Sub-Moho seismic profile in the Mariana Basin — Ocean bottom seismograph long-range explosion experiment

Ocean bottom seismograph (OBS) long-range explosion experiments were carried out in the Mariana Basin in 1973 and 1976. Seven large shots (8.5–1.5 ton) as well as several tens of small shots were fired. The maximum range of observation was about 1900 km. As many as 25 OBS stations were deployed in an array of about 800 km. It is found that the sub-Moho P-wave velocity structure is of stratified nature, being composed of alternating high- and low-velocity layers. High-velocity layers with apparent velocities of 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.6 and 8.7 km/s are identified. Low-velocity layers, sandwiched between the high-velocity layers of 8.4, 8.6 and 8.7 km/s, are very prominent. The sub-Moho high-velocity lid with an apparent velocity of 8.4 km/s is very thin. Thinning of this lid, thickening of the low-velocity layer, and the presence under it of another high-velocity layer (8.6 km/s) appear to characterize the uppermost mantle structure beneath the Mariana Basin.     

Anomalous upper mantle beneath the Australian-Antarctic discordance

Within the Australian-Antarctic discordant zone, residual depth anomalies approach 1000 m. In sea floor younger than 10 Ma that is more than 500 m deeper than expected, Rayleigh wave phase velocities are significantly faster than in sea floor of comparable age in the Pacific. In this area, the shear wave velocity in the 20–40 km depth range is unusually fast, indicating that the lithosphere develops more rapidly than usual from an asthenosphere that is perhaps cooler than average. In sea floor that is older than 10 Ma, phase velocities are anomalously fast and independent of the residual depth. Beneath this older sea floor, the low-velocity zone in the oceanic mantle is much less pronounced than beneath sea floor of comparable age in the Pacific.     

南海瑞雷面波群速度层析成像及其地球动力学意义

南海处于欧亚板块、 菲律宾海板块、 太平洋板块和印度-澳大利亚板块的交汇处, 其地质和构造作用十分复杂．通过面波群速度成像, 给出了南海及邻区的三维横波速度分布并分析了其地球动力学意义．南海西部和南部新布设的地震台站使得利用单台法时路径覆盖比过去更好. 特别是在华南地区, 新的台站分布能够弥补该地区地震少且台站少造成的射线密度不够的缺点． 首先运用多重滤波法得到南海周边48个台站周期为14——130 s范围内的基阶瑞雷波频散曲线图; 接着通过子空间反演得到整个区域在不同周期时的群速度分布; 最后通过阻尼最小二乘反演得到不同深度切片上的横波速度分布及不同纵剖面上的横波速度分布． 结果显示: ① 海盆速度较高, 且速度分布很好地勾勒出海盆的轮廓. 浅层较高的横波速度说明海盆都具有洋壳性质, 而深部较高的横波速度则可能对应扩张中心生成洋壳后残留的高速物质． 不同海盆速度上的差异与它们的热流值和年龄大小一致．海盆下的高速异常在60 km以下消失, 且在一定深度范围内由低速区替代． 在低速区下200 km深度, 在南海海盆观测到一条NE-SW走向的高速异常, 可能与古俯冲带有关. ② 环南海出现明显的高速区, 对应俯冲带特征, 且这些高速区速度差异明显且有间断, 说明俯冲带的非均质性和俯冲角度的差异. ③ 在环南海高速区内侧（向南海侧）观测到不连续的低速区． 在浅层, 这些低速区反映了沉积层和地壳的厚度特征. 在地幔, 这些低速区可能对应于古太平洋俯冲带的地幔楔或者也可能反映了南海海盆停止扩张后残留的地幔熔融物质. ④ 南海海盆岩石圈的厚度为60——85 km．      

鄂尔多斯盆地北缘南北向剖面上地幔远震P波层析成像

为深入理解华北克拉通破坏机理,本研究通过鄂尔多斯盆地北缘南北向宽频带线性高密度流动地震台观测记录的远震波形数据,获得了1985条高质量到时资料,进而利用FMTT(Fast Marching Teleseismic Tomography)快速行进层析成像方法获得了华北克拉通西部鄂尔多斯盆地北缘深至300km范围的P波速度模型.结果显示,鄂尔多斯盆地下方呈现出深至150~200km的高波速异常,说明华北克拉通其西部岩石圈保存完好尚未遭到明显破坏.河套地堑下方存在向鄂尔多斯盆地下方延伸的明显低波速异常,其深度可达300km深度,而阴山造山带下方上地幔存在深至100km左右的弱高波速异常,说明鄂尔多斯盆地周边地区的岩石圈均遭到一定程度破坏并减薄,可能与新生代时期太平洋板块的俯冲引起深部热物质上涌等作用密切相关.这些研究结果说明,华北克拉通在构造演化过程中不同块体经历了不同的破坏演化历史,这对于认识克拉通破坏减薄机制具有重要意义.     

T waves from deep earthquakes generated exactly at the bottom of deep-sea trenches

T waves (seismic water waves), which were generated by deep-focused earthquakes, have been found by an array of sensitive ocean-bottom seismographic observations depolyed on the western Pacific basin. The points of generation of T waves have been exactly located by use of the accurate velocity of water waves which were known from explosions. The positions obtained are at the bottom of deep-sea trenches; however, the positions are slightly (10–35 km) ocean-side of the trench. T waves have been known to be generated by seismic waves which were transmitted from the focus to the trench bottom along the descending lithosphere. The intensity of the observed T waves implies that the Q value along the descending lithosphere is more than 4000. The positions of T-wave generation are consistent with the 8.2- to 8.6-km/s stratified structure of the oceanic lithosphere. T waves from shallow earthquakes beneath the lower continental slope are also clearly observed by bottom seismography.     

Anisotropic models of the upper mantle

Long period Rayleigh wave and Love wave dispersion data, particularly for oceanic areas, have not been simultaneously satisfied by an isotropic structure. In this paper available phase and group velocity data are inverted by a procedure which includes the effects of transverse anisotropy, anelastic dispersion, sphericity, and gravity. We assume that the surface wave data represents an azimuthal average of actual velocities. Thus, we can treat the mantle as transversely isotropic. The resulting models for average Earth, average ocean, and oceanic regions divided according to the age of the ocean floor, are quite different from previous results which ignore the above effects. The models show a low-velocity zone with age dependent anisotropy and velocities higher than derived in previous surface wave studies. The correspondence between the anisotropy variation with age and a physical model based on flow aligned olivine is suggestive. For most of the Earth SH > SV in the vicinity of the low-velocity zone. Neat the East Pacific Rise, however, SV > SH at depth, consistent with ascending flow. Anisotropy is as important as temperature in causing radial and lateral variations in velocity. The models have a high velocity nearly isotropic layer at the top of the mantle that thickens with age. This layer defines the LID, or seismic lithosphere. In the Pacific, the LID thickens with age to a maximum thickness of ～50 km. This thickness is comparable to the thickness of the elastic lithosphere. The LID thickness is thinner than derived using isotropic or pseudo-isotropic procedures. A new model for average Earth is obtained which includes a thin LID. This model extends the fit of a PREM, type model to shorter period surface waves.     

Upper-mantle travel times in Australia — A preliminary report

This paper gives a preliminary account of an experiment to determine upper-mantle travel times in Australia. A set of fifteen 14-track tape-recording units are being used along a profile from Darwin to Alice Springs in central Australia. In addition to the 14-track recorders, eleven 6-track units are being used both on-line and off-line as monitors. The sources used are natural earthquakes occurring to the north of Australia, especially Banda Sea events.Preliminary analysis of the records from the first sub-array has confirmed the high apparent velocities for P and S previously found for the distance range 800–1,800 km in central Australia. It is inferred that the high apparent velocities are due to a sharp increase in the proportion of garnet at a depth of about 90 km.Neither the P nor S arrivals from 800 to 1,800 km show any evidence of the shadow zones or offsets in the travel-time curve which would be associated with an upper-mantle low-velocity zone. It is suggested, however, that a low-velocity zone is not precluded by the observations, but that the associated offset may not occur in the first-arrival part of the travel-time curve.     

基于P波三重震相的下扬子克拉通地幔转换带顶部低速层初探

本文基于中国地震观测台网记录到的震中距为10°~23°之间琉球俯冲区一个中深源地震的P波三重震相信息,研究了下扬子克拉通转换带顶部P波速度结构.通过射线追踪和理论地震图与观测地震波形的对比,发现下扬子克拉通下方的410 km间断面为一厚度20 km的梯度带,其上存在一由西南向东北变厚的低速层,厚度变化40~57 km,P波速度减低2.7%~4.5%.该低速层可以被认为是由于地幔橄榄岩部分熔融引起的.     

随县-西安剖面地壳结构的初步研究

本文对随县-西安测线的地震测深资料进行了初步分析,讨论了该剖面地壳内主要界面的震相特征。通过对观测走时的分层反演及综合反演,得到三层的地壳模型。地壳的平均速度为6.33km/s,厚度约34km,上地幔顶部的速度为8.10km/s。下地壳是由高速及低速层交替构成,高速层的速度为7.39km/s。构制了主要界面的剖面起伏图,并进行了讨论。     

Preliminary models of upper mantle P and S wave velocity structure in the western South America region

Upper mantle P and S wave velocities in the western South America region are obtained at depths of foci from an analysis of travel time data of deep earthquakes. The inferred velocity models for the Chile–Peru–Ecuador region reveal an increase of P velocity from 8.04 km/s at 40 km to 8.28 km/s at 250 km depth, while the S velocity remains almost constant at 4.62 km/s from 40 to 210 km depth. A velocity discontinuity (probably corresponding to the L discontinuity in the continental upper mantle) at 220–250 km depth for P and 200–220 km depth for S waves, with a 3–4% velocity increase, is inferred from the velocity–depth data. Below this discontinuity, P velocity increases from 8.54 km/s at 250 km to 8.62 km/s at 320 km depth and S velocity increases from 4.81 km/s at 210 km to 4.99 km/s at 290 km depth. Travel time data from deep earthquakes at depths greater than 500 km in the Bolivia–Peru region, reveal P velocities of about 9.65 km/s from 500 to 570 km depth. P velocity–depth data further reveal a velocity discontinuity, either as a sharp boundary at 570 km depth with 8–10% velocity increase or as a broad transition zone with velocity rapidly increasing from 560 to 610 km depth. P velocity increases to 10.75 km/s at 650 km depth. A comparison with the latest global average depth estimates of the 660 km discontinuity reveals that this discontinuity is at a relatively shallow depth in the study region. Further, a velocity discontinuity at about 400 km depth with a 10% velocity increase seems to be consistent with travel time observations from deep earthquakes in this region.     

P-wave velocity anomalies in the earth's mantle from the Uppsala array observations

Summary Distribution of compressional-wave velocities in the mantle is determined fromdT/d measurements using the Uppsala seismograph array station (UPSAS). Short-period vertical-component seismograms from 181 events in the epicentral distance range 16°–100° have been used. The velocity distribution shows anomalous variations at depths of 750, 1500, 1800, 2300 and 2550 km. Evidence of lateral heterogeneity beneath the northern part of the Asian continent, in the depth range 1700–2300 km, is discussed. Computed travel times, based on this velocity-depth relation, are tested by an examination of travel-time residuals from the Long Shot and Milrow explosions on Amchitka, Aleutian Islands.     

我国西北地区地壳中的高速夹层

在我国西北地区的柴达木盆地东部和甘肃地区,在距离炮点40互100公里处,能够接收到不少能量较强的地壳深界面反射波。另外还发现一种与一般反射波性质不同的波,其视速度特大,视速度随距离的变化不大,而且有较明显的终点;其吋距曲线与一般深界面反射波的时距曲线相交。根据它的特征可以判断地壳中存在具有速度梯度的高速夹层.求得的夹层参数为: 甘肃地区柴达木盆地东部覆盖层厚度 18.8公里 30.5公里覆盖层平均速度 5.5公里/秒 5.3公里/秒夹层厚度 6.0公里 3.2公里夹层速度 7.5-8.5公里/秒 7.5-8.0公里/秒夹层的上下界面均为强反射面,可以产生多次反射波。分別利用相邻两个反射波可以求得各层参数,并能避免射线折射的影响。甘肃地区和柴达木盆地东部的地壳厚度分別为51和52公里。地壳中有高速夹层的存在,可以更好地说明P~*速度分散的原因,而且也能够解释Lg波的传播机制。     

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.      

南海北部珠江口—琼东南盆地地壳速度结构与几何分层

基于南海北部大陆边缘珠江口—琼东南盆地深水区实施的14条近垂直深反射地震探测叠加速度谱,利用Dix公式将叠加速度剖面转换为地壳层速度剖面,并利用时深转换方法构建了深度域地壳层速度模型,综合各地壳速度剖面分析了南海北部大陆边缘珠江口与琼东南盆地不同深度层次的P波速度变化趋势以及地壳几何分层特征.结果表明,琼东南盆地区可分为4～8 km沉积层（V_P为1.7～4.7 km/s）、4～10 km厚的上地壳层（V_P为5.2～6.3 km/s）、5 km〗左右的下地壳层（V_P为6.4～7.0 km/s）以及2～6 km厚的高速下地壳底层（V_P＞7.0 km/s）.V_P＞7.0 km/s下地壳高速层的存在被认为是岩石圈伸展、下地壳底部底辟构造或者是残存的原始华夏下地壳基性层的地震学指示;综合研究区地球物理探测成果构建了跨越华南大陆与南海北部陆坡区剖面莫霍和岩石圈底界图像,揭示出岩石圈上地幔在华南大陆与南海北部大陆边缘的减薄特征.     

Velocity structure and active fault of Yanyuan-Mabian seismic zone―The result of high-resolution seismic refraction experiment

The authors processed the seismic refraction Pg-wave travel time data with finite difference tomography method and revealed velocity structure of the upper crust on active block boundaries and deep features of the active faults in western Sichuan Province. The following are the results of our investigation. The upper crust of Yanyuan basin and the Houlong Mountains consists of the superficial low-velocity layer and the deep uniform high-velocity layer, and between the two layers, there is a distinct, and gently west-dipping structural plane. Between model coordinates 180-240 km, P-wave velocity distribution features steeply inclined strip-like structure with strongly non-uniform high and low velocities alternately. Xichang Mesozoic basin between 240 and 300 km consists of a thick low-velocity upper layer and a high-velocity lower layer, where lateral and vertical velocity variations are very strong and the interface between the two layers fluctuates a lot. The Daliang Mountains to the east of the 300 km coordinate is a non-uniform high-velocity zone, with a superficial velocity of approximately 5 km/s. From 130 to 150 km and from 280 to 310 km, there are extremely distinct deep anomalous high-velocity bodies, which are supposed to be related with Permian magmatic activity. The Yanyuan nappe structure is composed of the superficial low-velocity nappe, the gently west-dipping detachment surface and the deep high-velocity basement, with Jinhe-Qinghe fault zone as the nappe front. Mopanshan fault is a west-dipping low-velocity zone, which extends to the top surface of the basement. Anninghe fault and Zemuhe fault are east-dipping, tabular-like, and low-velocity zones, which extend deep into the base-ment. At a great depth, Daliangshan fault separates into two segments, which are represented by drastic variation of velocity structures in a narrow strip: the west segment dips westward and the east segment dips eastward, both stretching into the basement. The east margin fault of Xichang Mesozoic basin features a strong velocity gradient zone, dipping southwestward and stretching to the top surface of the basement. The west-dipping, tabular-like, and low-velocity zone at the easternmost segment of the profile is a branch of Mabian fault, but the reliability of the supposition still needs to be confirmed by further study. Anninghe, Zemuhe and Daliangshan faults are large active faults stretching deep into the basement, which dominate strong seismic activities of the area.     

Subcrustal Low Velocity Layers in Central India and their Implications

A 2-D subcrustal velocity model for the central Indian continental lithosphere has been derived by travel time and relative amplitude modeling of a digitally normalized analog seismic record section of the Hirapur-Mandla DSS profile, using a ray-tracing technique. Some prominent wave groups with apparent velocities slightly higher than the Moho reflection phase (P_MP) are identified on the normalized record sections assembled with a reduction velocity of 6 km s⁻¹. We interpret these phases as the wide-angle reflections from subcrustal lithospheric boundaries. Comparison of synthetic seismograms with the observed record section shows that the observed phases cannot be explained either by multiples or by the P-to-S converted phase (P_MS) from the Moho. Subcrustal velocity models either with a velocity increase or with a single low velocity layer (LVL) also do not provide a satisfactory fit. We infer that a subcrustal velocity model with two alternate LVLs (velocity 7.2 km s⁻¹), separated by a 6-km thick high velocity layer (velocity 8.1 km s⁻¹), can satisfy both the observed travel times and amplitudes. The prominent reflection phases are modeled at depths of 49, 51, 57 and 60 km. It is inferred that the subcrustal lithosphere in the central Indian region has a lamellar structure with varying structural and mechanical properties. The alternating LVLs, occurring at relatively shallow depths below Moho, may be associated with the zones of weakness and lower viscosity suggesting continued mobility, with a possible thermal source in the upper mantle. This explains the source of observed high heat flow values in the central Indian region.     

Velocity structure and active fault of Yanyuan-Mabian seismic zone—The result of high-resolution seismic refraction experiment

The authors processed the seismic refraction Pg-wave travel time data with finite difference tomography method and revealed velocity structure of the upper crust on active block boundaries and deep features of the active faults in western Sichuan Province. The following are the results of our investigation. The upper crust of Yanyuan basin and the Houlong Mountains consists of the superficial low-velocity layer and the deep uniform high-velocity layer, and between the two layers, there is a distinct, and gently west-dipping structural plane. Between model coordinates 180–240 km, P-wave velocity distribution features steeply inclined strip-like structure with strongly non-uniform high and low velocities alternately. Xichang Mesozoic basin between 240 and 300 km consists of a thick low-velocity upper layer and a high-velocity lower layer, where lateral and vertical velocity variations are very strong and the interface between the two layers fluctuates a lot. The Daliang Mountains to the east of the 300 km coordinate is a non-uniform high-velocity zone, with a superficial velocity of approximately 5 km/s. From 130 to 150 km and from 280 to 310 km, there are extremely distinct deep anomalous high-velocity bodies, which are supposed to be related with Permian magmatic activity. The Yanyuan nappe structure is composed of the superficial low-velocity nappe, the gently west-dipping detachment surface and the deep high-velocity basement, with Jinhe-Qinghe fault zone as the nappe front. Mopanshan fault is a west-dipping low-velocity zone, which extends to the top surface of the basement. Anninghe fault and Zemuhe fault are east-dipping, tabular-like, and low-velocity zones, which extend deep into the basement. At a great depth, Daliangshan fault separates into two segments, which are represented by drastic variation of velocity structures in a narrow strip: the west segment dips westward and the east segment dips eastward, both stretching into the basement. The east margin fault of Xichang Mesozoic basin features a strong velocity gradient zone, dipping southwestward and stretching to the top surface of the basement. The west-dipping, tabular-like, and low-velocity zone at the easternmost segment of the profile is a branch of Mabian fault, but the reliability of the supposition still needs to be confirmed by further study. Anninghe, Zemuhe and Daliangshan faults are large active faults stretching deep into the basement, which dominate strong seismic activities of the area. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB428400)     

Evidence of multiplicity in the P-travel time curve beyond 30 degrees

Slowness measurements on first and later arrivals from earthquakes in the Philippine and Taiwan regions recorded at the Warramunga array in Australia indicate abrupt decreases in slowness of the first arrival as well as triplications in the travel time curve at epicentral distances of about 38 and 43°. These results imply the presence of regions of rapid or discontinuous velocity increase at depths of about 900 and 1050 km, respectively. Between these regions of sharp velocity increases the dT/dΔ measurements indicate that the velocity gradients are lower than those determined by previous investigators. The observed extensions of the 650- and 770-km branches out to 50° can be explained in terms of the triplications if small negative velocity gradients of the order of 0.1 km/s per 100 km exist between 650–770 and 770–900 km depths. An alternative explanation of these observed extensions may be provided in terms of underside reflections from the bottom of the velocity discontinuities. Either of the two explanations require sharp velocity gradients at the depth of the velocity discontinuities. These observations are at variance with earth models where the P-wave velocity increases continuously with depth below a depth of 650 km.     

Interpretation of seismic reflection records: Direct calculation of interval velocities and layer thicknesses from travel times

In reflection surveys and velocity analysis, calculations of interval velocities and layer-thicknesses of a multilayered horizontal structure are often based on Dix's equation which requires the travel times at zero offsets and a prior estimate of the root mean squared velocities.In this paper a method is presented which requires only the reflection travel-time data. A set of equations are derived which relate the interval velocity and thickness of a layer to the reflection travel time from the top and the bottom of that layer, the offset distances and the ray parameter. It is shown that the difference of the offset distances and the difference of the picked travel times of any reflected rays with the same value of ray parameter from the top and the bottom of a horizontal layer can be used to calculate the interval velocity and thickness of that layer.     

The effect of the descending lithosphere beneath the Tonga island arc on P-wave travel-time residuals at the Warramunga Seismic Array

P-wave travel-time residuals at the Warramunga Seismic Array (WRA) in the Northern Territory, Australia, have been studied from 49 earthquakes with epicenters south of 19°S in the Fiji-Tonga region. Focal depths are between 42 and 679 km as determined from pP-P. Using the Jeffreys-Bullen and the Herrin travel-time tables the epicentral parameters have been redetermined by considering only “normal” seismic stations in the location procedure. These are those stations where P-wave travel times are probably not affected by lateral heterogeneities caused by the lithosphere descending beneath the Tonga trench. Epicenters of deep earthquakes below 300 km have been relocated by using stations at Δ > 25° only. Epicenters from shallower-depth earthquakes have been recalculated without using stations between 35 < Δ < 75° epicentral distance. In both cases focal depths were determined from pP-P times. The resulting pattern of P-residuals at WRA does not show any significant change with depth below 350 km. The residuals become more negative for shallower earthquakes above about 250 km. P-waves to WRA are advanced by approximately 2 s compared with those from deep earthquakes. The results do not essentially differ for the two different travel-time tables used. The observations can be interpreted by P-wave velocities that are higher in the sinking slab down to 350–400 km by 5±2% than in both the Jeffreys-Bullen and Herrin models. Without considering possible elevations of phase boundaries this estimate yields a temperature contrast of 1000±450°C between slab and normal mantle material in this depth range.