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A proposed super‐thick sedimentary basin, Bay of Bengal
Author(s) -
Brune James N.,
Curray Joseph,
Dorman LeRoy,
Raitt Russell
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/91gl03134
Subject(s) - geology , bengal , bay , sedimentary rock , metamorphism , seismic refraction , structural basin , attenuation , seismology , paleontology , oceanography , physics , optics
A super‐thick (∼22km) sedimentary basin under the northern Bay of Bengal is proposed. The hypothesis is based on data from surface wave dispersion, seismic refraction, S n attenuation, and geology. We present new high frequency S n data which indicate a cold upper mantle beneath the Bay of Bengal. We propose that the oceanic crust in this region is in fact nearly normal, and that the sedimentary section is at least 6 km thicker than previously thought, with velocities at the base of the sediments having been increased to near 6.5 km/sec by high pressure metamorphism. Reinterpretation of the refraction data indicate a post India‐Asia collision thickness of over 16 km.