Title
Structure of the subduction system in southern Peru from seismic array data
Date Issued
01 November 2012
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Phillips K.
Clayton R.W.
Davis P.
Guy R.
Skinner S.
Stubailo I.
Audin L.
Aguilar V.
Publisher(s)
Wiley-Blackwell
Abstract
The subduction zone in southern Peru is imaged using converted phases from teleseismic P, PP, and PKP waves and P wave tomography using local and teleseismic events with a linear array of 50 broadband seismic stations spanning 300km from the coast to near Lake Titicaca. The slab dips at 30 and can be observed to a depth of over 200km. The Moho is seen as a continuous interface along the profile, and the crustal thickness in the back-arc region (the Altiplano) is 75km thick, which is sufficient to isostatically support the Andes, as evidenced by the gravity. The shallow crust has zones of negative impedance at a depth of 20km, which is likely the result of volcanism. At the midcrustal level of 40km, there is a continuous structure with a positive impedance contrast, which we interpret as the western extent of the Brazilian Craton as it underthrusts to the west. Vp/Vs ratios estimated from receiver function stacks show average values for this region with a few areas of elevated Vp/Vs near the volcanic arc and at a few points in the Altiplano. The results support a model of crustal thickening in which the margin crust is underthrust by the Brazilian Shield. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Volume
117
Issue
11
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Geoquímica, Geofísica Ingeniería ambiental y geológica Vulcanología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84870533344
Source
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
ISSN of the container
21699313
Sponsor(s)
National Science Foundation (1045683)
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus