Publications
95 results found
Pugh S, Boyce A, Bastow I, et al., 2023, Multigenetic Origin of the X-discontinuity Below Continents: Insights from African Receiver Functions, G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: an electronic journal of the earth sciences, ISSN: 1525-2027
Ogden C, Bastow I, Ebinger C, et al., 2023, The Development of Multiple Phases of Superposed Rifting in the Turkana Depression, East Africa: Evidence from Receiver Functions, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, ISSN: 0012-821X
Boyce A, Liddell M, Pugh S, et al., 2023, A new P-wave Tomographic Model (CAP22) for North America: Implications for the Subduction and Cratonic Metasomatic Modification History of Western Canada and Alaska, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, ISSN: 2169-9356
Magee C, Reeve MT, Jackson CA-L, et al., 2023, Reply to Alves et al. (2022) discussion on "Stratigraphic record of continental breakup, offshore NW Australia" by Reeve et al. (2022), Basin Research, Vol: 35, Pages: 483-486, ISSN: 0950-091X
Leah H, Fagereng A, Bastow I, et al., 2022, The northern Hikurangi margin 3D plate interface remains rough 100 km from the trench, Geology (Boulder), ISSN: 0091-7613
t the northern Hikurangi margin (North Island, New Zealand), shallow slow slip events (SSEs) frequently accommodate subduction interface plate motion from landward of the trench to <20 km depth. SSEs may be spatially related to geometrical interface heterogeneity, though km-scale plate interface roughness imaged by active-source seismic methods is only constrained offshore at <12 km depth. Onshore constraints are comparatively lacking, but here we map the Hikurangi margin plate interface using receiver functions from data collected by a dense 22 x10 km array of 49 broadband seismometers. The plate interface manifests as a positive-amplitude conversion (velocity increase with depth) dipping west from 10-17 km depth. This interface corroborates relocated earthquake hypocenters, seismic velocity models, and downdip extrapolation of depth-converted 2D active-source lines.
Ogden C, Bastow I, 2022, The crustal structure of the Anatolian Plate from receiver functions and implications for the uplift of the Central and Eastern Anatolian plateaus, Geophysical Journal International, Vol: 229, Pages: 1041-1062, ISSN: 0956-540X
Understanding the crustal structure of the Anatolian Plate has important implications for its formation and evolution, including the extent to which its high elevation is maintained isostatically. However, the numerous teleseismic receiver function studies from which Anatolian Moho depths have been obtained return results that differ by ≤21 km at some seismograph stations. To address this issue, we determine Moho depth and bulk crustal VP/VS ratio (κ) at 582 broadband seismograph stations, including ∼100 for which H-κ results have not been reported previously. We use a modified H-κ stacking method in which a final solution is selected from a suite of up to 1000 repeat H-κ measurements, each calculated using randomly-selected receiver functions and H-κ input parameters. Ten quality control criteria that variously assess the final numerical result, the receiver function data set, and the extent to which the results are clustered tightly, are used to determine station quality. By refining Moho depth constraints, including identifying 182 stations, analysed previously, where H-κ stacking yields unreliable results (particularly in Eastern Anatolia and the rapidly-uplifting Taurides), our new crustal model (ANATOLIA-HK21) provides fresh insight into Anatolian crustal structure and topography. Changes in Moho depth within the Anatolian Plate occur on a shorter length-scale than has sometimes previously been assumed. For example, crustal thickness decreases abruptly from >40 km in the northern Kirsehir block to <32 km beneath the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province and Tuz Golu basin. Moho depth increases from 30-35 km on the Arabian Plate to 35-40 km across the East Anatolian Fault into Anatolia, in support of structural geological observations that Arabia-Anatolia crustal shortening was accommodated primarily on the Anatolian, not Arabian, Plate. However, there are no consistent changes in Moho depth across the North Anatol
Reeve MT, Magee C, Jackson CA-L, et al., 2022, Stratigraphic record of continental breakup, offshore NW Australia, BASIN RESEARCH, Vol: 34, Pages: 1220-1243, ISSN: 0950-091X
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Chiasera B, Rooney T, Bastow I, et al., 2021, Magmatic rifting in the Main Ethiopian Rift began in thick continental lithosphere; the case of the Galema range, Lithos, Vol: 406-407, Pages: 1-16, ISSN: 0024-4937
The northern Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) in East Africa is considered a region of incipient oceanic spreading, with Miocene border faulting now largely abandoned at the expense of magmatic extension in the Wonji Fault Belt (WFB). However, whether magmatic extension began when the Ethiopian lithosphere was still-thick, or heavily stretched, is unknown. TheGalema range, a linear Pliocene dike swarm parallel to the eastern margin of the present-day central MER, is an ideal study locale to constrain melting depths, and by inference the thickness of the lithosphere, during early magmatic rifting. To address this issue, we present whole-rock, trace element data on 77 samples of Galema range magmas. We interpret contrasting results between two modeling approaches as evidence for magma ponding subsequent to melt generation. Trace element models of melt generation reveal melting conditions of TP=1418-1450°C at 2.9-3.2 GPa, some ~68-100°C above ambient. In contrast, Si/Mg activity thermobarometry, which probes the point at which these magmas last re equilibrated with the mantle, yielded broadly similar temperatures (1435-1474°C) but at lower pressures (2.1-2.6 ± 0.2 GPa: 78-89 km depth); these results are broadly parallel to contemporaneous magmatism on the western rift margin in the Akaki Magmatic Zone. We interpret these results as evidence for magma stalling at a thermo-mechanical boundary to ascent: the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary. The Ethiopian continental lithosphere has therefore remained relatively thick late into the rifting process, with important potential implications for late-stage decompression melting prior to the onset of seafloor spreading.
Merry T, Bastow I, Kounoudis R, et al., 2021, The influence of the North Anatolian Fault and a fragmenting slab architecture on upper mantle seismic anisotropy in the eastern Mediterranean, G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: an electronic journal of the earth sciences, Vol: 22, Pages: 1-26, ISSN: 1525-2027
The eastern Mediterranean hosts, within the span of a few hundred kilometers, extensional, strike-slip, and collision tectonics above a set of fragmenting subducting slabs. Slab roll-back, toroidal flow, and lithospheric dripping/delamination processes are also believed to be operating. Associated asthenospheric flow and lithospheric de formation are expected to manifest as seismic anisotropy, measurable via study of SKS shear wave splitting. Surprisingly, previous SKS splitting investigations have resolved only long wavelength patterns of anisotropy in the region, interpreting them as large scale asthenospheric flow; moreover, no anisotropic signature has been associated with the North Anatolian Fault (NAF), unlike other major strike-slip plate boundaries world wide. We present a 29-year record of SKS splitting observations, revealing hitherto unrecognized short-length-scale variations in anisotropy, and backazimuthal variations of splitting parameters that attest to multi-layered anisotropy. Lithospheric anisotropy beneath the NAF exhibits fast directions either fault-parallel or intermediate between the principle extensional strain rate axis and fault strike, diagnostic of a relatively low strained transcurrent mantle shear zone. Elsewhere, anisotropy is consistent with as thenospheric flow through tomographically-imaged slab gaps, and driven by Hellenic trench retreat. Evidence for westward flow of asthenosphere driving Anatolian plate motion is lacking. Shorter splitting delay times and nulls in central Anatolia suggest weaker azimuthal anisotropy in the asthenosphere, supporting models that invoke ver tical mantle flow patterns (lithospheric dripping/asthenospheric upwelling). Thus, we conclude that the signal of mantle anisotropy more closely reflects the lithospheric de formation, complex slab architecture and geodynamic diversity of the region than pre36 viously recognized.
Kounoudis R, Bastow I, Ebinger C, et al., 2021, Body-wave tomographic imaging of the Turkana Depression: Implications for rift development and plume-lithosphere interactions, G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: an electronic journal of the earth sciences, Vol: 22, Pages: 1-27, ISSN: 1525-2027
The Turkana Depression, a topographically-subdued, broadly-rifted zone between the elevated East African and Ethiopian plateaus, disrupts the N–S, fault-bounded rift basin morphology that characterizes most of the East African Rift. The unusual breadth of the Turkana Depression leaves unanswered questions about the initiation and evolution of rifting between the Main Ethiopian and Eastern rifts. Hypotheses explaining the unusually broad, low-lying area include superposed Mesozoic and Cenozoic rifting and a lack of mantle lithospheric thinning and dynamic support. To address these issues, we have carried out the first body-wave tomographic study of the Depression’s upper mantle. Seismically-derived temperatures at 100 km depth exceed petrological estimates, suggesting the presence of mantle melt, although not as voluminous as the Main Ethiopian Rift, contributes to velocity anomalies. A NW–SE-trending high wavespeed band in southern Ethiopia at urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22580:ggge22580-math-0001200 km depth is interpreted as refractory Proterozoic lithosphere which has likely influenced the localization of both Mesozoic and Cenozoic rifting. At urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22580:ggge22580-math-0002100 km depth below the central Depression, a single localized low wavespeed zone is lacking. Only in the northernmost Eastern Rift and southern Lake Turkana is there evidence for focused low wavespeeds resembling the Main Ethiopian Rift, that bifurcate below the Depression and broaden approaching southern Ethiopia further north. These low wavespeeds may be attributed to melt-intruded mantle lithosphere or ponded asthenospheric material below lithospheric thin-spots induced by the region's multiple rifting phases. Low wavespeeds persist to the mantle transition zone suggesting the Depression may not lack mantle dynamic support in comparison to the two plateaus.
Ogden C, Keir D, Bastow I, et al., 2021, Seismicity and crustal structure of the southern main Ethiopian rift: new evidence from Lake Abaya, G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: an electronic journal of the earth sciences, Vol: 22, Pages: 1-17, ISSN: 1525-2027
The Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) has developed during the 18 Ma-Recent separation of the Nubian and Somalian plates. Extension in its central and northern sectors is associated with seismic activity and active magma intrusion, primarily within the rift, where shallow (urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22586:ggge22586-math-00015 km) seismicity along magmatic centers is commonly caused by fluid flow through open fractures in hydrothermal systems. However, the extent to which similar magmatic rifting persists into the southern MER is unknown. Using data from a temporary network of five seismograph stations, we analyze patterns of seismicity and crustal structure in the Abaya region of the southern MER. Magnitudes range from 0.9 to 4.0; earthquake depths are 0–30 km. urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22586:ggge22586-math-0002 ratios of urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22586:ggge22586-math-00031.69, estimated from Wadati diagram analysis, corroborate bulk-crustal urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22586:ggge22586-math-0004 ratios determined via teleseismic P-to-S receiver function H-urn:x-wiley:15252027:media:ggge22586:ggge22586-math-0005 stacking and reveal a relative lack of mafic intrusion compared to the MER rift sectors to the north. There is a clear association of seismicity with the western border fault system of the MER everywhere in our study area, but earthquake depths are shallow near Duguna volcano, implying a shallowed geothermal gradient associated with rift valley silicic magmatism. This part of the MER is thus interpreted best as a young magmatic system that locally impacts the geothermal gradient but that has not yet significantly modified continental crustal composition via rift-axial magmatic rifting.
Bastow I, 2021, Ethiopia from top to bottom: using seismology to understand how tectonic plates rise, split, then fall, Transactions of the Leicester Literary & Philosophical Society
Reeve MT, Magee C, Bastow ID, et al., 2021, Nature of the cuvier abyssal plain crust, offshore NW Australia, Journal of the Geological Society, Vol: 178, Pages: 1-17, ISSN: 0016-7649
Magnetic stripes have long been assumed to be indicative of oceanic crust. However, continental crust heavily intruded by magma can also record magnetic stripes. We re-evaluate the nature of the Cuvier Abyssal Plain (CAP), offshore NW Australia, which hosts magnetic stripes and has previously been defined as oceanic crust. We show that chemical data from a basalt within the CAP, previously described as an enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt, could equally be interpreted to contain evidence of contamination by continental material. We also recognize seaward-dipping reflector sequences in seismic reflection data across the CAP. Borehole data from overlying sedimentary rocks suggests that these seaward-dipping reflectors were emplaced in a shallow water (<200 m depth) or subaerial environment. Our results indicate that the CAP may not be unambiguous oceanic crust, but may instead consist of a spectrum of heavily intruded continental crust through to fully oceanic crust. If the CAP represents such a continent–ocean transition zone, then the adjacent unambiguous oceanic crust would be located >500 km further offshore NW Australia than currently thought. This would impact plate tectonic reconstructions, as well as heat flow and basin modelling studies. Our work also supports the growing consensus that magnetic stripes cannot, by themselves, be used to determine crustal affinity.
Boyce A, Bastow I, Cottaar S, et al., 2021, AFRP20: New P-wavespeed model for the African mantle reveals two whole-mantle plumes below East Africa and Neoproterozoic modification of the Tanzania craton, G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: an electronic journal of the earth sciences, Vol: 22, ISSN: 1525-2027
Africa, but their morphology, number, location, and impact on the African lithosphere are debated. The broad slow wavespeed African Superplume, ubiquitous in large‐scale tomographic models, originates below South Africa, reaching the surface somewhere below East Africa. However, whether the diverse East African mantle geochemistry is best reconciled with one heterogeneous upwelling, or current tomographic models lack the resolution to image multiple distinct plumes, remains enigmatic. S‐wavespeed tomographic images of Africa are legion, but higher frequency P‐wavespeed whole‐mantle models possessing complementary diagnostic capabilities are comparatively lacking. This hinders attempts to disentangle the effects of Cenozoic hotspot tectonism and Pan African (and older) tectonic events on the East African lithosphere. Here we develop a continental‐scale P‐wave tomographic model capable of resolving structure from upper‐to‐lower mantle depths using a recently developed technique to extract absolute arrival‐times from noisy, temporary African seismograph deployments. Shallow‐mantle wavespeeds are δVP ≈ −4% below Ethiopia, but less anomalous (δVP ≥–2%) below other volcanic provinces. The heterogeneous African Superplume reaches the upper mantle below the Kenyan plateau. Below Ethiopia/Afar we image a second sub‐vertical slow wavespeed anomaly rooted near the core‐mantle boundary outside the African LLVP, meaning multiple disparately sourced whole‐mantle plumes may influence East African magmatism. In contrast to other African cratons, wavespeeds below Tanzania are only fast to 90–135 km depth. When interpreted alongside Lower Eocene on‐craton kimberlites, our results support pervasive metasomatic lithospheric modification caused by subduction during the Neoproterozoic Pan‐African orogeny.
Karlowska E, Bastow I, Rondenay S, et al., 2020, The development of seismic anisotropy below south-central Alaska: Evidence from local earthquake shear-wave splitting, Geophysical Journal International, Vol: 225, Pages: 548-554, ISSN: 0956-540X
The Transportable Array in south-central Alaska spans several subduction zone features: backarc, forearc and volcanic arc, making it an ideal tool to study subduction zone anisotropy. Shear wave splitting analysis of 157 local earthquakes of mb ≥ 3.0 that occurred between 2014 and 2019 yields 210 high-quality measurements at 23 stations. Splitting delay times (δt) are generally small (δt ≈ 0.3 s), increasing with distance from the trench. Arc-parallel fast directions, ϕ, are only seen in the forearc, but rotate to arc-perpendicular ϕ in the backarc. Observed ϕ values generally do not parallel teleseismic SKS splitting results, implying that the latter is sensitive primarily to subslab mantle flow, not mantle wedge dynamics. The forearc local-earthquake signal likely originates from anisotropic serpentinite in fractures atop the subducting Pacific Plate, with possible additional signal coming from fractures in the North American crust. Mantle wedge corner flow, potentially with additional arc-perpendicular anisotropy in the subducting slab, explains backarc anisotropy.
Wojcicka N, Collins G, Bastow I, et al., 2020, The seismic moment and seismic efficiency of small impacts on Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Vol: 125, Pages: 1-20, ISSN: 2169-9097
Since landing in late 2018, the InSight lander has been recording seismic signals on the surface of Mars. Despite nominal pre-landing estimates of 1–3 meteorite impacts detected per Earth year, none have yet been identified seismically. To inform revised detectability estimates, we simulated numerically a suite of small impacts onto Martian regolith and characterized their seismic source properties. For the impactor size and velocity range most relevant for InSight, crater diameters are 1-30 m. We found that in this range scalar seismic moment is 106−1010Nm and increases almost linearly with impact momentum. The ratio of horizontal to vertical seismic moment tensor components is∼1, implying an almost isotropic P-wave source, for vertical impacts. Seismic efficiencies are ∼10−6, dependent on the target crushing strength and impact velocity. Our predictions of relatively low seismic efficiency and seismic moment suggest that meteorite impact de-tectability on Mars is lower than previously assumed. Detection chances are best for impacts forming craters of diameter>10m.
Kounoudis R, Bastow I, Ogden C, et al., 2020, Seismic tomographic imaging of the Eastern Mediterranean Mantle: Implications for terminal-stage subduction, the uplift of Anatolia, and the development of the North Anatolian Fault, G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: an electronic journal of the earth sciences, Vol: 21, ISSN: 1525-2027
The Eastern Mediterranean captures the eastwest transition from active subduction of Earth'soldest oceanic lithosphere to continental collision, making it an ideal location to study terminalstagesubduction. Asthenospheric or subductionrelated processes are the main candidates for the region's ∼2kmuplift and Miocene volcanism; however, their relative importance is debated. To address these issues, wepresent new P and S wave relative arrivaltime tomographic models that reveal fast anomalies associatedwith an intact Aegean slab in the west, progressing to a fragmented, partially continental, Cyprean slabbelow central Anatolia. We resolve a gap between the Aegean and Cyprean slabs, and a horizontal tear in theCyprean slab below the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province. Below eastern Anatolia, the completelydetached “Bitlis” slab is characterized by fast wave speeds at ∼500 km depth. Assuming slab sinkingrates mirror ArabiaAnatolia convergence rates, the Bitlis slab's location indicates an Oligocene (∼26 Ma)breakoff. Results further reveal a strong velocity contrast across the North Anatolian Fault likelyrepresenting a 40–60 km decrease in lithospheric thickness from the Precambrian lithosphere north of thefault to a thinned Anatolian lithosphere in the south. Slow uppermostmantle wave speeds below activevolcanoes in eastern Anatolia, and ratios of P to S wave relative traveltimes, indicate a thin lithosphere andmelt contributions. Positive central and eastern Anatolian residual topography requires additional supportfrom hot/buoyant asthenosphere to maintain the 1–2 km elevation in addition to an almost absentlithospheric mantle. Smallscale fast velocity structures in the shallow mantle above the Bitlis slab maytherefore be drips of Anatolian lithospheric mantle.
Petrescu L, Graham S, Houseman G, et al., 2020, Upper mantle deformation signatures of craton-orogen interaction in the Carpathian-Pannonian region from SKS anisotropy analysis, Geophysical Journal International, Vol: 220, Pages: 2105-2118, ISSN: 0956-540X
Since the Mesozoic, central and eastern European tectonics have been dominated by the closure of the Tethyan Ocean as the African and European plates collided. In the Miocene, the edge of the East European Craton and Moesian Platform were reworked in collision during the Carpathian orogeny and lithospheric extension formed the Pannonian Basin. To investigate the mantle deformation signatures associated with this complex collisional-extensional system, we carry out SKS splitting analysis at 123 broad-band seismic stations in the region. We compare our measurements with estimates of lithospheric thickness and recent seismic tomography models to test for correlation with mantle heterogeneities. Reviewing splitting delay times in light of xenolith measurements of anisotropy yields estimates of anisotropic layer thickness. Fast polarization directions are mostly NW–SE oriented across the seismically slow West Carpathians and Pannonian Basin and are independent of geological boundaries, absolute plate motion direction or an expected palaeo-slab roll-back path. Instead, they are systematically orthogonal to maximum stress directions, implying that the indenting Adria Plate, the leading deformational force in Central Europe, reset the upper-mantle mineral fabric in the past 5 Ma beneath the Pannonian Basin, overprinting the anisotropic signature of earlier tectonic events. Towards the east, fast polarization directions are perpendicular to steep gradients of lithospheric thickness and align along the edges of fast seismic anomalies beneath the Precambrian-aged Moesian Platform in the South Carpathians and the East European Craton, supporting the idea that craton roots exert a strong influence on the surrounding mantle flow. Within the Moesian Platform, SKS measurements become more variable with Fresnel zone arguments indicating a shallow fossil lithospheric source of anisotropy likely caused by older tectonic deformation frozen in the Precambrian. In the Southe
Ogden C, Bastow I, Gilligan A, et al., 2019, A reappraisal of the H-κ stacking technique: implications for global crustal structure, Geophysical Journal International, Vol: 219, Pages: 1491-1513, ISSN: 0956-540X
H-κ stacking is used routinely to infer crustal thickness and bulk-crustal VP/VS ratio from teleseismic receiver functions. The method assumes that the largest amplitude P-to-S conversions beneath the seismograph station are generated at the Moho. This is reasonable where the crust is simple and the Moho marks a relatively abrupt transition from crust to mantle, but not if the crust-mantle transition is gradational and/or complex intra-crustal structure exists. We demonstrate via synthetic seismogram analysis that H-κ results can be strongly dependent on the choice of stacking parameters (the relative weights assigned to the Moho P-to-S conversion and its subsequent reverberations, the choice of linear or phase-weighted stacking, input crustal P-wave velocity) and associated data parameters (receiver function frequency content and the sample of receiver functions analyzed). To address this parameter sensitivity issue, we develop an H-κ approach in which cluster analysis selects a final solution from 1000 individual H-κ results, each calculated using randomly-selected receiver functions, and H-κ input parameters. Ten quality control criteria that variously assess the final numerical result, the receiver function dataset, and the extent to which the results are tightly clustered, are used to assess the reliability of H-κ stacking at a station. Analysis of synthetic datasets indicates H-κ works reliably when the Moho is sharp and intra-crustal structure is lacking but is less successful when the Moho is gradational. Limiting the frequency content of receiver functions can improve the H-κ solutions in such settings, provided intra-crustal structure is simple. In cratonic Canada, India and Australia, H-κ solutions generally cluster tightly, indicative of simple crust and a sharp Moho. In contrast, on the Ethiopian plateau, where Paleogene flood-basalts overlie marine sediments, H-κ results are unstable and erron
Bernardino M, Jones C, Levandowski W, et al., 2019, A multicomponent Isabella anomaly: Resolving the physical state of the Sierra Nevada upper mantle from Vp/Vs anisotropy tomography, Geosphere, Vol: 15, Pages: 2018-2042, ISSN: 1553-040X
The Isabella anomaly, a prominent upper-mantle high-speed P-wave anomaly located within the southern Great Valley and southwestern foothills of the Sierra Nevada, has been interpreted either as foundering sub-Sierranlithosphere or as remnant oceanic lithosphere. We used Vp/Vs anisotropytomography to distinguish among the probable origins of the Isabella anomaly.S waveforms were rotated into the Sierran SKSFast and SKSSlow directionsdetermined from SKS-splitting studies. Teleseismic P-, SFast-, SSlow-, SKSFast-, andSKSSlow-wave arrival times were then inverted to obtain three-dimensional(3-D) perturbations in Vp, Vp/VsMean, and percent azimuthal anisotropy usingthree surface wave 3-D starting models and one one-dimensional (1-D) model.We observed the highest Vp/Vs anomalies associated with slower velocitiesin regions marked by young volcanism, with the largest of these anomaliesbeing the Mono anomaly under the Long Valley region, which extends todepths of at least 75 km. Peak Vp/Vs perturbations of +4% were found at 40km depth. The low velocities and high Vp/Vs values of this anomaly couldbe related to partial melt.The high wave speeds of the Isabella anomaly coincide with low Vp/Vsvalues with peak perturbations of −2%, yet they do not covary spatially. TheP-wave inversion imaged the Isabella anomaly as a unimodal eastward-plungingbody. However, the volume of that Isabella anomaly contains three separatebodies as defined by varying Vp/Vs values. High speeds, regionally averageVp/Vs values (higher than the other two anomalies), and lower anisotropycharacterize the core of the Isabella anomaly. The western and shallowestpart has high wave speeds and a lower Vp/Vs values than the surroundingmantle. The eastern and deepest part of the anomaly also contains highspeeds and lower Vp/Vs values but exhibits higher anisotropy. We consideredcombinations of varying temperature, Mg content (melt depletion), or modalgarnet to reproduce our observations. Our results suggest t
Boyce A, Bastow I, Golos E, et al., 2019, Variable modification of continental lithosphere during the Proterozoic Grenville Orogeny: evidence from teleseismic P-wave tomography, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol: 525, ISSN: 0012-821X
Cratons, the ancient cores of the continents, have survived thermal and mechanical erosion over multiple Wilson cycles, but the ability of their margins to withstand modification during continental convergence is debated. The Proterozoic Grenville orogeny operated for ≥300Myr along the eastern edge of the proto-North American continent Laurentia, whose age varied north-to-south from ∼1.5−0.25Gyr at the time of collision. The preserved Grenville Province, west of the Appalachian terranes, has remained largely tectonically quiescent since its formation. Thick, cool, mantle lithosphere that underlies these Proterozoic regions is typically identified by elevated seismic velocities but lithospheric modification by fluid/melt-derived metasomatic enrichment above a subduction zone, can lead to a reduction in VP with little effect on VS and density. Absolute P wavespeed constraints are therefore a vital complement to existing S-wave tomographic models of North America to investigate craton edge modification mechanisms in the Grenville orogen.New P-wave tomographic imaging of the North American continent, which benefits from recent developments in arrival-time processing of regional network deployments from the Canadian shield, reveals along strike wavespeed variation in the Grenville orogen. In the north, high seismic wavespeeds (to depths of 250km) extend eastwards, from the Archean core of North America to beneath the Canadian Grenville Province. In contrast, below the southern U.S., high lithospheric wavespeeds are restricted to west of the Grenville Province, in particular at depths less than 150km. We argue that subduction-derived metasomatism beneath eastern Laurentia modified the southern Grenville, prior to thermal stabilization and perhaps mantle keel formation. Beneath the northern Grenville, the thick, depleted Laurentian lithosphere resisted extensive metasomatism. Along strike age differences in Grenvillian terranes and their resulting metasomatic
Venereau C, Robert M-S, Bastow I, et al., 2019, The role of variable slab dip in driving mantle flow at the eastern edge of the Alaskan subduction margin: insights from SKS shear-wave splitting, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Vol: 20, Pages: 2433-2448, ISSN: 1525-2027
Alaska provides an ideal tectonic setting for investigating the interaction between subduction and asthenospheric flow. Within the span of a few hundred kilometers along strike, the geometry of the subducting Pacific plate varies significantly and terminates in a sharp edge. Furthermore, the region documents a transition from subduction along the Aleutian Arc to strike‐slip faulting along the Pacific Northwest. To better understand mantle interactions within this subduction zone, we conduct an SKS shear‐wave splitting analysis on passive‐source seismic data collected between 2011 and 2018 at 239 broadband seismometers, including those from the Transportable Array. Anisotropic fast directions in the east of our study area parallel the Queen Charlotte and Fairweather transform faults, suggesting that the ongoing development of lithospheric anisotropy dominates the results there. However, our observed delay times (δt = 1–1.5 s) obtained across the study region may also imply an asthenospheric contribution to the splitting pattern. Our splitting observations exhibit slab‐parallel fast directions northwest of the trench and a rotation of fast directions around the northeastern slab edge. These observations suggest the presence of toroidal asthenospheric flow around the edge of the downgoing Pacific plate. We suggest that Wrangell Volcanic Field volcanism might be caused by mantle upwelling associated with this flow. Splitting observations closer to the trench can be explained by fossil anisotropy within the downgoing Pacific‐Yakutat plate combined with entrained subslab mantle. The geometry of the slab, including its variable dip and its abrupt eastern edge, thus plays an important role in governing mantle flow beneath Alaska.
Martin-Short R, Allen R, Bastow I, et al., 2018, Seismic imaging of the Alaska Subduction Zone: implications for slab geometry and volcanism, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Vol: 19, Pages: 4541-4560, ISSN: 1525-2027
Alaska has been a site of subduction and terrane accretion since the mid‐Jurassic. The area features abundant seismicity, active volcanism, rapid uplift, and broad intraplate deformation, all associated with subduction of the Pacific plate beneath North America. The juxtaposition of a slab edge with subducted, overthickened crust of the Yakutat terrane beneath central Alaska is associated with many enigmatic volcanic features. The causes of the Denali Volcanic Gap, a 400‐km‐long zone of volcanic quiescence west of the slab edge, are debated. Furthermore, the Wrangell Volcanic Field, southeast of the volcanic gap, also has an unexplained relationship with subduction. To address these issues, we present a joint ambient noise, earthquake‐based surface wave, and P‐S receiver function tomography model of Alaska, along with a teleseismic S wave velocity model. We compare the crust and mantle structure between the volcanic and nonvolcanic regions, across the eastern edge of the slab and between models. Low crustal velocities correspond to sedimentary basins, and several terrane boundaries are marked by changes in Moho depth. The continental lithosphere directly beneath the Denali Volcanic Gap is thicker than in the adjacent volcanic region. We suggest that shallow subduction here has cooled the mantle wedge, allowing the formation of thick lithosphere by the prevention of hot asthenosphere from reaching depths where it can interact with fluids released from the slab and promote volcanism. There is no evidence for subducted material east of the edge of the Yakutat terrane, implying the Wrangell Volcanic Field formed directly above a slab edge.
Bastow IA, Booth AD, Corti G, et al., 2018, The development of late-stage continental breakup: seismic reflection and borehole evidence from the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia, Tectonics, Vol: 37, Pages: 2848-2862, ISSN: 0278-7407
During continental breakup, the locus of strain shifts from a broad region of border faulting and ductile plate stretching to a narrow zone of magma intrusion in a young ocean basin. Recent studies of volcanic rifts and margins worldwide suggest this shift occurs sub‐aerially, before the onset of seafloor spreading. We test this hypothesis using recently‐acquired seismic reflection and borehole data from the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia, a unique region of transition between continental rifting and seafloor spreading. Our data, located near Dallol, ~30km northwest of the Erta'Ale Volcanic Segment (EAVS), reveal a remarkably‐thick (>1km) sequence of young (~100ka) evaporites in a basin bound by a major (≤400m throw), east‐dipping normal fault. To generate such a large amount of subsidence in such a relatively short time, we propose that upper‐crustal extension in Danakil is currently dominated by faulting, not magmatic intrusion. Given the region's markedly thinned crust (~15‐km‐thick), relative to elsewhere in Afar where magma‐assisted rifting dominates and maintains crustal thickness at ~25km, mechanical extension in Danakil is likely coupled with ductile extension of the lower‐crust and mantle lithosphere. Despite proximity to the voluminous lavas of the active EAVS, evidence for igneous material in the upper ~2km of the 6–10‐km‐wide basin is limited. Late‐stage stretching was likely aided by thermal/strain‐induced lithospheric weakening following protracted magma‐assisted rifting. Basin formation immediately prior to the onset of seafloor spreading may also explain the accumulation of thick marine‐seepage‐fed evaporite sequences akin to those observed, for example, along the South Atlantic rifted margins.
Liddell MV, Bastow I, Rawlinson N, et al., 2018, Precambrian Plate Tectonics in Northern Hudson Bay: Evidence From<i>P</i>and<i>S</i>Wave Seismic Tomography and Analysis of Source Side Effects in Relative Arrival-Time Data Sets, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol: 123, Pages: 5690-5709, ISSN: 2169-9313
Corti G, Molin P, Sembroni A, et al., 2018, Control of pre-rift lithospheric structure on the architecture and evolution of continental rifts: insights from the main Ethiopian rift, East Africa, Tectonics, Vol: 37, Pages: 477-496, ISSN: 0278-7407
We investigate the along‐axis variations in architecture, segmentation, and evolution of the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), East Africa, and relate these characteristics to the regional geology, lithospheric structure, and surface processes. We first illustrate significant along‐axis variations in basin architecture through analysis of simplified geological cross sections in different rift sectors. We then integrate this information with a new analysis of Ethiopian topography and hydrography to illustrate how rift architecture (basin symmetry/asymmetry) is reflected in the margin topography and has been likely amplified by a positive feedback between tectonics (flexural uplift) and surface processes (fluvial erosion and unloading). This analysis shows that ~70% of the 500 km long MER is asymmetric, with most of the asymmetric rift sectors being characterized by a master fault system on the eastern margin. We finally relate rift architecture and segmentation to the regional geology and geophysical constraints on the lithosphere. We provide strong evidence that rift architecture is controlled by the contrasting nature of the lithosphere beneath the homogeneous, strong Somalian Plateau and the weaker, more heterogeneous Ethiopian Plateau, differences originating from the presence of pre‐rift zones of weakness on the Ethiopian Plateau and likely amplified by surface processes. The data provided by this integrated analysis suggest that asymmetric rifts may directly progress to focused axial tectonic‐magmatic activity, without transitioning into a symmetric rifting stage. These observations have important implications for the asymmetry of continental rifts and conjugate passive margins worldwide.
Ebinger C, Keir D, Bastow ID, et al., 2017, Crustal structure of active deformation zones in Africa: Implications for global crustal processes, Tectonics, Vol: 36, Pages: 3298-3332, ISSN: 0278-7407
The Cenozoic East African rift (EAR), Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), and Atlas Mountains formed on the slow-moving African continent, which last experienced orogeny during the Pan-African. We synthesize primarily geophysical data to evaluate the role of magmatism in shaping Africa's crust. In young magmatic rift zones, melt and volatiles migrate from the asthenosphere to gas-rich magma reservoirs at the Moho, altering crustal composition and reducing strength. Within the southernmost Eastern rift, the crust comprises ~20% new magmatic material ponded in the lower crust and intruded as sills and dikes at shallower depths. In the Main Ethiopian Rift, intrusions comprise 30% of the crust below axial zones of dike-dominated extension. In the incipient rupture zones of the Afar rift, magma intrusions fed from crustal magma chambers beneath segment centers create new columns of mafic crust, as along slow-spreading ridges. Our comparisons suggest that transitional crust, including seaward dipping sequences, is created as progressively smaller screens of continental crust are heated and weakened by magma intrusion into 15–20 km thick crust. In the 30 Ma Recent CVL, which lacks a hot spot age progression, extensional forces are small, inhibiting the creation and rise of magma into the crust. In the Atlas orogen, localized magmatism follows the strike of the Atlas Mountains from the Canary Islands hot spot toward the Alboran Sea. CVL and Atlas magmatism has had minimal impact on crustal structure. Our syntheses show that magma and volatiles are migrating from the asthenosphere through the plates, modifying rheology, and contributing significantly to global carbon and water fluxes.
Liddell M, Bastow ID, Darbyshire FA, et al., 2017, The formation of Laurentia: evidence from shear wave splitting, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol: 479, Pages: 170-178, ISSN: 0012-821X
The northern Hudson Bay region in Canada comprises several Archean cratonic nuclei, assembled by a number of Paleoproterozoic orogenies including the Trans-Hudson Orogen (THO) and the Rinkian–Nagssugtoqidian Orogen. Recent debate has focused on the extent to which these orogens have modern analogues such as the Himalayan–Karakoram–Tibet Orogen. Further, the structure of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Hudson Strait and southern Baffin Island is potentially indicative of Paleoproterozoic underthrusting of the Superior plate beneath the Churchill collage. Also in question is whether the Laurentian cratonic root is stratified, with a fast, depleted, Archean core underlain by a slower, younger, thermally-accreted layer. Plate-scale process that create structures such as these are expected to manifest as measurable fossil seismic anisotropic fabrics. We investigate these problems via shear wave splitting, and present the most comprehensive study to date of mantle seismic anisotropy in northern Laurentia. Strong evidence is presented for multiple layers of anisotropy beneath Archean zones, consistent with the episodic development model of stratified cratonic keels. We also show that southern Baffin Island is underlain by dipping anisotropic fabric, where underthrusting of the Superior plate beneath the Churchill has previously been interpreted. This provides direct evidence of subduction-related deformation at 1.8 Ga, implying that the THO developed with modern plate-tectonic style interactions.
Boyce A, Bastow ID, Rondenay S, et al., 2017, From Relative to Absolute Teleseismic Travel Times: The Absolute Arrival‐Time Recovery Method (AARM), Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Vol: 107, Pages: 2511-2520, ISSN: 0037-1106
Dense, short‐term deployments of seismograph networks are frequently used to study upper‐mantle structure. However, recordings of variably emergent teleseismic waveforms are often of lower signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) than those recorded at permanent observatory sites. Therefore, waveform coherency across a network is frequently utilized to calculate relative arrival times between recorded traces, but these measurements cannot easily be combined or reported directly to global absolute arrival‐time databases. These datasets are thus a valuable but untapped resource with which to fill spatial gaps in global absolute‐wavespeed tomographic models.We developed an absolute arrival‐time recovery method (AARM) to retrieve absolute time picks from relative‐arrival‐time datasets, working synchronously with filtered and unfiltered data. We also include a relative estimate of uncertainty for potential use in data weighting during subsequent tomographic inversion. Filtered waveforms are first aligned via multichannel cross correlation. These time shifts are applied to unfiltered waveforms to generate a phase‐weighted stack. Cross correlation with the primary stack or the SNR of each trace is used to weight a second‐higher SNR stack. The first arrival on the final stack is picked manually to recover absolute arrival times for the aligned waveforms.We test AARM on a recently published dataset from southeast Canada ( ∼10,000∼10,000 picks). When compared with the available equivalent earthquake–station pairs on the International Seismological Centre (ISC) database, ∼83%∼83% of AARM picks agree to within ±0.5 s±0.5 s . Tests using synthetic P‐wave data indicate that AARM produces absolute arrival‐time picks to accuracies of better than 0.25 s, akin to uncertainties in ISC bulletins.
Darbyshire FA, Bastow ID, Petrescu L, et al., 2017, A tale of two orogens: Crustal processes in the Proterozoic Trans-Hudson and Grenville Orogens, eastern Canada, Tectonics, Vol: 36, Pages: 1633-1659, ISSN: 0278-7407
The Precambrian core of North America was assembled in the Proterozoic by a series of collisions between Archean cratons. Among the orogenic belts, two stand out due to their significant spatial extent. The Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen (THO) and Mesoproterozoic Grenville Orogen extend for thousands of kilometers along strike and hundreds of kilometers across strike. Both have been compared to the present-day Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibetan Orogen (HKTO). Over the last 20–30 years, active and passive source seismic studies have contributed a wealth of information about the present-day crustal structure and composition of the two orogens in Canada. The Proterozoic orogenic crust is generally thicker than that of neighboring Archean terranes, with a more variable Moho character, ranging from relatively sharp to highly diffuse. Both orogens have a prominent high-velocity lower crustal layer, consistent with long-term preservation of a partially eclogitized root at the base of the crust and similar to that inferred beneath the western HKTO. Crustal structure in the northern THO strongly resembles the lower crustal structure of the HKTO, suggesting that Moho depths may have reached 60–70 km when the orogen was active. A prominent midcrustal discontinuity beneath the central Grenville Province and changes in the patterns of seismic anisotropy in the THO crust beneath Hudson Bay provide geophysical evidence that lower crustal flow likely played a role in the evolution of both orogens, similar to that inferred beneath the present-day HKTO. The seismic evidence from Canada supports the notion of tectonic uniformitarianism, at least as far back as the Paleoproterozoic.
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