Seismic and drilling constraints on velocity structure and reflectivity near IODP hole U1309D on the central dome of Atlantis Massif, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 30°N

Abstract

The seismic structure of the upper ̃1 km of the central dome of Atlantis Massif is investigated in the context of lithologies known from seafloor drilling and physical property measurements obtained within the borehole and on core samples. A new analysis of seafloor refraction data and multichannel reflection data acquired in the immediate vicinity of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site U1309 was motivated by a discrepancy between initial seismic interpretations, which indicated mantle velocities at shallow depth, and the gabbroic sequence recovered by drilling. A new seismic velocity model is derived that is consistent with the full suite of geological and geophysical data in the central dome area; all of these data show that mafic intrusive rocks dominate the upper portion of the footwall of this oceanic core complex and that laterally extensive zones of ultramafic rocks are not required by the data. The origin of subseafloor reflectivity beneath the central dome was also considered. We find that seafloor scattering complicates the interpretation of multichannel seismic data acquired near Site U1309 but that detectable subsurface impedance contrasts do occur. Downhole variations in alteration may generate reflections observed from the upper kilometer of the central dome. © 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.