Shear Velocity Structure Beneath the Central United States From the Inversion of Rayleigh Wave Phase Velocities

Abstract

AbstractA three‐dimensional shear velocity model for the crust and upper mantle beneath the central United States is presented by inverting Rayleigh wave phase velocities from 20 s to 100 s periods. These phase velocities were determined using regional and teleseismic earthquakes recorded by the Northern Embayment Lithospheric Experiment stations, the CERI New Madrid Seismic Network, the Earthscope Transportable Array, and the Ozark Illinois INdiana Kentucky Flexible Array. A low Vs anomaly is imaged in the mantle below the Reelfoot Rift, which is the uppermost portion of connected low‐velocity zones dipping toward the southwest below the rift and to the northwest below the Illinois Basin. According to the analysis in previous tomographic studies using both Vp and Vs anomalies, the elevation of temperature and the enrichment of iron, water, and orthopyroxene contents are required factors to explain the reduced seismic velocities. These low‐velocity zones are produced by silica‐rich fluids rising from the stalled Farallon slab. Two areas with low shear strength characterized by low Vs are imaged below the Ste. Genevieve and the Wabash Valley seismic zones. The low‐velocity, weak areas may be responsible for stress concentration and thus the generation of intraplate seismicity.