Crustal structure due to collisional and escape tectonics in the Eastern Alps region based on profiles Alp01 and Alp02 from the ALP 2002 seismic experiment

Abstract

Alp01 and Alp02 are the longest profiles recorded during ALP 2002, a large international seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection experiment undertaken in the Eastern Alps in 2002. Alp01 crosses the Alpine orogen from north to south, thus providing a cross section mainly affected by the collision between Europe and the Adriatic microplate. Alp02 extends from the Eastern Alps to the Pannonian basin, supplying evidence on the relation between Alpine crustal structure and tectonic escape to the Pannonian basin. During this experiment, 363 single-channel recorders were deployed along these profiles with an average spacing of 3.2 km. Recordings from 20 inline shots were used in this study. Two-dimensional forward modeling using interactive ray-tracing techniques produced detailed P wave velocity models that contain many features of tectonic significance. Along Alp01, the European Moho dips generally to the south and reaches a maximum depth of 47 km below the transition from the Eastern to the Southern Alps. The Adriatic Moho continues further south at a significantly shallower depth. Moho topography and a prominent south-dipping mantle reflector in the Alpine area support the idea of southward subduction of the European lithosphere below the Adriatic microplate. The most prominent tectonic feature on the Alp02 profile is a vertical step of the Moho at the transition between the Alpine and Pannonian domains, suggesting the existence of a separate Pannonian plate fragment. The development of the Pannonian fragment is interpreted to be a consequence of crustal thinning due to tectonic escape from the Alpine collision area to the Pannonian basin.