DEEP-STRUCTURE OF THE CONTINENTAL LITHOSPHERE IN AN UNEXTENDED OROGEN- AN EXPLOSIVE-SOURCE SEISMIC-REFLECTION PROFILE IN THE URALS (URALS SEISMIC EXPERIMENT AND INTEGRATED STUDIES (URSEIS 1995))
Dn. Steer et al., DEEP-STRUCTURE OF THE CONTINENTAL LITHOSPHERE IN AN UNEXTENDED OROGEN- AN EXPLOSIVE-SOURCE SEISMIC-REFLECTION PROFILE IN THE URALS (URALS SEISMIC EXPERIMENT AND INTEGRATED STUDIES (URSEIS 1995)), Tectonics, 17(2), 1998, pp. 143-157
Explosive-source near-vertical seismic reflection data from the Urals
Seismic Experiment and Integrated Studies (URSEIS) profile displays an
image of orogenic lithosphere to depths of 225 km. The reflective cru
stal section is characterized by dipping, crustal-scale shear zones, a
nd a pronounced crustal root that show no evidence of overprinting by
extension and are preserved since late Paleozoic collision. Toward the
east, the Uralian crustal root is composed of a partially subducted v
olcanic are, while to the west it has affinity with the East European
platform. The reflection character of the Moho varies across tectonic
strike and implies that the Moho (1) acted as a structural detachment
beneath the Trans-Uralian Zone, (2) forms a tectonic boundary between
terranes beneath the East Uralian Zone, (3) consists of a transitional
zone from eclogitized lower crust to peridotitic upper mantle in the
crustal root, (4) is a 3-9 km thick reflective zone beneath the fold a
nd thrust belt, and (5) is a boundary <200 m thick in the west. Mantle
reflections at 80-100 km depth (22-24 s) may represent a continuation
of the Main Uralian fault into the subcrustal lithosphere. Alternativ
ely, these reflectors may signify Paleozoic or younger mantle shear zo
nes or the top of a zone of partial melting in the upper mantle. Deepe
r mantle reflections at 140-160 km (35-45 s) and 225 km (55 s) may ima
ge mafic intrusions at the base of the lithosphere or along localized
shear zones in the upper mantle.