| 1. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, 1977-
(författare)
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A theoretical discussion on Vening Meinesz-Moritz inverse problem of isostasy
- 2016
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 207:3, s. 1420-1431
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Moho surface can be determined according to isostatic theories and the recent Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) theory of isostasy has been successful for this purpose. In this paper, we will study this method from a theoretical prospective and try to find its connection to the Airy-Heiskanen (AH) and Vening Meinesz original theories. We develop Jeffrey’s inverse solution to isostasy according to the recent developments of the VMM method and compare both methods in similar situations. We will show that they are generalisations of the AH model in a global and continuous domain. In the VMM spherical harmonic solution for Moho depth, the mean Moho depth contributes only to the zero-degree term of the series, whilst in Jeffrey’s solution it contributes to all frequencies. We improve the VMM spherical harmonic series further so that the mean Moho can contribute to all frequencies of the solution. This modification makes the VMM global solution superior to the Jeffrey one, but in a global scale, the difference between both solutions is less than 3 km. Both solutions are asymptotically-convergent and we present two methods to obtain smooth solutions for Moho from them.
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| 2. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, Professor, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of gravimetric and mantle flow solutions for sub-lithopsheric stress modeling and their combination
- 2018
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 213:2, s. 1013-1028
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Based on Hager and O’Connell’s solution to mantle flow equations, the stresses induced by mantle convection are determined using the density and viscosity structure in addition to topographic data and a plate velocity model. The solution to mantle flow equations requires the knowledge of mantle properties that are typically retrieved from seismic information. Large parts of the world are, however, not yet covered sufficiently by seismic surveys. An alternative method of modeling the stress field was introduced by Runcorn. He formulated a direct relation between the stress field and gravity data, while adopting several assumptions, particularly disregarding the toroidal mantle flow component and mantle viscosity variations. A possible way to overcome theoretical deficiencies of Runcorn’s theory as well as some practical limitations of applying Hager and O’Connell’s theory (in the absence of seismic data) is to combine these two methods. In this study, we apply a least-squares analysis to combine these two methods based on the gravity data inversion constraint on mantle flow equations. In particular, we use vertical gravity gradients from the Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer that are corrected for the gravitational contribution of crustal density heterogeneities prior to applying a localized gravity-gradient inversion. This gravitational contribution is estimated based on combining the Vening Meinesz-Moritz and flexural isostatic theories. Moreover, we treat the non-isostatic effect implicitly by applying a band-limited kernel of the integral equation during the inversion. In numerical studies of modeling, the stress field within the South American continental lithosphere we compare the results obtained after applying Runcorn and Hager and O’Connell’s methods as well as their combination. The results show that, according to Hager and O’Connell’s (mantle flow) solution, the maximum stress intensity is inferred under the northern Andes. Additional large stress anomalies are detected along the central and southern Andes, while stresses under most of old, stable cratonic formations aremuch less pronounced or absent. A prevailing stress-vector orientation realistically resembles a convergent mantle flow and downward currents under continental basins that separate Andean Orogeny from the Amazonian Shield and adjacent cratons. Runcorn’s (gravimetric) solution, on the other hand, reflects a tectonic response of the lithosphere to mantle flow, with the maximum stress intensity detected along the subduction zone between the Nazca and Altiplano plates and along the convergent tectonic margin between the Altiplano and South American plates. The results also reveal a very close agreement between the results obtained from the combined and Hager and O’Connell’s solutions. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society.
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| 3. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, Professor, 1977-
(författare)
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Elastic thickness determination based on Vening Meinesz-Moritz and flexural theories of isostasy
- 2018
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 213:3, s. 1682-1692
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Elastic thickness (Te) is one of mechanical properties of the Earth's lithosphere. The lithosphere is assumed to be a thin elastic shell, which is bended under the topographic, bathymetric and sediment loads on. The flexure of this elastic shell depends on its thickness or Te. Those shells having larger Te flex less. In this paper, a forward computational method is presented based on the Vening Meinesz–Moritz (VMM) and flexural theories of isostasy. Two Moho flexure models are determined using these theories, considering effects of surface and subsurface loads. Different values are selected for Te in the flexural method to see by which one, the closest Moho flexure to that of the VMM is achieved. The effects of topographic/bathymetric, sediments and crustal crystalline masses, and laterally variable upper mantle density, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are considered in whole computational process. Our mathematical derivations are based on spherical harmonics, which can be used to estimate Te at any single point, meaning that there is no edge effect in the method. However, the Te map needs to be filtered to remove noise at some points. A median filter with a window size of 5° × 5° and overlap of 4° works well for this purpose. The method is applied to estimate Te over South America using the data of CRUST1.0 and a global gravity model.
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| 4. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, Professor, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Lithospheric stress, strain and displacement changes from GRACE-FO time-variable gravity : case study for Sar-e-Pol Zahab Earthquake 2018
- 2020
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 223:1, s. 379-397
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Temporal variations in the Earth’s gravity field can be used for monitoring of lithospheric deformations. The network of continuously operating gravity stations is required for this purpose but a global coverage by such network is currently extremely sparse. Temporal variations in long-wavelength part of the Earth’s gravity field have been, however, observed by two satellite missions, namely the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) and the GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO). These satellite gravity observations can be used to study long-wavelength deformations of the lithosphere. Consequently, considering the lithosphere as a spherical elastic shell and solving the partial differential equation of elasticity for it, the stress, strain and displacement inside the lithosphere can be estimated. The lower boundary of this shell is assumed to be stressed by mantle convection, which has a direct relation to the Earth’s gravity field according to Runcorn’s theory. Changes in gravity field lead to changes in the sublithospheric stress and the stress propagated throughout the lithosphere. In this study, we develop mathematical models in spherical coordinates for describing the stress propagation from the sublithosphere through the lithosphere. We then organize a system of observation equations for finding a special solution to the boundary-value problem of elasticity in the way that provides a stable solution. In contrast, models presented in previously published studies are ill-posed. Furthermore, we use constants of the solution determined from the boundary stresses to determine the strain and displacements leading to these stresses, while in previous studies only the stress has been considered according to rheological properties of the lithosphere. We demonstrate a practical applicability of this theoretical model to estimate the stress–strain redistribution caused by the Sar-e-Pol Zahab 2018 earthquake in Iran by using the GRACE-FO monthly solutions.
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| 5. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, 1977-
(författare)
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Local recovery of lithospheric stress tensor from GOCE gravitational tensor
- 2017
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 209:1, s. 317-333
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The sub-lithospheric stress due to mantle convection can be computed from gravity data and propagated through the lithosphere by solving the boundary-value problem of elasticity for the Earth's lithosphere. In this case, a full tensor of stress can be computed at any point inside this elastic layer. Here, we present mathematical foundations for recovering such a tensor from gravitational tensor measured at satellite altitudes. The mathematical relations will be much simpler in this way than the case of using gravity data as no derivative of spherical harmonics or Legendre polynomials is involved in the expressions. Here, new relations between the spherical harmonic coefficients of the stress and gravitational tensor elements are presented. Thereafter integral equations are established from them to recover the elements of stress tensor from those of the gravitational tensor. The integrals have no closed-form kernels, but they are easy to invert and their spatial truncation errors are reducible. The integral equations are used to invert the real data of the gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer (GOCE) mission, in November 2009, over the South American plate and its surroundings to recover the stress tensor at a depth of 35 km. The recovered stress fields are in good agreement with the tectonic and geological features of the area.
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| 6. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, 1977-
(författare)
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On the approximations in formulation of the Vening Meinesz-Moritz theory of isostasy
- 2017
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 210:1, s. 500-508
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Different approximations are used in Moho modelling based on isostatic theories. The well-known approximation is considering a plate shell model for isostatic equilibrium, which is an oversimplified assumption for the Earth’s crust. Considering a spherical shellmodel, as used in the Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) theory, is a more realistic assumption, but it suffers from different types of mathematical approximations. In this paper, the idea is to investigate such approximations and present their magnitudes and locations all over the globe. Furthermore, we show that the mathematical model of Moho depth according to the VMM principle can be simplified to that of the plate shell model after four approximations. Linearisation of the binomial term involving the topographic/bathymetric heights is sufficient as long as their spherical harmonic expansion is limited to degree and order 180. The impact of the higher order terms is less than 2 km. The Taylor expansion of the binomial term involving the Moho depth (T) up to second order with the assumption of T-2 = TT0, T-0 is the mean compensation depth, improves this approximation further by up to 4 km over continents. This approximation has a significant role in Moho modelling over continents; otherwise, loss of frequency occurs in the Moho solution. On the other hand, the linear approximation performs better over oceans and considering higher order terms creates unrealistic frequencies reaching to a magnitude of 5 km in the Moho solution. Involving gravity data according to the VMM principle influences the Moho depth significantly up to 15 km in some areas.
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| 7. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, Professor, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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The temporal viscoelastic model of flexural isostasy for estimating the elastic thickness of the lithosphere
- 2021
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press. - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 227:3, s. 1700-1714
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The (effective) elastic thickness of the lithosphere defines the strength of the lithosphere with respect to a load on it. Since the lithosphere is buoyant on a viscous mantle, its behaviour with respect to a load is not fully elastic, but rather viscoelastic. Fennoscandia is a well-known area in the world where the lithosphere has not yet reached its isostatic equilibrium due to the ongoing uplift after the last glacial period at the end of the Pleistocene. To accommodate for this changing property of the lithosphere in time, we present the flexural model of isostasy that accommodates temporal variations of the lithospheric flexure. We then define a theoretical model for computing the elastic thickness of the lithosphere based on combining the flexural and gravimetric models of isostasy. We demonstrate that differences between the elastic and viscoelastic models are not that significant in Fennoscandia. This finding is explained by a relatively young age of the glacial load when compared to the Maxwell relaxation time. The approximation of an elastic shell is then permissible in order to determine the lithospheric structure and its properties. In this way, the elastic thickness can be estimated based on combining gravimetric and flexural models of isostasy. This approach takes into consideration the topographic and ocean-floor (bathymetric) relief as well as the lithospheric structural composition and the post-glacial rebound. In addition, rheological properties of the lithosphere are taken into consideration by means of involving the Young modulus and the Poisson ratio in the model, both parameters determined from seismic velocities. The results reveal that despite changes in the Moho geometry attributed to the glacial isostatic adjustment in Fennoscandia are typically less than 1 km, the corresponding changes in the lithospheric elastic thickness could reach or even exceed ±50 km. The sensitivity analysis confirms that even small changes in input parameters could significantly modify the result (i.e. the elastic thickness estimates). The reason is that the elastic thickness estimation is an inverse problem. Consequently, small changes in input parameters can lead to large changes in the elastic thickness estimates. These findings indicate that a robust estimation of the elastic thickness by our method is possible if comprehensive information about structural and rheological properties of the lithosphere as input parameters are known with a relatively high accuracy. Otherwise, even small uncertainties in these parameters could result in large errors in the elastic thickness estimates.
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| 8. |
- Pitonak, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Spectral combination of spherical gravitational curvature boundary-value problems
- 2018
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Ingår i: Geophysical Journal International. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0956-540X .- 1365-246X. ; 214:2, s. 773-791
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Four solutions of the spherical gravitational curvature boundary-value problems can be exploited for the determination of the Earth’s gravitational potential. In this paper we discuss the combination of simulated satellite gravitational curvatures, that is, components of the third-order gravitational tensor, by merging these solutions using the spectral combination method. For this purpose, integral estimators of biased-and unbiased-types are derived. In numerical studies, we investigate the performance of the developed mathematical models for the gravitational field modelling in the area of Central Europe based on simulated satellite measurements. First, we verify the correctness of the integral estimators for the spectral downward continuation by a closed-loop test. Estimated errors of the combined solution are about eight orders smaller than those from the individual solutions. Second, we perform a numerical experiment by considering the Gaussian noise with the standard deviation of 6.5 x 10(-17) m(-1) s(-2) in the input data at the satellite altitude of 250 km above the mean Earth sphere. This value of standard deviation is equivalent to a signal-to-noise ratio of 10. Superior results with respect to the global geopotential model TIM-r5 (Brockmann et al. 2014) are obtained by the spectral downward continuation of the vertical-vertical-vertical component with the standard deviation of 2.104 m(2) s(-2), but the root mean square error is the largest and reaches 9.734 m(2) s(-2). Using the spectral combination of all gravitational curvatures the root mean square error is more than 400 times smaller but the standard deviation reaches 17.234 m(2) s(-2). The combination of more components decreases the root mean square error of the corresponding solutions while the standard deviations of the combined solutions do not improve as compared to the solution from the vertical-vertical-vertical component. The presented method represents a weight mean in the spectral domain that minimizes the root mean square error of the combined solutions and improves standard deviation of the solution based only on the least accurate components.
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