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We performed waveform inversion of the P waveforms recorded by our BroadBand Ocean Bottom Seismometers (BBOBSs) deployed in the Northwestern Pacific. Consequently, the depth profile of the P velocity of the oceanic upper mantle, which has not been well resolved by previous surface wave or receiver function analyses, was revealed. We considered the azimuthal anisotropy in the lithosphere, which significantly improved the variance reduction from 34% to 44%. The resulting P model exhibited higher and lower velocities in the lithosphere and asthenosphere, respectively. The velocity contrast was found to be second/third of that observed in the previous S models; however the obtained model appeared to have some trade‐off with the VS structures in the vicinity of the source. We compared our P model with the previous S model obtained using our BBOBSs and obtained the VP/VS model. The resulting VP/VS model has two notable features. First, the lithosphere is characterized by a rapid increase in the VP/VS values with depth, which implies chemical stratification. Second, the VP/VS values in the vicinity of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB) are larger than the synthetic values of any major upper mantle mineral predicted by considering the anharmonic effects, which suggests the effects of anelasticity or melt. Key Points: We inverted P waveforms recorded by our BBOBSs to obtain the depth profile of the P velocity beneath the older Pacific plateCombining our P model with a previous S model revealed two notable features in Vp/VS structuresThe obtained Vp/Vs model suggests chemical stratification in the lithosphere and the effects of anelasticity or melt at the LAB [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although plate tectonics started as a theory of the ocean basins nearly 50 years ago, the mechanical details of how it works are still poorly known. Our understanding of these details has been hampered partly by our inability to characterize the physical nature of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system (LAS) beneath the ocean. We review the existing observational constraints on the seismic and electrical properties of the LAS, particularly for normal oceanic regions away from mid-oceanic ridges, hot spots, and subduction zones, where plate tectonics is expected to present its simplest form. Whereas a growing volume of seismic data on land has provided remarkable advances in large-scale pictures, seafloor observations have been shedding new light on essential details. By combing through these observational constraints, researchers are unveiling the nature of the enigmatic LAS. Future directions for large-scale seafloor observations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Properties of a new parameter, ηκ, that is recently introduced by Kawakatsu et al. for transverse isotropy are examined. It is illustrated that the parameter nicely characterizes the incidence angle dependence of bodywave phase velocities for vertical transverse isotropy models that share the same P- and S-wave anisotropy. When existing models of upper-mantle radial anisotropy are compared in terms of this new parameter, PREM shows a distinct property. Within the anisotropic layer of PREM (a depth range of 24.4-220 km), ηκ < 1 in the upper half and ηκ > 1 in the lower half. If ηκ > 1, anisotropy cannot be attributed to a layering of homogeneous isotropic layers, and thus requires the presence of intrinsic anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We constrain olivine fabrics in the oceanic lithosphere using active and passive seismic observations of Pn azimuthal anisotropy. We first analyze active‐source data derived from a broadband ocean bottom seismometer array that was deployed in the Northwestern Pacific. We infer the azimuthal dependence of the Pn velocity, including the 2ϕ and 4ϕ terms of the sinusoidal functions, where ϕ is the back azimuth. We observe a skewed azimuthal dependence of the Pn velocity, with a large peak‐to‐peak amplitude of about 12%. Similar features are observed using an independent data set of teleseismic Pn waves. We constrain the direction of the crystallographic axes of olivine to explain the observed azimuthal dependence and identify A‐type olivine with a slightly dipping a‐axis and slightly tilting b‐axis being compatible with our observations. In contrast, we find that D‐type olivine with any direction of crystallographic axes cannot explain our observations. Secondary deformation and recrystallization in the older Pacific may be responsible for this strong and complex seismic anisotropy in the study region. Plain Language Summary: Olivine is the most abundant mineral in the oceanic upper mantle and exhibits preferred crystallographic orientations when it experiences plastic strain‐induced deformation (Nicolas & Christensen, 1987, https://doi.org/10.1029/GD016p0111). Olivine in the oceanic lithosphere is considered to retain the orientations from its formation at the mid‐ocean ridge unless it experiences tectonic perturbations such as reheating by hotspot volcanisms. Seismic anisotropy observations in the oceanic lithosphere therefore provide clues to plate tectonics processes. In this study, we analyze two independent data sets (active‐ and passive‐source data) and reveal the detailed azimuthal dependence of the P velocity traversing the oceanic lithosphere in the northwestern Pacific. We find that the two data sets consistently show a strong and skewed anisotropic signal. We infer that secondary deformation and recrystallization in the Pacific Plate may be responsible for these observations. Key Points: Strong and skewed azimuthal dependence of Pn velocity is robustly observedCompatible direction of the crystallographic axes of olivine is constrainedSecondary deformation and recrystallization in the older Pacific is suggested [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Song and Kawakatsu (2012) have shown that the sub-slab fast splitting pattern observed in most subduction zones can be a direct consequence of subduction of the oceanic asthenosphere that has strong radial anisotropy. This model not only explains the non-intuitive trench-parallel splitting pattern in most of subduction zones, but also predicts the trench-normal behavior (fast polarization direction sub-parallel to the absolute plate motion of the incoming plate) observed in several shallow subduction zones. The general validity of such a scenario is crucial to fundamental understandings of the development of mantle anisotropy in sub-lithosphere or/and sub-slab conditions, the nature and formation of oceanic asthenosphere as well as the flow pattern and mass transport near subduction zones. To validate this scenario, we examine SKS splitting patterns observed across the fore-arc in central Alaska. Here the fast splitting direction varies from plate motion sub-parallel near the trench to mostly trench-parallel beyond the 100km slab-isodepth contour, while being strongly variable in between. After taking into account the rotation of anisotropy symmetry in the oceanic asthenosphere with respect to the local plate motion obliquity and down-dip variations in the slab dip, we reproduce a general 90-degree switch in fast splitting direction as well as the back azimuth dependent splitting pattern across the entire fore-arc. The current validation further augments the idea that, apart from anisotropy in the mantle wedge and the subducting slab, subduction of the oceanic asthenosphere is likely to be the dominant source of seismic anisotropy in central Alaska and potentially in many subduction zones. Furthermore, this result also provides alternative views to models of seismic anisotropy in the mantle wedge and on the length scale in which the 3D mantle flow may be important. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present evidence of two layers of anisotropy in Earth''s upper mantle beneath the central orogenic belt of the North China Craton from teleseismic shear-wave splitting analysis. A one-layer model is in disagreement with the well-constrained azimuth-dependent splitting parameters for stations in the central orogenic belt; however, two layers of anisotropy improve the fit to the data. At the bottom layer, the fast polarization directions are subparallel to the absolute plate motion, indicating the presence of the current strain within the subcratonic asthenosphere related to the interactions between the surrounding plates. In contrast, at the top layer, the fast polarization directions are consistent with the strikes of the local surface faults, confirming a combined contribution of the past orogenies in the lithosphere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Indochina block is located at the junction of four major plates. It has a close relationship with the uplift of Tibet plateau and the sea-floor spreading of the South China Sea in the geological evolution histories. We deployed a temporary broadband seismograph array in Vietnam from February 2000 to October 2005, and measured shear-wave splitting of core-refracted phases to investigate the upper mantle anisotropy beneath the Indochina block and adjacent regions. The observed delay times of up to 1.5s are large, indicating a mantle source for the anisotropy. Two distinct regimes of seismic anisotropy are revealed. The fast polarization directions in the northern Indochina block with a main trend of N100°E are almost consistent with the direction of both the surface displacement and the absolute plate motion. These observations suggest the anisotropy is possibly generated by the present-day asthenospheric flow caused by the India–Eurasia collision. The fast polarization directions in the southern Indochina block and the Hainan island are nearly N60°E. The anisotropy in this area may reflect a combination of the India–Eurasia collision and the past orogenies in the lithosphere, or an abrupt variation in the asthenospheric flow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]