Seismic anisotropy of South African upper mantle xenoliths

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

13

Scientific paper

Seismic properties of six upper mantle xenoliths from South Africa were determined both by laboratory measurements at elevated pressure and numerical calculations from petrofabric analyses, in order to provide constraints on the structural interpretation of the field seismic data obtained in recent years. The samples studied include harzburgite, garnet harzburgite, mica harzburgite, lherzolite and garnet lherzolite. Average anisotropies calculated from petrofabrics are 5.4% for Vp and 4.4% for Vs. Ultrasonic measured anisotropies from xenolith rock cores are approximately 1% lower than calculated values. This difference is likely due to simplifications in modal mineralogy used in the calculations and small amounts of alteration in the samples used in the velocity measurements. Comparison of laboratory data with the SKS and Pn data yields possible structural orientations in the upper mantle beneath the South Africa continent. Our results suggest that foliation in the upper mantle is likely horizontal, and the stretching lineation (olivine a-axis) is oriented N30°E, which coincides with the absolute plate motion (APM) of the South African continent. It is apparent from our data that the fast S-wave polarization depends on the propagation direction with respect to petrofabric orientations and does not always indicate the stretching lineation.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Seismic anisotropy of South African upper mantle xenoliths does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Seismic anisotropy of South African upper mantle xenoliths, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Seismic anisotropy of South African upper mantle xenoliths will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1718587

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.