The crustal structure of Norway from inversion of teleseismic receiver functions

Abstract

Teleseismic body waves from seismic broadband and short period stations were used to investigate the crustal structure of Norway through inversion of the receiver functions. The Moho depths of the Baltic Shield are quite well known from previous studies including seismic experiments and spectral ratio technique. However, the results on the details of the crustal structure are inconsistent. This study provided more detailed crustal structure information at 16 locations than previously known and generally confirmed Moho depth results obtained in earlier studies. Significant differences are seen at a few sites. The Moho for the various sites was found at depths between 28 and 44 km. In summary, the crustal thickness increases from the West Coast of Norway, away from the continental margin, towards the centre of the Baltic Shield and from Southwest to the Northeast. This corresponds to the increasing age of the crust. The P velocities in the crust at most sites show a gradual increase from about 6.0 to 7.1 km/s, without clear layering.