Abstract
Abstract. We analyze S-receiver functions to investigate variations of lithospheric thickness below the entire region of Turkey and surrounding areas. The teleseismic data used here have been compiled combining all permanent seismic stations which are open to public access. We obtained almost 12 000 S-receiver function traces characterizing the seismic discontinuities between the Moho and the discontinuity at 410 km depth. Common-conversion-point stacks yield well-constrained images of the Moho and of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB). Results from previous studies suggesting shallow LAB depths between 80 and 100 km are confirmed in the entire region outside the subduction zones. We did not observe changes in LAB depths across the North and East Anatolian faults. To the east of Cyprus, we see indications of the Arabian LAB. The African plate is observed down to about 150 km depth subducting to the north and east between the Aegean and Cyprus with a tear at Cyprus. We also observed the discontinuity at 410 km depth and a negative discontinuity above the 410, which might indicate a zone of partial melt above this discontinuity.
Highlights
The lower boundary of the lithospheric plate is a very important parameter for understanding plate tectonics, it is still one of the less known quantities
We provide a complete image of the lithosphere– asthenosphere boundary (LAB) topography below Anatolia and adjacent regions based on a combination of data from several different networks in the area
We found LAB signals in unfiltered and undeconvolved traces in the same depth range as in filtered and deconvolved traces, which proves that they correspond to a physical discontinuity The smooth appearance of the LAB in Figs. 5–10 is due to the chosen filter (8 s low-pass)
Summary
The lower boundary of the lithospheric plate is a very important parameter for understanding plate tectonics, it is still one of the less known quantities. Our current knowledge of the lithospheric thickness beneath Turkey relies on studies that examined the data from several temporary and permanent seismic networks (e.g., Angus et al, 2006; Sodoudi et al, 2006, 2015; Gök et al, 2007, 2015; Vanacore et al, 2013; Vinnik et al, 2014). Interpretations from these studies are either confined to a limited region or to a limited depth extent, i.e., to crustal depths only. We have employed the S-receiver function technique, which is suited to identify seismic discontinuities in the upper mantle, especially when low-velocity zones are involved
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