Observations in variations in the amplitude and depths of the 410 and 520 km discontinuities from PdP and SdS bounce point studies.

Abstract:

To gain a better understanding of the upper mantle transition zone, we beamform EarthScope Transportable array data of events from the western Pacific ring of fire to produce relatively high frequency (0.75 Hz) PdP functions (underside P reflections from a depth d) of the mantle beneath the central Pacific from the society Islands across the Aleutian trench. Like most PdP studies, we fail to image the 660 km discontinuity so we focus on the 410, and 520. It is believed that the 410 and 520 km discontinuities are the result of exothermic phase changes in the Olivine mineral system at pressure and temperatures consistent with the indicated depths. Because these boundaries are hypothesized to be exothermic, we expect them to be deeper in hot regions and shallow in cool. Modeling of these boundaries by mineral physicists suggest the 410 occurs over a 10 km interval and the 520 over about 30 km. Our observed amplitudes of P410P as a function of frequency compared to waveform modeling indicate that the 410 phase change must occur over less 6 km. Our observations of a strong 520 km discontinuity at 0.75 Hz also suggests that this velocity contrast occurs over less than 10 km rather than the hypothesized 30 km. We found that the average depth to the 410 km discontinuity across our study area to be 420 km to 425km. The 520 km discontinuity appears to be strongest around Hawaii and north of the Aleutian trench. The depths of the P410P and P520P phases appear to be correlated in most areas where they occur together; deepest the north of the Aleutian trench and southwestern Alaska; and shallowest south of the westernmost Aleutian trench. One of the more surprising observations was that the P520P phase appears to be the smallest or not observable in regions with the strongest P410P phase. SdS observations will be added to this study for the AGU meeting.