Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jul 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006geoji.166..469s&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Journal International, Volume 166, Issue 24, pp. 469-484.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
21
Backarc Basin, Crustal Structure, Moho Discontinuity, Reflection Seismology, Refraction Seismology, Underplating
Scientific paper
Near vertical and wide-angle seismic data provide evidence for a gradational crust-mantle boundary in a depth range of 15-20 km beneath the Central Volcanic Region (CVR), New Zealand. This volcanic area includes the Taupo Volcanic Zone and is a direct extension of Tonga-Kermadec oceanic backarc spreading into continental lithosphere. Long-range seismic refraction data show velocities of 6 km s-1 and less within the top 15 km of the crust of the CVR. At a depth of 15 km compressional seismic velocities increase to 6.8 km s-1, and then to 7.4 +/- 0.2 km s-1 at ~20 km depth. These 7.4 km s-1 seismic wave speeds are interpreted as anomalous upper mantle as beneath this level passive seismic studies show similar Pn wave speeds that increase slowly to ~7.8 km s-1 at about 80 km deep. We interpret rocks between 15 and 20 km to be a layer of new crust formed by underplating. The strongest reflection observed, and what might also be interpreted as a reflection Moho, is from the top of the proposed underplated layer at 15 km depth. At 20 km depth no such distinct reflection is observed. Rather, wide-angle reflection data show a continuum of low-level reflectivity between 15 and at least 35 km depth, indicating some heterogeneity and/or structure within the lower crust and upper mantle. Thus the transition from lower crust to upper mantle is broad, and a conventional reflection Moho does not exist beneath the CVR. Buoyancy force calculations based on rock uplift for the central North Island indicate that the subjacent mantle, to a depth of 80-100 km is ~70 kg m-3 or 2 per cent less dense than normal mantle. Best estimates attribute half of this density anomaly to the effects of increased temperature with additional contributions from partial melt (~1.2 per cent) and melt residuum.
Stern T. A.
Stratford W. R.
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