Velocity and density contrasts across the Moho interface of Guangdong province in south China constrained by receiver functions*

Abstract

The P receiver function includes P-to-SV converted phases and multiple reverberations of the discontinuities in the crust and mantle. The time of these phases is related to the crustal thickness and vP/vS ratio, and the amplitude of these phases is mainly controlled by the velocity and density contrast of interfaces. By using H-κ stacking method, this work estimated the crustal thickness and vP/vS ratio beneath the stations in the Guangdong province of South China. The velocity and density contrast (δβ-δρ) scanning stacking algorithm of the receiver function is applied to constrain the velocity and density contrast of the Moho in Guangdong province. This work analyzed the results of the crustal thickness, vP/vS ratio, and the velocity and density contrasts of Moho. The results indicate that the velocity contrast is higher beneath Yangjiang area in western Guangdong province and Nanao area in eastern Guangdong, which has a strong correlation with the distribution of geothermal springs in local areas and the characteristics of high heat flow. The velocity contrast of Moho has also a good correlation with the vP/vS ratio and the crustal thickness, which indicates that there is a strong material composition contrasts of the Moho in the study area. Velocity and density contrasts of Moho in some local area (such as western Guangdong) are somewhat consistent with the seismic activities.