The Central Andes of southern Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile (between 12 degrees S and 42 degrees S) comprise the largest orogenic plateau in the world associated with abundant arc volcanism, the Central Andean Plateau, as well as multiple segments of flat-slab subduction making this part of the Earth a unique place to study various aspects of active plate tectonics. The goal of this continental-scale ambient noise tomography study is to incorporate broad-band seismic data from 20 seismic networks deployed incrementally in the Central Andes from 1994 May to 2012 August, to image the vertically polarized shear wave velocity (V-sv) structure of the South American Cordillera. Using dispersion measurements calculated from the cross-correlation of 330 broad-band seismic stations, we construct Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps in the period range of 8-40 s and invert these for the shear wave velocity (V-sv) structure of the Andean crust. We provide a dispersion misfit map as well as uncertainty envelopes for our V-sv model and observe striking first-order correlations with our shallow results (similar to 5 km) and the morphotectonic provinces as well as subtler geological features indicating our results are robust. Our results reveal for the first time the full extent of the mid-crustal Andean low-velocity zone that we tentatively interpret as the signature of a very large volume Neogene batholith. This study demonstrates the efficacy of integrating seismic data from numerous regional broad-band seismic networks to approximate the high-resolution coverage previously only available though larger networks such as the EarthScope USArray Transportable Array in the United States.

The Central Andes of southern Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile (between 12 degrees S and 42 degrees S) comprise the largest orogenic plateau in the world associated with abundant arc volcanism, the Central Andean Plateau, as well as multiple segments of flat-slab subduction making this part of the Earth a unique place to study various aspects of active plate tectonics. The goal of this continental-scale ambient noise tomography study is to incorporate broad-band seismic data from 20 seismic networks deployed incrementally in the Central Andes from 1994 May to 2012 August, to image the vertically polarized shear wave velocity (V-sv) structure of the South American Cordillera. Using dispersion measurements calculated from the cross-correlation of 330 broad-band seismic stations, we construct Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps in the period range of 8-40 s and invert these for the shear wave velocity (V-sv) structure of the Andean crust. We provide a dispersion misfit map as well as uncertainty envelopes for our V-sv model and observe striking first-order correlations with our shallow results (similar to 5 km) and the morphotectonic provinces as well as subtler geological features indicating our results are robust. Our results reveal for the first time the full extent of the mid-crustal Andean low-velocity zone that we tentatively interpret as the signature of a very large volume Neogene batholith. This study demonstrates the efficacy of integrating seismic data from numerous regional broad-band seismic networks to approximate the high-resolution coverage previously only available though larger networks such as the EarthScope USArray Transportable Array in the United States.

Plagioclase and spinel lherzolite thermometry and barometry are applied to an extensive geochemical dataset of young (<10.5Ma) primitive basaltic lavas from across Oregon's High Lava Plains, California's Modoc Plateau, and the central-southern Cascades volcanic arc to calculate the depths and temperatures of mantle melting. This study focuses on basalts with low pre-eruptive H2O contents that are little fractionated near-primary melts of mantle peridotite (i.e., basalts thought to be products of anhydrous decompression mantle melting). Calculated minimum depths of nominally anhydrous melt extraction are 4058km below Oregon's High Lava Plains, 4151km below the Modoc Plateau, and 3760km below the central and southern Cascades arc. The calculated depths are very close to Moho depths as determined from a number of regional geophysical studies and suggest that the geophysical Moho and lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary in this region are located in very close proximity to one another (within 510km). The basalts originated at 11851383 degrees C and point to a generally warm mantle beneath this area but not one hot enough to obviously require a plume contribution. Our results, combined with a range of other geologic, geophysical, and geochemical constraints, are consistent with a regional model whereby anhydrous mantle melting over the last 10.5Ma in a modern convergent margin and back arc was driven by subduction-induced corner flow in the mantle wedge, and to a lesser extent, toroidal flow around the southern edge of the subducting Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates, and crustal extension-related upwelling of the shallow mantle.

Plagioclase and spinel lherzolite thermometry and barometry are applied to an extensive geochemical dataset of young (<10.5Ma) primitive basaltic lavas from across Oregon's High Lava Plains, California's Modoc Plateau, and the central-southern Cascades volcanic arc to calculate the depths and temperatures of mantle melting. This study focuses on basalts with low pre-eruptive H2O contents that are little fractionated near-primary melts of mantle peridotite (i.e., basalts thought to be products of anhydrous decompression mantle melting). Calculated minimum depths of nominally anhydrous melt extraction are 4058km below Oregon's High Lava Plains, 4151km below the Modoc Plateau, and 3760km below the central and southern Cascades arc. The calculated depths are very close to Moho depths as determined from a number of regional geophysical studies and suggest that the geophysical Moho and lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary in this region are located in very close proximity to one another (within 510km). The basalts originated at 11851383 degrees C and point to a generally warm mantle beneath this area but not one hot enough to obviously require a plume contribution. Our results, combined with a range of other geologic, geophysical, and geochemical constraints, are consistent with a regional model whereby anhydrous mantle melting over the last 10.5Ma in a modern convergent margin and back arc was driven by subduction-induced corner flow in the mantle wedge, and to a lesser extent, toroidal flow around the southern edge of the subducting Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates, and crustal extension-related upwelling of the shallow mantle.

We compute high-resolution seismic images from scattered wavefield to detect discontinuities beneath the High Lava Plains (HLP), using data recorded at a dense broadband array. Our images of the HLP and surrounding regions reveal (1) a prominent Moho discontinuity with varying depth, with thinnest crust of 35 km beneath the volcanic track, and thickened crust of similar to 45 km beneath the Owyhee Plateau (OP); (2) distinct intracrustal velocity reversals beneath regions of pre-2.0 Ma volcanism and within the OP; and (3) intermittent negative velocity discontinuities in the uppermost mantle beneath regions of Holocene volcanism and volcanic centers near Steens Mountain and Newberry volcano. These features exhibit remarkable similarity with those seen in the surface wave tomography and Ps receiver functions. We fail to find evidence for a ubiquitous regional lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB). In concert with petrological constraints on the equilibration depths of primitive basaltic melts, our results suggest that the present-day HLP mantle lithosphere is thin or absent, perhaps a consequence of episodes of extensive mantle inflow, lithospheric extension, and possibly melting induced by rapid slab rollback and trench retreat. It remains possible, however, that strong E-W seismic anisotropy reported across this region may reduce the effective S-wave velocity contrast to render the LAB less detectable. In contrast, the Owyhee Plateau exhibits a clear LAB, consistent with it being a block of older preexisting lithosphere. Our images demonstrate the complexity of mantle dynamics in the Cascadian back-arc and the close casual link between subduction-related processes and the origin of HLP volcanism.

We compute high-resolution seismic images from scattered wavefield to detect discontinuities beneath the High Lava Plains (HLP), using data recorded at a dense broadband array. Our images of the HLP and surrounding regions reveal (1) a prominent Moho discontinuity with varying depth, with thinnest crust of 35 km beneath the volcanic track, and thickened crust of similar to 45 km beneath the Owyhee Plateau (OP); (2) distinct intracrustal velocity reversals beneath regions of pre-2.0 Ma volcanism and within the OP; and (3) intermittent negative velocity discontinuities in the uppermost mantle beneath regions of Holocene volcanism and volcanic centers near Steens Mountain and Newberry volcano. These features exhibit remarkable similarity with those seen in the surface wave tomography and Ps receiver functions. We fail to find evidence for a ubiquitous regional lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB). In concert with petrological constraints on the equilibration depths of primitive basaltic melts, our results suggest that the present-day HLP mantle lithosphere is thin or absent, perhaps a consequence of episodes of extensive mantle inflow, lithospheric extension, and possibly melting induced by rapid slab rollback and trench retreat. It remains possible, however, that strong E-W seismic anisotropy reported across this region may reduce the effective S-wave velocity contrast to render the LAB less detectable. In contrast, the Owyhee Plateau exhibits a clear LAB, consistent with it being a block of older preexisting lithosphere. Our images demonstrate the complexity of mantle dynamics in the Cascadian back-arc and the close casual link between subduction-related processes and the origin of HLP volcanism.

The cause of seismic anisotropy exhibiting trench parallel fast directions in subduction systems has been the subject of significant recent research. We provide new constraints on the contributions of hydrous phases to seismic anisotropy from an unusually well-localized region of trench parallel fast directions in Rayleigh wave phase velocities near the Cascade arc at 45 to 66 s periods. We constrain the location of the anisotropic material to within or directly above the oceanic plate, using the depth sensitivity of Rayleigh waves as a function of frequency and the accurate slab imaging available for Cascadia from scattered wave studies. We infer that the likely source of trench-parallel anisotropy is either a thin layer of sheared hydrous material directly above the slab or hydrated outer rise faults in the upper part of the subducting plate. Similar contributions to trench parallel anisotropy from hydrous phases are likely stronger in other subduction zones.

The cause of seismic anisotropy exhibiting trench parallel fast directions in subduction systems has been the subject of significant recent research. We provide new constraints on the contributions of hydrous phases to seismic anisotropy from an unusually well-localized region of trench parallel fast directions in Rayleigh wave phase velocities near the Cascade arc at 45 to 66 s periods. We constrain the location of the anisotropic material to within or directly above the oceanic plate, using the depth sensitivity of Rayleigh waves as a function of frequency and the accurate slab imaging available for Cascadia from scattered wave studies. We infer that the likely source of trench-parallel anisotropy is either a thin layer of sheared hydrous material directly above the slab or hydrated outer rise faults in the upper part of the subducting plate. Similar contributions to trench parallel anisotropy from hydrous phases are likely stronger in other subduction zones.