TY - JOUR

T1 - EUNAseis

T2 - a seismic model for Moho and crustal structure in Europe, Greenland, and the North Atlantic region

AU - Artemieva, Irina

AU - Thybo, Hans

PY - 2013/8

Y1 - 2013/8

N2 - We present a new digital crustal model for Moho depth and crustal structure in Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, European Arctic shelf, and the North Atlantic Ocean (72W–62E, 30N–84N). Our compilation is based on digitization of original seismic profiles and Receiver Functions from ca. 650 publications which provides a dense regional data coverage. Exclusion of non-seismic data allows application of the database to potential field modeling. EUNAseis model includes Vp velocity and thickness of five crustal layers, including the sedimentary cover, and Pn velocity. For each parameter we discuss uncertainties associated with theoretical limitations, regional data quality, and interpolation.By analyzing regional trends in crustal structure and links to tectonic evolution illustrated by a new tectonic map, we conclude that: (1) Each tectonic setting shows significant variation in depth to Moho and crustal structure,essentially controlled by the age of latest tectono-thermal processes; (2) Published global averages of crustal parameters are outside of observed ranges for any tectonic setting in Europe; (3) Variation of Vp with depth in thesedimentary cover does not follow commonly accepted trends; (4) The thickness ratio between upper-middle (Vp b 6.8 km/s) and lower (Vp N 6.8 km/s) crystalline crust is indicative of crustal origin: oceanic, transitional,platform, or extended crust; (5) Continental rifting generally thins the upper-middle crust significantly without changing Vp. Lower crust experiences less thinning, also without changing Vp, suggesting a complex interplay ofmagmatic underplating, gabbro-eclogite phase transition and delamination; (6) Crustal structure of the Barents Sea shelf differs from rifted continental crust; and (7) Most of the North Atlantic Ocean north of 55°N has anomalouslyshallow bathymetry and anomalously thick oceanic crust. A belt of exceptionally thick crust (ca. 30 km) of probable oceanic origin on both sides of southern Greenland includes the Greenland–Iceland–Faeroe Ridge in the east and a similar “Baffin Ridge” feature in the west.

AB - We present a new digital crustal model for Moho depth and crustal structure in Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, European Arctic shelf, and the North Atlantic Ocean (72W–62E, 30N–84N). Our compilation is based on digitization of original seismic profiles and Receiver Functions from ca. 650 publications which provides a dense regional data coverage. Exclusion of non-seismic data allows application of the database to potential field modeling. EUNAseis model includes Vp velocity and thickness of five crustal layers, including the sedimentary cover, and Pn velocity. For each parameter we discuss uncertainties associated with theoretical limitations, regional data quality, and interpolation.By analyzing regional trends in crustal structure and links to tectonic evolution illustrated by a new tectonic map, we conclude that: (1) Each tectonic setting shows significant variation in depth to Moho and crustal structure,essentially controlled by the age of latest tectono-thermal processes; (2) Published global averages of crustal parameters are outside of observed ranges for any tectonic setting in Europe; (3) Variation of Vp with depth in thesedimentary cover does not follow commonly accepted trends; (4) The thickness ratio between upper-middle (Vp b 6.8 km/s) and lower (Vp N 6.8 km/s) crystalline crust is indicative of crustal origin: oceanic, transitional,platform, or extended crust; (5) Continental rifting generally thins the upper-middle crust significantly without changing Vp. Lower crust experiences less thinning, also without changing Vp, suggesting a complex interplay ofmagmatic underplating, gabbro-eclogite phase transition and delamination; (6) Crustal structure of the Barents Sea shelf differs from rifted continental crust; and (7) Most of the North Atlantic Ocean north of 55°N has anomalouslyshallow bathymetry and anomalously thick oceanic crust. A belt of exceptionally thick crust (ca. 30 km) of probable oceanic origin on both sides of southern Greenland includes the Greenland–Iceland–Faeroe Ridge in the east and a similar “Baffin Ridge” feature in the west.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Moho

KW - Crustal thickness

KW - Crystalline crust

KW - Sedimentary cover

KW - Pn velocity

KW - Crustal evolution

U2 - 10.1016/j.tecto.2013.08.004

DO - 10.1016/j.tecto.2013.08.004

M3 - Journal article

VL - 609

SP - 97

EP - 153

JO - Tectonophysics

JF - Tectonophysics

SN - 0040-1951

ER -