Shear wave splitting as diagnostics of variable tectonic fabrics across the Eastern Alps – Bohemian Massif contact zone

We examine lateral variations of shear-wave splitting evaluated from data recorded during the passive seismic experiments AlpArray-EASI (2014-2015) and AlpArray Seismic Network (2016-2019). The swath about 200 km broad and 540 km long along 13.3° E longitude was selected to study the large-scale anisotropy in the mantle lithosphere beneath the Bohemian Massif (BM) and the Eastern Alps. The region is covered by about 200 broad-band temporary and permanent stations.

The shear-wave splitting evaluation consists of several steps: it starts by automated identification and pre-processing of SKS waveforms, filtering and quality check. Then we analyse and, if needed, also correct seismic waveforms for seismometer mis-orientations of all stations used. To improve results of splitting analysis of signals distorted by noise, we carefully apply two splitting methods (eigenvalue, transverse energy). We stack splitting measurements for waves closely propagating within the upper mantle and include particle motion analysis. The modified version of the splitting methods (Vecsey et al., 2008) enables us to retrieve 3-D orientation of large-scale anisotropic structures in the mantle lithosphere and deformations within the sub-lithospheric part of the upper mantle.

Both the evaluated shear-wave splitting parameters and the particle motions are consistent within sub-regions of the Alpine and BM upper mantle and exhibit significant and often sudden lateral changes across the whole region. We relate such changes to sharply bounded anisotropic domains with uniform fossil fabrics in the mantle lithosphere.