Three-dimensional seismic model of crustal structure in Southern Norway

B. Loidl, M. Behm, H. Thybo, W. Stratford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

New insights in crustal structure in southern Norway are given by combining stacking techniques and traveltime tomography of 3-D wide-angle reflection/refraction data. The Magnus Rex crustal scale wide-angle refraction/reflection data set in Southern Norway covers an area of 400 km × 430 km where 716 receivers on three profiles recorded seismic waves from 26 explosive sources. Previous data analysis focused on 2-D interpretation along the profiles. Here we extract additional P-wave velocity information by inverting inline and cross-line data simultaneously. We combine stacking routines, traveltime tomography, and interpolation algorithms to the high quality inline and cross-line data. A smooth 3-D crustal velocity model is inverted from traveltimes of diving Pg waves with similar results for two initial models. Initial models include a 1-D average model and an interpolated 3-D model based on robust, local 1-D velocity-depth functions derived from CMP-sorted and stacked records. The depth to Moho is determined from reflected waves (PmP) by traditional exploration seismology processing routines (CMP sorting, NMO correction, stacking, depth conversion). We find that this combination of stacking methods and traveltime tomography is well suited to exploit sparse 3-D wide-angle data. The results along the profiles are similar to the earlier 2-D models and the 3-D velocity model shows little lateral variation. The crust in SW Norway is generally 35-40 km thick and has relatively low average velocity, as it lacks the characteristic high-velocity lower crust, otherwise observed in the Baltic Shield. However, the Oslo Graben is characterized by high crustal velocities and a slightly elevated Moho. Our results suggest that this crustal structure continues towards the north along the strike of the graben.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1643-1656
Number of pages14
JournalGeophysical Journal International
Volume196
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Composition of the continental crust
  • Continental tectonics: extensional
  • Controlled source seismology
  • Europe
  • Seismic tomography

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