Moho Depth of Northern Baja California, Mexico, From Teleseismic
Receiver Functions
Abstract
We estimated Moho depth from data recorded by permanent and temporary
broadband seismic stations deployed in northern Baja California, Mexico
using the receiver function technique. This region is composed, mainly,
of two subregions of contrasting geological and topographical
characteristics: The Peninsular Ranges of Baja California (PRBC), a
batholith with high elevations (up to 2600 m above mean sea level); and
the Mexicali Valley (MV) region, a sedimentary environment at around the
mean sea level. Crustal thickness derived from the P-to-S converted
phases at 29 seismic stations were analyzed in 3 profiles: two that
cross the two subregions, in a ~W-E direction, and the
third one that runs over the PRBC in a N-S direction. For the PRBC
region, Moho depths vary from 35 to 45 km, from 33ºN to 32ºN; and from
30 to 46 km depth from 32ºN to 30.5ºN. From a profile that crosses the
subregions in the W-E direction; Moho depths vary from 45 to
~34 km under the PRBC; with an abrupt change of depth
under the Main Gulf Escarpment, from ~32 to 30 km; and
depths of 17-20 km under the MV region. Moho depths of the profile that
runs, of an almost W-E direction at ~31.5º N, follow the
eltimetry from 0 to 2600 m: from ~30 to 40 km; and
became shallower (16 km depth) as the profile reaches the Gulf of
California. These results show that deeper Moho is related to higher
elevations with an abrupt change under the Main Gulf Escarpment.