Seismic Anisotropy Tomography and Mantle Dynamics

Abstract

Seismic anisotropy tomography is the updated geophysical imaging technology that can reveal 3-D variations of both structural heterogeneity and seismic anisotropy, providing unique constraints on geodynamic processes in the Earth’s crust and mantle. Here we introduce recent advances in the theory and application of seismic anisotropy tomography, thanks to abundant and high-quality data sets recorded by dense seismic networks deployed in many regions in the past decades. Applications of the novel techniques led to new discoveries in the 3-D structure and dynamics of subduction zones and continental regions. The most significant findings are constraints on seismic anisotropy in the subducting slabs. Fast-velocity directions (FVDs) of azimuthal anisotropy in the slabs are generally trench-parallel, reflecting fossil lattice-preferred orientation of aligned anisotropic minerals and/or shape-preferred orientation due to transform faults produced at the mid-ocean ridge and intraslab hydrated faults formed at the outer-rise area near the oceanic trench. The slab deformation may play an important role in both mantle flow and intraslab fabric. Trench-parallel anisotropy in the forearc has been widely observed by shear-wave splitting measurements, which may result, at least partly, from the intraslab deformation due to outer-rise yielding of the incoming oceanic plate. In the mantle wedge beneath the volcanic front and back-arc areas, FVDs are trench-normal, reflecting subduction-driven corner flows. Trench-normal FVDs are also revealed in the subslab mantle, which may reflect asthenospheric shear deformation caused by the overlying slab subduction. Toroidal mantle flow is observed in and around a slab edge or slab window. Significant azimuthal and radial anisotropies occur in the big mantle wedge beneath East Asia, reflecting hot and wet upwelling flows as well as horizontal flows associated with deep subduction of the western Pacific plate and its stagnation in the mantle transition zone. The geodynamic processes in the big mantle wedge have caused craton destruction, back-arc spreading, and intraplate seismic and volcanic activities. Ductile flow in the middle-lower crust is clearly revealed as prominent seismic anisotropy beneath the Tibetan Plateau, which affects the generation of large crustal earthquakes and mountain buildings.

Big Mantle Wedge and Intraplate Volcanism in Alaska: Insight From Anisotropic Tomography

“…Because the anisotropic medium with a hexagonal symmetry axis requires five independent elastic moduli, some simplifying assumptions are made by considering the resolution of available seismic data. For example, azimuthal and radial anisotropies assume horizontal and vertical hexagonal symmetry axes (HSAs), respectively, which have been taken by most studies of anisotropic tomography (see Zhao et al., 2023 for a detailed review). However, in the Alaska subduction zone, the dipping subducted slab and 3‐D mantle flow around it may cause tilting HSAs, which have been verified by recent studies of anisotropic tomography in Japan (Z. Wang & Zhao, 2021; Z. Wang et al., 2022).…”

P and S Wave Anisotropic Tomography of the Banda Subduction Zone

“…Most previous studies of anisotropic tomography used only P wave data to constrain the 3-D anisotropy structure (see a recent review by D. Zhao et al (2023)). On the basis of the tomographic method of D. Zhao et al (1992) and J.…”

“…Seismic anisotropy is a phenomenon that seismic wave velocity changes with its polarization or propagation direction, due to lattice‐preferred orientation (LPO) and shaped‐preferred orientation (SPO) of minerals (e.g., Long & Becker, 2010; Savage, 1999; D. Zhao et al., 2023). In the crust, orientations of local geological structures and tectonics can cause seismic anisotropy, such as active faults, folds, fracture zones, and mountain ranges.…”

“…Seismic anisotropy is a phenomenon that seismic wave velocity changes with its polarization or propagation direction, due to lattice-preferred orientation (LPO) and shaped-preferred orientation (SPO) of minerals (e.g., Long & Becker, 2010;Savage, 1999;D. Zhao et al, 2023).…”

Mapping Mantle Flows and Slab Anisotropy in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

“…The approach of tilting‐axis anisotropy (also known as tilted transverse isotropy) is more reasonable than those of azimuthal and radial anisotropies because its HSA can be freely orientated in 3‐D space, which can provide more detailed information on subduction dynamics (Wang & Zhao, 2021; Zhao, Liu, et al., 2023). Under a fast HSA assumption, anisotropy is characterized by one fast axis (i.e., 3‐D FVD) along the lineation and two slow axes perpendicular to it (Nicolas & Christensen, 1987).…”