Compressional wave velocity measurements on mafic–ultramafic rocks under high aqueous fluid pressure and temperature help to explain low-velocity zones in the lithosphere

Deep seismic studies have revealed that low-velocity zones mainly occurred in the continental lithosphere at the depth of 100–150 km. Their origin has not been clearly explained yet. The article demonstrates the possible scale of Vp changes in crystalline rocks of different composition. The conclusions were made on the basis of the comprehensive analysis of the experimental data obtained by the authors. The compressional wave velocities in the temperature range from 20 to 800 °C, both in dry conditions (at pressure of 600 MPa) and in the presence of aqueous fluid (at pressure of 300 MPa) were measured. It is shown that the most significant decrease of velocities (by ~ 3 km/s) in the temperature range of 400–700 °C, corresponding to the deep waveguides of the lithospheric mantle, occurs under water pressure in ultramafic rocks enriched by olivine (dunites). Such decrease is due to rock structure changes caused by olivine serpentinization reactions. It is assumed that serpentinization and/or formation of similar hydrous minerals, which are stable in a wide range of PT-conditions in olivine-rich mantle rocks due to the influence of deep fluids, may cause low-velocities zones in the upper mantle at depths of about 100 km.