HR: 1340h
AN: S13B-1046    [Abstracts]
TI: Origins of the Yellowstone Hotspot and Implications to Western U.S. Tectonics
AU: * Crosswhite, J A
EM: jason@newberry.uoregon.edu
AF: University of Oregon, Department of Geosciences 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1272 United States
AU: Humphreys, E D
EM: gene@newberry.uoregon.edu
AF: University of Oregon, Department of Geosciences 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1272 United States
AB: We assembled teleseismic data for the Yellowstone hotspot representing a $>$1,000 km aperture array. These data combined with finite-frequency ("banana-doughnut") tomography allowed resolution to the transition zone. The PASSCAL Yellowstone data was augmented with temporary deployments and regional arrays in Utah, Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Utah. In net, these data represent more than 200 seismometers running approximately one year. The finite frequency Fr\'echet kernels better predict sensitivity to velocity and include diffraction phenomena. Due to their large sampling volume, there is better resolution at depth. The combination of an extended dataset and newer techniques allowed imaging to the transition zone with good resolution. Yellowstone is an atypical hotspot in many ways. Theories of its origin include plume and non-plume hypotheses. We have tested these hypotheses for the Yellowstone hotspot in the context of western U.S. tectonic history and dynamics.
DE: 7218 Lithosphere and upper mantle
SC: Seismology [S]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting