Evidence for strong shear velocity reductions and velocity gradients in the lower mantle beneath Africa
Abstract
We present data which indicate that the broad, low shear velocity anomaly beneath southern Africa is stronger and more extensive than previously thought. Recordings of earthquakes in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean at an array of broadband seismic stations in eastern Africa show anomalously large propagation time delays of the shear phases S, ScS, and SKS which vary rapidly with epicentral distance. By forward modeling, we estimate that the low velocity anomaly extends from the core-mantle boundary about 1500 km up into the mantle and that the average shear velocity within this structure is 3% lower than in standard models such as PREM. Strong velocity contrasts exist at its margins (2% over about 300 km). These seismic characteristic are consistent with recent numerical simulations of lower mantle mega-plume formation.
Additional Information
© 1998 by the American Geophysical Union. Received August 19, 1998; revised September 22, 1998; accepted September 29, 1998. The Tanzania seismic network was Operated by researchers of the Pennsylvania State University, the University of South Carolina, and the Geological Survey of Tanzania. GSN data was provided by the IRIS/DMC. All figures were generated using the GMT software. We thank J. Tromp and J. Vidale for their reviews. This research is funded by NSF grant EAR98-96210. Contribution No. 8583, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences.Attached Files
Published - 1998GL900127.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 37015
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20130220-102248772
- NSF
- EAR98-96210
- Created
-
2013-02-20Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Other Numbering System Name
- Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 8583