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Detailed Reference Information |
Hughes, S., Hall, J. and Luetgert, J.H. (1994). The seismic velocity structure of the Newfoundland Appalachian orogen. Journal of Geophysical Research 99: doi: 10.1029/94JB00653. issn: 0148-0227. |
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The deep structure of the Newfoundland Appalachian orogen is investigated by analyses of three intersecting seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection profiles which traverse the Gander and Dunnage zones or central mobile belt of Newfoundland. A simultaneous travel time inversion for velocity and interface was applied to the in-line seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection data and constrained by synthetic amplitude models. The results of the modeling procedure show a subhorizontally layered crust with upper crustal velocities ranging from 5.4 to 6.2 km/s, a midcrustal velocity of 6.25--6.35 km/s, and a lower crustal velocity of 6.7¿0.2 km/s. The top of the lower crust is marked by a series of prominent reflections between 18 and 23 km depth which suggest a complex layered velocity interface. Strong laterally coherent Moho reflections indicate a sharp crust-mantle transition at 35¿3 km. The uppermost mantle has a velocity of 8.0¿0.2 km/s, and a reflecting horizon at 55 km depth suggests an increase to velocities approaching 8.5 km/s. Normal moveout corrections applied to fan profiles provide constraining evidence for the reflecting horizon at the top of the lower crust and laterally continuous Moho reflections at 11--12 s two-way travel time. Comparisons with a coincident deep seismic reflection profile show that the refraction and reflection Mohos match to better than 2--3 km. Bulk Poisson's ratios of 0.23--0.24 for the whole crust calculated from PmP/SmS travel times suggest a crust dominated by quartzofeldspathic lithologies and a notable absence of voluminous mafic additions to the lower crust. The absence of a deep crustal root, coupled with the bulk intermediate composition inferred for the lower crust from the seismic refraction/wide-angle data, implies that the crust beneath central Newfoundland has undergone multiple periods of reactivation and equilibration following successive orogenic episodes. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Seismology, Continental crust, Tectonophysics, Continental tectonics—general, Geochemistry, Composition of the crust, Exploration Geophysics, Continental structures |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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