EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Piromallo & Faccenna 2004
Piromallo, C. and Faccenna, C. (2004). How deep can we find the traces of Alpine subduction?. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2003GL019288. issn: 0094-8276.

Slab-like seismic velocity heterogeneities below the Alpine chain, interpreted as subducted lithosphere, are imaged by tomographic studies down to only about 300 km depth. A non-negligible discrepancy therefore exists between tomographic and geological data, the latter indicating at least 500 km of Tertiary convergence at trench. Yet a recently published tomographic study detects a pronounced high velocity anomaly at the bottom of the upper mantle right below the Alpine area. Combining tomographic images of the mantle, geological findings and plate system kinematics, we investigate how the presence of this feature in the transition zone below the Alps can be traced back to the Tertiary Alpine subduction and possibly explain the observed discrepancy. We propose that a part of the fast velocity body now residing just above the 660 km discontinuity once belonged to the Alpine slab, torn off by an event occurred at about 30--35 Ma.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Seismology, Lithosphere and upper mantle, Tectonophysics, Continental contractional orogenic belts, Tectonophysics, Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle—general
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
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
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit