Seismic evidence for active magmatic underplating beneath the Basin and Range Province, western United States

Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Near-vertical and wide-angle seismic reflection data provide evidence for the presence of a magma body at the base of the crust beneath Buena Vista Valley in northwestern Nevada. The seismic response of this hypothesized magma body is characterized by high-amplitude, near-vertical P wave reflections and a comparably strong P-to-S converted phase. The magma body, referred to here as the Buena Vista Magma Body, is probably a single sill with thickness no greater than 200 m and length no greater than 1.8 km. The melt fraction in the sill is undoubtedly greater than 20–30%, and probably exceeds 50%. Melt composition is unconstrained. Although the age of the Buena Vista Magma Body is difficult to determine precisely, it is probably no older than 500,000 years. This suggests that magmatism in the Basin and Range Province is an ongoing process, despite the relative paucity of volcanic rocks erupted at the surface during the last 6 m.y.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Seismic evidence for active magmatic underplating beneath the Basin and Range Province, western United States
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth
DOI 10.1029/93JB02021
Volume 98
Issue B12
Year Published 1993
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center
Description 14 p.
First page 22095
Last page 22108
Country United States
State Nevada, Idaho
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details