Seismic Reflection Imaging of the Lithosphere-asthenosphere Boundary Across the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract:

Until now, the nature of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) has been constrained by teleseismic data, which has resolution of tens of kilometres and sample the LAB sparsely. Seismic reflection imaging technique, in contrast, can provide both lateral and vertical resolution of a few hundred meters, but has not been used for imaging deep structures, thus so far. In March-April 2015, we acquired over 2,750 km of ultra-deep seismic reflection data in the Atlantic Ocean. To image LAB variations as a function of age one of our profiles extends continuously starting from 75 Ma old oceanic lithosphere off the margin of Africa, crosses the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at zero age, to up to 25 Ma old South America lithosphere. To image large differences in the LAB depth we also cross three major fracture zones in the equatorial Atlantic. For imaging deep structures, we used a very large energy source, 10,170 cubic inches, rich in low frequencies and a 12 km long multi-component streamer allowing to record low frequency energy reflected from deep earth and remove reverberation in the water column. Initial results show reflected seismic energy from 50-60 km depth. The seismic reflection experiment will be complemented by seismic refraction study to determine the crustal and upper mantle P-wave velocity, magnetotelluric study to determine resistivity, and broadband ocean bottom seismometer experiment for teleseismic study, collocated with our seismic reflection profiles. In this paper, we will present the design of the seismic reflection experiment and preliminary results from the onboard processed data.