scholarly journals Petrophysical constraints on the seismic properties of the Kaapvaal craton mantle root

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 963-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Baptiste ◽  
A. Tommasi
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
Azimuthal Anisotropy ◽  
Mantle Xenoliths ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Kaapvaal Craton ◽  
Compositional Heterogeneity ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Seismic Properties

Abstract. We calculated the seismic properties of 47 mantle xenoliths from 9 kimberlitic pipes in the Kaapvaal craton based on their modal composition, the crystal preferred orientations (CPO) of olivine, ortho- and clinopyroxene, and garnet, the Fe content of olivine, and the pressures and temperatures at which the rocks were equilibrated. These data allow constraining the variation of seismic anisotropy and velocities with depth. The fastest P wave and fast split shear wave (S1) polarization direction is always close to olivine [100] maximum. Changes in olivine CPO symmetry result in minor variations in the seismic anisotropy patterns. Seismic anisotropy is higher for high olivine contents and stronger CPO. Maximum P waves azimuthal anisotropy (AVp) ranges between 2.5 and 10.2% and S waves polarization anisotropy (AVs) between 2.7 and 8%. Seismic properties averaged in 20 km thick intervals depth are, however, very homogeneous. Based on these data, we predict the anisotropy that would be measured by SKS, Rayleigh (SV) and Love (SH) waves for 5 end-member orientations of the foliation and lineation. Comparison to seismic anisotropy data in the Kaapvaal shows that the coherent fast directions, but low delay times imaged by SKS studies and the low azimuthal anisotropy and SH faster than SV measured using surface waves may only be consistently explained by dipping foliations and lineations. The strong compositional heterogeneity of the Kaapvaal peridotite xenoliths results in up to 3% variation in density and in up to 2.3% of variation Vp, Vs and the Vp/Vs ratio. Fe depletion by melt extraction increases Vp and Vs, but decreases the Vp/Vs ratio and density. Orthopyroxene enrichment decreases the density and Vp, but increases Vs, strongly reducing the Vp/Vs ratio. Garnet enrichment increases the density, and in a lesser manner Vp and the Vp/Vs ratio, but it has little to no effect on Vs. These compositionally-induced variations are slightly higher than the velocity perturbations imaged by body-wave tomography, but cannot explain the strong velocity anomalies reported by surface wave studies. Comparison of density and seismic velocity profiles calculated using the xenoliths' compositions and equilibrium conditions to seismological data in the Kaapvaal highlights that: (i) the thickness of the craton is underestimated in some seismic studies and reaches at least 180 km, (ii) the deep sheared peridotites represent very local modifications caused and oversampled by kimberlites, and (iii) seismological models probably underestimate the compositional heterogeneity in the Kaapvaal mantle root, which occurs at a scale much smaller than the one that may be sampled seismologically.

scholarly journals Petrophysical constraints on the seismic properties of the Kaapvaal craton mantle root

Solid Earth ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Baptiste ◽  
A. Tommasi
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Azimuthal Anisotropy ◽  
Mantle Xenoliths ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Kaapvaal Craton ◽  
Compositional Heterogeneity ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Seismic Properties ◽  
Seismological Data ◽  
Cratonic Mantle

Abstract. We calculated the seismic properties of 47 mantle xenoliths from 9 kimberlitic pipes in the Kaapvaal craton based on their modal composition, the crystal-preferred orientations (CPO) of olivine, ortho- and clinopyroxene, and garnet, the Fe content of olivine, and the pressures and temperatures at which the rocks were equilibrated. These data allow constraining the variation of seismic anisotropy and velocities within the cratonic mantle. The fastest P and S2 wave propagation directions and the polarization of fast split shear waves (S1) are always subparallel to olivine [100] axes of maximum concentration, which marks the lineation (fossil flow direction). Seismic anisotropy is higher for high olivine contents and stronger CPO. Maximum P wave azimuthal anisotropy (AVp) ranges between 2.5 and 10.2% and the maximum S wave polarization anisotropy (AVs), between 2.7 and 8%. Changes in olivine CPO symmetry result in minor variations in the seismic anisotropy patterns, mainly in the apparent isotropy directions for shear wave splitting. Seismic properties averaged over 20 km-thick depth sections are, therefore, very homogeneous. Based on these data, we predict the anisotropy that would be measured by SKS, Rayleigh (SV) and Love (SH) waves for five endmember orientations of the foliation and lineation. Comparison to seismic anisotropy data from the Kaapvaal shows that the coherent fast directions, but low delay times imaged by SKS studies, and the low azimuthal anisotropy with with the horizontally polarized S waves (SH) faster than the vertically polarized S wave (SV) measured using surface waves are best explained by homogeneously dipping (45°) foliations and lineations in the cratonic mantle lithosphere. Laterally or vertically varying foliation and lineation orientations with a dominantly NW–SE trend might also explain the low measured anisotropies, but this model should also result in backazimuthal variability of the SKS splitting data, not reported in the seismological data. The strong compositional heterogeneity of the Kaapvaal peridotite xenoliths results in up to 3% variation in density and in up to 2.3% variation of Vp, Vs, and Vp / Vs ratio. Fe depletion by melt extraction increases Vp and Vs, but decreases the Vp / Vs ratio and density. Orthopyroxene enrichment due to metasomatism decreases the density and Vp, strongly reducing the Vp / Vs ratio. Garnet enrichment, which was also attributed to metasomatism, increases the density, and in a lesser extent Vp and the Vp / Vs ratio. Comparison of density and seismic velocity profiles calculated using the xenoliths' compositions and equilibration conditions to seismological data in the Kaapvaal highlights that (i) the thickness of the craton is underestimated in some seismic studies and reaches at least 180 km, (ii) the deep sheared peridotites represent very local modifications caused and oversampled by kimberlites, and (iii) seismological models probably underestimate the compositional heterogeneity in the Kaapvaal mantle root, which occurs at a scale much smaller than the one that may be sampled seismologically.

scholarly journals Lattice-Preferred Orientation and Seismic Anisotropy of Minerals in Retrograded Eclogites from Xitieshan, Northwestern China, and Implications for Seismic Reflectance of Rocks in the Subduction Zone

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 380
Author(s):  
Jaeseok Lee ◽  
Haemyeong Jung
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Preferred Orientation ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Contact Boundary ◽  
Seismic Properties ◽  
Velocity Anisotropy ◽  
Lattice Preferred Orientation

Various rock phases, including those in subducting slabs, impact seismic anisotropy in subduction zones. The seismic velocity and anisotropy of rocks are strongly affected by the lattice-preferred orientation (LPO) of minerals; this was measured in retrograded eclogites from Xitieshan, northwest China, to understand the seismic velocity, anisotropy, and seismic reflectance of the upper part of the subducting slab. For omphacite, an S-type LPO was observed in three samples. For amphibole, the <001> axes were aligned subparallel to the lineation, and the (010) poles were aligned subnormal to foliation. The LPOs of amphibole and omphacite were similar in most samples. The misorientation angle between amphibole and neighboring omphacite was small, and a lack of intracrystalline deformation features was observed in the amphibole. This indicates that the LPO of amphibole was formed by the topotactic growth of amphibole during retrogression of eclogites. The P-wave anisotropy of amphibole in retrograded eclogites was large (approximately 3.7–7.3%). The seismic properties of retrograded eclogites and amphibole were similar, indicating that the seismic properties of retrograded eclogites are strongly affected by the amphibole LPO. The contact boundary between serpentinized peridotites and retrograded eclogites showed a high reflection coefficient, indicating that a reflected seismic wave can be easily detected at this boundary.

scholarly journals Correlation of core and downhole seismic velocities in high-pressure metamorphic rocks: A case study for the COSC-1 borehole, Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Kästner ◽  
Simona Pierdominici ◽  
Judith Elger ◽  
Christian Berndt ◽  
Alba Zappone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Mafic Rocks ◽  
Seismic Properties ◽  
The Core ◽  
Nappe Complex ◽  
Thrust Zone ◽  
Mountain Belts

&lt;p&gt;Deeply rooted thrust zones are key features of tectonic processes and the evolution of mountain belts. Exhumed and deeply-eroded orogens like the Scandinavian Caledonides allow to study such systems from the surface. Previous seismic investigations of the Seve Nappe Complex have shown indications for a strong but discontinuous reflectivity of this thrust zone, which is only poorly understood. The correlation of seismic properties measured on borehole cores with surface seismic data can help to constrain the origin of this reflectivity. In this study, we compare seismic velocities measured on cores to in situ velocities measured in the borehole. The core and downhole velocities deviate by up to 2 km/s. However, velocities of mafic rocks are generally in close agreement. Seismic anisotropy increases from about 5 to 26 % at depth, indicating a transition from gneissic to schistose foliation. Differences in the core and downhole velocities are most likely the result of microcracks due to depressurization of the cores. Thus, seismic velocity can help to identify mafic rocks on different scales whereas the velocity signature of other lithologies is obscured in core-derived velocities. Metamorphic foliation on the other hand has a clear expression in seismic anisotropy. To further constrain the effects of mineral composition, microstructure and deformation on the measured seismic anisotropy, we conducted additional microscopic investigations on selected core samples. These analyses using electron-based microscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry indicate that the anisotropy is strongest for mica schists followed by amphibole-rich units. This also emphasizes that seismic velocity and anisotropy are of complementary importance to better distinguish the present lithological units. Our results will aid in the evaluation of core-derived seismic properties of high-grade metamorphic rocks at the COSC-1 borehole and elsewhere.&lt;/p&gt;

Seismic anisotropy in exploration and reservoir characterization: An overview

Geophysics ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 75A15-75A29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya Tsvankin ◽  
James Gaiser ◽  
Vladimir Grechka ◽  
Mirko van der Baan ◽  
Leon Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
Transverse Isotropy ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Fracture Detection ◽  
Fracture Characterization ◽  
Anisotropic Models ◽  
Wide Range

Recent advances in parameter estimation and seismic processing have allowed incorporation of anisotropic models into a wide range of seismic methods. In particular, vertical and tilted transverse isotropy are currently treated as an integral part of velocity fields employed in prestack depth migration algorithms, especially those based on the wave equation. We briefly review the state of the art in modeling, processing, and inversion of seismic data for anisotropic media. Topics include optimal parameterization, body-wave modeling methods, P-wave velocity analysis and imaging, processing in the [Formula: see text] domain, anisotropy estimation from vertical-seismic-profiling (VSP) surveys, moveout inversion of wide-azimuth data, amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) analysis, processing and applications of shear and mode-converted waves, and fracture characterization. When outlining future trends in anisotropy studies, we emphasize that continued progress in data-acquisition technology is likely to spur transition from transverse isotropy to lower anisotropic symmetries (e.g., orthorhombic). Further development of inversion and processing methods for such realistic anisotropic models should facilitate effective application of anisotropy parameters in lithology discrimination, fracture detection, and time-lapse seismology.

scholarly journals Domains of Archean mantle lithosphere deciphered by seismic anisotropy – initial results from the LAPNET array in northern Fennoscandia

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 655-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Plomerová ◽  
L. Vecsey ◽  
V. Babuška ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
P Wave ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Mantle Lithosphere ◽  
Anisotropic Models ◽  
Northern Fennoscandia ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Anisotropic Structures ◽  
Initial Results

Abstract. An international LAPNET array (2007–2009, http://www.oulu.fi/sgo-oty/lapnet) of the POLENET/LAPNET sub-project of the POLENET-IPY consortium, related to POLENET seismic and geodetic studies in the Arctic regions, consisted of about 60 broadband seismic stations located on the territory of northern Finland and adjacent parts of Sweden, Norway and Russia. We analyze relative P-wave travel-time deviations evaluated for a subset of 90 teleseismic events recorded by the LAPNET array and show examples of lateral variations of shear-wave splitting to demonstrate variability of fabrics of the Archean mantle lithosphere. The initial results clearly demonstrate the Archean mantle lithosphere consists of domains with consistent fabrics reflecting fossil anisotropic structures. 3-D self-consistent anisotropic models with inclined symmetry axes accommodate two independent sets of body-wave anisotropic observations. Individual domains are delimited by boundaries (sutures), where the anisotropic parameters change. The results obtained from the LAPNET array fill a gap in structural studies of the upper mantle beneath northern Fennoscandia.

The El Asnam, Algeria, earthquake of 10 October 1980: Multiple-source mechanism determined from long-period records

1982 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 1111-1128
Author(s):  
A. Deschamps ◽  
Y. Gaudemer ◽  
A. Cisternas
Keyword(s):  
Main Shock ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
P Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Small Component ◽  
Long Period ◽  
The North ◽  
Complex Source ◽  
Dip Angle ◽  
Good Agreement

abstract We present a study of the El Asnam, Algeria, earthquake of 10 October 1980 from a large collection of long-period surface and body wave records. The focal mechanism of the main shock is well constrained by the P-wave first motions at teleseismic distances and field observations: it was a thrust event on a plane striking N45°E, and a dip angle of 54° to the north. It had a small component of left-lateral motion (λ = 83°) (Ouyed et al., 1981; Gaudemer et al., 1981). This earthquake was very well recorded on WWSSN stations and on GDSN and IDA digital stations, with a good azimuthal distribution. From these records, we confirm the focal solution and obtain a seismic moment Mo = 5 × 1026 dyne-cm. The P-wave seismograms indicate a complex source. We show that it is not sufficient to model the source by a multiple event, but it is also necessary to include a propagation effect in order to explain accurately the waveform. With assumptions based on field observation of the surface breaks, we model the P waves, including two discontinuities of the propagation, along the fault plane and obtain a good agreement of the waveform.

Can Teleseismic Travel-Times Constrain 3D Anisotropic Structure in Subduction Zones? Insights from Realistic Synthetic Experiments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon VanderBeek ◽  
Manuele Faccenda
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Azimuthal Anisotropy ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Elastic Model ◽  
Anisotropic Structure ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Delay Times

&lt;p&gt;Despite the well-established anisotropic nature of Earth&amp;#8217;s upper mantle, the influence of elastic anisotropy on teleseismic tomographic images remains largely ignored. In subduction zones, unmodeled anisotropic heterogeneity can lead to substantial isotropic velocity artefacts that may be misinterpreted as compositional heterogeneities (e.g. Bezada et al., 2016). Recent studies have demonstrated the possibility of inverting P-wave delay times for the strength and orientation of seismic anisotropy assuming a hexagonal symmetry system (e.g. Huang et al., 2015; Munzarov&amp;#225; et al., 2018). However, the ability of P-wave delay times to constrain complex anisotropic patterns, such as those expected in subduction settings, remains unclear as the aforementioned methods are tested using ideal self-consistent data (i.e. data produced using the assumptions built into the tomography algorithm) generated from simplified synthetic models. Here, we test anisotropic P-wave imaging methods on data generated from geodynamic simulations of subduction. Micromechanical models of polymineralic aggregates advected through the simulated flow field are used to create an elastic model with up to 21 independent coefficients. We then model the teleseismic wavefield through this fully anisotropic model using SPECFEM3D coupled with AxiSEM. P-wave delay times across a synthetic seismic array are measured using conventional cross-correlation techniques and inverted for isotropic velocity and the strength and orientation of anisotropy using travel-time tomography methods. We propose and validate approximate analytic finite-frequency sensitivity kernels for the simplified anisotropic parameters. Our results demonstrate that P-wave delays can reliably recover horizontal and vertical changes in the azimuth of anisotropy. However, substantial isotropic artefacts remain in the solution when only inverting for azimuthal anisotropy parameters. These isotropic artefacts are largely removed when inverting for the dip as well as the azimuth of the anisotropic symmetry axis. Due to the relative nature of P-wave delay times, these data generally fail to reconstruct anisotropic structure that is spatially uniform over large scales. To overcome this limitation, we propose a joint inversion of SKS splitting intensity with P-wave delay times. Preliminary results demonstrate that this approach improves the recovery of the magnitude and azimuth of anisotropy. We conclude that teleseismic P-wave travel-times are a useful observable for probing the 3D distribution of upper mantle anisotropy and that anisotropic inversions should be explored to better understand the nature of isotropic velocity anomalies in subduction settings.&lt;/p&gt;

Physical modeling of overburden effects

Geophysics ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. T37-T45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mu Luo ◽  
Mamoru Takanashi ◽  
Kazuo Nakayama ◽  
Teruya Ezaka
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Physical Modeling ◽  
Wave Reflection ◽  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Middle Layer ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
P Waves ◽  
High Degree

Reservoir properties can be inferred from the amount of anisotropy estimated from seismic data. Unfortunately, irregularities in the formations above the reservoir unit can mask or overprint the true seismic anisotropy of the reservoir unit. This overburden effect subjects the measured reservoir seismic anisotropy to a high degree of uncertainty. We investigate this overburden effect on P-waves with a three-layer ultrasonic laboratory-scale model whose middle layer contains localized, gas-filled vertical fractures. We analyze the reflection amplitudes and traveltimes of a P-wave reflection event from below the overburden to understand the overburden effect on anisotropy analysis and imaging. Our study shows that steps must be taken to reduce the P-wave overburden effect when significant irregularities occur in the formations above the reservoir unit.

Relation between P- and S-wave corner frequencies in the seismic spectrum

1974 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1621-1627 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Savage
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
Fault Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Corner Frequency ◽  
Rupture Propagation ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Fault Surface ◽  
S Waves

abstract A comprehensive set of body-wave spectra has been calculated for the Haskell fault model generalized to a circular fault surface. These spectra are used to show that in practice the P-wave corner frequency (ƒp) may exceed the S-wave corner frequency (ƒs) when near-sonic or transonic rupture propagation obtains. The explanation appears to be that in such cases ƒs is so large that it is not identified within the recorded band, but rather a secondary corner is mistaken for ƒs. As a consequence of failing to detect the true asymptotic trend, the high-frequency falloff of the spectrum with frequency is substantially less for S waves than for P waves. This explanation appears to be consistent with the demonstration by Molnar, Tucker, and Brune (1973) that ƒp may exceed ƒs.

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