Sunday, August 9, 2009

July SRL - Crustal Tomography


I just love this stuff! Every few years they gather up all the data from seismometers all over North America, and calculate the velocities directly under each seismometer. They do this with the signals of the earthquakes in the upper figure. The final picture can be also considered as the temperature of the crust at various depth slices.

Looking at the bottom figure, we see a big hunk of the crust is relatively cold. This is most likely the original craton, with cold, deep roots. As I have said before, the continents are made of the floating fuzz of silicon dioxide, which has come out of the rest of the molten rock, much like the head on a beer. Over the many tectonic cycles, this stuff has been squooshed together.

Note Ontario, it's not that cold and old. I find the pattern quite interesting, and wonder about it. If this is true, then it has some implications for seismic hazard.

8 comments:

Harbles said...

So this means invest in heat pump?

Harbles said...

From ads.

Harbles said...

From ads.

Harold Asmis said...

I have no idea what you are talkin' 'bout.

Harbles said...

You are right. I for some unknown reason(sat. night?) thought that seismic risk was some how related to how effective a heat pump would be.


Meanwhile...

Let me use your blog as a test of the functionality of Google docs.

My avatar pic.

Harold Asmis said...

I once knew a guy who looked just like that.

Harbles said...

Not my work . Stolen from the Ether.

So if u click on the avatar pic link may I inquire.... does my email address show from your POV?
This whole Google server farm thing is (I hate the term but) Paradigm Evolving in so much as every body can broadcast to every one but who is watching the watchers watching the watchers etc...

Silver Fox said...

Harbles, I don't see your email address, I see mine, when I click on your link and see your kitty vid.