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Detailed Reference Information
Vinnik et al. 2004
Vinnik, L.P., Farra, V. and Kind, R. (2004). Deep structure of the Afro-Arabian hotspot by S receiver functions. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2004GL019574. issn: 0094-8276.

We investigated deep structure of the Afro-Arabian hotspot by using recordings from Geoscope seismograph station ATD. The records are processed with the S receiver function technique, which allows a detection of Sp converted phases from the upper mantle discontinuities. The seismic data reveal two unusual discontinuities. The discontinuity at a depth of 160 km beneath the Gulf of Aden corresponds to the onset of melting. If the water content in olivine is around 800 H/106Si, melting at this depth requires a temperature close to 1550¿C, about 120¿C higher than the average. Another remarkable discontinuity is found at a depth of 480 km, where S velocity drops with depth by about 0.2 km/s. This can be the head of another plume which is trapped in the mantle transition zone.

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Abstract

Keywords
Seismology, Body wave propagation, Seismology, Lithosphere and upper mantle, Tectonophysics, Dynamics, convection currents and mantle plumes
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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