Open AccessOn the origin of the seismic anisotropy of the lithosphere
Author(s) -
Artyushkov Eugene V.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1984.tb05033.x
Subject(s) - lithosphere , anisotropy , seismic anisotropy , mantle (geology) , geology , crust , geophysics , olivine , viscosity , petrology , seismology , tectonics , mineralogy , materials science , physics , optics , composite material
Summary. It is known that flow in the mantle can produce preferred orientation in olivine crystals with seismic anisotropy as a consequence. Flow in the subcrustal lithosphere is unlikely because of the high viscosity. Lenses of high temperature and low‐viscosity ( anomalous mantle ) are located under the crust in many tectonically active regions, and viscous flow can easily arise in such material resulting in seismic anisotropy. After cooling, such anomalous mantle acquires high viscosity and becomes incorporated into the lithospheric layer preserving the anisotropy produced by the flows which existed previously. The interaction of the stresses with cracks in the upper crust can be one of the causes of anisotropy in this layer.