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Southern African Crustal Evolution And Composition: Constraints From Receiver Function Studies, Shaji K. Nair, Stephen S. Gao, Kelly H. Liu, Paul G. Silver

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Stacking of approximately 1500 radial receiver functions recorded at about 80 broadband seismic stations deployed in southern Africa reveals systematic spatial variations in the ratio of crustal P and S wave velocities (Φ), crustal thickness (H), and the amplitude of the converted Moho phases (R). The eastern Zimbabwe and the southern Kaapvaal cratons are characterized by small H (~38 km), small Φ (~1.73), and large R (~0.15) values, suggesting that the relatively undisturbed Archean crust beneath southern Africa is separated from the mantle by a sharp Moho and is felsic in composition. The Limpopo belt, which was created by a …