Seismic anisotropy and upper mantle dynamics in Alaska:A review of shear wave splitting analyses

Shear wave splitting(SWS)is regarded as the most effective geophysical method to delineate mantle flow fields by detecting seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the earth's upper mantle,especially in tectonically active regions such as subduction zones.The Aleutian-Alaska subduction zone has a convergence rate of approximately 50 mm/yr,with a trench length reaching nearly 2800 km.Such a long subduction zone has led to intensive continental deformation and numerous strong earthquakes in southern and central Alaska,while northern Alaska is relatively inactive.The sharp contrast makes Alaska a favorable locale to investigate the impact of subduction on mantle dynamics.Moreover,the uniqueness of this subduction zone,including the unusual subducting type,varying slab geometry,and atypical magmatic activity and composition,has intrigued the curiosity of many geoscientists.To identify different sources of seismic anisotropy beneath the Alaska region and probe the influence of a geometrically varying subducting slab on mantle dynamics,extensive SWS analyses have been conducted in the past decades.However,the insufficient station and azimuthal coverage,especially in early studies,not only led to some conflicting results but also strongly limited the in-depth investigation of layered anisotropy and the estimation of anisotropy depth.With the completion of the Transportable Array project in Alaska,recent studies have revealed more detailed mantle structures and characteristics based on the dense station coverage and newly collected massive seismic data.In this study,we review significant regional-and continental-scale SWS studies in the Alaska region and conclude the mantle flow fields therein,to understand how a geometrically varying subducting slab alters the regional mantle dynamics.The summarized mantle flow mechanisms are believed to be conducive to the understanding of seismic anisotropy patterns in other subduction zones with a complicated tectonic setting.

Seismic anisotropy beneath the Chinese Mainland: Constraints from shear wave splitting analyses

We use earthquakes recorded by the China National Seismic Network from 2015 to 2019 and measure shear wave splitting parameters of SKS to study the anisotropic characteristics beneath the mainland of China.In general,the fast directions change from nearly E-W in western China(northwest China and Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau)to nearly N-S in central China(Ordos and Sichuan-Yunnan),and then turn to approximately E-W in eastern China(North and South China).The delay times of slow wave in eastern China are about 1.0-1.7 s,larger than those in central and western China(about 0.6-1.0 s).In addition,the fast directions in eastern China are highly consistent with the plate motion direction and horizontal GPS velocities with respect to Eurasia,indicating that the observed anisotropy is mainly from the asthenosphere which is strongly coupled to the overlying lithosphere.However,the fast directions in western China are mostly in accord with the strike of the surface structures(such as faults),possibly due to the directional arrangement of crystal lattices caused by shear deformation under tectonic activities.

Crack－induced anisotropy in the crust from shear wave splitting observed in Tangshan region，North China

Using the cross correlation function analysis method, this paper discusses shear wave splitting and crack-inducedanisotropy in the crust beneath Tangshan, North China, by the digital data from Tangshan strong ground monon temporary arrays. Sixteen of twenty-one stations in the arrays recorded earthquake events available forstudying from 1982 to 1984. Having calculated 131 available records, we get slower shear wave time delay r andfaster shear wave polarization azimuth Paz in Tangshan region, and the cracks density s is got further fromthem. The analysis shows that the stress field is very complicated in Tangshan region and has strongly regionalfeature. Because of the complicated distribution of faults, different shear wave splitting characteristics are shownin 16 stations, scattered r and different Paz. And they also were observed that the r and PaZ values were diversewithin the time scale of hours in more than one station. In Tangshan region the average results of r, Paz and Bare 0. 0071 s. km-1, northwest-west near to east-west and 0.022 respectively. Meantime, the standard devia.tions were calculated in this paper.

Upper crustal anisotropy from local shear-wave splitting and crust-mantle coupling of Yunnan,SE margin of Tibetan Plateau

The upper crustal anisotropy of Yunnan area, SE margin of Tibetan Plateau, is investigated by measuring the shear wave splitting of local earthquakes. The mean value of the measured delay times is 0.054 s and far less than that from Pms splitting analysis, indicating that the crustal anisotropy is contributed mostly from mid-lower crust. The fast polarization directions are mostly sub-parallel to the maximum horizontal compression directions while the stations near fault zones show fault-parallel fast polarization directions, suggesting both stress and geological structure contribute to the upper crust anisotropy.Comparing fast polarization directions from shear wave splitting of local earthquakes and Pms, large angle differences are shown at most stations, implying different anisotropy properties between upper and mid-lower crust. However, in southwestern Yunnan, the fast polarization directions of Pms and Swave splitting are nearly parallel, and the stress and surface strain rate directions show strong correlation, which may indicate that the surface and deep crust deformations can be explained by the same mechanism and the surface deformation can represent the deformation of the whole crust. Therefore,the high correlation between surface strain and mantle deformation in this area suggests the mechanical coupling between crust and mantle in southwestern Yunnan. In the rest region of Yunnan, the crustmantle coupling mechanisms are supported by the lack of significant crustal anisotropy with Ne S fast polarization directions from Pms splitting. Therefore, we conclude that the crust and upper mantle are coupled in Yunnan, SE margin of Tibetan Plateau.

A method for inversion of layered shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy from Rayleigh wave dispersion using the Neighborhood Algorithm

Seismic anisotropy provides important constraints on deformation patterns of Earth＇s material. Rayleigh wave dispersion data with azimuthal anisotropy can be used to invert for depth-dependent shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy, therefore reflecting depth-varying deformation patterns in the crust and upper mantle. In this study, we propose a two-step method that uses the Neighborhood Algorithm （NA） for the point-wise inversion of depth-dependent shear wavespeeds and azimuthal anisotropy from Rayleigh wave azimuthally anisotropic dispersion data. The first step employs the NA to estimate depth- dependent Vsv （or the elastic parameter L） as well as their uncertainties from the isotropic part Rayleigh wave dispersion data. In the second step, we first adopt a difference scheme to compute approximate Rayleigh-wave phase velocity sensitivity kernels to azimuthally anisotropic parameters with respect to the velocity model obtained in the first step. Then we perform the NA to estimate the azimuthally anisotropic parameters Gc/L and Gs/L at depths separately from the corresponding cosine and sine terms of the azimuthally anisotropic dispersion data. Finally, we compute the depth-dependent magnitude and fast polariza- tion azimuth of shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy. The use of the global search NA and Bayesian analysis allows for more reliable estimates of depth-dependent shear wavespeeds and azimuthal anisotropy as well as their uncertainties.We illustrate the inversion method using the azimuthally anisotropic dispersion data in SE Tibet, where we find apparent changes of fast axes of shear wavespeed azimuthal anisotropy between the crust and uppermost mantle.

Study on shear wave splitting in the after- shock region of the Yao′an earthquake in 2000

After Ms=6.5 Yao＇an earthquake on January 15, 2000, a large amount of aftershock waveforms were recorded by the Near Source Digital Seismic Network （NSSN） installed by Earthquake Administration of Yunnan Province in the aftershock region. It provides profuse data to systematically analyze the features of Yao＇an earthquake. The crustal anisotropy is realized by shear wave splitting propagating in the upper crust. Based on the accurate aftershock relocations, the shear wave splitting parameters are determined with the cross-correlation method, and the results of different stations and regions are discussed in this paper. These conclusions are obtained as follows： firstly, the average fast directions of aftershock region are controlled by the regional stress field and parallel to the maximum horizontal compressive stress direction; secondly, the average fast directions of disparate stations and regions are different and vary with the structural settings and regional stress fields; finally, delay time value is affected by all sorts of factors, which is affinitive with the shear wave propagating medium, especially.

Seismic anisotropy of the crust in Yunnan,China:Polarizations of fast shear-waves

Using seismic data recorded by Yunnan Telemetry Seismic Network from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003, the dominant polarization directions of fast shear-waves are obtained at 10 digital seismic stations by SAM technique, a systematic analysis method on shear-wave splitting, in this study. The results show that dominant directions of polarizations of fast shear-waves at most stations are mainly at nearly N-S or NNW direction in Yunnan. The dominant polarization directions of fast shear-waves at stations located on the active faults are consistent with the strike of active faults, directions of regional principal compressive strains measured from GPS data, and basically consistent with regional principal compressive stress. Only a few of stations.show complicated polarization pattern of fast shear-waves, or are not consistent with the strike of active faults and the directions of principal GPS compressive strains, which are always located at junction of several faults. The result reflects complicated fault distribution and stress field. The dominant polarization direction of fast shear-wave indicates the direction of the in-situ maximum principal compressive stress is controlled by multiple tectonic aspects such as the regional stress field and faults.

Shear Wave Anisotropy of the Upper Mantle Beneath the Region from Tingri of Tibet to Golmud of Qinghai

Measurements of shear wave splitting at 43 three-component seismic stationsshow very big difference in anisotropy on both sides of the Indus-Yarlung Zangbo suture(ITS), but little difference on both sides of the older Bangong-Nujiang suture (BNS) and theJinsha River suture (JS) to its north. Obvious discrepancy exists between the anisotropy direc-tion and the superficial tectonic trends, which is not explicable directly by the coherent uppermantle deformation usually supposed to occur in consistency with the trend of a collisional belt.On the other hand, strong spatial relationships are observed from the anisotropy results, such asthe orthogonal directions of anisotropy on both sides of ITS and the good correlation betweenthe region of larger magnitude of anisotropy and the zone of inefficient Sn propagation ofQiangtang as well as the systematic rotation of the directions of anisotropy, which should testifysome much more complicated aspects of the continental convergence mechanism. To the best ofour data, we tend to suppose that the Qinghai-Tibet plateau might result from a mechanismcomplicated by the coexistence of Argand's underthrusting and Dewey's diffuse deformation.

Shear wave anisotropy in D” region beneath the western Pacific

Using seismic shear phases from 47 Tonga-Fiji and its adjacent region events recorded by the CENC and IRIS, and from 26 northeast Asia and north Pacific events recorded by IRIS, we studied the shear wave anisotropy in D＂ region beneath the western Pacific utilizing the ScS-S differential travel time method and obtained the splitting time values between the radial and transverse components of each ScS wave corresponding to each core-mantle boundary （CMB） reflection point. We found that most shear waves involved horizontally polarized shear wave components traveling faster than vertically polarized shear wave components through the D＂ region. The splitting time values of ScS wave range from -0.91 s to 3.21 s with an average value of 1.1 s. The strength of anisotropy varies from -0.45% to 1.56% with an average value of 0.52%. The observations and analyses show that in the D＂ region beneath the western Pacific the lateral flow is expected to be dominant and the vertical transverse isotropy may be the main anisotropic structure. This structure feature may be explained by the shape preferred orientation of the CMB chemical reaction products or partial melt and the lattice preferred orientation of the lower mantle materials caused by the lateral flow at lowermost mantle.

Shear wave velocity in granular soil considering effects of inherent and stress-induced anisotropy

The aim of this research was to explain the effects of relative density,mean effective stress,grading characteristics,consolidation stress ratio and initial fabric anisotropy produced during specimen preparation on shear wave velocity(Vs).It is shown that the Vs of the consolidated specimens under anisotropic compression stress is greater than that of the consolidated specimens under isotropic or anisotropic extension stress states at a given relative density and effective confining stress.It is also shown that the depositional technique that was used to create reconstituted specimens has important effect on the Vs.A parallel comparison of measured values from the resonant column and bender element tests is also presented.These results of the tests have been employed to develop a generalized relationship for predicting Vs of granular soils.The Vs model is validated using data collected from literatures.Based on the results,it can be conducted that the proposed model has a good performance and is capable of evaluating the Vs of granular soil.

A Study on Shear Wave Splitting for the Sequence of the Aftershocks of the Yao'an M_S6.5 Earthquake in Yunnan Province

The shear wave splitting study is based on data of the 3 component digital seismograms. This was recorded at 3 sets of stations, which were set up after the Yaoan M S6 5 earthquake, near its epicenter. The results indicate the following:①Shear wave splitting has been observed through analyzing 236 aftershock recordings within the shear wave window. ②The time delay was mostly in the range of 3 5～10 5ms/km and the average was 7 0ms/km.③The polarization direction of the fast split S wave was mostly in the range of N140°E～N164°E and the average was N152 4°E. ④The preferred polarization direction for the fast shear wave was different from the direction of the seismogenic structure of the mainshock (Maweijing fault) and the direction of the rupture of the aftershocks, but similar to the principal compressional axis of the regional stress field. ⑤Shear wave splitting for sequence of the aftershocks of the Yaoan earthquake was the result of anisotropy of EDA cracks controlled by stress field.

Upper mantle anisotropy of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and surrounding regions from shear wave splitting analysis

Polarization analysis of teleseismic data has been used to determine the XKS(SKS,SKKS,and PKS)fast polarization directions and delay times between fast and slow shear waves for 59 seismic stations of both temporary and permanent broadband seismograph networks deployed in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis(EHS)and surrounding regions.The analysis employed both the grid searching method of the minimum tangential energy and stacking analysis methods to develop an image of upper mantle anisotropy in the EHS and surrounding regions using the newly obtained shear wave splitting parameters and previously published results.The fast polarization directions are oriented along a NE-SW azimuth in the EHS.However,within the surrounding regions,the fast directions show a clockwise rotation pattern around the EHS from NE-SW,to E-W,to NW-SE,and then to N-S.In the EHS and surrounding regions,the fast directions of seismic anisotropy determined using shear wave splitting analysis correlate with surficial geological features including major sutures and faults and with the surface deformation fields derived from global positioning system(GPS)data.The coincidence between structural features in the crust,surface deformation fields and mantle anisotropy suggests that the deformation in the crust and lithospheric mantle is mechanically coupled.In the EHS,the coherence between the fast directions and the NE direction of the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Tibetan Plateau suggests that the lithospheric deformation is caused mainly by subduction.In the regions surrounding the EHS,we speculate that a westward retreat of the Burma slab could contribute to the curved anisotropy pattern.The Tibetan Plateau is acted upon by a NE-trending force due to the subduction of the Indian Plate,and also affected by a westward drag force due to the westward retreat produced by the eastward subduction of the Burma slab.The two forces contribute to a curved lithospheric deformation that results in the alignment of the upper mantle peridotite lattice parallel to the deformation direction,and thus generates a curved pattern of fast directions around the EHS.

Stress-dependent shear wave splitting and permeability in fractured porous rock

It is well known that shear wave propagates slower across than parallel to a fracture, and as a result, a travelling shear wave splits into two directions when it encounters a fracture. Shear wave splitting and permeability of porous rock core samples having single fracture were experimentally investigated using a high-pressure triaxial cell, which can measure seismic shear wave velocities in two directions mutually perpendicular to the sample axis in addition to the longitudinal compressive wave velocity. A single fracture was created in the samples using a modified Brazilian split test device, where the cylindrical sample edges were loaded on two diametrically opposite lines by sharp guillotines along the sample length. Based on tilt tests and fracture surface profilometry, the method of artificially induced tensile fracture in the sample was found to create repeatable fracture surfaces and morphologies. Seismic velocities of the fractured samples were determined under different levels of stress confinement and fracture shear displacement or mismatch. The effective confining stress was varied from 0.5 MPa to55 MPa, while the fractures were mismatched by 0 mm, 0.45 mm and 1 mm. The degree of matching of the fracture surfaces in the core samples was evaluated using the joint matching coefficient(JMC). Shear wave splitting, as measured by the difference in the magnitudes of shear wave velocities parallel(V_(S1))and perpendicular(V_(S2)) to the fracture, is found to be insensitive to the degree of mismatching of the fracture joint surfaces at 2 MPa, and decreased and approached zero as the effective stress was increased.Simple models for the stress-and JMC-dependent shear wave splitting and fractured rock permeability were developed based on the experimental observations. The effects of the joint wall compressive strength(JCS), JMC and stress on the stress dependency of joint aperture were discussed in terms of hydro-mechanical response. Finally, a useful relationship between fractured rock permeability and shear wave splitting was found after normalization by using JMC.

The characteristics of shear wave splitting in the source region of the April 20,2013 Lushan earthquake

Using seismic data of the aftershocks sequence of the April 20, 2013 Lushan earthquake recorded by seismic temporary and permanent stations in the source region, with the visual inspection of particle motion diagrams, this paper preliminarily contains the polarization directions of fast shear wave and the time-delays of split shear waves at every station, and analyzes the crustal anisotropic characteristics in the source region. In the study area, the polarization direc- tions at stations BAX, TQU, L 132, L 133, L 134, and L 135 are northeast, which is consistent with the strike of Dachuan- Shuangshi fault. There are two polarization directions at MDS and L131, which are northeast and southeast. The scatter of polarization directions suggests the complex stress field around these two stations where two faults intersect. For the normalized time-delays at every station, the range is 1.02-8.64 ms/km. The largest time-delay is from L134 which is closest to the mainshock, and the smallest one is from L133. The variations in time-delays show the decreasing at stations BAX, L134, and L135 because of the stress-relaxation after earthquake.

Effects of fabric anisotropy on elastic shear modulus of granular soils

The fabric anisotropy of a granular soil deposit can strongly infl uence its engineering properties and behavior. This paper presents the results of a novel experimental study designed to examine the effects of fabric anisotropy on smallstrain stiffness and its evolution with loading on the elastic shear modulus of granular materials under a K0 condition. Two primary categories of fabric anisotropy, i.e., deposition-induced and particle shape-induced, are investigated. Toyoura sand deposits with relative densities of 40% and 80% were prepared using deposition angles oriented at 0o and 90o. Piezoelectric transducers were used to obtain the elastic shear modulus in the vertical and horizontal directions(Gvh and Ghh). The measurements indicate distinct differences in the values of G with respect to the different deposition angles. Particle shapeinduced fabric anisotropy was examined using four selected sands. It was concluded that sphericity is a controlling factor dominating the small-strain stiffness of granular materials. The degree of fabric anisotropy proves to be a good indicatorin the characterization of stress-induced fabric evolution during loading and unloading stress cycles. The experimental data were used to calibrate an existing micromechanical model, which was able to represent the behavior of the granular material and the degree of fabric anisotropy reasonably well.

Azimuthal anisotropy in lithosphere on the Chinese mainland from observations of SKS at CDSN

The shear wave splitting in SKS are investigated from all available teleseismic data recorded at the broad band stations of China Digital Seismograph Network. The polarization direction of fast S wave of anisotropy and the time delay of slow S wave are determined. Detectable shear wave splitting was found at eight analysed stations of CDSN. Time delay ranges from 0. 7 s to 1. 7 s. The previous work show that the shear wave splitting of SKS which propagate through the mantle is due to the anisotropy in upper mantle. The anisotropy in upper mantle can be interpreted by the strain-induced lattice dominant orientation of mantle minerals. The thickness of the anisotropic layer responsible for SKS wave splitting, which is estimated from time delay, corresponds generally to the thickness of lithosphere beneath Chinese mainland, which is estimated from depth of the high conductivity layer and the low velocity layer in the upper mantle. In most stations, the polarization direction of fast S wave obtained in this study are generally close to these predicted by the deformation of intraplate blocks as a whole. However, there is obvious difference between the two directions at some stations. This suggests that the causes of this well observed phenomenon are clearly complex. In order to interpret the shear wave splitting of mantle shear wave, more high-quality observation and more additional information about the strain in the mantle will be needed.

Seismic anisotropy beneath the Chinese mainland

We investigated the upper mantle anisotropy beneath China by applying teleseismic shear wave splitting measurements at 119 seismic stations from CDSN and GSN//RIS networks in China. The splitting observations are characterized by apparent diversity of anisotropy pattern in adjacent tectonic domains, including the Tianshan orogenic belt, Tibetan plateau, the Yangtze craton, the North China craton and northeastern region. In western China （Tianshan orogenic belt and Tibetan plateau）, fast polarization directions of split SKS waves coincide strikingly well with the dominating trend of deformational crustal features and delay times range from 0.5 s to 1.6 s. While in eastern China, seismic anisotropy deduced from shear wave splitting reveals a homogeneous NW-SE trending structure, almost perpendicular to the strike of large-scale surface structures. The observed delay times of 1.5 s to more than 2 s favor consistent mantle flow over large mantle thicknesses Based upon the straightforward relationships between seismic anisotropy and the development of lattice preferred orientation of mineral in upper mantle rocks, we interpret the splitting results in terms of tectonic fabric within the upper mantle. Since the lithosphere is less than 100 km thick beneath eastern China and the observed fast directions are subparallel to the trend of the absolute plate motion （APM） of Eurasian plate, we propose that the asthenosphere may mainly contribute to the anisotropic effects beneath eastern China. However, the upper mantle anisotropy beneath western China may have developed more recently in the subcrustal lithosphere because of rather small delay times and thick lithosphere. We also use the opportunity of the dense geodetic measurements available in China to discuss the coupling between the crust and mantle. In the Eura- sia-fixed reference frame, GPS and shear wave splitting both depict a similar trend beneath eastern China, suggesting a lithospheric block ＂escaping＂ toward the east that could orient olivine [001 ] axis in the upper mantle. There is a strong cou- pling between the crust and the mantle in eastern China. A different behavior is observed in western China. The GPS vectors trend NS-NE in Tibet and NW in Tianshan, close to the regional compression direction, whereas the fast directions trend EW in Tibet and NE in Tianshan, suggesting a tectonic regime close to a mode of axial shortening, generating the development of EW-trending foliation in Tibet and NE-trending foliation in Tianshan at depth. The crust and mantle deform independently in western China.

Mantle anisotropy across the southwestern boundary of the Ordos block,North China

Located at the northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau,the Ordos block is a stable tectonic unit in North China.With its active boundary fault zones,the Ordos block played an important role in the eastward extrusion mechanism of the Tibetan plateau.Peking University deployed a linear array of 15 portable broadband seismometers across the western Weihe graben during September 2005 to August 2006 and later a 2-D seismic array（Southwest Ordos Array） of 14 portable broadband seismometers during 2007-2008 at its southwestern boundary.Analyses of shear wave splitting of SKS and SKKS phases at these stations show that the fast directions trend ～110° with an average delay time of 0.9 s in the southwestern margin of the Ordos block.The agreement between the lithosphere deformation indicated by GPS data and Quaternary fault slip-rate observations and the mantle flow represented by shear wave splitting implies that accordant deformation patterns from lithosphere to asthenosphere in relation to the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan plateau could extend at least to 200 km depth.Spatial distribution of splitting polarization directions indicates that the mantle flow driven by the Tibetan plateau is blocked by the Ordos block and locally restricted in a narrow channel along the Qinling-Dabie fault zones between the Ordos block and Sichuan basin.

Application of Seismic Anisotropy Caused by Fissures in Coal Seams to the Detection of Coal-bed Methane Reservoirs

Coal-bed methane is accumulated in micro-fissures and cracks in coal seams. The coal seam is the source terrace and reservoir bed of the coal-bed methane (Qian et al., 1996). Anisotropy of coal seams is caused by the existence of fissures. Based on the theory of S wave splitting: an S wave will be divided into two S waves with nearly orthogonal polarization directions when passing through anisotropic media, i.e. the fast S wave with its direction of propagation parallel to that of the fissure and slow S wave with the direction of propagation perpendicular to that of the fissure.

Anisotropy of the upper mantle in Chinese mainland and its vicinity

In order to deepen the understanding of the spatial change images of upper mantle media for strain strength and polarization direction, anisotropy and shear wave splitting, anisotropy and strain, strain and the tectonic process, based on the theory on the characteristics of shear wave splitting parameters in the presence of two weak azimuthal anisotropic layers and observations concerned, and using signal identification methods with high precision, the results for 136 earthquakes are obtained. The pictures of anisotropy strength and polarization direction beneath twenty stations are got. Combining the results existed previously, the characteristics and origin of the upper mantle anisotropy are discussed.