CRUSTAL STRUCTURE IN THE KAMCHATKAN SEGMENT OF THE PACIFIC TRANSITION ZONE

Abstract

Based on deep seismic sounding data, a velocity model of the Earth's crust has been developed for the Kamchatkan segment of the Pacific transition zone. The velocity difference in the structure of the continental and oceanic blocks of the Earth's crust is shown. It has been revealed that these crustal blocks join each other along the deeply inclined fault zone. This zone is located 120 km northwest of the axis of the deep-sea trench. It separates the high-velocity block of eastern peninsulas and bays of Kamchatka from the low-velocity block of the Shatsky Ridge. The latter may be considered to be a contact zone between the continental and oceanic crust.The crust of the regions of Recent volcanic activity in Kamchatka has a number of specific features, such as: a complex heterogeneous structure of the basement; relatively high velocity values in the crust and low values in the upper mantle; anomalous behaviour and velocity inversions related to the complex alternation of sedimentary-volcanogenous and intrusive rocks and zones of hydrothermal alterations; and the possible presence of magma chambers of different types within the crust and the crust-mantle transition zone.