@article {lata_uppermost_2020,
	title = {Uppermost crustal structure across the eastern Lau spreading center from P-to-S converted waves},
	journal = {Marine Geophysical Research},
	volume = {41},
	number = {4},
	year = {2020},
	month = {11/2020},
	abstract = {P and S wave data from the L-SCAN active-source wide-angle reflection/refraction experiment are modelled to investigate upper crustal structure in the Lau backarc basin. A combination of ray tracing and finite difference numerical wavefield simulation is used to identify P and P-to-S converted seismic phases. The phases primarily arise from two shallow interfaces, one at \textasciitilde 80~m depth or less, and the other at 500{\textendash}650~m depth. The shallower interface is deeper than the sediment base, is observed across the study area, and is interpreted as a {\textquoteleft}layer 2Aa{\textquoteright} boundary, proposed to result from a rapid change in crack density. The deeper interface is interpreted as the layer 2A{\textendash}2B boundary, corresponding to a transition from lavas to sheeted dykes. Layer 2A, on average, is 150~m thicker in crust that formed at the spreading center when spreading was located near the arc (< 50~km away), as compared to when spreading was located farther away from the arc (> 70~km away). Layer 2A thickness and Vp/Vs values indicate that a thicker and more porous lava layer, dominated by basalts to basalt-andesites, cap near-arc crust, while a thinner and less-porous, mostly basaltic, volcanic layer caps the far-arc crust. These results are consistent with the waning influence of slab-derived volatiles on crustal formation as seafloor spreading moves away from the active arc.},
	keywords = {Backarc spreading center, oceanic crust, S-waves, subduction zone},
	issn = {1573-0581},
	doi = {10.1007/s11001-020-09419-5},
	url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-020-09419-5},
	author = {Lata, Charu and Dunn, Robert A.}
}
