Variations Of Seismic Anisotropy Research Articles

Deformation microstructures of blueschists in Alpine Corsica, France, and implications for seismic anisotropy and the low-velocity layer in subducting oceanic crust

Understanding the deformation microstructures and seismic properties of blueschists is important for interpreting the seismic anisotropy at the top of subducting oceanic crust. The deformation microstructures and seismic properties of epidote blueschist, epidote-lawsonite blueschist, and lawsonite blueschist from Alpine Corsica, France, were studied using electron backscatter diffraction mapping and transmission electron microscopy. The crystal-preferred orientations (CPOs) of glaucophane show a strong maximum of the [001] axes aligned sub-parallel to the lineation. The maximum of the (010) poles of epidote is aligned sub-parallel to the lineation. The [001] axes of lawsonite are strongly aligned sub-normal to the foliation. Intracrystalline misorientation, dislocation, and occasional fragmentation of glaucophane indicate that glaucophane CPO was developed mainly by dislocation creep. The intracrystalline deformation features of epidote, such as subgrain boundaries and dislocations, indicate that the CPO of the epidote was formed by dislocation creep. In contrast, our data indicate that lawsonite CPO was developed by a combination of rigid-body rotation and dislocation creep with a minor effect of twinning. The P-wave anisotropy (AVp) and maximum S-wave anisotropy (max.AVs) of epidote blueschists (AVp = 12.3–16.9% and max.AVs = 6.53–11.75%) are higher than those of lawsonite blueschists. The seismic velocities of the blueschists are lower than those of mantle peridotites. The coexistence of epidote and lawsonite in the blueschist results in variations in seismic anisotropy and P-wave velocity in the whole rock, depending on the modal content of epidote and lawsonite. A high content ratio of epidote to lawsonite in blueschist produces strong P- and S-wave anisotropies of blueschist when the glaucophane content is more than ∼50%. The P-wave velocity of blueschist decreases proportionally with increasing epidote content. Our results indicate that the seismic properties of deformed blueschists contribute to the seismic anisotropy and the low-velocity layer in subducting oceanic crusts in subduction zones.

Possible layered lithospheric anisotropy around Longmenshan Faults by teleseismic S wave splitting and receiver functions

This study conducts an in-depth analysis of seismic anisotropy around the Longmenshan Faults. Utilizing a dataset of about 7710 earthquake catalogs from July 2007 to March 2023, we applied S wave splitting and receiver function methods to examine Pms and XKS waveforms collected from 12 fixed broadband stations across Gansu and Sichuan provinces. Our analysis revealed significant variations in seismic anisotropy between the crust and lithosphere, marked by distinct fast wave directions and delay times. These characteristics point to the possibility for layered anisotropy within the region. A two-layer anisotropy inversion analysis at key stations further delineated the differential anisotropic behaviors between the crust and the upper mantle, underscoring the impact of local geological structures and mantle dynamics. Crucially, our study posits the existence of layered anisotropy around the Longmenshan Fault Zone, a finding that significantly advances our comprehension of the region’s seismic anisotropy and adds a vital dimension to our understanding of its subsurface structural intricacies and tectonic evolution.

Continental Fragments in the South China Block: Constraints From Crustal Radial Anisotropy

AbstractThe lithospheric architecture of the South China Block (SCB) is crucial to understanding the formation and evolution of this distinctive and highly reworked continental lithosphere with over 3 billion years of tectonic history. However, due to a lack of high‐resolution geophysical datasets, a detailed picture of the SCB lithosphere is absent, and fundamental questions regarding its formation, assembly, and subsequent reworking processes are actively debated. Assuming that unique deformation patterns due to such tectonic processes can be mapped by seismic anisotropy, we present a new crustal radially anisotropic shear‐wave velocity model along a 1500‐km seismic transect that spans the major tectonic domains of the SCB to characterize the past deformation processes. The new seismic models show significant lateral variations in seismic anisotropy and velocity, suggesting that the SCB consists of several separated (micro)continental blocks or terranes that likely have different origins and have survived the prolonged deformation history since the early formation of these continental fragments. Combining available geophysical datasets, we link individual crustal domains of distinct anisotropy to constrain the multiphase deformation processes of the SCB, including the early formation of the Proto‐Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks, the assembly of the SCB, and the subsequent reactivation of the interior and extensive deformation that have formed the Basin‐and‐Range style tectonics in the Cathaysia Block. We suggest that relict continental fragments have played critical roles in the formation and reactivation of the SCB lithosphere.

Temporal and spatial variations in seismic anisotropy and VP/VS ratios in a region of slow slip

In September 2014, a five week long slow slip event (SSE) occurred near Gisborne at the northern Hikurangi subduction zone, New Zealand, and was recorded by offshore instruments deployed by the Hikurangi Ocean Bottom Investigation of Tremor and Slow Slip (HOBITSS) project. Up to 25 cm of slip occurred directly below the HOBITSS array. We calculate shear wave splitting (SWS) and VP/VS ratios for event-station pairs on HOBITSS ocean bottom seismometers and onshore GeoNet seismic stations to determine the relationship in time and space between slow slip and these seismic properties. Spatial averaging of SWS fast azimuths yields trench-perpendicular fast azimuths in some areas, suggesting that compressive stress from plate convergence closes microcracks and controls anisotropy in the upper-plate. Variations from the trench perpendicular directions are observed near a subducting seamount, with directions closely resembling fracture and fault patterns created by subducting seamounts previously observed in both laboratory and field experiments. Temporal variations in fast azimuths are observed at three stations, two of which are located above the seamount, suggesting measurable variations in stress orientations. During the SSE, median VP/VS measurements across all offshore stations increase from 1.817 to 1.894 and SWS delay times decrease from 0.178 s to 0.139 s (both changes are significant within 95% confidence intervals). Temporal variations in VP/VS and delay time are consistent with fluid pressurization below a permeability barrier and movement of fluids during the rupture of a slow-slip patch.

Evidence of reactivation of a hydrothermal system from seismic anisotropy changes

Seismic velocity measurements have revealed that the Tohoku-Oki earthquake affected velocity structures of volcanic zones far from the epicenter. Using a seismological method based on ambient seismic noise interferometry, we monitored the anisotropy in the Mount Fuji area during the year 2011, in which the Tohoku-Oki earthquake occurred (Mw = 9.0). Here we show that even at 400 km from the epicenter, temporal variations of seismic anisotropy were observed. These variations can be explained by changes in the alignment of cracks or fluid inclusions beneath the volcanic area due to stress perturbations and the propagation of a hydrothermal fluid surge beneath the Hakone hydrothermal volcanic area. Our results demonstrate how a better understanding of the origin of anisotropy and its temporal changes beneath volcanoes and in the crust can provide insight into active processes, and can be used as part of a suite of volcanic monitoring and forecasting tools.

Temporal Variations of Near‐Surface Anisotropy Induced by Hydraulic Fracturing at a Shale Play Site in Southwest China

AbstractKnowledge of the geometric properties of fractures and cracks in a petroleum reservoir is important to reservoir exploitation. When aligned and partially connected, fractures and cracks can act as conduits for fluid flow and thus can significantly increase the permeability of the reservoir. The aligned fractures and cracks, on the other hand, are an effective means to generate seismic anisotropy. In this study, we utilize the seismic data recorded by a vertical array installed in a shallow borehole at a shale play site in southwest China. By applying seismic interferometry to the ambient noise data recorded by 12 three‐component geophones, we extractPandSwaves propagating vertically along the borehole. TheSwaves show up to 20% velocity variations with respect to their polarization directions. Such largeSwave anisotropy can be explained by the horizontal transverse isotropic model and is likely caused by natural fractures that are widely present in the area and align approximately in the NE‐SW direction. During the 13‐day period of hydraulic fracking treatment, we also observe large and systematic temporal variations inSwave velocity, degree ofSwave polarization anisotropy, and fast polarization direction. By comparing our observations with normal strain changes calculated with a half‐space elastic model, we speculate that strain changes induced by hydraulic injection and fracturing are likely to be responsible for the observed temporal variations in seismic anisotropy. As such, seismic interferometry with shallow borehole acquisition might provide an alternative means to monitor hydraulic fracturing and wastewater injection in the future.

Distinguishing between stress-induced and structural anisotropy at Mount Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand

[1] We have created a benchmark of spatial variations in shear wave anisotropy around Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand, against which to measure future temporal changes. Anisotropy in the crust is often assumed to be caused by stress-aligned microcracks, and the polarization of the fast quasi-shear wave (ϕ) is thus interpreted to indicate the direction of maximum horizontal stress, but can also be due to aligned minerals or macroscopic fractures. Changes in seismic anisotropy have been observed following a major eruption in 1995/96 and were attributed to changes in stress from the depressurization of the magmatic system. Three-component broadband seismometers have been deployed to complement the permanent stations that surround Ruapehu, creating a combined network of 34 three-component seismometers. This denser observational network improves the resolution with which spatial variations in seismic anisotropy can be examined. Using an automated shear wave splitting analysis, we examine local earthquakes in 2008. We observe a strong azimuthal dependence of ϕ and so introduce a spatial averaging technique and two-dimensional tomography of recorded delay times. The anisotropy can be divided into regions in which ϕ agrees with stress estimations from focal mechanism inversions, suggesting stress-induced anisotropy, and those in which ϕ is aligned with structural features such as faults, suggesting structural anisotropy. The pattern of anisotropy that is inferred to be stress related cannot be modeled adequately using Coulomb modeling with a dike-like inflation source. We suggest that the stress-induced anisotropy is affected by loading of the volcano and a lithospheric discontinuity.

High pressure and temperature fabric transitions in olivine and variations in upper mantle seismic anisotropy

The effects of pressure on crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of olivine aggregates were investigated through simple-shear deformation experiments at pressures between 2.1 and 7.6 GPa and temperatures of 1493–1673 K under dry conditions using a deformation-DIA apparatus, and the variations in seismic anisotropy were evaluated under the Earth's upper mantle conditions. We found that the monotonic decrease in seismic anisotropy with depth is caused by the pressure-dependency of the seismic properties of A-type (developed by the (010) [ 100 ] slip system) olivine fabric, while the rapid decrease is caused by the fabric transition from A-type to B/C-type (by the (hk0) [ 001 ] slip systems) at 7.6 GPa and 1673 K. Moreover, an alternative transition, from A-type fabric to B-type-like fabric (by the (010) [ 001 ] slip system), occurs at 7.6 GPa and lower temperature. These two temperature-dependent fabric transitions occurring at 7.6 GPa result in low seismic anisotropy with V SH / V SV (the ratio of horizontally and vertically polarized shear waves) > 1 at low temperatures (i.e., old-continental mantle conditions) and V SH / V SV < 1 at high temperatures (i.e., oceanic mantle conditions) at greater depths, consistent with seismological observations. Thus, the variations of CPO with pressure and temperature in olivine under dry conditions can explain the seismic anisotropy signatures observed in the upper mantle, without invoking other mechanisms.

The 1998 Valhall microseismic data set: An integrated study of relocated sources, seismic multiplets, and S-wave splitting

We relocate 303 microseismic events recorded in 1998 by sensors in a single borehole in the North Sea Valhall oil field. A semiautomated array analysis method repicks the P- and S-wave arrival times and P-wave polarizations, which are needed to locate these events. The relocated sources are confined predominantly to a [Formula: see text]-thick zone just above the reservoir, and location uncertainties are half those of previous efforts. Multiplet analysis identifies 40 multiplet groups, which include 208 of the 303 events. The largest group contains 24 events, and five groups contain 10 or more events. Within each multiplet group, we further improve arrival-time picking through crosscorrelation, which enhances the relative accuracy of the relocated events and reveals that more than 99% of the seismic activity lies spatially in three distinct clusters. The spatial distribution of events and wave-form similarities reveal two faultlike structures that match well with north-northwest–south-southeast-trending fault planes interpreted from 3D surface seismic data. Most waveform differences between multiplet groups located on these faults can be attributed to S-wave phase content and polarity or P-to-S amplitude ratio. The range in P-to-S amplitude ratios observed on the faults is explained best in terms of varying source mechanisms. We also find a correlation between multiplet groups and temporal variations in seismic anisotropy, as revealed by S-wave splitting analysis. We explain these findings in the context of a cyclic recharge and dissipation of cap-rock stresses in response to production-driven compaction of the underlying oil reservoir. The cyclic nature of this mechanism drives the short-term variations in seismic anisotropy and the reactivation of microseismic source mechanisms over time.

Strong variations in seismic anisotropy across the Hikurangi subduction zone, North Island, New Zealand

Shear wave splitting measurements from SKS, SKKS, S and ScS phases reveal the anisotropic structure of North Island, New Zealand. Waveforms were recorded on temporary and permanent broadband seismographs. Strong anisotropy varies rapidly across the Hikurangi subduction zone. These changes constrain the width of the deformation associated with the plate boundary and define three different regions of mantle flow. Stations in the fore-arc region, eastern central North Island record fast polarisations subparallel to the trench and moderate delay times of around 2.5 s, consistent with earlier studies of North Island. This is interpreted as caused by trench-parallel mantle flow beneath the subducted slab with a possible contribution of trench-parallel fossil anisotropy within the subducted slab. Delay times increase towards the extending Central Volcanic Region (CVR) with values up to 4.5 s, one of the largest delay times measured worldwide. Strong S-wave anisotropy (7.5%) through 80 km in the mantle wedge in addition to the sub-slab anisotropy can explain the observed high delay times. One mechanism to create such high anisotropy is melt segregation of partially molten rock. A frequency dependence of this mechanism could also explain persisting discrepancies between local and teleseismic shear wave splitting measurements. To the west, delay times decrease systematically. Measurements in the far back-arc region of western central North Island show no apparent splitting. This suggests that mantle wedge dynamics terminate beneath the western border of the CVR. The apparent isotropy beneath the far back-arc may be related to local small-scale mantle convection or vertical mantle flow, possibly caused by the detachment of lithosphere.

Small-scale variations in seismic anisotropy near Kimberley, South Africa

SUMMARY We have exploited a new data set of broad-band seismic waveforms recorded near the region of Kimberley, South Africa to place new constraints on seismic anisotropy in an area of extensive mantle modification within an Archaean cratonic setting. The Kimberley region is significant in that it represents Archaean cratonic mantle that has been studied extensively via petrologic, geochemical and seismic means, and provides a unique opportunity to meld the results of a broad range of data sets to examine processes of crust and mantle deformation. Shear wave splitting observations using SKS phases recorded by a dense broad-band seismic array in the Kimberley region exhibit consistent fast polarization directions of ∼NE‐SW and splitting times that range from 0.15 s in the SE to nearly 0.75 s in the NW regions of the array. Multichannel cross-correlation of relative arrival times of teleseismic SKS phases across the array reveals clear azimuthal variations and a relative arrival-time range comparable to the shear wave splitting delay-time range. A like analysis of teleseismic PKPdf phases does not exhibit significant differences in relative arrival times across the array. The combined relative arrival time and splitting analyses indicate that a significant change in the strength of anisotropic structure is required across the region. Our results are most consistent with a model in which variations in seismic anisotropy near the Kimberley region are constrained to the lithosphere with an average anisotropic strength of ∼1.8 per cent, extend to depths no greater than 150 km and are primarily controlled by a significant change in the strength of anisotropy within the lateral bounds of the seismic array. This inferred structural boundary is near the location of the ca 2.9 Gyr old Colesberg magnetic lineament, a prominent aeromagnetic feature interpreted as the primary suture zone joining the eastern Meso-Archaean and western Neo-Archaean blocks of the Kaapvaal craton. The proposed boundary is also located within the southern exposure of the ca 2.7 Gyr old Ventersdorp volcanic-sedimentary sequence, a key continental rifting feature in the region. We hypothesize that the observed seismic anisotropy is the result of straininduced lattice-preferred orientation of olivine caused by the amalgamation and deformation of the eastern and western blocks of the Kaapvaal craton. This collisional process mechanically weakened the region to generate the observed mantle fabric, which was exploited by significant rifting events that may have subsequently enhanced the regional fabric. This model is also consistent with SKS splitting results for the whole of southern Africa, which suggest either weak anisotropic or isotropic mantle structure in the eastern Kaapvaal and coherent mantle anisotropy across much of the western Kaapvaal. Our results support the notion that seismic anisotropy beneath Archaean continental regions is not created (or, alternatively, not preserved) during initial continental formation, but is instead generated during subsequent significant mantle-deforming events.

Stress-induced temporal variations in seismic anisotropy observed in microseismic data

SUMMARY In situ stress monitoring of crustal rocks is desirable as it yields insights into earthquake mechanisms, volcanic eruptions and changes in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Shear wave splitting, induced by stress-controlled cracks in the shallow crust, provides a way to infer this stress. Temporal variations in these observations can be difficult to quantify due to scatter in the data and discontinuous observations. Here we present evidence of temporal variations in shear wave splitting from a continuous time-series with a high occurrence of microseismic events recorded in a borehole. We interpret these observations in terms of stress-controlled cracks and are able to infer changes in stress and, via modelling, suggest the cause of the anisotropy. Possible origins of the temporal variation in per cent anisotropy are tidal or oil-field production processes. Our results suggest that shear wave splitting is a viable probe for inferring changes in crustal stress in cracked rock.

Spatial variation in the crustal anisotropy and its temporal variation associated with a moderate-sized earthquake in the Tokai region, central Japan

Spatial and temporal variations in seismic anisotropy in the crust are investigated using earthquakes in the crust and the subducting Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Tokai region, central Japan. We use a total of 351 high-quality waveform data recorded from 1986 December until 1999 August by the microearthquake observation network of the Research Center for Seismology and Volcanology, Nagoya University. The leading shear waves are polarized in an approximately E–W direction, independent of the focal depth, showing consistency with the direction of regional horizontal maximum compressive stress in the Tokai region. The time delay increases for greater focal depth down to 30 km. These results indicate that the regional compressive stress controls anisotropy not only in the upper crust but also in the lower crust. Assuming a uniform distribution of anisotropy, the degree of anisotropy is estimated to be 0.6 per cent in the lower crust. An increase in time delay is found after the Aichi-ken Tobu earthquake (M = 5.7) in 1997 at station STN. This variation is statistically significant and is not an apparent change due to the variation in hypocentre distribution or any kind of artificial effect. On the other hand, no temporal variation in time delay is found at station INU. The spatial pattern of the temporal variation in time delay is consistent with the change in the Coulomb failure function (ΔCFF) caused by both coseismic and post-seismic fault slips. We therefore conclude that the observed temporal change in time delays might be caused by increasing crack density as well as pore fluid pressure due to the static stress change accompanied with the Aichi-ken Tobu earthquake.