Grid search modeling of receiver functions: Implications for crustal structure in the Middle East and North Africa

Sandvol, Eric; Şeber, Dog̃an; Calvert, Alexander; Barazangi, Muawia

doi:10.1029/98jb02238

Cited by 153 publications

(142 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…7). Our observation is consistent with previous seismic and gravity results [18,19]. Rodgers et al [20] studied the receiver functions for RUWJ, however, they did not report the RUWJ results but did mention that the complexity in the crustal response is probably due to shallow structure and site effects.…”

Section: Ruwjsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Certainly the actual total error in determining the absolute Moho depth by any geophysical method might exceed these numbers. [13,19] and Al-Lazki et al [17]). Figure S4 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We have also included the results of Sandvol et al [13,19] and Al-Lazki et al [17] in our study ( Table 2). All the Moho depth results are shown in Fig.…”

Section: Qursmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first arrival waveforms were windowed and sub-sampled to 20 Hz. We have also included in our study proximal published receiver function results in the region from Sandvol et al [13,19], and Al-Lazki et al [17]. These studies utilized seismic data from temporary networks in Saudi Arabia and Oman in addition to permanent GSN stations in the region.…”

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the northern and northwestern part of the platform, the crust seems to vary between 33 and 40 km [18][19][20][21]. Surface waves as well as regional waveform modeling indicate that on average the Arabian shield crust is 40 -45 km thick, slightly thicker than the average crust for most shields on earth [22][23][24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crustal structure of the Arabian plate: new constraints from the analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

Aldamegh¹,

Sandvol²,

Barazangi³

2005

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

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133

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We also employed a grid search waveform modeling technique to estimate the crustal velocity structure for seven stations. A jackknife re-sampling approach was used to estimate errors in the grid search results for three stations. In addition to our results, we have also included published receiver function results from two temporary networks in the Arabian shield and Oman as well as three permanent GSN stations in the region.The average crustal thickness of the late Proterozoic Arabian shield is 39 km. The crust thins to about 23 km along the Red Sea coast and to about 25 km along the margin of the Gulf of Aqaba. In the northern part of the Arabian platform, the crust varies from 33 -37 km thick.However, the crust is thicker (41 -53 km) in the southeastern part of the platform. There is a dramatic change in crustal thickness between the topographic escarpment of the Arabian shield and the shorelines of the Red Sea. We compared our results in the Arabian shield to nine other Proterozoic and Archean shields that include reasonably well-determined Moho depths, mostly based on receiver functions. The average crustal thickness for all shields is 39 km, while the average for Proterozoic shields is 40 km, and the average for Archean shields is 38 km. We found the crustal thickness of Proterozoic shields to vary between 33 and 44 km, while Archean shields vary between 32 and 47 km. Overall, we do not observe a significant difference between Proterozoic and Archean crustal thickness. 3We observed a dramatic change in crustal thickness along the Red Sea margin that occurs over a very short distance. We projected our results over a cross section extending from the Red Sea ridge to the shield escarpment and contrasted it with a typical Atlantic margin. The transition from oceanic to continental crust of the Red Sea margin occurs over a distance of about 250 km, while the transition along a typical portion of the western Atlantic margin occurs at a distance of about 450 km. This important new observation highlights the abruptness of the breakup of Arabia. We argue that a preexisting zone of weakness coupled with anomalously hot upper mantle could have initiated and expedited the breakup.

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Section: Ruwjsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Certainly the actual total error in determining the absolute Moho depth by any geophysical method might exceed these numbers. [13,19] and Al-Lazki et al [17]). Figure S4 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We have also included the results of Sandvol et al [13,19] and Al-Lazki et al [17] in our study ( Table 2). All the Moho depth results are shown in Fig.…”

Section: Qursmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crustal structure of the Arabian plate: new constraints from the analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

Aldamegh¹,

Sandvol²,

Barazangi³

2005

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

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133

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Crustal thickness and velocity structure across the Moroccan Atlas from long offset wide‐angle reflection seismic data: The SIMA experiment

Ayarza

Carbonell

Teixell

et al. 2014

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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The crustal structure and topography of the Moho boundary beneath the Atlas Mountains of Morocco has been constrained by a controlled source, wide-angle seismic reflection transect: the SIMA experiment. This paper presents the first results of this project, consisting of an almost 700 km long, highresolution seismic profile acquired from the Sahara craton across the High and the Middle Atlas and the Rif Mountains. The interpretation of this seismic data set is based on forward modeling by raytracing, and has resulted in a detailed crustal structure and velocity model for the Atlas Mountains. Results indicate that the High Atlas features a moderate crustal thickness, with the Moho located at a minimum depth of 35 km to the S and at around 31 km to the N, in the Middle Atlas. Upper crustal shortening is resolved at depth through a crustal root where the Saharan crust underthrusts the northern Moroccan crust. This feature defines a lower crust imbrication that, locally, places the Moho boundary at 40-41 km depth in the northern part of the High Atlas. The P-wave velocity model is characterized by relatively low velocities, mostly in the lower crust and upper mantle, when compared to other active orogens and continental regions. These low deep crustal velocities together with other geophysical observables such as conductivity estimates derived from MT measurements, moderate Bouguer gravity anomaly, high heat flow, and surface exposures of recent alkaline volcanism lead to a model where partial melts are currently emplaced at deep crustal levels and in the upper mantle. The resulting model supports the existence of a mantle upwelling as mechanism that would contribute significantly to sustain the High Atlas topography. However, the detailed Moho geometry deduced in this work should lead to a revision of the exact geometry and position of this mantle feature and will require new modeling efforts.

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Hot upwelling conduit beneath the Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Sun

Miller

Holt

et al. 2014

Geophysical Research Letters

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The Atlas Mountains of Morocco display high topography, no deep crustal root, and regions of localized Cenozoic alkaline volcanism. Previous seismic imaging and geophysical studies have implied a hot mantle upwelling as the source of the volcanism and high elevation. However, the existence, shape, and physical properties of an associated mantle anomaly are debated. Here we use seismic waveform analysis from a broadband deployment and geodynamic modeling to define the physical properties and morphology of the anomaly. The imaged low-velocity structure extends to~200 km beneath the Atlas and appears~350 K hotter than the ambient mantle with possible partial melting. It includes a lateral conduit, which suggests that the Quaternary volcanism arises from the upper mantle. Moreover, the shape and temperature of the imaged anomaly indicate that the unusually high topography of the Atlas Mountains is due to active mantle support.

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Grid search modeling of receiver functions: Implications for crustal structure in the Middle East and North Africa

Cited by 153 publications

References 30 publications

Crustal structure of the Arabian plate: new constraints from the analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

Crustal structure of the Arabian plate: new constraints from the analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

Crustal thickness and velocity structure across the Moroccan Atlas from long offset wide‐angle reflection seismic data: The SIMA experiment

Hot upwelling conduit beneath the Atlas Mountains, Morocco

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