Seismic velocity structure of the crust and shallow mantle of the Central and Eastern United States by seismic surface wave imaging
Seismic surface waves from the Transportable Array of EarthScope's USArray are used to estimate phase velocity structure of 18 to 125 s Rayleigh waves, then inverted to obtain three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure of the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) down to ∼200 km. The obtained lithosphere structure confirms previously imaged CEUS features, e.g., the low seismic-velocity signature of the Cambrian Reelfoot Rift and the very low velocity at >150 km depth below an Eocene volcanic center in northwestern Virginia. New features include high-velocity mantle stretching from the Archean Superior Craton well into the Proterozoic terranes and deep low-velocity zones in central Texas (associated with the late Cretaceous Travis and Uvalde volcanic fields) and beneath the South Georgia Rift (which contains Jurassic basalts). Hot spot tracks may be associated with several imaged low-velocity zones, particularly those close to the former rifted Laurentia margin.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2016 |
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Title | Seismic velocity structure of the crust and shallow mantle of the Central and Eastern United States by seismic surface wave imaging |
DOI | 10.1002/2015GL066637 |
Authors | Fred Pollitz, Walter D. Mooney |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
Index ID | 70164521 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Earthquake Science Center |