| 1. |
- Bagherbandi, Mohammad, et al.
(författare)
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A new Fennoscandian crustal thickness model based on CRUST1.0 and a gravimetric-isostatic approach
- 2015
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Ingår i: Earth-Science Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 0012-8252 .- 1872-6828. ; 145, s. 132-145
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper a new gravimetric-isostatic crustal thickness model (VMM14_FEN) is estimated for Fennoscandia. The main motivation is to investigate the relations between geological and geophysical properties, the Moho depth and crust-mantle density contrast at the crust-mantle discontinuity. For this purpose the Bouguer gravity disturbance data is corrected in two main ways namely for the gravitational contributions of mass density variation due to the different layers of the Earth's crust such as ice and sediments, as well as for the gravitational contribution from deeper masses below the crust. This second correction (for non-isostatic effects) is necessary because in general the crust is not in complete isostatic equilibrium and the observed gravity data are not only generated by the topographic/isostatic masses but also from those in the deep Earth interior. The correction for non-isostatic effects is mainly attributed to unmodeled mantle and core boundary density heterogeneities. These corrections are determined using the recent seismic crustal thickness model CRUST1.0. We compare our modeling results with previous studies in the area and test the fitness. The comparison with the external Moho model EuCRUST-07 shows a 3.3. km RMS agreement for the Moho depth in Fennoscandia. We also illustrate how the above corrections improve the Moho depth estimation. Finally, the signatures of geological structures and isostatic equilibrium are studied using VMM14_FEN, showing how main geological unit structures attribute in isostatic balance by affecting the Moho geometry. The main geological features are also discussed in the context of the complete and incomplete isostatic equilibrium.
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| 2. |
- Bagherbandi, Mohammad, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative study of the uniform and variable Moho density contrast in the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s isostatic scheme for the gravimetric Moho recovery
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Association of Geodesy Symposia. - Cham : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 9783319398198 ; , s. 199-207
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In gravimetric methods for a determination of the Moho geometry, the constant value of the Moho density contract is often adopted. Results of gravimetric and seismic studies, however, showed that the Moho density contrast varies significantly. The assumption of a uniform density contrast thus might yield large errors in the estimated Moho depths. In this study we investigate these errors by comparing the Moho depths determined globally for the uniform and variable models of the Moho density contrast. These two gravimetric results are obtained based on solving the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s inverse problem of isostasy. The uniform model of the Moho density contrast is defined individually for the continental and oceanic lithosphere to better reproduce the reality. The global data of the lower crust and upper mantle retrieved from the CRUST1.0 seismic crustal model are used to define the variable Moho density contrast. This seismic model is also used to validate both gravimetric solutions. Results of our numerical experiment reveals that the consideration of the variable Moho density contrast improves the agreement between the gravimetric and seismic Moho models; the RMS of differences is 5.4 km (for the uniform density contrast) and 4.7 km (for the variable density contrast).
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| 3. |
- Bagherbandi, Mohammad, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of the lithospheric thermal state on the Moho interface : a case study in South America
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of South American Earth Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 0895-9811 .- 1873-0647. ; 76, s. 198-207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gravimetric methods applied for Moho recovery in areas with sparse and irregular distribution of seismic data often assume only a constant crustal density. Results of latest studies, however, indicate that corrections for crustal density heterogeneities could improve the gravimetric result, especially in regions with a complex geologic/tectonic structure. Moreover, the isostatic mass balance reflects also the density structure within the lithosphere. The gravimetric methods should therefore incorporate an additional correction for the lithospheric mantle as well as deeper mantle density heterogeneities. Following this principle, we solve the Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) inverse problem of isostasy constrained by seismic data to determine the Moho depth of the South American tectonic plate including surrounding oceans, while taking into consideration the crustal and mantle density heterogeneities. Our numerical result confirms that contribution of sediments significantly modifies the estimation of the Moho geometry especially along the continental margins with large sediment deposits. To account for the mantle density heterogeneities we develop and apply a method in order to correct the Moho geometry for the contribution of the lithospheric thermal state (i.e., the lithospheric thermal-pressure correction). In addition, the misfit between the isostatic and seismic Moho models, attributed mainly to deep mantle density heterogeneities and other geophysical phenomena, is corrected for by applying the non-isostatic correction. The results reveal that the application of the lithospheric thermal-pressure correction improves the RMS fit of the VMM gravimetric Moho solution to the CRUST1.0 (improves ∼ 1.9 km) and GEMMA (∼1.1 km) models and the point-wise seismic data (∼0.7 km) in South America.
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| 4. |
- Bagherbandi, Mohammad, et al.
(författare)
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On the residual isostatic topography effect in the gravimetric Moho determination
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Geodynamics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0264-3707 .- 1879-1670. ; 83, s. 28-36
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In classical isostatic models, a uniform crustal density is typically assumed, while disregarding the crustal density heterogeneities. This assumption, however, yields large errors in the Moho geometry determined from gravity data, because the actual topography is not fully isostatically compensated. Moreover, the sub-crustal density structures and additional geodynamic processes contribute to the overall isostatic balance. In this study we investigate the effects of unmodelled density structures and geodynamic processes on the gravity anomaly and the Moho geometry. For this purpose, we define the residual isostatic topography as the difference between actual topography and isostatic topography, which is computed based on utilizing the Vening Meinesz-Moritz isostatic theory. We show that the isostatic gravity bias due to disagreement between the actual and isostatically compensated topography varies between -382 and 596 mGal. This gravity bias corresponds to the Moho correction term of -16 to 25 km. Numerical results reveal that the application of this Moho correction to the gravimetrically determined Moho depths significantly improves the RMS fit of our result with some published global seismic and gravimetric Moho models. We also demonstrate that the isostatic equilibrium at long-to-medium wavelengths (up to degree of about 40) is mainly controlled by a variable Moho depth, while the topographic mass balance at a higher-frequency spectrum is mainly attained by a variable crustal density.
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| 5. |
- Bagherbandi, Mohammad, Professor, et al.
(författare)
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Studying permafrost using GRACE and in situ data in the northern high-latitudes regions
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- There is an exceptional opportunity of achieving simultaneous and complementary data from a multitude of geoscience and environmental near-earth orbiting artificial satellites to study phenomena related to the climate change e.g. sea level change, ice melting, soil moisture variation, temperature changes, and earth surface deformations. In this study, we focus on permafrost thawing and its associated gravity change, and organic material changes using GRACE data and other satellite- and ground-based observations. The estimation of permafrost changes requires combining information from various sources, particularly using the gravity field change, surface temperature change, and GIA. The most significant factor for careful monitoring of the permafrost thawing is the fact that this process could be responsible for releasing an additional enormous amount of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere, most importantly to mention Carbone dioxide and Methane that are currently stored in the frozen ground. The results of a preliminary numerical analysis reveal a possible existence of a high correlation between the secular trends of greenhouse gases, temperature and equivalent water thickness in the selected regions. Furthermore, according to our estimates based on processing the GRACE data, the groundwater storage attributed to the due to permafrost thawing increased at the annual rates of 3.4, 3.8, 4.4 and 4.0 cm, in Siberia, northern Alaska, and Canada. Despite a rather preliminary character of our results, these findings indicate that the methodology developed and applied in this study should be improved by incorporating the in situ permafrost measurements.
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| 6. |
- Baranov, Alexey, et al.
(författare)
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Combined Gravimetric-Seismic Moho Model of Tibet
- 2018
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Ingår i: Geosciences. - : MDPI. - 2076-3263. ; 8:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Substantial progress has been achieved over the last four decades to better understand a deep structure in the Himalayas and Tibet. Nevertheless, the remoteness of this part of the world still considerably limits the use of seismic data. A possible way to overcome this practical restriction partially is to use products from the Earth's satellite observation systems. Global topographic data are provided by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). Global gravitational models have been derived from observables delivered by the gravity-dedicated satellite missions, such as the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE). Optimally, the topographic and gravity data should be combined with available results from tomographic surveys to interpret the lithospheric structure, including also a Moho relief. In this study, we use seismic, gravity, and topographic data to estimate the Moho depth under orogenic structures of the Himalayas and Tibet. The combined Moho model is computed based on solving the Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) inverse problem of isostasy, while incorporating seismic data to constrain the gravimetric solution. The result of the combined gravimetric-seismic data analysis exhibits an anticipated more detailed structure of the Moho geometry when compared to the solution obtained merely from seismic data. This is especially evident over regions with sparse seismic data coverage. The newly-determined combined Moho model of Tibet shows a typical contrast between a thick crustal structure of orogenic formations compared to a thinner crust of continental basins. The Moho depth under most of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau is typically within 60-70 km. The maximum Moho deepening of similar to 76 km occurs to the south of the Bangong-Nujiang suture under the Lhasa terrane. Local maxima of the Moho depth to similar to 74 km are also found beneath Taksha at the Karakoram fault. This Moho pattern generally agrees with the findings from existing gravimetric and seismic studies, but some inconsistencies are also identified and discussed in this study.
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| 7. |
- Baranov, Alexey, et al.
(författare)
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Combined Gravimetric–Seismic Crustal Model for Antarctica
- 2018
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Ingår i: Surveys in geophysics. - : Springer Netherlands. - 0169-3298 .- 1573-0956. ; 39:1, s. 23-56
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The latest seismic data and improved information about the subglacial bedrock relief are used in this study to estimate the sediment and crustal thickness under the Antarctic continent. Since large parts of Antarctica are not yet covered by seismic surveys, the gravity and crustal structure models are used to interpolate the Moho information where seismic data are missing. The gravity information is also extended offshore to detect the Moho under continental margins and neighboring oceanic crust. The processing strategy involves the solution to the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s inverse problem of isostasy constrained on seismic data. A comparison of our new results with existing studies indicates a substantial improvement in the sediment and crustal models. The seismic data analysis shows significant sediment accumulations in Antarctica, with broad sedimentary basins. According to our result, the maximum sediment thickness in Antarctica is about 15 km under Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. The Moho relief closely resembles major geological and tectonic features. A rather thick continental crust of East Antarctic Craton is separated from a complex geological/tectonic structure of West Antarctica by the Transantarctic Mountains. The average Moho depth of 34.1 km under the Antarctic continent slightly differs from previous estimates. A maximum Moho deepening of 58.2 km under the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains in East Antarctica confirmed the presence of deep and compact orogenic roots. Another large Moho depth in East Antarctica is detected under Dronning Maud Land with two orogenic roots under Wohlthat Massif (48–50 km) and the Kottas Mountains (48–50 km) that are separated by a relatively thin crust along Jutulstraumen Rift. The Moho depth under central parts of the Transantarctic Mountains reaches 46 km. The maximum Moho deepening (34–38 km) in West Antarctica is under the Antarctic Peninsula. The Moho depth minima in East Antarctica are found under the Lambert Trench (24–28 km), while in West Antarctica the Moho depth minima are along the West Antarctic Rift System under the Bentley depression (20–22 km) and Ross Sea Ice Shelf (16–24 km). The gravimetric result confirmed a maximum extension of the Antarctic continental margins under the Ross Sea Embayment and the Weddell Sea Embayment with an extremely thin continental crust (10–20 km).
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| 8. |
- 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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| 9. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Isostatic GOCE Moho model for Iran
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 1367-9120 .- 1878-5786. ; 138, s. 12-24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One of the major issues associated with a regional Moho recovery from the gravity or gravity-gradient data is the optimal choice of the mean compensation depth (i.e., the mean Moho depth) for a certain area of study, typically for orogens characterised by large Moho depth variations. In case of selecting a small value of the mean compensation depth, the pattern of deep Moho structure might not be reproduced realistically. Moreover, the definition of the mean compensation depth in existing isostatic models affects only low-degrees of the Moho spectrum. To overcome this problem, in this study we reformulate the Sjöberg and Jeffrey’s methods of solving the Vening-Meinesz isostatic problem so that the mean compensation depth contributes to the whole Moho spectrum. Both solutions are then defined for the vertical gravity gradient, allowing estimating the Moho depth from the GOCE satellite gravity-gradiometry data. Moreover, gravimetric solutions provide realistic results only when a priori information on the crust and upper mantle structure is known (usually from seismic surveys) with a relatively good accuracy. To investigate this aspect, we formulate our gravimetric solutions for a variable Moho density contrast to account for variable density of the uppermost mantle below the Moho interface, while taking into consideration also density variations within the sediments and consolidated crust down to the Moho interface. The developed theoretical models are applied to estimate the Moho depth from GOCE data at the regional study area of the Iranian tectonic block, including also parts of surrounding tectonic features. Our results indicate that the regional Moho depth differences between Sjöberg and Jeffrey’s solutions, reaching up to about 3 km, are caused by a smoothing effect of Sjöberg’s method. The validation of our results further shows a relatively good agreement with regional seismic studies over most of the continental crust, but large discrepancies are detected under the Oman Sea and the Makran subduction zone. We explain these discrepancies by a low quality of seismic data offshore.
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| 10. |
- Eshagh, Mehdi, Professor, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Lithospheric elastic thickness estimates in central Eurasia
- 2019
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Ingår i: Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science. - 1017-0839 .- 2223-8964. ; 30:1, s. 73-84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We estimate the elastic thickness of a continental lithosphere by using two approaches that combine the Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) regional isostatic principle with isostatic flexure models formulated based on solving flexural differential equations for a thin elastic shell with and without considering a shell curvature. To model the response of the lithosphere on a load more realistically, we also consider lithospheric density heterogeneities. Resulting expressions describe a functional relation between gravity field quantities and mechanical properties of the lithosphere, namely Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio that are computed from seismic velocity models in prior of estimating the lithospheric elastic thickness. Our numerical study in central Eurasia reveals that both results have a similar spatial pattern, despite exhibiting also some large localized differences due to disregarding the shell curvature. Results show that cratonic formations of North China and Tarim Cratons, Turan Platform as well as parts of Siberian Craton are characterized by the maximum lithospheric elastic thickness. Indian Craton, on the other hand, is not clearly manifested. Minima of the elastic thickness typically correspond with locations of active continental tectonic margins, major orogens (Tibet, Himalaya and parts of Central Asian Orogenic Belt) and an extended continental crust. These findings generally support the hypothesis that tectonically active zones and orogens have a relatively small lithospheric strength, resulting in a significant respond of the lithosphere on various tectonic loads, compared to a large lithospheric strength of cratonic formations.
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