Abstract
ZHANG and Tanimoto1 have used the results of a new high-resolution three-dimensional model of shear-wave velocities in the Earth's upper mantle2 to conclude that, whereas hotspots are underlain by low-velocity anomalies extending to ∼200 km depth, the corresponding anomalies under mid-ocean ridges are shallower (∼100 km) in extent. Here we show that such a shallow origin for the mid-ocean-ridge anomalies is inconsistent, by a factor of 3–5, with the observed travel-time residuals for the seismic phase SS (ref. 3). A three-dimensional model describing shear velocities in the entire mantle4, derived independently of the SS observations but based on a large set of waveforms (15,000 seismograms5) and differential travel-time data (8,200 measurements6,7), shows the velocity anomalies associated with all mid-ocean ridges as continuous features down to 300 km depth. Some of these low-velocity anomalies continue throughout the upper mantle, and may extend into the lower mantle.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zhang, Y.-S. & Tanimoto, T. Nature 355, 45–49 (1992).
Zhang, Y.-S. thesis, California Institute of Technology (1991).
Su, W.-J. & Dziewonski, A. M. Nature 352, 121–126 (1991).
Woodward, R. L., Forte, A. M., Su, W.-J. & Dziewonski, A. M. in Proc. Union Symp. 12 IUGG (eds Takahashi, E. & Jeanloz, R.) (Am. Geophys. Un., Washington DC, in the press).
Woodhouse, J. H. & Dziewonski, A. M. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A329, 291–308 (1989).
Woodward, R. L. & Masters, G. J. geophys. Res. 96, 6351–6377 (1991).
Woodward, R. L. & Masters, G. Nature 352, 231–233 (1991).
Woodhouse, J. H. & Dziewonski, A. M. J. geophys. Res. 89, 5953–5986 (1984).
Tanimoto, T. Geophys. J. int. 100, 327–336 (1990).
Masters, G., Jordan, T. H., Silver, P. G. & Gilbert, F. Nature 298, 609–613 (1982).
Anderson, D. L., Tanimoto, T. & Zhang, Y.-S. Science 256, 1645–1651 (1992).
Tanimoto, T. & Zhang, Y.-S. Geophys. Res. Lett. 19, 1567–1570 (1992).
Dziewonski, A. M., Hager, B. H. & O'Connell, R. J. J. geophys. Res. 82, 239–255 (1977).
Dziewonski, A. M. J. geophys. Res. 89, 5929–5952 (1984).
Giardini, D., Li, X.-D. & Woodhouse, J. H. Nature 325, 405–411 (1987).
Dziewonski, A. M. & Woodward, R. L. in Acoustical Imaging (eds Emert, H. & Harjes, H.-P.) 785–797 (Plenum New York. 1992).
Hager, B. H., Clayton, R. W., Richards, M. A., Comer, R. P. & Dziewonski, A. M. Nature 313, 541–545 (1985).
Forte, A. M. & Peltier, W. R. J. geophys. Res. 92, 3645–3679 (1987).
Forte, A. M. & Peltier, W. R. Geophys. Res. Lett. 16, 621–624 (1989).
Forte, A. M., Dziewonski, A. M. & Woodward, R. L. in Dynamics of the Earth's Deep Interior and Earth Rotation (ed. Le Mouël, J.-L.) (Am. Geophys. Un. Geodyn. Ser., in the press).
Parsons, B. & Sclater, J. G. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 82, 803–827 (1977).
Duschenes, J. D. & Solomon, S. C. J. geophys. Res. 82, 1985–2000 (1977).
Dziewonski, A. M. & Anderson, D. L. Phys. Earth planet. Inter. 25, 297–356 (1981).
Dziewonski, A. M., Ekström, G. & Salganik, M. Phys. Earth planet. Inter. 72, 1–11 (1992).
Dziewonski, A. M., Ekström, G. & Salganik, M. Phys. Earth planet. Inter. (in the press).
Jordan, T. H. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 13, 1–12 (1975).
Jordan, T. H. Nature 274, 544–548 (1978).
Dupre, B. & Allegre, C. J. Nature 303, 142–146 (1983).
Hart, S. R. Nature 309, 753–757 (1984).
Castillo, P. R. Nature 336, 667–670 (1988).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Su, Wj., Woodward, R. & Dziewonski, A. Deep origin of mid-ocean-ridge seismic velocity anomalies. Nature 360, 149–152 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/360149a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/360149a0
This article is cited by
-
Evaluation of seismic hazard in the central seismic gap region of Himalaya based on site effects and simulated accelerograms
Acta Geophysica (2024)
-
Early Cambrian Muli arc–ophiolite complex: a relic of the Proto-Tethys oceanic lithosphere in the Qilian Orogen, NW China
International Journal of Earth Sciences (2019)
-
Mantle plume characteristics in three-dimensional depth- and temperature-dependent models
Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica (2015)
-
Mapping absolute migration of global mid-ocean ridges since 80 Ma to Present
Earth, Planets and Space (2007)
-
Why is the number of superplumes so limited?
Geosciences Journal (2002)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.