Transversely Isotropic Lower Crust of Variscan Central Europeimaged by Ambient Noise Tomography of the Bohemian Massif

Abstract. Recent development of ambient noise tomography, in combination with increasing number of permanent seismic stations and dense networks of temporary stations operated during passive seismic experiments, provides a unique opportunity to build the first high-resolution 3-D shear wave velocity (vS) model of the crust of the Bohemian Massif (BM). The velocity model with a cell size of 22 km is built by conventional two-step inversion approach from Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion curves measured at more than 400 stations. The shear velocities within the upper crust of the BM are ~0.2 km s−1 higher than those in its surroundings. The highest crustal velocities appear in its southern part, the Moldanubian unit. The model provides compelling evidence for a regional-scale of velocity distribution. The Cadomian part of the region has a thinner crust, while the crust assembled, or tectonically transformed in the Variscan period, is thicker. The sharp Moho discontinuity preserves traces of its dynamic development expressed in remnants of Variscan subductions imprinted in bands of crustal thickenings. A significant feature of the presented model is the velocity drop interface (VDI) modelled in the lower part of the crust. We explain this feature by anisotropic fabric of the lower crust, which is characterized as vertical transverse isotropy with the low velocity being the symmetry axis. The VDI is often interrupted around the boundaries of the crustal units, usually above locally increased velocities in the lowermost crust. Due to the NW SE shortening of the crust and the late Variscan strike slip movements along the NE SW oriented sutures preserved in the BM lithosphere, the anisotropic fabric of the lower crust was partly or fully erased along the boundaries of original microplates. These weakened zones accompanied by a velocity increase above the Moho, which indicate an extrusion of mantle rocks into the lower crust, can represent channels through which portions of subducted and later molten rocks have percolated upwards providing magma to subsequently form granitoid plutons.