Publications
3 results found
Bastow I, Ogden C, Merry T, et al., 2023, Broadband seismological analyses in the Eastern Mediterranean: implications for late-stage subduction, plateau uplift and the development of the North Anatolian Fault
<jats:p>The eastern Mediterranean hosts extensional, strike-slip, and collision tectonics above a set of fragmenting subducting slabs. Widespread Miocene-Recent volcanism and ~2km uplift has been attributed to mantle processes such as delamination, dripping and/or slab tearing/break-off. We investigate this region using broadband seismology: mantle tomographic imaging (Kounoudis et al., 2020), SKS splitting analysis of seismic anisotropy (Merry et al., 2021), and receiver function study of crustal structure (Ogden & Bastow, 2021). Anisotropy and crustal structure are more spatially variable than recognised previously, but variations correspond well with tomographically-imaged mantle structure. Moho depth correlates poorly with elevation, suggesting crustal thickness variations alone do not explain Anatolian topography: a mantle contribution, particularly in central and eastern Anatolia, is needed too. Lithospheric anisotropy beneath the North Anatolian Fault reveals a mantle shear zone deforming coherently with the surface, while backazimuthal variations in splitting parameters indicate fault-related lithospheric deformation. Anisotropic fast directions are 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.</jats:p>
Bastow I, Merry T, Kounoudis R, et al., 2022, Mantle origins of topography, volcanism and the North Anatolian Fault in Anatolia: constraints from seismic tomography, seismic anisotropy and crustal structure
<jats:p>&lt;p&gt;The eastern Mediterranean hosts, within the span of a few hundred kilometres, extensional, strike-slip, and collision tectonics above a set of fragmenting subducting slabs. Widespread Miocene-Recent volcanism and ~2km uplift has been attributed to mantle processes such as delamination, dripping and/or slab tearing/break-off. We investigate this complex region using a variety of broadband seismological techniques, with new P- and S-wave tomographic images in Kounoudis et al. (2020), seismic anisotropy constrained via an updated dataset of SKS shear-wave splitting observations in Merry et al. (2021), and crustal structure imaged by quality-controlled H-&amp;#954; stacking of receiver functions in Ogden &amp; Bastow (2021). Overall, seismic anisotropy and crustal structure are more spatially variable than previously recognised, and such variations correspond well with variations in mantle structure shown by the tomography.&amp;#160;In general, Moho depth is poorly correlated with elevation, suggesting crustal thickness variations do not fully explain topographic differences, and residual topography calculations indicate the requirement for a mantle contribution to Anatolian Plateau uplift. Evidence for such a contribution exists in central Anatolia, where an imaged horizontal tear in the Cyprus slab spatially corresponds with volcanism, a residual topographic high, and a region of reduced splitting delay times and nulls, all consistent with upwelling of asthenospheric material through the tear. Anisotropic fast directions are consistent with flow through the imaged gap between the Cyprus and Aegean slabs, again correlating roughly with both volcanism and high residual topography. Slow uppermost&amp;#8208;mantle wave speeds below active volcanoes in eastern Anatolia, and ratios of P-to-S wave relative traveltimes, indicate a thin lithosphere and melt contributions. Elsewhere, there is more evidence f
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.
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