Broadband Seismic Deployments for Imaging the Upper Mantle Structure in the Lützow-Holm Bay Region, East Antarctica

Kanao, Masaki; Usui, Yusuke; Inoue, Tomofumi; Yamada, Akira

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/272646

International Journal of Geophysics

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Volume 2011 | Article ID 272646 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/272646

Broadband Seismic Deployments for Imaging the Upper Mantle Structure in the Lützow-Holm Bay Region, East Antarctica

Masaki Kanao,¹Yusuke Usui,²Tomofumi Inoue,²and Akira Yamada²

Academic Editor: Martin Tygel

Received16 Jan 2011

Revised14 May 2011

Accepted31 May 2011

Published29 Aug 2011

Abstract

Broadband seismic deployments have been carried out in the Lützow-Holm Bay region (LHB), Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. The recorded teleseismic and local events are of sufficient quality to image the structure and dynamics of the crust and mantle of the terrain. Passive seismic studies by receiver functions and shear wave splitting suggest a heterogeneous upper mantle. Depth variations in topography for upper mantle discontinuities were derived from long period receiver function, indicating a shallow depth discontinuity at 660 km beneath the continental area of LHB. These results provide evidence of paleo upwelling of the mantle plume associated with Gondwana break-up. SKS splitting analysis anticipated a relationship between “fossil” anisotropy in lithospheric mantle and past tectonics. Moreover, active source surveys (DSSs) imaged lithospheric mantle reflections involving regional tectonic stress during Pan-African and succeeding extension regime at the break-up. By combining the active and passive source studies of the mantle structure, we propose an evolution model of LHB for constructing the present mantle structure.

1. Introduction

Deployments of broadband seismic arrays on the Antarctic continent have often been the ambitious dreams of dedicated Earth scientists. Existing seismic stations belonging to the Federation Digital Seismographic Network (FDSN) allow resolution of the structure beneath the Antarctic continent at a horizontal scale of 1000 km, which is sufficient to detect fundamental differences in the lithosphere beneath East and West Antarctica, but not to clearly define the structure within each sector. In addition, seismicity around the Antarctic region is limited by sparse station distribution, and the detection level for earthquakes remains inadequate for full evaluation of tectonic activity [2]. A strategy of attaining a sufficient density of seismic stations on the Antarctic continent will allow for optimal ray path coverage across Antarctica and improvement of seismic tomography resolution [3–5].

Polar field deployments have been carried out in the past decades around several regions withinin the continental margins of Antarctica [6–9] including the “TransAntarctic Mountain SEISmic experiment (TAMSEIS; [10, 11]).” Discussions at the working group of the Antarctic Neotectonics program (ANTEC) under the Science Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) (Siena, Italy, 2001) and the workshop on the “Structure and Evolution of the Antarctic Plate (SEAP)” (Boulder, Colorado, 2003) have led to Antarctic seismic array deployments. The principle ideas of the Antarctic arrays were derived from components of the “Regional Leapfrogging Arrays (RLA)” and the “Program Oriented Experiments (POE)”.

The resultant seismic stations in Antarctica were installed as a part of several international programs initiated during the International Polar Year (IPY 2007-2008; http://classic.ipy.org/; Figure 1). Followed by the successful TAMSEIS deployment held in 2000–2002, several big geoscience projects were contacted regarding a collaborative effort to reach the interior of the Antarctic continent and surrounding region. The “Antarctica’s GAmburtsev Province (AGAP; http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~mstuding/AGAP/)”, the “GAmburtsev Mountain SEISmic experiment (GAMSEIS; http://epsc.wustl.edu/seismology/GAMSEIS/, [12, 13])” under AGAP, as well as the “Polar Earth Observing Network (POLENET; http://www.polenet.org/)” were major contributors in establishing a geophysical network inside the Antarctic continent during the IPY.

Similar to other regions in Antarctica, monitoring observations have been conducted in the last decade by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) around the Lützow-Holm Bay region (hereafter LHB), Dronning Maud Land (Figure 1). The obtained seismic data are utilized to clarify the heterogeneous structure of the Earth, particularly around the Antarctic region. Seismic deployments can efficiently study the crust and upper mantle, as well as the Earth’s deep interior, including features such as the Core-Mantle-Boundary (CMB) and the lowermost mantle layer (D′′ zone) [14, 15]. The broadband arrays in LHB make a significant contribution not only to the permanent global network of FDSN, but also to such projects as the Global Alliance of Regional Networks (GARNET), RLA, POE, POLENET, and IPY.

In this paper, data from broadband seismological studies are reviewed in order to provide clear images of the upper mantle structure and dynamics beneath LHB. By combining the passive and active source results, a regional evolution model of LHB is presented to explain the formation of the present mantle structure. Regional tectonic history such as the Pan-African orogenic event, together with the break-up process of Gondwana supercontinent in mid-Mesozoic age, could be the plausible cause of present upper mantle structure. The multidisciplinary seismic investigations reviewed in this paper supply fruitful information for understanding the regional tectonic evolution of this area.

2. Broadband Deployments in LHB

Broadband seismic deployments in LHB have been carried out since 1996 until present, including deployment during IPY 2007-2008 as one of the major contributions to GARNET. The stations were established on the outcrops and ice sheet around the continental margins of LHB (Figure 2). Seismic array response functions were calculated in dominant frequency of 0.03 Hz and 0.1 Hz for receiver space distribution of all the GARNET stations (Figure 3). It is expected that both the short period body waves and long period surface waves are detected and space resolution from the analyses by using the detected waveform data could evaluate the area. Except for power supply failure of some stations during winter seasons, observations have been conducted fairly well and a significant number of events were recorded of global earthquakes, local earthquakes, as well as ice-related events within close proximity to the stations (Figure 4). During the IPY period, a total number of seven stations (TOT, LNG, SKV, SKL, S16, RDV, and BTN) were continuously operated. The last three stations (S16, RDV, and BTN) were started simultaneously at the beginning of the IPY.

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The observation systems consisted of a portable broadband seismometer and a data-recorder (type LS8000-WD, -XT by Hakusan Co.), combined with lead-acid and solar batteries. The CMG-40T portable seismometers (Guralp System LTD.) were used with a three-component velocity-response (flat frequency response for velocity in 0.05–10 Hz). The velocity signal was digitized at a sampling frequency of 10–100 Hz with a dynamic range of 90 dB (16 bits), and stored in a hard-disk (2 GB) or compact flash (CF) card (10 GB). Total solar panel power was 250–270 W with 12 V DC output, and the capacity of the lead batteries was more than 500 Ah for each station. The systems operated continuously except in very dark and cold periods during Antarctic winters. Details of the observation systems in the first few years were described in [19, 20]. More detailed information for the GARNET stations in LHB and operational details are available from the website of the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) (http://polaris.nipr.ac.jp/~pseis/garnet/).

The GARNET data are initially stored and accessible to cooperative researchers through the data library server of NIPR (POLARIS; http://polaris.nipr.ac.jp/~pseis/garnet/). After a defined period, the data are made available to world data centers of seismology, such as Incorporated Research Institute of Seismology/Data Management System (IRIS/DMS). The global data centers provide data to seismologists studying the polar regions, the Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM) under the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), as well as the Antarctic Master Directory (AMD) in the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) of NASA.

During the IPY, broadband seismic deployments in LHB were conducted under the endorsed JARE project. By combining with the other big IPY projects such as the AGAP/GAMSEIS [13], moreover, the deployments in LHB could provide constraints on the origin of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains in terms of understanding the broader structure of Antarctic Pre-Cambrian craton and the subglacial environment. Detection of seismic signals from basal sliding of the ice sheet and ice streams [10, 21] would be expected from the future study, as well as the detection of outburst floods from subglacial lakes.

3. Seismic Velocity Discontinuities

Interesting seismic evidence related to the structure and dynamics of LHB was obtained in the last decade by JARE geoscientific activities. The recorded teleseismic data in LHB are of sufficient quality for usage of various analyses to clarify the heterogeneous features of the Antarctic lithosphere-asthenosphere system, as well as deep interiors [5, 14, 15, 22–24]. In recent years, moreover, glacial-related seismic events were detected by the LHB array stations [25, 26]. Seismic signals involving ice-related phenomena, also known as “ice-quakes (ice-shocks)”, have been associated with glacially related mass movements of ice-sheets, sea-ice, tide-cracks and icebergs in the polar areas [10, 25]. Despite the development of local networks in the last two decades, we can hardly distinguish a difference between waveforms by local tectonic earthquakes and those of ice-related phenomena (e.g., the unknown X-phases reported by [26]). The ice-related signals can provide unique information for local impact on Antarctic region involving global climate change.

The recorded waveforms are of sufficient quality to analyze the crust-upper mantle structure and tectonic evolution of the region. Passive seismic source studies of receiver functions, shear wave splitting, and surface wave tomography were carried out by using the data recorded from systems located on outcrops in LHB. Shear wave velocity models were inverted by fitting synthetic receiver functions to the observed data in short-period ranges. The obtained model investigated from azimuthal variations of the receiver functions represents a slightly dipping crust-mantle boundary toward the coast [27]. Moreover, a gradual thickened structure of the crust in LHB was identified from the north toward the south [28]. Variations in crustal thickness along the coast may reflect the tectonic history, with increasing metamorphic grade in crystalline crust towards the south in LHB [29].

The long period receiver functions reveal depth variations in seismic discontinuities of the upper mantle (for 410 km and 660 km) beneath the LHB [1]. Long period receiver functions (after 0.2 Hz low-pass filter) were generated using 62 teleseismic events recorded by the local broadband arrays (Figure 5, left). Variations in depth distribution of P-S conversion points were identified particularly about the 660 km discontinuity (Figure 5, right). Shallow depths in topography for the 660 km discontinuity were found beneath the continental ice sheet area, that is, SE part from the GARNET stations along the coast. The evidence might reflect the paleo upwelling of the mantle plume associated with supercontinent break-up in Mid-Mesozoic age.

Figure 5

(left) Distribution of hypocenters of teleseismic events used for long-period receiver function analysis (solid circles) and SYO stations (solid triangles). (right) Distribution of P-S conversion depth points for 410 km (upper, crosses) and 660 km discontinuity (lower, open circles), respectively. Location of the conversion depth points was obtained by combining GARNET station positions in LHB and hypocenters of the utilized teleseismic events. Topographic depth variations of the upper mantle discontinuities are presented by the color contours (modified after Kanao et al. 2007 [1]).

Back azimuth distribution for depth-converted receiver functions was compiled for all the GARNET stations (Figure 6). The back azimuths were defined as directions of depth conversion points calculated for all the hypocenter-station pairs from Syowa Station (SYO) as a center. Back azimuth distribution for the depth variations in the upper mantle discontinuities was compiled for all stations (Figure 7). The color contours in Figure 6 indicate the smoothed amplitudes of the receiver functions. The heterogeneities were observed in both 410 and 660 km discontinuities in both azimuth ranges of 20–50° and 200–260°. The two back azimuth groups are almost parallel with the coast and may indicate the relationship with the break-up process of Gondwana. The evidence of break-up supported by other studies from teleseismic shear wave anisotropy and reflection imaging by active sources is shown in the succeeding chapter.

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Figure 7

(a) Back azimuth distribution for depth variation in upper mantle discontinuities by receiver function analyses for all GARNET stations. Color images represent the smoothed amplitudes of the receiver functions shown in Figure 6. Two dashed lines are traced for the maximum amplitudes of both 410 km and 660 km depth discontinuities. The two back azimuth groups for strong depth variations in upper mantle discontinuities are circled by the light green open squares. (b) Location of the strong heterogeneous azimuths in LHB. The area for strong depth variations in upper mantle discontinuities is represented by the light green open squares, which are almost parallel with the coastal line. Symbolic notation for the P-S conversion points at the mantle discontinuities are the same as in Figure 5.

4. Upper Mantle Anisotropy

Seismic wave anisotropy provides information on recent and/or fossil mantle flows reflecting tectonic evolution of the study region. The seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle of LHB was derived from SKS splitting analysis for teleseismic events recorded on the GARNET stations (Figure 8; [16]). Averaged delay times of SKS wave splitting for all analyzed stations were obtained as 1.3 s, which were almost equal to the global average. A two-layer model was assumed to model the upper mantle anisotropy; the upper layer is generally considered to correspond to the “lithosphere” and the lower layer to the “asthenosphere”. For six stations in LHB, we can recognize the azimuthal variation of the splitting parameters (Figure 9).

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The fast polarization directions of SKS waves were compared with the directions of Absolute Plate Motion (APM), which reflects recent mantle flow [30]. The directions of APM around LHB are about N145°E, and the velocity is about 1.1 cm/yr based on the HS3-NUVEL1 model [31] (Figure 10). Since the fast polarization directions of the lower layer were generally parallel to the directions of APM, it was considered that the lower layer anisotropy reflected asthenospheric anomalies due to the horizontal mantle flow along the APM.

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In contrast, the fast polarization directions of the upper layers never coincide with the APM direction (the difference is up to 100°). We offer an idea that the anisotropic structure could be involved with past tectonic events and the origin of anisotropy is “frozen” in the lithosphere. Gondwana assembly in Early Paleozoic was one of the major events in LHB [32]. The LHB experienced regional high-grade metamorphism during the Pan-African orogeny [33]. The metamorphic grade increases progressively from north to south along the coast and the maximum thermal axis lies in the southernmost part of LHB [34].

A “fossil” anisotropy in the lithospheric mantle can be estimated as caused by the past regional tectonics. The majority of the fast polarization directions in the upper layer, corresponding to the “lithosphere”, were orientated in an NE-SW direction (Figure 10). This is consistent with the direction of the paleo compression stress during the Pan-African age and the conversion stage between East and West Gondwana supraterrains. We proposed that the mantle anisotropy was created by lithological orientation of mantle minerals during the amalgamation process of Gondwana, rather than in current asthenospheric flow parallel to APM.

5. Seismic Reflection Imaging

Besides the broadband passive studies, deep crust and upper mantle in LHB were investigated by active source studies (the Deep Seismic Surveys; DSS) by JARE [35–37] (Figure 11). DSS was conducted on the continental ice sheet of LHB in austral summers in 2000 and 2002 as one of the “Structure and Evolution of the East Antarctic Lithosphere (SEAL)” program. The deployments required significant logistical efforts, including the explosion of large dynamite shots along the seismic profiles on the ice sheet plateau in LHB.

Sophisticated DSS processing demonstrated pronounced reflection images of the crust-upper mantle boundary (Moho discontinuity) and of the lithospheric mantle structure [17, 38]. A laminated layering around the crust-mantle boundary was well imaged using coherency enhancement processing after the Normal Move Out (NMO) corrections applied to far-offset data of the SEAL-2000, -2002 profiles. For the SEAL-2000 profile, the single coverage CDP section with only far offset shots was shown in the upper part of Figure 12(a) and the single coverage CDP only with nearer traces could be identified in the lower part. Figure 12(b) shows a single-fold CDP section using only far offset shots for the SEAL-2002 profile (upper), and the CDP stack section with offsets less than 120 km is depicted for the same profile (lower), respectively.

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Figure 12

(a) (upper) Single-fold CDP section showing far offset shots for SP 1, SP 2, and SP 6 of the SEAL-2000 profile. The Moho reflections are indicated by black solid arrow. (lower) CDP stack section offset linked to near traces for the SEAL-2000 profile. Several reflections in the crust and the Moho are identified by red broken lines and black solid arrows, respectively. In addition, reflections from the bottom of the ice sheet are traced by the light-blue broken line. All the figures are after Kanao et al. [17]. (b) (upper) Single-fold CDP section showing far offset shots for SP 1 and SP 7 of the SEAL-2002 profile. The Moho reflections are indicated by black solid arrows. (lower) CDP stack section with offset limited to traces within 120 km for the SEAL-2002 profile. Several reflections in the crust and the Moho are identified by red- and black-colored broken lines. In addition, reflections from the bottom of the ice sheet are traced by the light-blue broken line. All the figures are after Kanao et al. [17].

Laminated layers of the lower crust in LHB, moreover, were numerically modeled by comparing synthetic receiver functions with those of observed waveforms in short period bands (0.1–1.0 Hz) [39]. The repetitive crust-mantle transition zone imaged by the SEAL-2002 profile suggests the presence of compression stress in an NE-SW orientation during the Pan-African age, in the last formation stage of a broad mobile belt between East and West Gondwana terrains. Successive break-up processes of Gondwana in the mid-Mesozoic could account for the formation of the stretched reflection structure around the Moho discontinuity as imaged on the SEAL-2000 profile (Figure 12(a)).

These seismic reflections were considered to represent multigenetic origins, including igneous intrusions, lithologic and metamorphic layering, mylonite zones, shear zones, seismic anisotropy, or fluid layers [40, 41]. Though the cause of reflectivity may have a multigenetic origin, we suggest that metamorphic layering could be the principal cause in the case of LHB. A strong reflectivity in the deeper crust-upper mantle can be expected to result from layered sequences of mafic and felsic rocks [42]. In addition, such a reflectivity can be created where mafic rocks are interlayered with upper amphibolite and lower granulite facies metapelites [43].

In any continental terrains on Earth, the primary causes for reflectivity might be enhanced by ductile stretching during a late tectonic extensional process [44]. In particular, the reflecting layers near the Moho were predominantly found in crustally thinned tectonic areas. Accordingly, the reflectivity in the lower crust and lithospheric mantle beneath LHB might have been enhanced under extensional conditions caused by the last breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent.

6. Discussion

In this section, a regional evolution model of LHB is presented to explain the formation process of the present structure as reviewed in the previous sections. A summary of evolution history, including major tectonic events in LHB, is demonstrated in Figure 14.

Geological studies by JARE revealed the regional metamorphism of LHB during the Pan-African orogeny [33]. Metamorphic grade increases progressively from amphibolite facies in the NE to granulite facies in the SW of LHB. The maximum thermal axis runs through the southern LHB with an NNW-SSE striking direction [29]. From geological evidence, the LHB terrain experienced deformation r compression stress-oriented perpendicular to the thermal axis, almost parallel to the coast, during the last stage of the deformation process of a mobile belt located between the East- and West-Gondwana [32]. The high-amplitude magnetic anomalies occurring in LHB compared to those in the surrounding terrains ([45]; Figure 13) indicate the LHB may be located in one of the major suture zones of the Pan-African mobile belt. This has been pointed out in recent studies in East Africa and in East Antarctica. These major suture zones appear to continue from LHB to the Shackleton Range of West Antarctica [32, 46].

The lower crust and upper mantle beneath LHB were characterized to have lateral and vertical variations as shown in seismological studies reviewed in this paper. The gently inland dipping Moho discontinuity (38–42 km) beneath the SEAL-2000 profile was inverted by travel-time analysis from refraction and wide-angle reflection surveys [18]. The present structure is attributed to hold the past regional tectonics, particularly metamorphic and orogenic activities in Pan-African age. Inferred thrust duplicated (similar to the wedge shaped) lower crust-upper mantle transition structures interpreted on the SEAL-2002 profile (Figure 12(b), [17]) also imply a compressive stress regime along the profile oriented in an NE-SW direction during the Pan-African. Through consideration with geophysical and lithologic information, LHB is considered to be formed under convergence, perpendicular to the thermal axis, during the collision between supraterrains of Gondwana during the last stage of supercontinent formation [39, 47]. If LHB underwent NE-SW compression, related paleo-mantle flow along this direction could produce the seismic anisotropy associated with the thermal axis of progressive metamorphism. Since the direction of paleo-compression is consistent with the resultant fast polarization by SKS splitting [16], anisotropy in the upper layer in Figure 9 can be explained by “lithospheric” deformation during the formation of LHB at Pan-African.

During the break-up between Antarctica and Australia-India at ~150 Ma [48], the LHB experienced extensional stress, which caused thinning at the continental margins of East Antarctica. The flat lying reflectors above the crust-mantle boundary recognized in the SEAL-2000 profile (Figure 12(a)) suggest the presence of an extensional stress regime in the NW-SE direction resulting from break-up. The seismic reflective layers at the crust-mantle boundary and lithospheric mantle may have been enhanced by extensional conditions during the final stages of break-up. The Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO) induced mechanical anisotropy developed along the direction of preexisting lithospheric structure during continental rifting [49]. The origin of anisotropy beneath Western Dronning Maud Land was pointed out as the ancient lithospheric structure modified by rifting processes during break-up [50]. As the spreading direction off the Enderby Land was NW-SE initial stage of break-up [51], a strike of the rift was generally parallel to the continental margin of LHB. The fast polarization directions of the upper layer (“lithosphere”) in SKS analysis were roughly parallel to the continental margin. Therefore, it is plausible that break-up affected the formation of anisotropy in the lithosphere. The preexisting lithospheric structure might also influence the formation of anisotropy in succeeding break-up processes.

Finally, besides the studies for the crust and upper mantle, the recorded teleseismic waveforms have advantages to investigate the deep Earth’s interiors such as the lower mantle, D′′ zones [15], Core-Mantle-Boundary (CMB), and the Inner Core [14, 52]. The GARNET data in LHB can be utilized to study the deep Earth interior of the southern high latitudes. Further, these data can be combined with data from other projects in the region, such as AGAP/GAMSEIS and projects from collaborating nations in Antarctica. The broadband deployments in LHB offer effective contributions to GARNET, international Antarctic Array program, FDSN, POLENET, and the broader goals of the IPY and beyond.

7. Conclusions

Broadband seismic deployments around the Pan-African terrain of LHB, East Antarctica, provided clear images of characteristic structure of the upper mantle. Passive source studies using teleseismic events such as receiver functions and shear wave splitting demonstrated heterogeneous structure along the coast in the region. Depth variations of the upper mantle discontinuities (410 km and 660 km) were derived from long-period receiver functions recorded at LHB array stations. Shallow depths in topography of the upper mantle discontinuity particularly about 660 km depths were cleared beneath the continental ice sheet area where SE apart from the stations. These results may reflect paleo upwelling of the mantle plume associated with Gondwana break-up.

Lithospheric mantle anisotropy derived by SKS splitting anticipated relationship between “fossil” anisotropy and past tectonics. Fast polarization directions, mainly in NE-SW, were consistent with paleo compression during the Pan-African. The origin of mantle anisotropy might be caused chiefly by LPO involving supercontinent assembly, rather than present asthenospheric flow parallel with Absolute Plate Motion. In addition, multidisciplinary lithospheric mantle images were combined by both active and passive sources conducted at LHB. DSS was carried out on the continental ice-sheet in 2000 and 2002 and provided clear information on the crust-mantle boundary, together with inner crustal and lithospheric mantle reflections. After processing of NMO corrections and CDP stacking, the DSS extracted lithospheric images imply tectonic influence of compressive stress during the Pan-African.

The broadband deployments in LHB, accordingly, could give rise to an effective contribution to regional and global seismic networks, international Antarctic Array programs, together with POLENET during IPY.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their special appreciation to the participants of the JARE members for their great efforts to carry out the seismic array deployments around the LHB. The authors would like to express sincere thanks to Professors. K. Kaminuma, K. Shibuya, Y. Nogi, K. Doi, Y. Aoyama and the all staff of NIPR for their useful discussion about seismic deployments and upper mantle studies. They would like to thank the collaborators in the IPY projects for AGAP/GAMSEIS (Professor D. Wiens of Washington University, Professor A. Nyblade of Penn. State University, and others) and POLENET (Professor T. Wilson of the Ohio State University, Dr. S. Konfal, and others). They appreciate so much S. Konfal and T.Wilson for checking the paper and giving useful comments. The authors would like to express their sincere thankfulness for Professor J. Gamble of the Department of Geology, National University of Ireland, Professor A. K. Cooper of the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, and two anonymous referees of the special issue on “Seismic Imaging” in International Journal of Geophysics for their sincere and useful comments.

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Copyright © 2011 Masaki Kanao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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