Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain

The origin of strong crustal reflectors in vertical incidence reflection seismic data is generally attributed to either rock layering, deformation fabrics in shear zones, fluids, or igneous intrusions. The IBERSEIS normal incidence reflection and wide-angle seismic profiles in SW Spain imaged a larg...

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Main Authors: Brown, D., Zhang, X., Palomeras, I., Simancas, F., Carbonell, R., Juhlin, Christopher, Salisbury, M.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/7346
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author Brown, D.
Zhang, X.
Palomeras, I.
Simancas, F.
Carbonell, R.
Juhlin, Christopher
Salisbury, M.
author_facet Brown, D.
Zhang, X.
Palomeras, I.
Simancas, F.
Carbonell, R.
Juhlin, Christopher
Salisbury, M.
author_sort Brown, D.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The origin of strong crustal reflectors in vertical incidence reflection seismic data is generally attributed to either rock layering, deformation fabrics in shear zones, fluids, or igneous intrusions. The IBERSEIS normal incidence reflection and wide-angle seismic profiles in SW Spain imaged a large, high velocity, subhorizontal reflector in the middle crust (the IBERSEIS Reflective Body) whose origin has been attributed to a mafic intrusion. In order to test this hypothesis, in this paper we present laboratory measurements of Vp, Vs, and density from 17 samples of mafic igneous and metamorphic rocks, and metasediments that are thought to be equivalent to the proposed IBERSEIS Reflective Body. These measurements are then corrected to 400 °C at 600. MPa and used to calculate Poisson's ratio and to compare it, Vp, and Vs to values measured in situ by wide-angle data. Finally, normal incidence reflection coefficients are calculated to test if the measured lithologies could reproduce the reflectivity imaged in the vertical incidence reflection seismic data for the IBERSEIS Reflective Body. Our physical property measurements are very similar to those modeled from the wide-angle data, and our reflection coefficients are sufficiently high to cause strong mid-crustal reflectivity. Our data indicate, therefore, that previous interpretations of the IBERSEIS Reflective Body as a mafic sill are quite reasonable. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-73462018-03-29T09:05:40Z Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain Brown, D. Zhang, X. Palomeras, I. Simancas, F. Carbonell, R. Juhlin, Christopher Salisbury, M. The origin of strong crustal reflectors in vertical incidence reflection seismic data is generally attributed to either rock layering, deformation fabrics in shear zones, fluids, or igneous intrusions. The IBERSEIS normal incidence reflection and wide-angle seismic profiles in SW Spain imaged a large, high velocity, subhorizontal reflector in the middle crust (the IBERSEIS Reflective Body) whose origin has been attributed to a mafic intrusion. In order to test this hypothesis, in this paper we present laboratory measurements of Vp, Vs, and density from 17 samples of mafic igneous and metamorphic rocks, and metasediments that are thought to be equivalent to the proposed IBERSEIS Reflective Body. These measurements are then corrected to 400 °C at 600. MPa and used to calculate Poisson's ratio and to compare it, Vp, and Vs to values measured in situ by wide-angle data. Finally, normal incidence reflection coefficients are calculated to test if the measured lithologies could reproduce the reflectivity imaged in the vertical incidence reflection seismic data for the IBERSEIS Reflective Body. Our physical property measurements are very similar to those modeled from the wide-angle data, and our reflection coefficients are sufficiently high to cause strong mid-crustal reflectivity. Our data indicate, therefore, that previous interpretations of the IBERSEIS Reflective Body as a mafic sill are quite reasonable. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/7346 10.1016/j.tecto.2012.05.004 restricted
spellingShingle Brown, D.
Zhang, X.
Palomeras, I.
Simancas, F.
Carbonell, R.
Juhlin, Christopher
Salisbury, M.
Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain
title Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain
title_full Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain
title_fullStr Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain
title_full_unstemmed Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain
title_short Petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the IBERSEIS profile, SW Spain
title_sort petrophysical analysis of a mid-crustal reflector in the iberseis profile, sw spain
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/7346