TELESEISMIC SHEAR-WAVE SPLITTING AND DEFORMATIONS IN CENTRAL-EUROPE

We analyse the results of measurements of shear-wave splitting due to azimuthal anisotropy in the upper mantle of Central Europe, based on t he SKS technique. The observations at seismograph stations in the east ern Part of Germany are combined with the published estimates of the p arameters of azimuthal anisotropy at neighbouring locations. These dat a are interpreted in terms of lattice preferred orientation of olivine which is caused by deformations in the upper mantle. Directions of po larization of the fast wave counted clockwise from north change from 5 0-70-degrees in the western part of the region to 100-120-degrees in t he eastern part. These directions are close to the trend of the Hercyn ian fold belt and might suggest that anisotropy is frozen in the subcr ustal lithosphere. However, the observed traveltime delays between the split waves are generally too large to be easily reconciled with the thermal and seismic estimates of thickness of the subcrustal lithosphe re underneath Central Europe.