Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone

AbstractWe estimate depth‐dependent azimuthal anisotropy and shear wave velocity structure beneath the Alaska subduction zone by the inversion of a new Rayleigh wave dispersion dataset from 8 to 85 s period. We present a layered azimuthal anisotropy model from the forearc region offshore to the subd...

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Main Authors: Chuanming Liu, Anne F. Sheehan, Michael H. Ritzwoller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-07-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL109758
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author Chuanming Liu
Anne F. Sheehan
Michael H. Ritzwoller
author_facet Chuanming Liu
Anne F. Sheehan
Michael H. Ritzwoller
author_sort Chuanming Liu
collection DOAJ
description AbstractWe estimate depth‐dependent azimuthal anisotropy and shear wave velocity structure beneath the Alaska subduction zone by the inversion of a new Rayleigh wave dispersion dataset from 8 to 85 s period. We present a layered azimuthal anisotropy model from the forearc region offshore to the subduction zone onshore. In the forearc crust, we find a trench‐parallel pattern in the Semidi and Kodiak segments, while a trench‐oblique pattern is observed in the Shumagins segment. These fast directions agree well with the orientations of local faults. Within the subducted slab, a dichotomous pattern of anisotropy fast axes is observed along the trench, which is consistent with the orientation of fossil anisotropy generated at the mid‐ocean ridges of the Pacific‐Vancouver and Kula‐Pacific plates that is preserved during subduction. Beneath the subducted slab, a trench‐parallel pattern is observed near the trench, which may indicate the direction of mantle flow.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2024-07-01
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-e5d82138422e4a4aaf9dd87b130a849f2025-08-20T03:49:46ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072024-07-015114n/an/a10.1029/2024GL109758Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction ZoneChuanming Liu0Anne F. Sheehan1Michael H. Ritzwoller2Institute for Geophysics & Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesJackson School of GeosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTXUSACooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences and Department of Geological SciencesUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOUSADepartment of PhysicsUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOUSAAbstractWe estimate depth‐dependent azimuthal anisotropy and shear wave velocity structure beneath the Alaska subduction zone by the inversion of a new Rayleigh wave dispersion dataset from 8 to 85 s period. We present a layered azimuthal anisotropy model from the forearc region offshore to the subduction zone onshore. In the forearc crust, we find a trench‐parallel pattern in the Semidi and Kodiak segments, while a trench‐oblique pattern is observed in the Shumagins segment. These fast directions agree well with the orientations of local faults. Within the subducted slab, a dichotomous pattern of anisotropy fast axes is observed along the trench, which is consistent with the orientation of fossil anisotropy generated at the mid‐ocean ridges of the Pacific‐Vancouver and Kula‐Pacific plates that is preserved during subduction. Beneath the subducted slab, a trench‐parallel pattern is observed near the trench, which may indicate the direction of mantle flow.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL109758seismic anisotropysurface wave tomographyAlaska subduction zoneazimuthal anisotropysurface wavealeutian subduction zone
spellingShingle Chuanming Liu
Anne F. Sheehan
Michael H. Ritzwoller
Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone
Geophysical Research Letters
seismic anisotropy
surface wave tomography
Alaska subduction zone
azimuthal anisotropy
surface wave
aleutian subduction zone
title Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone
title_full Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone
title_fullStr Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone
title_full_unstemmed Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone
title_short Seismic Azimuthal Anisotropy Beneath the Alaska Subduction Zone
title_sort seismic azimuthal anisotropy beneath the alaska subduction zone
topic seismic anisotropy
surface wave tomography
Alaska subduction zone
azimuthal anisotropy
surface wave
aleutian subduction zone
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL109758
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AT annefsheehan seismicazimuthalanisotropybeneaththealaskasubductionzone
AT michaelhritzwoller seismicazimuthalanisotropybeneaththealaskasubductionzone