Seismic studies in the midcontinent of U.S. and its implications for the intraplate deformation process

The midcontinent region of the United States is typically viewed as a stable and robust cratonic area within the North American Plate, characterized by a series of epeirogenic basins, domes, arches, faults, and monoclines. However, the presence of these structures suggests that there has been intraplate deformation. Notably, the Illinois Basin and the Michigan Basin are two major cratonic depressions in the North American Plate, indicating subsidence within the plate. Furthermore, the central midcontinent is known to have a relatively high earthquake hazard potential due to several active seismic zones, which also implies significant intraplate deformation. To better understand the different crustal features and variation patterns between the Illinois Basin, Michigan Basin, and Appalachian Basin, and their relation to the region's structural, epeirogenic, and topographic patterns, I conducted a series of analyses based on seismic imaging in the midcontinent of the U.S. I first compiled a high-resolution Moho-depth map by performing a thorough receiver function analysis (H-κ-c) of all stations within the central midcontinent, primarily using data from Transportable-Array and Flexible-Array stations that encompass the Illinois Basin and surrounding areas. Second, I conducted a detailed H-κ-c analysis of all stations within the north midcontinent, mainly encompassing the Michigan Basin and surrounding regions. Third, I performed an ambient noise-based surface wave inversion in the central midcontinent and compiled a velocity model from the surface to the uppermost mantle. Lastly, I conducted a station-based joint inversion in the central midcontinent region, using both stacked receiver functions and ambient noise tomography data and put together a shear velocity model using the joint inversion results covering the crust and the uppermost mantle of the central midcontinent of the U.S.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Xiao, Hongyu

Contributors dc:contributor

• Song, Xiaodong
• Liu, Lijun
• Marshak, Stephen
• Gregg, Patricia

• Receiver Functions Analysis
• Ambient Noise Based Joint Inversion
• Seismic Imaging
• Intraplate Deformation
• The Midcontinent Of The U.S.
• The North American Craton
• The Illinois Basin
• The Michigan Basin
• The Appalachian Basin

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Hongyu Xiao

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122145

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F122145