Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2016, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (1): 48-60.doi: 10.11978/2015028CSTR: 32234.14.2015028

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Research on deep seismic structures of Mariana Trench subduction zone and its inspiration for Manila Trench subduction zone

ZHAO Minghui1, HE Enyuan1, 3, SUN Longtao1, XU Ya2, YOU Qingyu2, HAO Tianyao2, DU Feng1, 3, QIU Xuelin1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China;
    2. Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resource Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; 3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2015-02-21 Online:2016-01-10 Published:2016-02-02
  • Contact: HE Enyuan. E-mail:eyhe@scsio.ac.cn
  • Supported by:

    Natural Science Foundation of China (Major program) (contract: 91428204); Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Science (contract: XDB06030202)

Abstract:

We review research on the two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) deep seismic structures of the Mariana Trench subduction zone. We find that (1) the bulk composition beneath the basaltic volcanoes is basically consistent along the Izu-Bonin Arc. The seismic velocities of the middle crust in the arc crust are similar to those in continental crust. For the arc crust evolving to normal continental crust, a process, such as delamination, is necessary for the component of lower crust interpreted as mafic to ultramafic crust-mantle transition layer (CMTL) returning to mantle; (2) the intra-oceanic arc crusts with different ages show dissimilar velocity structures, implying different density structures and crustal growth models; (3) the temporal and spatial variation of velocity structure and evolution history in the arc system reveals the features of oceanic crust and mantle at the beginning of subduction and the reasons of subduction. Although the geologic setting of the Mariana Trench is different from that of the Manila Trench subduction, the research method could be borrowed. The critical issues of research are put forward for the Manila Trench, which include: implementing 2D combined with 3D Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) seismic experiments, carrying out Ocean Bottom ElectroMagnetometers (OBEM) surveys, and long-term observations on earthquakes happened near the area. The project of the Manila Trench is promising for making breakthrough in mechanism on a subduction zone.

Key words: Mariana Trench, subduction zone, Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS), Ocean Bottom ElectroMagnetometers (OBEM), Manila Trench.