Crustal structure of the Eastern Alps along the TRANSALP profile from wide-angle seismic tomography

The objective of the TRANSALP project is an investigation of the Eastern Alps with regard to their deep structure and dynamic evolution. The core of the project is a 340-km-long seismic profile at 12°E between Munich and Venice. This paper deals with the P-wave velocity distribution as derived from active source travel time tomography. Our database consists of Vibroseis and explosion seismic travel times recorded at up to 100 seismological stations distributed in a 30-km-wide corridor along the profile. In order to derive a velocity and reflector model, we simultaneously inverted refractions and reflections using a derivative of a damped least squares approach for local earthquake tomography. 8000 travel time picks from dense Vibroseis recordings provide the basis for high resolution in the upper crust. Explosion seismic wide-angle reflection travel times constrain both deeper crustal velocities and structure of the crust–mantle boundary with low resolution. In the resulting model, the Adriatic crust shows significantly higher P-wave velocities than the European crust. The European Moho is dipping south at an angle of 7°. The Adriatic Moho dips north with a gentle inclination at shallower depths. This geometry suggests S-directed subduction. Azimuthal variations of the first-break velocities as well as observations of shear wave splitting reveal strong anisotropy in the Tauern Window. We explain this finding by foliations and laminations generated by lateral extrusion. Based on the P-wave model we also localized almost 100 local earthquakes recorded during the 2-month acquisition campaign in 1999. Seismicity patterns in the North seem related to the Inn valley shear zone, and to thrusting of Austroalpine units over European basement. The alignment of deep seismicity in the Trento-Vicenza region with the top of the Adriatic lower crust corroborates the suggestion of a deep thrust fault in the Southern Alps.     

Reviewing pre-TRANSALP DSS models

The interpretation of DSS (deep seismic soundings) profiles in Central and Eastern Alps is recalled in the paper and the models of the lower crust and Moho proposed several years ago are compared to the results of the TRANSALP seismic reflection profile. This evaluation highlights a good agreement as far as the geometry of the deep crustal structure is concerned. Therefore, the reliability of the interpretative models, previously exclusively based on DSS profiles, becomes improved. The deep structure beneath the whole Alpine range is examined reconsidering the map of the Moho boundary and the structural model already proposed for the central-eastern sector. Five main interpretative transects are put side by side, starting from the Western Alps and moving eastwards to the Swiss–Lombardian Central Alps (“European Geotraverse”), to the cross section from southern Bavaria to the Euganei Hills, to the TRANSALP profile, and finally to the easternmost profile available so far (southern Bavaria–Trieste). The comparison outlines lateral variations of the deep crustal structure as well as a sharp contrast between the Adria and the European lower crust and Moho. The transition from the Adria plate to the Dinaric domain remains, up to now, undefined.     

Crustal observations beneath the southern North Sea and their tectonic and geological implications

In 1991, a deep seismic reflection line, MPNI-9101, was acquired in the southern North Sea from the Mesozoic Broad Fourteens Basin, across the West Netherlands Basin onto the London-Brabant Massif (LBM). The resultant section shows a strongly reflective lower crust beneath the area of Mesozoic basin development. This lower crustal reflectivity continues to be strong beneath the LBM. The travel time to the base of the reflective zone increases from approximately 11.0 s beneath the Mesozoic basins to 12.5 s beneath the LBM, suggesting a southward thickening of the crust (Rijkers et al., 1993). Based on these travel times and information from deep wells and refraction surveys. Moho depth is estimated to increase from about 31 km beneath the Mesozoic basins to about 38 km beneath the LBM. This difference in depth to the Moho can partly be explained by coaxial stretching of the crust beneath the Mesozoic basins. In comparison with the Mesozoic basins, the crust beneath the LBM was thickened during the Caledonian and Variscan orogenies.     

Seismic reflection and refraction studies for investigating fault zones along the Geotraverse Rhenoherzynikum

In 1973 detailed seismic crustal studies were performed across the prominent fault zone between the Hercynian fold systems of the Rhenish Slate Mountains (western part of Rhenoherzynikum) and the Saar-Nahe trough. Reflection data show a zone of strongly dipping reflectors, separated from another area with nearly horizontal layering. Data from refraction stations confirm the picture of a fault zone cutting two old crustal blocks down to the Moho. A similar but smaller survey was performed in 1975 across the western Rhine graben fault near Landau. This fault is tensionsal and could not be observed with the same certainty and up to the same depth range as the former one. Apparently, its dip near the surface is smaller than anticipated and may even assume still smaller values at intermediate crustal depths. Moreover, high temperatures in this area tend to limit the maximum depth of the fault zone, in accordance with the concept of a direct relationship between the depths of seismicity along faults and the temperature—viscosity regime. The area between the two reflection surveys was studied by refraction observations, making use of the shots of the reflection work. In general, the reflection investigations are well able to reveal the geometry and the maximum depth of fault zones and show many structural details, while the supplementing refraction work determines the overall velocity depth relation and may follow important horizons.     

深反射大炮数据揭示北秦岭-渭河地堑-鄂尔多斯南部Moho格架

根据深地震反射数据的反射特征对布置在北秦岭-渭河地堑-鄂尔多斯南部的10个大炮(药量 ≥ 500 kg)数据进行处理,获得了反映下地壳-莫霍面结构的单次覆盖剖面。初步解释结果显示:在北秦岭,莫霍面反射的双程走时约为13 s,自南向北缓慢抬升变浅,可能表示秦岭正在经历造山后的均衡演化过程;进入渭河地堑,莫霍面加深至15 s左右,可能表明新生代形成后的莫霍面受到了强烈的挤压作用,渭河地堑两侧的莫霍面呈不对称上隆;在鄂尔多斯地块南部,莫霍面反射为14 s左右,向北有逐渐抬升的趋势,但变化平缓, 130~140 km两侧的莫霍面具有显著的反射特征差异,可能代表了渭河地堑和鄂尔多斯地块南部的深部界限。     

Non-transparent uppermost mantle in the island-arc region of Japan

In Japan, the crust and uppermost mantle seismic character is yet unimaged although many refraction surveys have been recorded. The longest seismic profiles are analyzed. A remarkable feature, a long-duration coda wave after the PmP wave (reflected wave at the Moho boundary), is observed on the record sections. Several possible models are considered to explain the long-duration coda wave. The model with many scatterers located in the uppermost mantle explains the observed data well while the undulating Moho and continuous layering models do not account for some aspects of the observed data. The scatterer distributed uppermost mantle is not consistent with that of continental region which is often characterized as transparent. We estimate the scattering coefficient of the uppermost mantle and crust using simulations. The scattering coefficients obtained for upper crust, lower crust, and uppermost mantle are 0.01, 0.02, and 0.025, respectively. The scattering coefficient of the uppermost mantle is slightly larger than that of lower crust, which is characterized as being reflective. The many scatterers in the uppermost mantle might be related to magmatism in Japan. This will be one of the important observations for understanding formation processes of the Moho boundary and uppermost mantle in the island-arc environment.     

青藏高原莫霍面的研究进展

本文首先简要回顾了莫霍面的发现，介绍其基本性质，然后对青藏高原莫霍面研究的重要进展进行了评述。在区域尺度上，被动源地震(天然地震)方法研究结果勾勒出青藏高原地壳及岩石圈底部的深部构造轮廓。然而受分辨率的限制，天然地震结果给出的地壳及上地幔结构的细节不足。近年来已经用分辨率达到几千米甚至百米级的主动源地震(包括宽角反射与折射地震和深反射地震)方法，揭示出青藏高原地壳及上地幔的精细结构。本文对近30年来深地震探测获得的青藏高原各个地块的莫霍面深度、壳幔结构和上地幔盖层速度等基本数据进行了较系统的分析，并对青藏高原莫霍面研究存在的有关问题进行了讨论。     

Deep seismic refraction experiment in northeast Brazil: New constraints for Borborema province evolution

The Borborema Province of northeastern Brazil is a major Proterozoic crustal province that, until now, has never been explored using deep crustal seismic methods. Here are reported the first results obtained from a high-quality seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection profile that has defined the internal seismic velocity structure and thickness of the crust in this region. Almost 400 recording stations were deployed in the Deep Seismic Refraction (DSR) experiment through an NW–SE ca. 900 km linear array and 19 shots were exploded at every 50 km along the line. Data from the 10 southeastern most shots of the seismic profile were processed in this work. The main features and geological structures crossed by the studied portion of the profile belong to the so-called Central Sub-province of the Borborema tectonic province. The crustal model obtained is compatible with a typical structure of extended crust. The model was essentially divided into three layers: upper crust, lower crust, and a half-space represented by the shallower portion of the mantle. The Moho is an irregular interface with depth ranging between 31.7 and 34.5 km, and beneath the Central Sub-province it varies from 31.5 to 33 km depth, where its limits are related to major crustal discontinuities. The distribution of velocities within the crust is heterogeneous, varying vertically from 5.7 to 6.3 km/s in the upper crust and from 6.45 to 6.9 km/s in the lower crust. From the average crustal velocity distribution it is evident that the Central Sub-province has seismic characteristics different from neighboring domains. The crust is relatively thin and crustal thickness variations in the profile are subtle due to stretching that occurred in the Cretaceous, during the fragmentation of Pangaea, opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and separation of South America from Africa.     

Seismic interpretation of crustal structure in the flinders‐mt lofty ranges and gulf regions,South Australia

There appears to be little correlation of earthquake epicentres with known surface geological features in South Australia. Seismic wave travel‐time residuals are used to derive corrections for the velocity and depth parameters for the simple uniform crustal model which approximates to that in South Australia. Local studies of Moho depth in the seismic zone and analysis of travel‐time station corrections from both local earthquake and teleseismic data suggest that lateral and vertical variations in the South Australian crust are small. Data presented in this paper appear to be consistent with a plate tectonic model derived from focal mechanism studies (Stewart & Mount, 1972) for the active South Australian seismic zones.     

Anomalous lithospheric structure of Northern Juan de Fuca plate — a consequence of oceanic rift propagation?

Anomalous crustal and upper mantle structure of northern Juan de Fuca plate is revealed from wide-angle seismic and gravity modelling. A 2-D velocity model is produced for refraction line II of the 1980 Vancouver Island Seismic Project (VISP80). The refraction data were recorded on three ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) deployed at the ends and middle of a 110 km line oriented parallel to the North American continental margin. The velocity model is constructed via ray tracing and conforms to first-arrival amplitude observations and travel time picks of direct, converted and reflected phases. Between sub-sediment depths of 3 to 11 km, depths normally associated with the lower crust and upper oceanic mantle, the final model shows that compressional-wave velocities decrease significantly from southeast to northwest along the profile. At sub-sediment depths of 11 km at the northwestern end of the profile, P-wave velocities are as low as 7.2 km/s. A complementary 2-D gravity model using the geometry of the velocity model and velocity–density relationships characteristic of oceanic crust is produced. The high densities required to match the gravity field indicate the presence of peridotites containing 25–30% serpentine by volume, rather than excess gabbroic crust, within the deep low velocity zone. Anomalous travel time delays and unusual reflection characteristics observed from proximal seismic refraction and reflection experiments suggest a broader zone of partially serpentinized peridotites coincident with the trace of a pseudofault. We propose that partial serpentinization of the upper mantle is a consequence of slow spreading at the tip of a propagating rift.     

中亚造山带东段深地震反射剖面大炮揭露下地壳与Moho结构——数据处理与初步解释

深地震反射大炮数据能够准确地获得下地壳和Moho的精细结构及其横向变化信息,揭露岩石圈尺度的构造样式与深部过程。中亚造山带东段位于古亚洲洋、蒙古—鄂霍茨克洋和古太平洋三大构造域的叠合区域,其岩石圈结构记录了大洋,特别是古亚洲洋消亡方式和大陆增生的深部过程。本文选用横过中亚造山带东段（奈曼旗—东乌珠穆沁旗,长约400 km）深地震反射剖面中的24个大炮数据和2个中炮数据,通过数据处理获得了近垂直反射的大炮单次剖面,揭露出中亚造山带东段下地壳及Moho的精细结构,刻画出古亚洲洋消亡极性与中亚造山带增生造山的深部过程：西拉木伦缝合带与贺根山缝合带构成古亚洲洋消亡的双缝合带,西拉木伦缝合带下方古亚洲洋板块以向南消亡为主,贺根山缝合带下方古亚洲洋板块以向北消亡为主,后者规模大于前者。在两个缝合带之间下地壳呈现出几个大规模的块状弧状反射体,推测是大洋中的残余微地块,在古亚洲洋消亡过程中拼接在一起,成为中亚造山带增生造山的一部分,并遭受了碰撞挤压和后造山伸展作用。Moho位于双程走时12 s附近（厚度约36 km）,近于水平展布,沿整条剖面起伏不大。平缓的Moho成因与造山后的地壳伸展作用相关。     

Moho imbrication in the Middle Urals

New processing of part of the Europrobe's Seismic Reflection Profiling in the Urals (ESRU) reflection seismic data in the Middle Urals shows a southwest‐dipping Moho imbrication and crustal underthrusting that was not previously imaged. The area of thickening associated with it roughly coincides with a deepening of the Moho imaged by the GRANIT refraction data. This feature does not fit with the currently known Palaeozoic crustal architecture of the Uralides or with its geodynamic history. Geological data suggest that it is not related to a relict southwest‐dipping subduction zone. Based on its lower crustal and Moho reflection seismic character it is presently interpreted to be a post‐Uralide feature, possibly related to Mesozoic intraplate shortening in the area. Its coincidence with a locus of mild earthquake activity further suggests that it might be active today.     

The structure of the lower crust at the Argentine continental margin, South Atlantic at 44°S

It is well established that the Argentine passive margin is of the rifted volcanic margin type. This classification is based primarily on the presence of a buried volcanic wedge beneath the continental slope, manifested by seismic data as a seaward dipping reflector sequence (SDRS). Here, we investigate the deep structure of the Argentine volcanic margin at 44°S over 200 km from the shelf to the deep oceanic Argentine Basin. We use wide-angle reflection/refraction seismic data to perform a joint travel time inversion for refracted and reflected travel times. The resulting P-wave velocity-depth model confirms the typical volcanic margin structure. An underplated body is resolved as distinctive high seismic velocity (v_p up to 7.5 km/s) feature in the lower crust in the prolongation of a seaward dipping reflector sequence. A remarkable result is that a second, isolated body of high seismic velocity (v_p up to 7.3 km/s) exists landward of the first high-velocity feature. The centres of both bodies are 60 km apart. The high-velocity lower-crustal bodies likely were emplaced during transient magmatic–volcanic events accompanying the late rifting and initial drifting stages. The lateral variability of the lower crust may be an expression of a multiple rifting process in the sense that the South Atlantic rift evolved by instantaneous breakup of longer continental margin segments. These segments are confined by transfer zones that acted as rift propagation barriers. A lower-crustal reflector was detected at 3 to 5 km above the modern Moho and probably represents the lower boundary of stretched continental crust. With this finding we suggest that the continent–ocean boundary is situated 70 km more seaward than in previous interpretations.     

The crustal structure beneath the Central Andean forearc and magmatic arc as derived from seismic studies — the PISCO 94 experiment in northern Chile (21°–23°S)

In this study, we present an interpretation of seismic refraction profiles from the PISCO 94 experiment in northern Chile. As the PISCO experiment was a combined active and passive seismological study, we also discuss results of the passive part in the context of the seismic refraction model. Previous seismic refraction and gravimetric studies indicate a maximum crustal thickness of about 70 km beneath the Pre- and Western Cordillera. The new seismic refraction data lead to a differentiated image of the Andean crust which shows strong varying characteristics. The crustal discontinuities (up to five are detected) dip from W to E. The upper crust has a thickness of 18 km (Precordillera) to 23 km (magmatic arc) underlain by the recent middle crust down to 35–45 km where the velocity increases to about 7 km/s at its base. This crustal level is interpreted as old continental lower crust and its base as blurred continental (paleo) Moho. Beneath the Precordillera, a strong discontinuity at 70 km depth with a velocity increase to about 8 km/s was detected, interpreted as the recent geophysical Moho. For the magmatic arc, this deep discontinuity could not be found by active seismic measurements. The tomographic models of the seismological studies, in general, confirm the seismic refraction results. Anomalously high v_p/v_s ratios in the deeper part of the forearc indicate a hydrated mantle wedge consisting of serpentine and amphibole-bearing peridotite and the 70 km discontinuity is interpreted as the boundary between these two different stages of the hydrated mantle wedge. A zone of high attenuation (Qp) and high v_p/v_s ratios beneath the magmatic arc coincides with the low velocity zones and indicates partially molten rocks from a depth of 20 km down to the asthenospheric wedge.     

Three dimensional inversion of gravity data from the main ethiopian Rift

A three-dimensional interpretation of the newly compiled Bouguer anomaly map of the Main Ethiopian Rift is discussed. Then, the crustal thickness distribution beneath the Main Ethiopian Rift is confirmed using a — dimensional inverse approach to gravity data interpretation. The depths to the crust-upper mantle interface form the inversion parameters. Both approaches are constrained with the results of the seismic refraction experiments of the region. The degree of ambiguity of the final model parameters is then quantified.The Bouguer anomalies along the axial portion of the rift floor, as deduced from the results of the regional and residual separation, are mainly caused by deep-seated structures. The high resolution 3-D forward modeling reveals a possible crustal thickness and density distribution beneath the graben.The results of the inversion confirm a strong crustal attenuation zone (≤ 31 km) closely associated with the rifting of the graben and an abrupt fall of the Moho interface on either side of the rift (up to 51 km) related to the formation of the western and southeastern plateaus. However, no indication of crustal separation is observed.The ambiguity analysis reveals that greater ambiguity of the model parameters exists in the southeastern plateau. There, these model parameters represent the depths to the Moho interface where the seismic control is relatively less.     

Structure of the lithosphere beneath the Eastern Alps (southern sector of the TRANSALP transect)

The interpretation of the seismic Vibroseis and explosive TRANSALP profiles has examined the upper crustal structures according to the near-surface geological evidences and reconstructions which were extrapolated to depth. Only the southern sector of the TRANSALP transect has been discussed in details, but its relationship with the whole explored chain has been considered as well. The seismic images indicate that pre-collision and deep collision structures of the Alps are not easily recognizable. Conversely, good records of the Neo-Alpine to present architecture were provided by the seismic sections.Two general interpretation models (“Crocodile” and “Extrusion”) have been sketched by the TRANSALP Working Group [2002]. Both illustrate the continental collision producing strong mechanical interaction of the facing European and African margins, as documented by giant lithosphere wedging processes. Arguments consistent with the “Extrusion” model and with the indentation of Adriatic (Southalpine) lithosphere underneath the Tauern Window (TW) are:

– According to the previous DSS reconstructions, the Bouguer anomalies and the Receiver Functions seismological data, the European Moho descends regularly attaining a zone south of the Periadriatic Lineament (PL). The Moho boundary and its geometry appear to be rather convincing from images of the seismic profile;

– the Tauern Window intense uplift and exhumation is coherent with the strong compression regime, which acted at depth, thus originating the upward and lateral displacement of the mobile and ductile Penninic masses according to the “Extrusion” model;

– the indentation of the Penninic mobile masses within the colder and more rigid Adriatic crust cannot be easily sustained. Wedging of the Adriatic stiffened lower crust, under high stresses and into the weaker Penninic domain, can be a more suitable hypothesis. Furthermore, the intrusion of the European Penninic crustal wedge underneath the Dolomites upper crust is not supported by any significant uplifting of the Dolomites. The total average uplift of the Dolomites during the Neogene appears to be 6−7 times smaller than that recognized in the TW. Markedly the northward dip of the PL, reaching a depth of approximately 20 km, is proposed in our interpretation;

– finally, the Adriatic upper crustal evolution points to the late post-collision change in the tectonic grow-up of the Eastern Alps orogenic chain. The tectonic accretion of the northern frontal zone of the Eastern and Central Alps was interrupted from the Late Miocene (Serravallian–Tortonian) onward, as documented by the Molasse basin evolution. On the contrary, the structural nucleation along the S-vergent tectonic belt of the eastern Southern Alps (Montello–Friuli thrust belt) severely continued during the Messinian and the Plio–Pleistocene. This structural evolution can be considered to be consistent with the deep under-thrusting and wedge indentation of the Adriatic lithosphere underneath the southern side of the Eastern Alps thrust-and-fold belt.

Similarly, the significance of the magmatic activity for the construction of the Southern Alps crust and for its mechanical and geological differentiation, which qualified the evolution of the thrust-and-fold belt, is highlighted, starting with the Permian–Triassic magmatism and progressing with the Paleogene occurrences along the Periadriatic Lineament and in the Venetian Magmatic Province (Lessini–Euganei Hills).     

Synthetic seismogram and surface wave constraints on crustal models of Spitsbergen

Seismic refraction data collected on Spitsbergen in 1978 are used to obtain a crustal model assuming plane horizontal layering. The observed travel-times and wave forms are compared with those of synthetic seismograms computed for various published crustal models. The more detailed models adequately explain some, but not all, of the features of the synthetics. These models are adjusted, utilizing travel times and wave-form amplitudes until a satisfactory fit is achieved. The best-fitting model consists of a 4-layer crust having thicknesses of 4.1, 10.0 7.4 and 5.8 km and compressional velocities of 4.65, 6.21, 6.30 and 6.65 km/sec with increasing depth. The uppermost mantle has a velocity of 7.90 km/sec. A comparison of observed and synthetic P_n waveforms supports the existence of a thin low-velocity zone beginning at a depth of about 5 km beneath the Moho boundary. An inversion of seismic surface wave group velocity data yields a shear-wave model which is compatible with the compressional wave model.     

湘南骑田岭矿集区的深部构造特征 及其对区域成矿的制约

湘南骑田岭矿集区是我国重要的有色金属基地之一,具有断裂构造异常发育,存在多期次岩浆活动、多类型矿床和矿种组合的特点。为了揭示深部地壳结构对区域成矿特征的制约,本文布置了穿越黄沙坪铅锌矿床和骑田岭花岗岩体的人工地震剖面,数据采集采用了直线多次叠加的技术方法,采取大炮和小炮相结合的激发方式进行实验工作,共完成物理点651个。实验结果表明,骑田岭矿集区深、中、浅部存在着比较明显的地震构造波组,莫霍面深度约为33~38km;在骑田岭岩体深部存在明显的莫霍面不连续性,呈现出类似于"逆断层"的构造特征和无反射波组或弱波组异常;反射速度反演结果也表明骑田岭岩体深部存在着下凹状低速度异常。这些深部构造特征说明区域存在幔源物质上涌和参与成岩成矿作用的通道,该构造通道可对应于茶陵-郴州-临武深大断裂带,暗示地幔物质的混入可能是湘南骑田岭矿集区发生大规模成矿作用的内在原因之一。而且,莫霍面"逆断层"构造特征显示区域上曾遭受较强烈的构造挤压作用,是区域中生代多次构造挤压作用的体现。这种构造挤压作用致使岩石圈增厚,发生较大规模的拆沉作用和深部岩浆上侵活动,为区域成矿作用提供必要的物质和能量。     

Kinematics of the Inntal shear zone–sub-Tauern ramp fault system and the interpretation of the TRANSALP seismic section, Eastern Alps, Austria

A new interpretation of the Inntal–Tauern sector of the TRANSALP seismic section is presented. One of the most prominent contrasts in reflectivity in the TRANSALP seismic section is the contact between the Bajuvaric unit in the footwall and the overlying Tirolic unit and its basement across a moderately south-dipping interface. We trace this contact from the surface at the southern margin of the Inn valley to a depth of 5 km. There, the contact is deformed or cut by the Tauern Window northern margin. We define the contact between Bajuvaric and Tirolic units as Brixlegg thrust, which is older than Miocene Tauern window exhumation and has a Paleogene age. The sub-Tauern ramp connects with the Inntal fault system at the surface and roots below the Tauern window. Oblique thrust movements across this fault system in the Miocene caused exhumation of the hanging wall, where the fault has a ramp geometry, which is in the area of the TRANSALP cross section and west of it. East of the TRANSALP cross section, the fault system merges with Alpine basal thrust, which is a flat. No Miocene exhumation occurred above the flat.     

Crustal structure of the Kaapvaal craton and its significance for early crustal evolution

High-quality seismic data obtained from a dense broadband array near Kimberley, South Africa, exhibit crustal reverberations of remarkable clarity that provide well-resolved constraints on the structure of the lowermost crust and Moho. Receiver function analysis of Moho conversions and crustal multiples beneath the Kimberley array shows that the crust is 35 km thick with an average Poisson's ratio of 0.25. The density contrast across the Moho is 15%, indicating a crustal density about 2.86 gm/cc just above the Moho, appropriate for felsic to intermediate rock compositions. Analysis of waveform broadening of the crustal reverberation phases suggests that the Moho transition can be no more than 0.5 km thick and the total variation in crustal thickness over the 2400 km² footprint of the array no more than 1 km. Waveform and travel time analysis of a large earthquake triggered by deep gold mining operations (the Welkom mine event) some 200 km away from the array yield an average crustal thickness of 35 km along the propagation path between the Kimberley array and the event. P- and S-wave velocities for the lowermost crust are modeled to be 6.75 and 3.90 km/s, respectively, with uppermost mantle velocities of 8.2 and 4.79 km/s, respectively. Seismograms from the Welkom event exhibit theoretically predicted but rarely observed crustal reverberation phases that involve reflection or conversion at the Moho. Correlation between observed and synthetic waveforms and phase amplitudes of the Moho reverberations suggests that the crust along the propagation path between source and receiver is highly uniform in both thickness and average seismic velocity and that the Moho transition zone is everywhere less than about 2 km thick. While the extremely flat Moho, sharp transition zone and low crustal densities beneath the region of study may date from the time of crustal formation, a more geologically plausible interpretation involves extensive crustal melting and ductile flow during the major craton-wide Ventersdorp tectonomagmatic event near the end of Archean time.