U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Deformation

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This three-year award supports U.S.-France cooperative research in geological sciences among Paul R. Silver, Carnegie Institution of Washington, and David Mainprice and Alain Vauchez of the Technophysics Laboratory at the University of Montpellier in France. The investigators will make measurement of shear-wave splitting on teleseismic shear waves, and use them to study the past and present deformation of continents during tectonic events, such as orogenies and rifting episodes. The main objective of the proposed research is to take measurements on upper mantle deformation. In particular, the investigators will study the relationship between mantle deformation and crust in various orogenic settings. Measurements and observations will use data from stations in the Appalachian Mountains, the Basin and Range Province (western United States) and the Pyrenees. The proposed research requires knowledge in three distinct disciplines represented by the participants. The U.S. investigator brings expertise in seismology. This is complemented by French expertise in petrophysics and structural geology. Results from the research will advance our understanding of the evolution of continents and plate movement and tectonics.