the Zhangbaling uplift right below the Tanlu F2 ductile shear fault(TLF-2).The presented results show a new approach to characterize deep subsurface structure of the TLFZ beyond 2-km depths using passive data,which it is often difficult for active seismic surveys with refracted and reflected waves to image.     

阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带及周边地区地幔过渡带结构研究

利用国家测震台网固定台站和"中国地震科学台阵探测"项目在南北地震带北段布设的宽频带流动台阵记录到的极远震事件,通过SS前驱波震相研究,获得了阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带东段及邻区下方410 km和660 km间断面的埋深和起伏形态特征.为增强对SS前驱波震相的识别,我们采用了时差校正和共反射点叠加分析.叠加结果显示,毗邻阿留申俯冲带的白令海、阿拉斯加半岛、以及阿拉斯加中南部和东部地区下方,410 km和660 km间断面的埋深基本呈正相关关系,因而具有正常的过渡带厚度.这表明在阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带东段,北太平洋板块还没有俯冲到地幔过渡带深度范围内.其次,在阿拉斯加西部地区下方,660 km间断面出现明显下沉,而上覆的410 km间断面埋深接近于全球平均值,从而导致过渡带明显加厚.据此,我们推测在阿拉斯加西部地区下方地幔过渡带底部可能存在库拉残留板块.     

Ground roll attenuation using the S and x-f-k transforms

Ground roll, which is characterized by low frequency and high amplitude, is an old seismic data processing problem in land‐based seismic acquisition. Common techniques for ground roll attenuation are frequency filtering, f‐k or velocity filtering and a type of f‐k filtering based on the time‐offset windowed Fourier transform. These techniques assume that the seismic signal is stationary. In this study we utilized the S, x‐f‐k and t‐f‐k transforms as alternative methods to the Fourier transform. The S transform is a type of time‐frequency transform that provides frequency‐dependent resolution while maintaining a direct relationship with the Fourier spectrum. Application of a filter based on the S transform to land seismic shot records attenuates ground roll in a time‐frequency domain. The t‐f‐k and x‐f‐k transforms are approaches to localize the apparent velocity panel of a seismic record in time and offset domains, respectively. These transforms provide a convenient way to define offset or time‐varying reject zones on the separate f‐k panel at different offsets or times.     

Scattering attenuation and the fractal geometry of fracture systems

Scattering of seismic waves can be shown to have a frequency dependenceQ ^{–1 3–v} if scattering is produced by arrays of inhomogeneities with a 3D power spectrumW _3D(k) k ^–v. In the earth's crust and upper mantle the total attenuation is often dominated by scattering rather than intrinsic absorption, and is found to be frequency dependent according toQ ^–1 , where –1<–0.5. IfD ₁ is the fractal dimension of the surface of the 3D inhomogeneities measured on a 2D section, then this corresponds respectively to 1.5<D ₁1.75, since it can be shown that =2(D ₁–2). Laboratory results show that such a distribution of inhomogeneities, if due to microcracking, can be produced only at low stress intensities and slow crack velocities controlled by stress corrosion reactions. Thus it is likely that the earth's brittle crust is pervaded by tensile microcracks, at least partially filled by a chemically active fluid, and preferentially aligned parallel to the maximum principal compressive stress. The possibility of stress corrosion implies that microcracks may grow under conditions which are very sensitive to pre-existing heterogeneities in material constants, and hence it may be difficult in practice to separate the relative contribution of crack-induced heterogeneity from more permanent geological heterogeneities.By constrast, shear faults formed by dynamic rupture at critical stress intensities produceD ₁=1, consistent with a dynamic rupture criterion for a power law distribution of fault lengths with negative exponentD. The results presented here suggest empirically thatD ₁-1/2(D+1), thereby providing the basis for a possible framework to unify the interpretation of temporal variations in seismicb-value (b-D/2) and the frequency dependence of scattering attenuation ().This is PRIS contribution 046.