Inversion of Pn travel times for lateral variations of moho geometry beneath the central Andes and comparison with the receiver functions

David Baumont (1, 2) , Anne Paul (1, 2) , George Zandt , Susan L. Beck

1 UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes
2 LGIT - Laboratoire de Géophysique Interne et Tectonophysique

We inverted the Pn travel times to characterize the geometry of the Moho along a profile across the Central Andes (20°S) where previous workers have estimated the crustal thickness using receiver functions. Contrary to receiver functions, this technique is not sensitive to the crustal V_s. Therefore, the comparison of the two approaches provides valuable complementary information. Overall, our results are in good agreement with those based on receiver functions. However, some important discrepancies are observed beneath the Western Cordillera and the Subandes, where we find crusts 10-km thinner than in previous models. We confirm that the central part of the orogen appears to be isostatically compensated by the presence of a thick crust. However, at both edges, the topography probably requires additional support, low-density mantle beneath the Western Cordillera and a strong flexural support of the Brazilian shield beneath the Subandes.

Domains: Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Earth Sciences

David Baumont, Anne Paul, George Zandt, Susan L. Beck. Inversion of Pn travel times for lateral variations of moho geometry beneath the central Andes and comparison with the receiver functions. Geophysical Research Letters, 2001, 28, pp.1663-1666. ⟨10.1029/2000GL011720⟩. ⟨insu-03606673⟩