Minghui Zhao

Seismic observation of an extremely magmatic accretion at the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge

The oceanic crust is formed by a combination of magmatic and tectonic processes at mid-ocean spreading centers. Under ultraslow spreading environment, however, observations of thin crust and mantle-derived peridotites on the seafloor suggest that a large portion of crust is formed mainly by tectonic processes, with little or absence of magmatism. Using three-dimensional seismic tomography at an ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge segment containing a central volcano at 50°28′E, here we report the presence of an extremely magmatic accretion of the oceanic crust. Our results reveal a low-velocity anomaly (−0.6 km/s) in the lower crust beneath the central volcano, suggesting the presence of partial melt, which is accompanied by an unusually thick crust (~9.5 km). We also observe a strong along-axis variation in crustal thickness from 9.5 to 4 km within 30–50 km distance, requiring a highly focused melt delivery from the mantle. We conclude that the extremely magmatic accretion is due to localized melt flow toward the central volcano, which was enhanced by the significant along-axis variation in lithosphere thickness at the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge.

Along-axis variation in crustal thickness at the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (50°E) from a wide-angle seismic experiment

The Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) is characterized by an ultraslow spreading rate, thin crust, and extensive outcrops of serpentinized peridotite. Previous studies have used geochemical and geophysical data to suggest the presence of a thicker crust at the central and shallowest portions of the SWIR, from the Prince Edward (35°30′E) to the Gallieni (52°20′E) fracture zones. Here we present a new analysis of wide-angle seismic data along the ridge 49°17′E–50°49′E. Our main conclusions are as follows: (1) we find an oceanic layer 2 of roughly constant thickness and steep velocity gradient, underlain by a layer 3 with variable thickness and low velocity gradient; (2) the crustal thickness varies from ∼5 km beneath nontransform discontinuities (NTDs) up to ∼10 km beneath a segment center; (3) the melt supply is focused in segment centers despite a small NTD between adjacent segments; (4) the presence of a normal upper mantle velocity indicates that no serpentinization occurs beneath this thick crust. Our observation of thick crust at an ultraslow spreading ridge adds further complexity to relationships between crustal thickness and spreading rate, and supports previous suggestions that the extent of mantle melting is not a simple function of spreading rate, and that mantle temperature or chemistry (or both) must vary significantly along axis.

Three-dimensional tomographic model of the crust beneath the Hong Kong region

We present the first three-dimensional seismic velocity model of the Hong Kong region, including the Dangan Island fault zone (DIFZ). The crust beneath Hong Kong is predominantly igneous, and is characterized by relatively high seismic velocity. Further south, we observe an elongated velocity anomaly beneath part of the DIFZ where significant seismicity has been recorded. This anomaly demarcates the contrasting seismic velocity structures on the opposite sides of the fault zone from the surface to a depth of at least 20 km, suggesting that the DIFZ extends to the lower crust and dips subvertically. Our model also indicates that there is an abrupt change in the along-strike crustal structure of the fault zone, with a significantly higher seismic velocity in the region west of the seismically active area. We anticipate that this first three-dimensional subsurface tectonic model of Hong Kong and the DIFZ will help assess the influence of crustal heterogeneities on the spatial pattern of intraplate earthquakes in this densely populated region of south China.

Seismic phases from the Moho and its implication on the ultraslow spreading ridge

The Moho interface provides critical evidence for crustal thickness and the mode of oceanic crust accretion. The seismic Moho interface has not been identified yet at the magma-rich segments (46°–52°E) of the ultraslow spreading Southwestern Indian Ridge (SWIR). This paper firstly deduces the characteristics and domains of seismic phases based on a theoretical oceanic crust model. Then, topographic correction is carried out for the OBS record sections along Profile Y3Y4 using the latest OBS data acquired from the detailed 3D seismic survey at the SWIR in 2010. Seismic phases are identified and analyzed, especially for the reflected and refracted seismic phases from the Moho. A 2D crustal model is finally established using the ray tracing and travel-time simulation method. The presence of reflected seismic phases at Segment 28 shows that the crustal rocks have been separated from the mantle by cooling and the Moho interface has already formed at zero age. The 2D seismic velocity structure across the axis of Segment 28 indicates that detachment faults play a key role during the processes of asymmetric oceanic crust accretion.

Distribution and identification of the low-velocity layer in the northern South China Sea

The low-velocity layer (LVL), closely related with tectonic activities and dynamic settings, has always been a hot topic in the deep crustal structure studies. The deep seismic (OBS/OBH) and onshore-offshore experiments have been extensively implemented in the northern South China Sea (SCS) since the 1990s. Six seismic profiles were finished on the northern margin of SCS by domestic and international cooperations. The features of crustal structures were revealed and five velocity-inversion layers were discovered. Among them three LVLs with 3.0-3.5 km.s(-1) velocity are located in the sedimentary structure (2.0-6.0 km in depth and 2.0-4.6 km in thickness) of the Yinggehai Basin and Pearl River Mouth Basin. They were identified by the reflective and refractive phases for their shallow depth. The other two LVLs with 5.5-6.0 km.s(-1) velocity generally existed in the middle crust (7.0-18.0 km in depth) with an about 2.5-6.0 km thickness in the transitional crustal structure of the northeastern and northwestern SCS. They were detected by the refractive phase from their overlain and underlying layers. We explored the possible tectonic formation mechanisms combining with previously reported results, which provided evidence for the formation and evolution of SCS.

Postseafloor Spreading Volcanism in the Central East South China Sea and Its Formation Through an Extremely Thin Oceanic Crust

P-wave velocity models were obtained by forward and inverse modeling from 38 ocean bottom seismometers deployed in the central East sub-basin of the South China Sea (SCS). Four types of crust have been defined; a) thin oceanic crust ( 5 km), b) typical oceanic crust (5-6 km), c) thick oceanic crust hosting post-spreading volcanoes ( 6 km) with significant intrusive roots, and d) thick oceanic crust with enhanced spreading features ( 6 km) but without significant roots. Within the central East sub-basin, the thin oceanic crust, only identified inside a 80-km wide zone, is located within an overall 150-km wide domain characterized by N055° seafloor spreading trends. The post-spreading volcanoes were formed during a N-S tensional episode around 6-10 Ma, several millions of years after seafloor spreading ceased in the SCS. Seafloor spreading (N055° and N145°) and post-spreading (N000° and N090°) features are observed in the morphology of some of these volcanoes. The rupture of the brittle thin oceanic crust was focused where the crust was the weakest, i.e. at the intersection of the extinct spreading ridge with former fracture zones. From geological and geophysical arguments, we suggest that the post-spreading volcanism might have been influenced by the Hainan plume activity through a buoyancy-driven partial melting mechanism.

Preface: Magmatic and Tectonic Process, Seabed Resource from the mid-ocean ridge to continental margin

[Ding, Weiwei; Li, Jiabiao] State Ocean Adm, Key Lab Submarine Geosci, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, Peoples R China; [Ding, Weiwei; Li, Jiabiao] State Ocean Adm, Second Inst Oceanog, Baochubei Rd 36, Hangzhou 310012, Peoples R China; [Zhao, Minghui] Chinese Acad Sci, South China Sea Inst Oceanog, Key Lab Marginal Sea Geol, Guangzhou 510301, Guangdong, Peoples R China

Combination of Least Square and Monte Carlo Methods for OBS Relocation in 3D Seismic Survey Near Bashi Channel

Abstract The relocation of ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) is a key step in analyzing the three-dimensional seismic tomographic structure of crust and mantle. In order to get the accurate location of OBSs on the seafloor, we analyze the travel times of direct water waves emitted by air-guns. The Monte Carlo and least square methods have been adopted to calculate the true OBS location. The secondary time correction is necessary if the arrivals of direct water waves show overall time drift during relocation which maybe originates from remnant of linear clock drift correction and average errors of travel time picking, mean water velocity assumption, and experiment geometry. We have improved the original OBS relocation procedure which we used previously for other experiments by deliberateness of a secondary time correction and automatically approaching the really mean water velocity. A series of synthetic tests are carried out firstly to document the feasibility of our procedure and then it is applied on a real experiment. In here, we relocate 28 OBSs in total were relocated in 3D seismic survey near Bashi Channel. Relocation results show that the drifting distances for the 28 OBSs range from 65 to 1136 m between the deployed and relocated locations deduced by relocation results. The Pearson correlation coefficient between OBS drifting direction and sea current direction is 0.79, indicating that the two sets of data are highly linearly related and further manifest the sea current as the most possible driving force for OBS drifting during landing on the seafloor but its detailed influence mechanism is unclear by now. This research is necessary and critical for velocity structure modeling, and the optimal relocation program provides valuable experiences for 3D seismic survey in other area.