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- Characterization of microseismic noise in Cape VerdePublication . Carvalho, Joana; Silveira, Graça; Schimmel, Martin; Stutzmann, EleonoreThe interaction of ocean waves with either the seafloor or other ocean waves generates primary (PM) and secondary microseisms (SM) that propagate through the crust and mantle, predominantly as Rayleigh waves. The horseshoe geometry and surrounding bathymetry of the Cape Verde archipelago play a significant role in the ambient-noise generation in this region. We analyze the microseisms recorded in the region using two different temporary seismic networks, and we determine the number of signals polarized as Rayleigh waves and their back azimuth (BAZ) as a function of time and frequency. The relative number of polarized signals between PM and SM varies between the stations. At most of the stations, the SM can be divided into two frequency bands. At lower frequencies (0.1-0.2 Hz), the number of SM signals is stable throughout the year, whereas at higher frequencies (0.2-0.3 Hz) this number varies with the season, with more polarized signals during the northern hemisphere spring and summer. In both frequency ranges and at most stations, the BAZ does not vary significantly over the year and points toward sources within the archipelago and outside. We compute the source site effect and show that the local bathymetry around the Cape Verde Islands strongly amplifies local SM sources. Finally, we compare the measured BAZ with source areas derived from an ocean-wave model, which confirms that Cape Verde stations mostly record local sources.
- Imaging the crust and uppermost mantle structure of Portugal (West Iberia) with seismic ambient noisePublication . Silveira, Graça; Dias, Nuno; Kiselev, Sergey; Stutzmann, Eleonore; Custodio, Susana; Schimmel, MartinWe present a new high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) shear wave velocity (Vs) model of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath Portugal, inferred from ambient seismic noise tomography. We use broadband seismic data from a dense temporary deployment covering the entire Portuguese mainland between 2010 and 2012 in the scope of the WILAS project. Vertical component data are processed using phase correlation and phase weighted stack to obtain Empirical Green functions (EGF) for 3900 station pairs. Further, we use a random sampling and subset stacking strategy to measure robust Rayleigh wave group velocities in the period range 7-30 s and associated uncertainties. The tomographic inversion is performed in 2 steps: First, we determine group velocity lateral variations for each period. Next, we invert them at each grid point using a new trans-dimensional inversion scheme to obtain the 3D shear wave velocity model. The final 3D model extends from the upper crust (5 km) down to the uppermost mantle (60 km) and has a lateral resolution of similar to 50 km. In the upper and middle crust, the Vs anomaly pattern matches the tectonic units of the variscan massif and alpine basins. The transition between the Lusitanian Basin and the Ossa Morena Zone is marked by a contrast between moderate and high velocity anomalies, in addition to two arched earthquake lineations. Some faults, namely the Manteigas-Vilarica-Braganca fault and the Porto-Tomar-Ferreira do Alentejo fault, have a clear signature from the upper crust down to the uppermost mantle (60 km). Our 3D shear wave velocity model offers new insights into the continuation of the main tectonic units at depth and contributes to better understanding the seismicity of Portugal.
- Cape Verde hotspot from the upper crust to the top of the lower mantlePublication . Vinnik, Lev; Silveira, Graça; Kiselev, Sergei; Farra, Veronique; Weber, Michael; Stutzmann, EleonoreWe investigate the crust, upper mantle and mantle transition zone of the Cape Verde hotspot by using seismic P and S receiver functions from several tens of local seismograph stations. We find a strong discontinuity at a depth of similar to 10 km underlain by a similar to 15-km thick layer with a high (similar to 1.9) Vp/Vs velocity ratio. We interpret this discontinuity and the underlying layer as the fossil Moho, inherited from the pre-hotspot era, and the plume-related magmatic underplate. Our uppermost-mantle models are very different from those previously obtained for this region: our S velocity is much lower and there are no indications of low densities. Contrary to previously published arguments for the standard transition zone thickness our data indicate that this thickness under the Cape Verde islands is up to similar to 30 km less than in the ambient mantle. This reduction is a combined effect of a depression of the 410-km discontinuity and an uplift of the 660-km discontinuity. The uplift is in contrast to laboratory data and some seismic data on a negligible dependence of depth of the 660-km discontinuity on temperature in hotspots. A large negative pressure-temperature slope which is suggested by our data implies that the 660-km discontinuity may resist passage of the plume. Our data reveal beneath the islands a reduction of S velocity of a few percent between 470-km and 510-km depths. The low velocity layer in the upper transition zone under the Cape Verde archipelago is very similar to that previously found under the Azores and a few other hotspots. In the literature there are reports on a regional 520-km discontinuity, the impedance of which is too large to be explained by the known phase transitions. Our observations suggest that the 520-km discontinuity may present the base of the low-velocity layer in the transition zone. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.