Writers : Taghizadeh-Farahmand, F.; Sodoudi, F.; Gheitanchi, M. R.; Kaviani, A.
Refference : Scientific Quarterly Journal Geosciences, No.74
Publishing Year : 1388

Abstract :

We compute p receiver functions (RF) to investigate the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio beneath the northwest of Iran and map out the lateral variation of Moho depth under this region. We selected data from teleseismic events (Mb≥5.5, 30˚>∆> 95˚) recorded since 2000 to present at 8 three component short period stations from Tabriz teleseismic network. RF method is now a well-known tool for studying crustal thickness when such a complete data set is available. As the p-to-s conversion points at the Moho is laterally close to the stations, the Moho depth estimation is less affected by lateral velocity variations and thus provides a good point measurement. First of all, we calculated RFs for each station and then the Moho depth will be estimated only from the delay time of the Moho p-to-s conversion phases. Then we used an H-Vp/Vs stacking algorithm (Zhu & Kanamori ,2000 ) to estimate crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio under each station from P-to-S converted waves in receiver functions. The best value for H and Vp/Vs ratio is found when the three phases (Ps and crustal multiples) are stacked coherently. The average Moho depth is approximately 48 km and varies from 38.5+-1 to 53.5+-1 km. Deeper and shallower Moho is found under the western and eastern stations beneath SHB and SRB stations respectively. The northwest Iran’s crust has an average Vp/Vs ratio of 1.76, with higher ratio of 1.82+-0.03 in Tabriz station and lower ratio of 1.73 +-0.03 in Azarshahr station.

Subject List : Teleseismic, Crustal study