Skip to main content

Mantle Transition Zone Receiver Functions for Bermuda: Automation, Quality Control, and Interpretation

Author(s): Burky, Alexander L; Irving, Jessica CE; Simons, Frederik J

Download
To refer to this page use: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/pr11n7xm5j
Abstract: The origin of the Bermuda rise remains ambiguous, despite, or perhaps because of, the existence of sometimes incongruous seismic wave‐speed and discontinuity models in the sub‐Bermudian mantle. Hence, whether Bermuda is the surface manifestation of a mantle plume remains in question. Using the largest data set of seismic records from Bermuda to date, we estimate radial receiver functions at the Global Seismographic Network station BBSR in multiple frequency bands, using iterative time‐domain deconvolution. Motivated by synthetic experiments using axisymmetric spectral‐element forward waveform modeling, we devise a quality metric for our receiver functions to aid in the automation and reproduction of mantle transition zone discontinuity studies. We interpret the complex signals we observe by considering the mineralogical controls on mantle transition zone discontinuity structure, and conclude that our results are likely to be indicative of a thicker than average mantle transition zone. Our result is incompatible with the canonical model of a whole mantle plume in an olivine dominated mantle; however, considerations of phase transitions in the garnet system would allow us to reconcile our observations with the possible presence of a through‐going hot thermal anomaly beneath Bermuda.
Publication Date: 18-Dec-2020
Electronic Publication Date: Mar-2021
Citation: Burky, Alexander L., Jessica C.E. Irving, and Frederik J. Simons. "Mantle Transition Zone Receiver Functions for Bermuda: Automation, Quality Control, and Interpretation." Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 126, no. 3 (2021). doi:10.1029/2020JB020177.
DOI: doi:10.1029/2020JB020177
ISSN: 2169-9313
EISSN: 2169-9356
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Version: Final published version. Article is made available in OAR by the publisher's permission or policy.



Items in OAR@Princeton are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.