EuCRUST-07: A new reference model for the European crust

Abstract

We present a new digital model (EuCRUST-07) for the crust of Western and Central Europe and surroundings (35°N-71°N, 25°W-35°E). Available results of seismic reflection, refraction and receiver functions studies are assembled in an integrated model at a uniform grid (15′ × 15′). The model consists of three layers: sediments and two layers of the crystalline crust. Besides depth to the boundaries, we provide average P-wave velocities in the upper and lower parts of the crystalline crust. The new model demonstrates large differences in the Moho depth compared to previous compilations, over ±10 km in some specific areas (e.g. the Baltic Shield). Furthermore, the velocity structure of the crust is much more heterogeneous than in previous maps. EuCRUST-07 offers a starting point for numerical modeling of deeper structures by allowing correction for crustal effects beforehand and to resolve trade-off with mantle heterogeneities. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.