Seismic attenuation at the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge constrained by local Rayleigh wave analysis from the PI-LAB experiment

The ocean lithosphere represents a simple realisation of the tectonic plate, offering a unique opportunity to better understand its physical and chemical properties in relationship to those of the underlying asthenosphere. While seismic velocity is frequently used to image the plate, seismic attenuation (Q_μ⁻¹) offers an important complimentary observation. We use fundamental mode Rayleigh waves from 17 local, M > 4.2 earthquakes recorded at stations located on 0–80 My old lithosphere near the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We determine the attenuation coefficient ((Formula presented.)) for periods between 15 and 40 s and invert for 1-D average shear wave quality factor values ((Formula presented.)) and shear wave velocity (Vs). We find (Formula presented.) values of 175 ± 16 at 50 km depth, decreasing to 90 ± 15 at greater than 60 km. Comparison of our (Formula presented.) and Vs measurements to previous observations from oceanic settings shows agreement in terms of higher (Formula presented.) and Vs in the lithosphere in comparison to the asthenosphere. The observations from oceanic settings are in general agreement with the laboratory predictions for (Formula presented.) -Vs relationships for thermal models. However, a small amount of partial melt (1%) is required to explain several previous observations. Our result also compares favorably to previous observations of lithospheric and asthenospheric attenuation with respect to frequency. Melt is not required for the 1-D average of our study area, consistent with previous electromagnetic and seismic imaging that suggested melt in punctuated and/or thin channel anomalies rather than over broad regions of the mantle.

attenuation, Mid Atlantic Ridge, surface wave

10.1029/2021GC010085

1525-2027

Saikia, Utpal

fdc84905-f84a-459f-b689-e22f5a642a02

Rychert, Catherine A.

70cf1e3a-58ea-455a-918a-1d570c5e53c5

Harmon, Nicholas

10d11a16-b8b0-4132-9354-652e72d8e830

Michael Kendall, J.

746f7fc0-ee9e-4436-89d6-a6f26cdec6aa

Saikia, Utpal

fdc84905-f84a-459f-b689-e22f5a642a02

Rychert, Catherine A.

70cf1e3a-58ea-455a-918a-1d570c5e53c5

Harmon, Nicholas

10d11a16-b8b0-4132-9354-652e72d8e830

Michael Kendall, J.

746f7fc0-ee9e-4436-89d6-a6f26cdec6aa

Saikia, Utpal, Rychert, Catherine A., Harmon, Nicholas and Michael Kendall, J. (2021) Seismic attenuation at the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge constrained by local Rayleigh wave analysis from the PI-LAB experiment. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 22 (12), [e2021GC010085]. (doi:10.1029/2021GC010085).

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Geochem Geophys Geosyst - 2021 - Saikia - Seismic Attenuation at the Equatorial Mid‐Atlantic Ridge Constrained by Local - Version of Record

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e-pub ahead of print date: 8 December 2021

Additional Information: Funding Information: We would like to thank the crew about the ships RV Marcus G Langseth (MGL02‐16) and the RRS Discovery (DY072). We acknowledge funding from the National Environment Research Council (NE/M003507/1 and NE/M004643/1) and the European Research Council (GA 638,665). Ocean bottom seismometers were provided by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Lamont‐Doherty Earth Observatory, and the institute de Physique de Globe de Paris. Funding Information: We would like to thank the crew about the ships RV Marcus G Langseth (MGL02-16) and the RRS Discovery (DY072). We acknowledge funding from the National Environment Research Council (NE/M003507/1 and NE/M004643/1) and the European Research Council (GA 638,665). Ocean bottom seismometers were provided by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and the institute de Physique de Globe de Paris. Publisher Copyright: © 2021. The Authors. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords: attenuation, Mid Atlantic Ridge, surface wave