Seismic Attenuation at the Equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge Constrained by Local Rayleigh Wave Analysis From the PI-LAB Experiment

The ocean lithosphere represents a simple realisation of the tectonic plate, offering a unique opportunity to better understand its physical and chemical properties in relationship to those of the underlying asthenosphere. While seismic velocity is frequently used to image the plate, seismic attenuation (Qμ−1) offers an important complimentary observation. We use fundamental mode Rayleigh waves from 17 local, M > 4.2 earthquakes recorded at stations located on 0–80 My old lithosphere near the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We determine the attenuation coefficient () for periods between 15 and 40 s and invert for 1-D average shear wave quality factor values () and shear wave velocity (Vs). We find values of 175 ± 16 at 50 km depth, decreasing to 90 ± 15 at greater than 60 km. Comparison of our and Vs measurements to previous observations from oceanic settings shows agreement in terms of higher and Vs in the lithosphere in comparison to the asthenosphere. The observations from oceanic settings are in general agreement with the laboratory predictions for -Vs relationships for thermal models. However, a small amount of partial melt (1%) is required to explain several previous observations. Our result also compares favorably to previous observations of lithospheric and asthenospheric attenuation with respect to frequency. Melt is not required for the 1-D average of our study area, consistent with previous electromagnetic and seismic imaging that suggested melt in punctuated and/or thin channel anomalies rather than over broad regions of the mantle.