Big Mantle Wedge and Intraplate Volcanism in Alaska: Insight From Anisotropic Tomography

Abstract

We determine high-resolution tomographic models of isotropic P-wave velocity (Vp) and tilting-axis anisotropy of the Alaska subduction zone using a large number of local and teleseismic data recorded at many portable and permanent network stations in and around Alaska. We find a flat high-Vp slab in the mantle transition zone (410–670 km depths) beneath western Alaska, which is connected with the subducting Pacific slab at 0–410 km depths, suggesting that a big mantle wedge has formed under western Alaska. Our tilting-axis anisotropy model reveals complex mantle flows in the asthenosphere. Corner flow in the mantle wedge above the subducting Pacific slab and toroidal flow in the big mantle wedge are revealed, which may cause the Cenozoic intraplate volcanoes in western Alaska and the Bering Sea. In central Alaska, the mantle wedge beneath the Denali volcanic gap is characterized by high-Vp and subhorizontal fast velocity directions normal to the volcanic arc, which may reflect a remnant of the subducted Yakutat slab. In SE Alaska, the shallow subduction of the Wrangell slab is visible above 150 km depth, and hot mantle upwelling through the Wrangell-Yakutat slab gap may contribute to the Wrangell volcanic field.