Antoine Mocquet

Computation of seismic profiles from mineral physics: the importance of the non-olivine components for explaining the 660 km depth discontinuity

The recent increasing number of experimental works leads us to review the elastic properties and mineralogical transformations of mantle minerals. The updated data set is used to compute seismic profiles for two petrological models along three adiabatic temperature profiles. These profiles are chosen to stress out the influence of non-olivine minerals on seismic parameters, and to represent cold and horizontally averaged temperature profiles of the Earths mantle. In a first part, starting compositions of pyrolite and piclogite and a single layer convection are assumed. The results clearly point out the importance of the non-olivine part of the mineralogy. Two scenarios are found to explain the 660 km depth discontinuity, .

The NetLander very broad band seismometer

Abstract The interior of Mars is today poorly known, in contrast to the Earth interior and, to a lesser extent, to the Moon interior, for which seismic data have been used for the determination of the interior structure. This is one of the strongest facts motivating the deployment on Mars of a network of very broad band seismometers, in the framework of the 2007 CNES-NASA joint mission. These seismometers will be carried by the Netlanders, a set of 4 landers developed by a European consortium, and are expected to land in mid-2008. Despite a low mass, the seismometers will have a sensitivity comparable to the present Very Broad Band Earth sensors, i.e. better than the past Apollo Lunar seismometers. They will record the full range of seismic and gravity signals, from the expected quakes induced by the thermoelastic cooling of the lithosphere, to the possible permanent excitation of the normal modes and tidal gravity perturbations. All these seismic signals will be able to constrain the structure of Mars’ mantle and its discontinuities, as well as the state and size of the Martian core, shortly after for the centennial of the discovery of the Earth core by Oldham (Quart. J. Geol. Soc. 62(1906) 456–475).

Oceanic lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary from surface wave dispersion data

Abstract According to different types of observations, the nature of lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is controversial. Using a massive data set of surface wave dispersions in a broad period range (15–300 s), we have developed a three-dimensional upper mantle tomographic model (first-order perturbation theory) at the global scale. This is used to derive maps of the LAB from the resolved elastic parameters. The key effects of shallow layers and anisotropy are taken into account in the inversion process. We investigate LAB distribution primarily below the oceans, according to different kinds of proxies that correspond to the base of the lithosphere from the shear velocity variation at depth, the amplitude radial anisotropy, and the changes in azimuthal anisotropy G orientation. The estimations of the LAB depth based on the shear velocity increase from a thin lithosphere (∼20 km) in the ridges, to a thick old-ocean lithosphere (∼120–130 km). The radial anisotropy proxy shows a very fast increase in the LAB depth from the ridges, from ∼50 km to the older ocean where it reaches a remarkable monotonic subhorizontal profile (∼70–80 km). The LAB depths inferred from the azimuthal anisotropy proxy show deeper values for the increasing oceanic lithosphere (∼130–135 km). The difference between the evolution of the LAB depth with the age of the oceanic lithosphere computed from the shear velocity and azimuthal anisotropy proxies and from the radial anisotropy proxy raises questions about the nature of the LAB in the oceanic regions and of the formation of the oceanic plates

High-resolution imaging of the Pyrenees and Massif Central from the data of the PYROPE and IBERARRAY portable array deployments

The lithospheric structures beneath the Pyrenees, which holds the key to settle long-standing controversies regarding the opening of the Bay of Biscay and the formation of the Pyrenees, are still poorly known. The temporary PYROPE and IBERARRAY experiments have recently filled a strong deficit of seismological stations in this part of western Europe, offering a new and unique opportunity to image crustal and mantle structures with unprecedented resolution. Here we report the results of the first tomographic study of the Pyrenees relying on this rich data set. The important aspects of our tomographic study are the precision of both absolute and relative traveltime measurements obtained by a nonlinear simulated annealing waveform fit and the detailed crustal model that has been constructed to compute accurate crustal corrections. Beneath the Massif Central, the most prominent feature is a widespread slow anomaly that reflects a strong thermal anomaly resulting from the thinning of the lithosphere and upwelling of the asthenosphere. Our tomographic images clearly exclude scenarios involving subduction of oceanic lithosphere beneath the Pyrenees. In contrast, they reveal the segmentation of lithospheric structures, mainly by two major lithospheric faults, the Toulouse fault in the central Pyrenees and the Pamplona fault in the western Pyrenees. These inherited Hercynian faults were reactivated during the Cretaceous rifting of the Aquitaine and Iberian margins and during the Cenozoic Alpine convergence. Therefore, the Pyrenees can be seen as resulting from the tectonic inversion of a segmented continental rift that was buried by subduction beneath the European plate.

Network science landers for Mars

Abstract The NetLander Mission will deploy four landers to the Martian surface. Each lander includes a network science payload with instrumentation for studying the interior of Mars, the atmosphere and the subsurface, as well as the ionospheric structure and geodesy. The NetLander Mission is the first planetary mission focusing on investigations of the interior of the planet and the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere. A broad consortium of national space agencies and research laboratories will implement the mission. It is managed by CNES (the French Space Agency), with other major players being FMI (the Finnish Meteorological Institute), DLR (the German Space Agency), and other research institutes. According to current plans, the NetLander Mission will be launched in 2005 by means of an Ariane V launch, together with the Mars Sample Return mission. The landers will be separated from the spacecraft and targeted to their locations on the Martian surface several days prior to the spacecrafts arrival at Mars. The landing system employs parachutes and airbags. During the baseline mission of one Martian year, the network payloads will conduct simultaneous seismological, atmospheric, magnetic, ionospheric, geodetic measurements and ground penetrating radar mapping supported by panoramic images. The payloads also include entry phase measurements of the atmospheric vertical structure. The scientific data could be combined with simultaneous observations of the atmosphere and surface of Mars by the Mars Express Orbiter that is expected to be functional during the NetLander Missions operational phase. Communication between the landers and the Earth would take place via a data relay onboard the Mars Express Orbiter.

Theoretical seismic models of Mars : the importance of the iron content of the mantle

Abstract Present-day averaged temperature profiles of the mantle of Mars are computed through numerical convection experiments performed with axisymmetrical geometry, for different values of core radii and different boundary conditions at the core-mantle boundary. Internal heating of the mantle is considered in each case. It is found that the temperature profiles of the mantle are very stable whatever the imposed conditions at the core-mantle boundary. A 300 km thick thermal lithosphere, displaying a temperature gradient equal to 4.4 K km−1 is followed at greater depths by a quasi-isothermal mantle, the temperature of which is found in a 1200–1600 K temperature range. A mean temperature equal to 1400 K is in a good agreement with the low Q of Mars at tidal frequencies. These characteristics, together with the small increase of pressure with depth, of the order of 0.01 GPa km−1, induce the presence of a low-velocity zone similar to the Earths one, down to 300 km depth. Densities and seismic velocities corresponding to these thermodynamical conditions are computed using Gruneisens and third-order finite strain theory for different values of the iron content of mantle minerals. Below 300 km depth, the values of magnitude as within the Earths transition zone. An increase of the iron content of the Martian mantle with respect to the Earths one results (1) in an increase of density, and a decrease of seismic velocities, which can reach more than 2% of the values expected from an Earth like composition, (2) in a homogenization of mantle structure through the smoothing out of seismic discontinuities over a thickness of a few hundred kilometres. This smoothing process is due to the large pressure domains of coexistence between different phases of olivine when the iron content of this latter mineral increases. Plausible domains of core density and core radius are finally checked back for each of the computed models of mantle density. These tests show that the principal moment of inertia ratio of Mars should not be lower than 0.355 if the iron content of the Martian mantle is at least equal to that of the Earth, and that the thickness of the liquid core should be small, of the order of 300–400 km, if a solid core is present at the centre of the planet. This small thickness might explain the weakness (or absence?) of an internally generated magnetic field on Mars.

Constraints on thermal state and composition of the Earth's lower mantle from electromagnetic impedances and seismic data

Despite the tight constraints put by seismology on the elastic properties of the Earths lower mantle, its mineralogical composition and thermal state remain poorly known because the interpretation of seismic measurements suffers from the trade-off between temperature, iron content, and mineralogical composition. In order to overcome this difficulty, we complement seismic data with electromagnetic induction data. The latter data are mostly sensitive to temperature and iron content, while densities and acoustic speeds mostly constrain the mineralogy. A 0.5 log unit increase in electrical conductivity can be caused either by a 400 K increase of the temperature or by an increase of iron content from 10% to 12.5%. Acoustic velocity is only marginally sensitive to temperature but it increases by 0.8 km s−1 on average as the perovskite fraction increases from 50% to 100%. Olsens (1999) apparent resistivities in the period range [15 days, 11 years], and Preliminary reference Earth model (PREM) densities and acoustic speeds are jointly inverted in the depth range [800 km, 2600 km] by using a Monte Carlo Markov Chain method. Given the uncertainties on these data, estimates of perovskite fraction are well constrained over the whole depth range, but information on temperature and iron content is only obtained for depths less than 2000 km, corresponding to the penetration depth of the long-period electromagnetic field. All parameter values are determined with an uncertainty better than 15–20% at the 1σ confidence level. The temperature in the uppermost lower mantle (i.e., down to 1300 km depth) is close to a value of 2200 K and increases along a superadiabatic gradient of 0.4 K km−1 between 1300 and 2000 km depth. Extrapolation of this gradient at greater depth leads to a temperature close to 2800 K at 2600 km depth. The iron content of the lower mantle is found to be almost constant and equal to 10–11% whatever the depth, while a significant linear decrease of the perovskite content is observed throughout the whole depth range, from 80% at 800 km depth down to ∼65% at 2600 km depth.

Observation of deep water microseisms in the North Atlantic Ocean using tide modulations

Ocean activity produces continuous and ubiquitous seismic energy mostly in the 2–20 s period band, known as microseismic noise. Between 2 and 10 s period, secondary microseisms (SM) are generated by swell reflections close to the shores and/or by opposing swells in the deep ocean. However, unique conditions are required in order for surface waves generated by deep-ocean microseisms to be observed on land. By comparing short-duration power spectral densities at both Atlantic shoreline and inland seismic stations, we show that ocean tides strongly modulate the seismic energy in a wide period band except between 2.5 and 5 s. This tidal proxy reveals the existence of an ex situ short-period contribution of the SM peak. Comparison with swell spectra at surrounding buoys suggests that the largest part of this extra energy comes from deep ocean-generated microseisms. The energy modulation might be also used in numerical models of microseismic generation to constrain coastal reflection coefficients.

Wavelet transform: A tool for the interpretation of upper mantle converted phases at high frequency

P to S converted receiver functions recorded at VBB FDSN California stations are studied in the frequency range of 0.1 to i Hz. Microseismic noise is maximum in this frequency range, but signal processing by the wavelet transform enables us: (1) to enhance seismic phases associated with seismic velocity gradients and discontinuities at the base of the upper mantle, (2) to extract accurate arrival times, and (3) to obtain an accurate insight into the frequency content. In the case of California, one seismic discontinuity and two zones of high gradients in the depth range of 625 to 720km are recurrently observed for two different data sets.

Very high-density planets: a possible remnant of gas giants.

Data extracted from the Extrasolar Planets Encyclo- paedia (see http://exoplanet.eu) show the existence of planets that are more massive than iron cores that would have the same size. After meticulous verification of the data, we conclude that the mass of the smallest of these planets is actually not known. However, the three largest planets, Kepler-52b, Kepler-52c and Kepler-57b, which are between 30 and 100 times the mass of the Earth, have indeed density larger than an iron planet of the same size. This observation triggers this study that investigates under which conditions these planets could represent the naked cores of gas giants that would have lost their atmospheres during their migration towards the star. This study shows that for moderate viscosity values (1025 Pa s or lower), large values of escape rate and associated unloading stress rate during the atmospheric loss process lead to the explosion of extremely massive planets. However, for moderate escape rate, the bulk viscosity and finite-strain incompressibility of the cores of giant planets can be large enough to retain a very high density during geological time scales. This would make those a new kind of planet, which would help in understanding the interior structure of the gas giants. However, this new family of exoplanets adds some degeneracy for characterizing terrestrial exoplanets.