Seismic refraction and reflection measurements in the middle America trench offshore Guatemala

Journal Article · Mon Sep 10 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JB084iB10p05643· OSTI ID:5866856

Ibraham, A K; Latham, G V; Ladd, J

Seismic refraction, 24-fold, common-depth-point reflection and magnetic field profiles were obtained during the summer of 1977 on the inner slopes of the Middle America Trench off Guatemala. In addition, piston cores and dredge samples were collected along the midslope region. Five unreversed refraction profiles between 20- and 80-km length were recorded by Texas ocean bottom seismographs using air guns. Maxipulse, and conventional explosives as the sound sources. Travel time-distance curves based on first and later arrivals show velocities ranging between 1.6 km/s and 8.1 km/s. Some of the refracting horizons are observed as reflectors in the multichannel reflection sections. Relatively high velocities (4+ km/s) occur at shallow depth in the midslope region and may indicate imbricate slices of indurated sediment within the slope. From the combination of the reflection and refraction data and previous refraction work we infer the presence of at least two separate landward dipping slabs of oceanic crust within the upper slope. The presence of serpentine, basalt, chert, and mudstone in dredge and core samples collected near midslope is consistent with this interpretation. The top of the oceanic crust, with a velocity of 6.5 km/s, can be traced as a refractor approximately 30 km landward from the trench axis. The mantle with a velocity of 8.1 km/s is found as a refractor at a depth ranging from 13 to 17 km near the trench axis and can be traced landward to increasing depth, for about 15 km.

• Research Organization: University of Texas, Marine Science Institute, Geophysics Laboratory, Galveston, Texas 77550
• OSTI ID: 5866856
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:B10; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580201* -- Geophysics-- Seismology & Tectonics-- (1980-1989)
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SLOPE
DRILL CORES
EARTH CRUST
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PACIFIC OCEAN
REFRACTION
SEAS
SEISMIC WAVES
SURFACE WATERS