Determinations of focal depths of earthquakes associated with the bending of oceanic plates at trenches

The earthquakes examined in this paper are all within the oceanic lithosphere and are associated with the bending of plates before subduction. Accurate determinations of the depth of these earthquakes are needed to study the stress pattern within a bending plate. Routinely-determined depths of shallow sub-oceanic earthquakes published in bulletins are unreliable. The depths can be accurately determined to within a few kilometers if the original seismograms from these events are studied. In some cases, the reflected phases pP and pwP can be clearly identified. There exists the possibility that the wave reflected at the water-air interface, pwP, may be misidentified as pP, leading to erroneous estimates of depth. Additional methods of analysis, such as surface wave radiation patterns or the apparent frequency-dependence of reflection at the crust-water interface, can remove this possible source of confusion. One of the most powerful techniques for depth analysis is the modelling of long-period waveforms. The pattern of stresses within the bending oceanic lithosphere revealed by the depths and focal mechanisms of these intraplate earthquakes is one of horizontal, deviatoric tension down to a depth of about 25 km, with horizontal compression at greater depths.     

Comments on: “The partitioning of nickel between olivine and silicate melt” by S.R. Hart and K.E. Davis

We study a set of very high-quality records of first-order overtone Rayleigh waves from the deep-focus earthquake of September 29, 1973, in the Japan Sea. Standard surface wave techniques are used with these overtones, treated as individual seismic phases, to retrieve radiation pattern, Q, moment and phase velocity. A figure of M₀ = (6.7 ± 1.4) × 10²⁷dyn-cm is obtained, in total agreement with published values computed from either P waves, or fundamental Rayleigh waves. We also demonstrate the feasibility of using overtones as individual seismic phases in order to investigate their dispersion and attenuation properties.     

Determination of quantitative cation distribution in orthopyroxenes from electronic absorption spectra

Electronic and Mössbauer absorption spectra and electron microprobe data are correlated for iron-bearing orthopyroxenes. The correlation provides a means of quantitatively determining the distribution of Fe²⁺ between the M(1) and M(2) sites of orthopyroxene crystals from electronic spectra and electron microprobe analysis. The electronic spectra are used to analyze the changes in the Fe²⁺ distribution produced during heating experiments and confirm earlier results from Mössbauer spectra. Two components of the spin-allowed transition of Fe²⁺ in the M(1) site are identified at about 13,000 cm^?1 and 8,500 cm^?1 in γ. Molar absorptivity (?) values for all spin-allowed Fe²⁺ absorption bands in the near-infrared region are determined. The M(2) Fe²⁺ band at ～5,000 cm^?1 in β is the analytically most useful for site occupancy determinations. It remains linear with concentration (?=9.65) over the entire compositional range. The band at ～10,500 cm^?1 in α is the most sensitive to M(2) Fe²⁺ concentration (?=40.8), but deviates from linearity at high iron concentrations. The origins of spin-forbidden transitions in the visible region are examined.     

Structural fabric of the Central Metasedimentary Belt of southern Ontario, Canada, from deep seismic profiling

The Central Metasedimentary Belt boundary tectonic zone (CMBbtz) is a 10–20-km-wide zone of intense structural deformation within the 1.3–1.0 Ga Grenville orogen of southeastern Canada. The crustal structure of the exposed CMBbtz has been well studied, but its sub-Phanerozoic location and geometry beneath the urban development and nuclear stations of the Toronto region are not well known. A new 75-km Lithoprobe reflection profile acquired close to Toronto provides a clear image of the CMBbtz as a panel of southeast-dipping reflections that extends with moderate dip (<25°) to mid-crustal depth (25 km). These dipping reflections truncate and (or) overprint a subhorizontal band of reflectivity at 21 km depth. The seismic line is oblique to the major structural trends; cross-dip analysis shows that the southeast-dipping reflections have a strike and dip of N13°E and 25°, whereas the “subhorizontal” reflections strike and dip at N65°E and 20°, respectively. Both of these bands of reflectivity can be correlated to magnetic anomalies in the CMBbtz or its immediate footwall. Magnetic anomalies with similar strike directions are well expressed within a distinct rhomboid-shaped region (106×109 km) in the subsurface of western Lake Ontario, herein named Mississauga domain. Taken together, the seismic and magnetic data are inconsistent with existing models, in which the CMBbtz is extrapolated beneath Lake Ontario along a linear magnetic anomaly. We propose a revised subsurface trace of the CMBbtz along the western edge of the Mississauga domain. Small earthquakes in western Lake Ontario appear to cluster along trends co-linear with ENE magnetic anomalies, suggesting a possible degree of basement tectonic control on local intraplate seismicity.     

WASP hunts planets

Don Pollacco reviews progress so far on SuperWASP, a wide-field astronomy project designed to detect extrasolar planets and more, built with a lot of hard work – and a little help from eBay.     

Regional tomographic inversion of the amplitude and phase of Rayleigh waves with 2-D sensitivity kernels

In this study, we test the adequacy of 2-D sensitivity kernels for fundamental-mode Rayleigh waves based on the single-scattering (Born) approximation to account for the effects of heterogeneous structure on the wavefield in a regional surface wave study. The calculated phase and amplitude data using the 2-D sensitivity kernels are compared to phase and amplitude data obtained from seismic waveforms synthesized by the pseudo-spectral method for plane Rayleigh waves propagating through heterogeneous structure. We find that the kernels can accurately predict the perturbation of the wavefield even when the size of anomaly is larger than one wavelength. The only exception is a systematic bias in the amplitude within the anomaly itself due to a site response.
An inversion method of surface wave tomography based on the sensitivity kernels is developed and applied to synthesized data obtained from a numerical simulation modelling Rayleigh wave propagation over checkerboard structure. By comparing recovered images to input structure, we illustrate that the method can almost completely recover anomalies within an array of stations when the size of the anomalies is larger than or close to one wavelength of the surface waves. Surface wave amplitude contains important information about Earth structure and should be inverted together with phase data in surface wave tomography.     

The effect of halogens on Zr diffusion and zircon dissolution in hydrous metaluminous granitic melts

Diffusion of Zr and zircon solubility in hydrous, containing approximately 4.5 wt% H₂O, metaluminous granitic melts with halogens, either 0.35 wt% Cl (LCl) or 1.2 wt% F (MRF), and in a halogen-free melt (LCO) were measured at 1.0 GPa and temperatures between 1,050 and 1,400 °C in a piston-cylinder apparatus using the zircon dissolution technique. Arrhenius equations for Zr diffusion in each hydrous melt composition are, for LCO with 4.4ǂ.4 wt% H₂O: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfKttLearuavP1wzZbItLDhis9wBH5garm % Wu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9ir % Veeu0dXdh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9ev6pc9fs0-rqaqpepmKs4qpepe % I8kaL8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dhH6hb9hs0dXdHu6deP0u0-vr0-vr0db8 % meaabaqaciGacaGaaeaabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacqWGebarcqGH9aqpcq % aIYaGmcqGGUaGlcqaI4aaocqaI4aaocqGHXcqScqaIWaamcqGGUaGl % cqaIWaamcqaIZaWmcqWG4baEcqaIXaqmcqaIWaamdaahaaWcbeqaai % abgkHiTiabiIda4aaakiGbcwgaLjabcIha4jabcchaWnaabmaabaWa % aSaaaeaacqGHsislcqaIXaqmcqaI0aancqaIWaamcqGGUaGlcqaIXa % qmcqGHXcqScqaIZaWmcqaIZaWmcqGGUaGlcqaI5aqoaeaacqWGsbGu % cqWGubavaaaacaGLOaGaayzkaaaaaa!571F! D = 2.88 ±0.03x10 ^{- 8} exp( [( - 140.1 ±33.9)/(RT)] )D = 2.88 \pm 0.03x10^{ - 8} \exp \left( {{{ - 140.1 \pm 33.9} \over {RT}}} \right) , for LCl with 4.5ǂ.5 wt% H₂O: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfKttLearuavP1wzZbItLDhis9wBH5garm % Wu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9ir % Veeu0dXdh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9ev6pc9fs0-rqaqpepmKs4qpepe % I8kaL8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dhH6hb9hs0dXdHu6deP0u0-vr0-vr0db8 % meaabaqaciGacaGaaeaabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacqWGebarcqGH9aqpcq % aIYaGmcqGGUaGlcqaIZaWmcqaIZaWmcqGHXcqScqaIWaamcqGGUaGl % cqaIWaamcqaI1aqncqWG4baEcqaIXaqmcqaIWaamdaahaaWcbeqaai % abgkHiTiabisda0aaakiGbcwgaLjabcIha4jabcchaWnaabmaabaWa % aSaaaeaacqGHsislcqaIYaGmcqaI1aqncqaI0aancqGGUaGlcqaI4a % aocqGHXcqScqaI2aGncqaI0aancqGGUaGlcqaIXaqmaeaacqWGsbGu % cqWGubavaaaacaGLOaGaayzkaaaaaa!5719! D = 2.33 ±0.05x10 ^{- 4} exp( [( - 254.8 ±64.1)/(RT)] )D = 2.33 \pm 0.05x10^{ - 4} \exp \left( {{{ - 254.8 \pm 64.1} \over {RT}}} \right) and for MRF with 4.9ǂ.3 wt% H₂O: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfKttLearuavP1wzZbItLDhis9wBH5garm % Wu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9ir % Veeu0dXdh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9ev6pc9fs0-rqaqpepmKs4qpepe % I8kaL8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dhH6hb9hs0dXdHu6deP0u0-vr0-vr0db8 % meaabaqaciGacaGaaeaabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacqWGebarcqGH9aqpcq % aIYaGmcqGGUaGlcqaI1aqncqaI0aancqGHXcqScqaIWaamcqGGUaGl % cqaIWaamcqaIZaWmcqWG4baEcqaIXaqmcqaIWaamdaahaaWcbeqaai % abgkHiTiabiwda1aaakiGbcwgaLjabcIha4jabcchaWnaabmaabaWa % aSaaaeaacqGHsislcqaIYaGmcqaIYaGmcqaIZaWmcqGGUaGlcqaI4a % aocqGHXcqScqaIXaqmcqaI1aqncqGGUaGlcqaI1aqnaeaacqWGsbGu % cqWGubavaaaacaGLOaGaayzkaaaaaa!5715! D = 2.54 ±0.03x10 ^{- 5} exp( [( - 223.8 ±15.5)/(RT)] )D = 2.54 \pm 0.03x10^{ - 5} \exp \left( {{{ - 223.8 \pm 15.5} \over {RT}}} \right) . Solubilities determined by the dissolution technique were reversed for LCO +4.5ǂ.5 wt% H₂O by crystallization of a Zr-enriched glass of LCO composition at 1,200 and 1,050 °C at 1.0 GPa. The solubility data were used to calculate partition coefficients of Zr between zircon and hydrous melt, which are given by the following expressions: for LCO % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfKttLearuavP1wzZbItLDhis9wBH5garm % Wu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9ir % Veeu0dXdh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9ev6pc9fs0-rqaqpepmKs4qpepe % I8kaL8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dhH6hb9hs0dXdHu6deP0u0-vr0-vr0db8 % meaabaqaciGacaGaaeaabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacyGGSbaBcqGGUbGBcq % WGebardaqhaaWcbaGaemOwaOLaemOCaihabaGaemOEaONaemyAaKMa % emOCaiNaem4yamMaem4Ba8MaemOBa4Maei4la8IaemyBa0Maemyzau % MaemiBaWMaemiDaqhaaOGaeyypa0JaeGymaeJaeiOla4IaeGOnayJa % eG4mamZaaeWaaeaadaWcaaqaaiabigdaXiabicdaWiabicdaWiabic % daWiabicdaWaqaaiabdsfaubaaaiaawIcacaGLPaaacqGHsislcqaI % 1aqncqGGUaGlcqaI4aaocqaI3aWnaaa!5924! lnD_Zr^zircon/melt = 1.63( [10000/(T)] ) - 5.87\ln D_{Zr}^{zircon/melt} = 1.63\left( {{{10000} \over T}} \right) - 5.87 , for LCl % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfKttLearuavP1wzZbItLDhis9wBH5garm % Wu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9ir % Veeu0dXdh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9ev6pc9fs0-rqaqpepmKs4qpepe % I8kaL8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dhH6hb9hs0dXdHu6deP0u0-vr0-vr0db8 % meaabaqaciGacaGaaeaabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacyGGSbaBcqGGUbGBcq % WGebardaqhaaWcbaGaemOwaOLaemOCaihabaGaemOEaONaemyAaKMa % emOCaiNaem4yamMaem4Ba8MaemOBa4Maei4la8IaemyBa0Maemyzau % MaemiBaWMaemiDaqhaaOGaeyypa0JaeGymaeJaeiOla4IaeGinaqJa % eG4naCZaaeWaaeaadaWcaaqaaiabigdaXiabicdaWiabicdaWiabic % daWiabicdaWaqaaiabdsfaubaaaiaawIcacaGLPaaacqGHsislcqaI % 0aancqGGUaGlcqaI3aWncqaI1aqnaaa!5920! lnD_Zr^zircon/melt = 1.47( [10000/(T)] ) - 4.75\ln D_{Zr}^{zircon/melt} = 1.47\left( {{{10000} \over T}} \right) - 4.75 and, for MRF by % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfKttLearuavP1wzZbItLDhis9wBH5garm % Wu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9ir % Veeu0dXdh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9ev6pc9fs0-rqaqpepmKs4qpepe % I8kaL8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dhH6hb9hs0dXdHu6deP0u0-vr0-vr0db8 % meaabaqaciGacaGaaeaabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacyGGSbaBcqGGUbGBcq % WGebardaqhaaWcbaGaemOwaOLaemOCaihabaGaemOEaONaemyAaKMa % emOCaiNaem4yamMaem4Ba8MaemOBa4Maei4la8IaemyBa0Maemyzau % MaemiBaWMaemiDaqhaaOGaeyypa0JaeGymaeJaeiOla4IaeGinaqJa % eG4naCZaaeWaaeaadaWcaaqaaiabigdaXiabicdaWiabicdaWiabic % daWiabicdaWaqaaiabdsfaubaaaiaawIcacaGLPaaacqGHsislcqaI % 0aancqGGUaGlcqaI5aqocqaIXaqmaaa!591C! lnD_Zr^zircon/melt = 1.47( [10000/(T)] ) - 4.91\ln D_{Zr}^{zircon/melt} = 1.47\left( {{{10000} \over T}} \right) - 4.91 . Experiments on the same compositions, but with water contents down to 0.5 wt%, demonstrated reductions in both the diffusion coefficient of Zr and zircon solubility in the melt. The addition of halogens at the concentration levels studied to metaluminous melts has a small effect on either the diffusion of Zr in the melt, or the solubility of zircon at all water concentrations and temperatures investigated. At 800 °C, the calculated diffusion coefficient of Zr is lowest in LCl, 9᎒^-17 m² s^-1, and is highest in LCO, 4᎒^-15 m² s^-1. Extrapolation of the halogen-free solubility data to a magmatic temperature of 800 °C yields solubilities of approximately one-third of those directly measured in similar compositions, predicted by earlier studies of zircon dissolution and based upon analyses of natural rocks. This discrepancy is attributed to the higher oxygen fugacity of the experiments of this study compared with previous studies and nature, and the effect of oxygen fugacity on the structural role of iron in the melt, which, in turn, affects zircon solubility, but does not significantly affect Zr diffusion.     

Edge-driven convection

We consider a series of simple calculations with a step-function change in thickness of the lithosphere and imposed, far-field boundary conditions to illustrate the influence of the lithosphere on mantle flow. We consider the effect of aspect ratio and far-field boundary conditions on the small-scale flow driven by a discontinuity in the thickness of the lithosphere. In an isothermal mantle, with no other outside influences, the basic small-scale flow aligns with the lithosphere such that there is a downwelling at the lithospheric discontinuity (edge-driven flow); however, the pattern of the small-scale flow is strongly dependent on the large-scale thermal structure of a much broader area of the upper mantle. Long-wavelength temperature anomalies in the upper mantle can overwhelm edge-driven flow on a short timescale; however, convective motions work to homogenize these anomalies on the order of 100 million years while cratonic roots can remain stable for longer time periods. A systematic study of the effect of the boundary conditions and aspect ratio of the domain shows that small-scale, and large-scale flows are driven by the lithosphere. Edge-driven flow produces velocities on the order of 20 mm/yr. This is comparable to calculations by others and we can expect an increase in this rate as the mantle viscosity is decreased.