Deep Seismic Sounding Research Articles

2.5-D seismic tomographic modelling of the crustal structure of north-western Spitsbergen based on deep seismic soundings

Deep seismic sounding measurements were performed in the continent-ocean transition zone of the northern Svalbard continental margin in 1985 and 1999. Data from seismic profile AWI-99200 and from additional crossing profiles were used to model the seismic crustal structure of the study area. Seismic energy (airgun and TNT shots) was recorded by land (onshore) seismic stations, ocean bottom seismometers (OBS), and hydrophone systems (OBH). 3-D tomographic inversion methods were applied to test the previous 2-D modelling results. The results are similar to the earlier 2-D modelling, supplemented by new off-line information. The continental crust thins to the west and north. A minimum depth of about 6 km to the Moho discontinuity was found east of the Molloy Deep. The continent-ocean transition zone to the east is characterized by a complex seismic velocity structure according to the 2-D model and consists of several different crustal blocks. The zone is covered by deep sedimentary basins. Sediment thicknesses reach a maximum of 5 km. The Moho interface deepens to 28 km depth beneath the continental crust of Svalbard.

2-D Crustal thermal structure along Thuadara-Sindad DSS profile across Narmada-Son lineament, central India

Central India is traversed by a WSW-ENE trending Narmada-Son lineament (NSL) which is characterized by the presence of numerous hot springs, feeder dykes for Deccan Traps and seismicity all along its length. It is divided in two parts by the Barwani-Sukta Fault (BSF). To the west of this fault a graben exists, whereas to the east the basement is uplifted between Narmada North Fault (NNF) and Narmada South Fault (NSF). The present work deals with the 2-D thermal modeling to delineate the crustal thermal structure of the western part of NSL region along the Thuadara-Sindad Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) profile which runs almost in the N-S direction across the NSL. Numerical results of the model reveal that the conductive surface heat flow value in the region under consideration varies between 45 and 47mW/m2. Out of which 23mW/m2 is the contribution from the mantle heat flow and the remaining from within the crust. The Curie depth is found to vary between 46 and 47 km and is in close agreement with the earlier reported Curie depth estimated from the analysis of MAGSAT data. The Moho temperature varies between 470 and 500°C. This study suggests that this western part of central Indian region is characterized by low mantle heat flow which in turn makes the lower crust brittle and amenable to the occurrence of deep focused earthquakes such as Satpura (1938) earthquake.

Crustal structure beneath the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and its tectonic implications

Two crustal cross sections through the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau are jointly determined from deep seismic sounding. The E–W trending line AA’ passes through the western Sichuan plateau (including the Songpan‐Garze terrane and the Longmenshan fault belt) and ends in the Sichuan basin (a part of the Yangtze craton). Line BB’ has a trend of NNE and crosses the Songpan‐Garze terrane. Two‐dimensional crustal structures along the profiles were jointly determined by the additional use of existing deep seismic sounding data. Our seismic velocity models indicate that the western Sichuan plateau and the Sichuan basin have crustal thicknesses of 62 and 43 km, average crustal P wave velocities of 6.27 and 6.45 km/s and lower crustal (Vp > 6.5 km/s) thicknesses of 27 and 15 km, respectively. Density models constructed from the seismic velocity models are consistent with observed Bouguer gravity anomalies. We infer that collision between the Tibetan Plateau and the Yangtze craton has caused thickening of the lower crust and uplift of the western Sichuan plateau. We detect a low‐velocity layer in the upper crust of the western Sichuan plateau but observe no equivalence in the Sichuan basin; west dipping thrusts may detach into this low‐velocity layer. The seismic phase PmP in the western Sichuan plateau has low amplitude, suggesting high attenuation in the lower crust (Qp of 100–300). We suggest that the high attenuation is a consequence of lower crustal flow caused by the large lower crustal thickness beneath the western Sichuan plateau.

Crustal thicknesses and Poisson's ratios in China by joint analysis of teleseismic receiver functions and Rayleigh wave dispersion

A new grid search scheme, which extends the stacking H‐κ algorithm to multi‐layered crustal models and fits observed dispersion of surface wave group velocity simultaneously, is proposed to estimate the thickness, Poisson's ratio, and average P wave speed of the crust. We first apply it to a synthetic data of a 2‐layered crustal model. Then we show the results analyzing records from 45 permanent broadband seismic stations in China. The estimates at six stations agree well with results from deep seismic sounding profiles. The crustal thicknesses agree in general with the Crust 2.0 model. We find that the Poisson's ratio in the Yangtze platform is rather low compared with the other two platforms. The stations along the southeast coast of China have higher Poisson's ratios. The Poisson's ratio of the whole region tends to increase as the average P‐wave velocity.

Continent-ocean transition and voluminous magmatic underplating derived fromP-wave velocity modelling of the East Greenland continental margin

SUMMARY Deep seismic refraction data were gathered across the entire East Greenland rifted margin north of the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone between 72°N and 75°N in 2003. Investigations of the deep crustal structure of this continental margin provide constraints on the formation of the margin and its structural evolution during and after late Cretaceous–early Tertiary rifting and continental break-up. We present here the results along two profiles located in the prolongation of the Godthab Gulf and the Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord. Regional P-wave velocity models were derived from forward traveltime modelling of land stations and ocean bottom hydrophone (OBH) recordings. For the first time, long deep seismic sounding transects off East Greenland provide a full insight into the crustal architecture of the transition from continental to oceanic crust. A mean result is the identification of voluminous magmatic underplating, which is wider and thicker than previously thought. P-wave velocities of the underplated material range between 7.1 and 7.4 km s−1 and the horizontal extents on the profiles are 225 and 190 km. The maximum thickness of the underplated material is 15–16 km. Furthermore, the P-wave velocity models reveal a 120–130 km wide continent–ocean transition zone (COT), based on an interpretation of the extent of Cretaceous syn-rift sediments mixed with basaltic intrusions and the lateral increase of velocities in the crustal layers. Excess magmatism must have been present during a long-term rifting process, accompanying the extension of the continental crust and giving rise to the voluminous magmatic underplating. A consequence of our interpretation of the seismic refraction data is a likely rift propagation in the Greenland Sea from north to south. Additionally, a comparison of P-wave velocity models of the East Greenland Margin and Voring Margin reveals significantly asymmetric crustal architectures. The voluminous magmatic underplating and asymmetrical conjugate margins formations are considered as a mirror of complex pre- and syn-rift processes.

Elastic properties of granulite facies rocks of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Compressional and shear wave velocities and attenuation measurements have been carried out in some of the borehole samples of acidic, basic and intermediate granulites of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. The results have been obtained at ambient conditions using ‘time-of-flight’ pulse transmission technique at 1.0 MHz frequency. The results show linear relationships between velocity and density, and velocity and attenuation properties of the rocks. The acidic granulites show lower velocities and higher attenuation than the intermediate and basic granulites. The average values of the Poisson’s ratio of acidic, intermediate and basic granulites have been found to be 0.210, 0.241 and 0.279 respectively. The variations in velocities and attenuation in these low porosity crystalline rocks are found to be strongly influenced by their mineral composition. The laboratory velocity data (extrapolated to high pressure) of the present study and the published field velocity data from deep seismic sounding studies indicate that these granulite facies rocks may belong to mid-crustal depths only.

Crustal P-wave velocity structure in Lower Yangtze region: Reinterpretation of Fuliji-Fengxian deep seismic sounding profile

The finite-difference inversion method and Raylnvr technique had been employed to interpret the wide-angle seismic reflection/refraction data of the Fuliji-Fengxian deep seismic sounding (DSS) profile in Lower Yangtze region, hence the velocity structure was acquired and conclusions were summarized as follows: (1) The velocity model along this profile can be divided into three large layers vertically (upper, middle and lower crusts) and six blocks laterally, and this velocity distribution agrees with the feature of stable platform. (2) The depth of Moho discontinuity is 30–36 km. The thickness of the upper crust is 10.5–13.0 km, where the lateral velocity varies strongly, and the velocity increases to 6.2 km/s−1 at bottom. Besides, the velocity distributions in the bottom layer of middle crust and lower crust have an apparent inhomogeneity. The velocity in upper layer of middle crust, lower layer of middle crust, lower crust and uppermost mantle is 5.9–6.2, 6.3–6.4, 6.6–7.0 and 8.06–8.29 km/s−1, respectively. (3) On two sides of the Tanlu fault belt (TFB), the mid-crustal velocity structure is quite different, nevertheless no apparent discrimination in velocity distribution and boundary topography exhibits in lower crust, hence it is inferred that the Jiashan segment of TFB had probably cut through whole crust in the Mesozoic, and the fault behaviour in lower crust had disappeared due to the low viscosity produced by the orogenic extension or crustal balance, while the fault features in the rigid middle-upper crust have been preserved up to the present. (4) The moderate earthquakes with Ms > 5.0 nearby Zhenjiang are related to the deep faults extending into the lower crust, and the earthquakes were probably induced by the energy been transferred from mantle lithosphere to upper-mid crust along the deep faults, and aggregated at some preferable tectonic positions.

Crustal Structure Features of the Leiqiong Depression in Hainan Province

AbstractSeismic data obtained from an about 210km long Baiyan‐Jianghong deep seismic sounding profile, which was completed in the Leiqiong area in 1984 and 1985, were processed by means of finite difference tomography, time term inversion and 2‐D dynamic ray tracing methods. And 2‐D inhomogeneous crustal structure images along the Baiyan‐Jianghong seismic line were determined. The results show that the crustal thickness in northern Hainan province and Leizhou Peninsula is about 25~26km. In northern Hainan Island embossment of the southern part of Qiongzhou Channel, the average crustal velocity is about 6.16km·s–1 and 5.70km·s–1 in the Leiqiong Depression area of northern segment of Qiongzhou Channel. The crustal velocity is particularly low and especially obvious in lower crust where it is only about 6.3~6.5km·s–1. The crystalline basement presents a velocity gradient belt, the thickness of which is about 2~4km and the velocity is approximately 5.5~6.0km·s–1. Moho, the velocities of which on its two sides are 6.5km·s–1 and 8.05km·s–1 respectively, shows one‐order velocity discontinuity, and there is no obvious crust‐mantle transitional zone to be found. Because the Baiyan‐Jianghong seismic line lies in the Leiqiong Depression area with basalt covering of the Pleistocene Period, it is suggested that the thinner crust and lower velocity in this area mainly reflect the multi‐erupting of volcanic magma from the Cenozoic till the late Quaternary as well as the underplating and delaminating of hot mantle to the crustal bottom which are interrelated with the crust being still in a comparatively hot state.

Three-dimensional numerical thermal and rheological modelling in the central Fennoscandian Shield

Abstract A three-dimensional model for the central Fennoscandian Shield was constructed for analysing the thermal, the rheological and the structural conditions in the lithosphere. The mesh covers a rectangular area in the southern Finland with horizontal dimensions of 500 km × 400 km and a depth extent of 100 km. Structural boundaries are derived from the several deep seismic soundings carried out in the area. Constructed model is first used in the calculation of the thermal and the rheological models and secondly in analysing the stress and the deformational conditions with the obtained rheology. Thermal and structural models are solved with the finite element method. The calculated surface HFD is between 40 and 48 mW m−2 in the Proterozoic southern part and below 40 mW m−2 in the older and northern Archaean part of the model. The calculated rheological strength shows a layered structure with two individual rheologically weak layers in the crust and strong layer in the upper part of the lower crust. The minimum brittle–ductile transition (BDT) depth is around 10 km in the southern part of the model while in the north and north-eastern parts the BDT depth is around 45–50 km. Comparison with the focal depth data shows that as most of the earthquakes occur no deeper than the depth of 10 km are they located in the brittle regime. Resulting stress conditions and possible regions of deformation after the model is subjected to pressure of 50 MPa reveals that the stress field is quite uniformly distributed in different crustal layers and that the elastic parameters control more the state of the stress than the applied rheological structure. In the upper crust, the stress intensity has values between 42 and 45 MPa whereas in the middle crust the values are around 50 MPa. Comparison of the 3-D model with earlier 2-D models shows that some differences in the results are to be expected.

Crustal structure of Tushka Region, Abu-Simbel, Egypt, inferred from spectral ratios of P waves of local earthquakes

The crustal structure of North Abu-Simbel area was studied using spectral ratios of short-period P waves. Three-component short period seismograms from the Masmas seismic station of the Egyptian National Seismic Network Stations were used. The Thomson-Haskell matrix formulation was applied for linearly elastic, homogeneous crustal layers. The obtained model suggests that the crust under the study region consists of a thin (0.8 km) superficial top layer with a P-wave velocity of 3.8±0.7 km/s and three distinct layers with a mean P-wave velocity of 6.6 km/s, overlaying the upper mantle with a P-wave velocity of 8.3 km/s (fixed). The results were obtained for 14 different earthquakes. The P-wave velocities of the three layers are: 5.8±0.6 km/s, 6.5±0.4 km/s and 7.2±0.3 km/s. The total depth to the Moho interface is 32±2 km. The crustal velocity model estimated using observations is relatively simple, being characterized by smooth velocity variations through the middle and lower crust and normal crustal thickness. The resultant crustal model is consistent with the model obtained from previous deep seismic soundings along the northern part of Aswan lake zone.

Attenuation of Coda Waves at the Changbaishan Tianchi Volcanic Area in Northeast China

21 earthquakes recorded by a temporary seismic network in the Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic area in Northeast China operated during the summer of 2002 and 2003 were analyzed to estimate the S coda attenuation. The attenuation quality factor Qc was estimated using the single scattering attenuation model of Sato (1977) in the frequency band from 4 to 24 Hz. All the events studied in this paper occurred at depths from 2 to 6 km with ML of 1.4–2.8. The epicentral distances are less than 25 km. For all events which occurred near the Tianchi Lake (caldera), the Qc patterns obtained at the stations near the lake are similar, and the Qc values are relatively small. At the stations located about 15 km east of the Tianchi Lake, however, the average Qc is significantly higher. For an event which occurred 25km from the lake to the west, Qc patterns derived at the stations near the lake are quite similar to the above mentioned Qc for stations located in the east. Further study shows that Qc value in the north and central areas of the volcano is relatively lower than that in the surrounding area. Compared to other volcanic areas in the world, the average Qc of the Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic area is obviously lower. The deep seismic sounding and teleseismic receiver function studies indicated more than one lower velocity layer in the crust. The MT studies suggested the presence of high conductive bodies beneath the area. We interpret the strong attenuation of coda waves near the Changbaishan Tianchi volcano as being possibly related to high temperature medium caused by shallow magma chambers.

Detection of a collision zone in south Indian shield region from magnetotelluric studies

Magnetotelluric (MT) investigations were carried out along a profile in the greenschist–granulite transition zone within the south Indian shield region (SISR). The profile runs over a length of 110 km from Kuppam in the north to Bommidi in the south. It covers the transition zone with 12 MT stations using a wide-band (1 kHz–1 ks) data acquisition system. The Mettur shear zone (MTSZ) forms the NE extension of Moyar–Bhavani shear zone that traverses along the transition zone. The regional geoelectric strike direction of N40°E identified from the present study is consistent with the strike direction of the MTSZ in the center of the profile. The 2-D conductivity model derived from the data display distinct high electrical resistivity character (10,000 Ω m) below the Archaean Dharwar craton and less resistive (< 3000 Ω m) under the southern granulite terrain located south of the MTSZ. The MTSZ separating the two regions is characterized by steep anomalous high conductive feature at lower crustal depths. The deep seismic sounding (DSS) study carried out along the profile shows dipping signatures on either side of the shear zone. The variation of deep electrical resistivity together with the dipping signature of reflectors indicate two distinct terrains, namely, the Archaean Dharwar Craton in the north and the Proterozoic granulite terrain towards south. They got accreted along the MTSZ, which could represent a possible collision boundary.

The complexity feature of crust-mantle boundary in Zhangbei seismic region and its tectonic implication

The PmP waveform data obtained from a deep seismic sounding profile, which ran through Zhangbei seismic region, were processed by means of both seismic wave complexity coefficient and frequency spectrum analysis methods, and the complexity characteristics of crust-mantle boundary beneath the studied area and its adjacent region were determined. The results show that the place below epicenter can be taken as boundary, the northern side of which is Inner Mongolia axis with small complexity coefficient and the southern side of which is Huai’an basin with large complexity coefficient. The different spectrum patterns at the two sides of the epicenter were inferred from spectrum analysis. In the epicentral area, there have been multi-period magmatic eruptions since Meso-Cenozoic and craters exist at the surface. From the velocity imaging of middle and upper crust in Zhangbei seismic region it can be found that there are crustal low velocity bodies around the craters and also there are low velocity zones, which went into deep crust. It is suggested that the distinct zones of crust-mantle boundary complexity may be the margin, where the magma had intruded due to magma activity in Meso-Cenozoic. The southern side with large complexity coefficient is deep magmatic activity area and the northern side with small complexity coefficient is stable crust-mantle tectonics. The difference of crust-mantle complexity provides deep background for the development of strong earthquake.

Genetic algorithm in seismic waveform inversion and its application in deep seismic sounding data interpretation

A genetic algorithm of body waveform inversion is presented for better understanding of crustal and upper mantle structures with deep seismic sounding (DSS) waveform data. General reflection and transmission synthetic seismogram algorithm, which is capable of calculating the response of thin alternating high and low velocity layers, is applied as a solution for forward modeling, and the genetic algorithm is used to find the optimal solution of the inverse problem. Numerical tests suggest that the method has the capability of resolving low-velocity layers, thin alternating high and low velocity layers, and noise suppression. Waveform inversion using P-wave records from Zeku, Xiahe and Lintao shots in the seismic wide-angle reflection/refraction survey along northeastern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibeteau) Plateau has revealed fine structures of the bottom of the upper crust and alternating layers in the middle/lower crust and topmost upper mantle.

Ray hit analysis method and its application to complex upper crustal structure survey

Based on the results obtained from Pg wavefront imaging in active source deep seismic sounding, we propose a new ray hit analysis method for high-resolution seismic refraction profile data processing. This method can be used to further determine possible refraction interface, especially spatial location of basement and its pattern characteristics in complex upper crustal structure region, making data processing for high-resolution refraction profiles more fine. We use this method to study the crystalline basement structure of east part of A’nyemaqen suite zone at northeast side of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the basement patterns as well as its spreading features at the east part of Anemaqen suite zone and its adjacent region were determined.

A tentative 2D thermal model of central India across the Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL)

This work deals with 2D thermal modeling in order to delineate the crustal thermal structure of central India along two Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) profiles, namely Khajuriakalan–Pulgaon and Ujjan–Mahan, traversing the Narmada-Son-Lineament (NSL) in an almost north–south direction. Knowledge of the crustal structure and P-wave velocity distribution up to the Moho, obtained from DSS studies, has been used for the development of the thermal model. Numerical results reveal that the Moho temperature in this region of central India varies between 500 and 580 °C. The estimated heat flow density value is found to vary between 46 and 49 mW/m 2. The Curie depth varies between 40 and 42 km and is in close agreement with the Curie depth (40±4 km) estimated from the analysis of MAGSAT data. Based on the present work and previous work, it is suggested that the major part of peninsular India consisting of the Wardha–Pranhita Godavari graben/basin, Bastar craton and the adjoining region of the Narmada Son Lineament between profiles I and III towards the north and northwest of the Bastar craton are characterized with a similar mantle heat flow density value equal to ∼23 mW/m 2. Variation in surface heat flow density values in these regions are caused by variation in the radioactive heat production and fluid circulation in the upper crustal layer.

Attenuation, transport and diffusion of scalar waves in textured random media

Most theoretical investigations of seismic wave scattering rely on the assumption that the underlying medium is statistically isotropic. However, deep seismic soundings of the crust as well as geological observations often reveal the existence of elongated or preferentially oriented scattering structures. In this paper, we develop mean field and radiative transfer theories to describe the attenuation and multiple scattering of a scalar wavefield in an anisotropic random medium. The scattering mean free path is found to depend strongly on the propagation direction. We derive a radiative transfer equation for statistically anisotropic random media from the Bethe–Salpeter formalism and propose a Monte Carlo method to solve this equation numerically. At longer times, the energy density is shown to obey a tensorial diffusion equation. The components of the diffusion tensor are obtained in closed form and excellent agreement is found between Monte Carlo simulations and analytical solutions of the diffusion equation. The theory has important potential implications for lithospheric models where scatterers are for example flat structures preferentially aligned along the surface. In this simple geometry, analytical expressions of the Coda Q parameter can be given explicitly in the diffusive regime. Our results suggest that pulse broadening and coda decay are controlled by different parameters, related to the eigenvalues of the diffusion tensor. These eigenvalues can differ by more than one order of magnitude. This theory could be applied to probe the anisotropy of length scales in the lithosphere.

Features of Deep Crustal Structure Beneath the Wutai Mountain Area of Shanxi Province

AbstractIn this paper, the deep crustal structures in Wutai mountain area are studied by using deep seismic sounding (DSS) data obtained from wide‐angle reflection/refraction profiles which pass through Shanxi down‐faulted zone and Wutai mountain area. The results show that the crust in this area presents obviously layered structures. The boundary interface between upper and lower crust is determined by means of reliable intra‐crust reflected waves P3 that can be traced continuously. The thickness of upper crust is 23~28km, and the depth of Moho discontinuity is 39~43 km. The Moho discontinuity in Wutai mountain area is the deepest in this region. In Wutai mountain and its adjacent areas, the crust structures have strong inhomogeneous characteristics. The large‐scale low velocity bodies in upper crust and strong intra‐crust reflected wave groups can be regarded as a sign of magma activity in deep crust. The breaking of intra‐crust interfaces and the local discontinuation of seismic wave group Pm as well as existence of deep crustal faults and so on indicate that the crust in this region suffered violent squeeze, deformation, and tectonic activities. Therefore the complex topography and anomalous structural characteristics in deep and shallow crust have been formed in this region.

Lithosphere structure and tectonic evolution of the Alpine arc: new evidence from high-resolution teleseismic tomography

Abstract Several continental and oceanic plates and/or terranes amalgamated during the formation of the tectonically complex Alpine arc. Reliable knowledge of the present structure of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system throughout the Alpine arc from the Western through the Central to the Eastern Alps is crucial for understanding the evolution of this orogen and the current interaction of lithospheric blocks, and additionally, for assessing the amount and orientation of lithosphere subducted in the geological past. We have compiled results from earlier geophysical studies and reinterpretations of existing seismic and geological data for the Alpine crust and Moho. High-resolution teleseismic tomography was used to produce a detailed 3D seismic model of the lower lithosphere and asthenosphere. The combination of these techniques provides new images for the entire lithosphere-asthenosphere system, showing significant lateral variations to depths of 400 km. Over the years the crustal structure has been determined extensively by active seismic techniques (deep seismic sounding) with laterally variable coverage and resolution. For a closer view three international seismic campaigns, using mainly near-vertical reflection techniques in the Western, Central and Eastern Alps, were carried out to assess the crustal structure with the highest possible resolution. The synoptic reinterpretation of these data and an evaluation of existing interpretations have allowed us to construct four detailed deep crustal transects across the Alps along the ECORS-CROP, NFP-20/EGT and TRANSALP traverses. In addition, contour maps of the Moho for the wider Alpine region and of the top of the lower crust were compiled from existing seismic refraction, near-vertical and wide-angle reflection data. Substantial structural differences in the structure of the deep crust appear between the Western, Central and Eastern Alps: doubling of European lower crust in the west resulted from collision with the Ivrea body; indentation of lower Adriatic crust between European lower crust and Moho occurred in the Central Alps; and a narrow collision structure exists under the transitional area between the western and eastern subduction regime under the Tauern Window of the Eastern Alps, where the crustal structure resembles a large-scale flower structure. Most recently, high-resolution teleseismic tomography based on the a priori known 3D crustal structure and compilation of a high-quality teleseismic dataset was successfully developed and applied to derive reliable detailed images of the lower lithosphere. Along strike of the Alps a fast slab-like body is revealed which in the western part is subducted beneath the Adriatic microplate. In the Western Alps detachment of parts of the lower continental slab occurred, possibly induced by the Ivrea body, which acted as a buttress in the collision process of the European and Adriatic plates. The generally SE-directed subduction of the European continental lithosphere changes gradually from west to east to almost vertical under the westernmost part of the Eastern Alps (western Tauern Window and Giudicarie lineament). Unexpectedly, some 50 km further east the subducted continental lower lithosphere is now part of the Adriatic lithosphere and dips NE beneath the European plate. Our tomographic image documents clear bipolar slab geometries beneath the Alpine orogen. The depth extent of the subducted continental lithospheric slab agrees rather well with estimates of post-collisional crustal shortening for the Western and Central Alps. This kinematic control on amounts of lateral motion of the collision zone in the west also allows estimates of the subduction and collision process in the Eastern Alps. The new 3D lithospheric picture for the wider Alpine region to 400 km depth demonstrates the clear connection and interaction between the deep structure of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system and near-surface tectonic features as seen today. It provides new and unexpected evidence for the entire Alpine tectonic evolution, a process which obviously changes significantly from west to east.

Electrical conductivity and seismic velocity structures of the lithosphere beneath the Fennoscandian Shield

Abstract Key results from the BEAR (Baltic Electromagnetic Array Research) soundings and the SVEKALAPKO Seismic Tomography Experiment (SSTE), which explored geophysical properties of the upper mantle beneath the Fennoscandian Shield, are summarized here. These two projects formed the two key geophysical experiments in EUROPROBE's SVEKALAPKO project. The major result obtained from the teleseismic tomography indicates P- and S-wave velocity variations of up to 4%, as compared with the IASP'91 global model. The positive P-wave velocity anomaly seems to extend down to 300 km, without any indication of an asthenospheric low-velocity layer. This is corroborated by surface-wave analysis. The Archaean-Proterozoic suture zone has no continuation at upper mantle depths. Instead, a laterally and vertically heterogeneous structure of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the contact zone of Archaean and Proterozoic domains beneath the SVEKALAPKO area has been revealed by both teleseismic and local event studies. Comparison between stacked receiver functions from the TOR (Teleseismic Tomography of TORnquist Zone) and SSTE arrays indicates that the difference between arrival times of the converted P410 and P660 phases increases below the Shield as a result of a cooler upper mantle. The asthenosphere beneath Central Europe terminates at the southern edge of the shield and cannot be identified in the SVEKALAPKO data. The variations in Moho depths from 30 km to 50 km (locally, more), known from earlier deep seismic sounding (DSS) work, were corroborated by the receiver function analysis. The BEAR (Baltic Electromagnetic Array Research) experiment data indicate that an upper mantle conducting layer is required in some places beneath Fennoscandia. In the northern part of the Shield the upper mantle conductor is located at a depth of c. 170 km. Magnetotelluric data exhibit strong anisotropic behaviour, in particular in the central parts of the Fennoscandian Shield. The present state of modelling implies, however, that isotropic 3D crust and upper mantle explain nearly all observed anisotropic features and that very minor anisotropy of the upper mantle is required to explain the data. The crust is strongly variable electrically, ranging from resistive areas to highly conducting elongated structures. The conductances (= conductivity x layer thickness) obtained range from a few Siemens to several tens of thousands of Siemens. The conductive structures delineate boundaries between Archaean and Proterozoic crustal units and are inferred to image relics of subduction processes. In the central parts of the Shield, the lower crust is conducting, with dipping structures extending far to the NE below the Archaean-Proterozoic boundary. Thus, the present interpretation of electromagnetic BEAR and tomographic data from the Fennoscandian Shield demonstrates that the structure of the upper mantle beneath the Shield is much more heterogeneous than was supposed when the project started. Models of the evolution of lithosphere must be revised to accommodate lateral and vertical heterogeneity in the upper mantle.