Shear-wave splitting is a phenomenon observed in almost all in situ rocks. Due to propagation through stress-aligned and fluid-saturated microcracks and fractures the initial shear wave splits into two almost orthogonal waves which propagate with different velocities along similar ray paths. The process is characterized by the polarization direction of the faster split shear wave, which is parallel to the orientation of the cracks, and the time delay between the onsets of the two waves. The analysis of shear-wave splitting has been conducted over records of 233 microearthquakes in the vicinity of five seismic stations in SW Iceland. Visual methods have been applied to the data to retrieve the final results for polarization directions and time delays. The main polarization azimuth for the leading split wave is N30°- 60°E which is in full agreement with the mapped alignments of normal faults and volcanic fissures in the surface. The time delays measured at different sites vary in the range of 10-100 ms for the events of best quality. In general, splitting times do not show a clear pattern at all recording sites with increasing depth. The only firm conclusion that can be drawn from the time delays is that at station BLF in the Brennisteinsfjöll fissure swarm, the time delays are smaller than in the Hengill area and therefore the strength of anisotropy beneath that station appears to be lower.

We investigate upper crustal anisotropy of the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge using shear wave splitting measurements of ~3000 earthquakes recorded during three years using the Keck seafloor seismic network. We apply a new cluster analysis of shear-wave splitting measurements to our database. The methodology reduces the use of subjective criteria and improves the accuracy of measurements in the presence of noisy data. Fast polarization directions at a given seismic station are constant and stable during the deployment; however, fast-polarization directions between stations vary significantly. We presume that the lack of consistency of shear wave splitting among seismic stations reflects the spatial distribution of anisotropy in the vicinity of the ridge axis. We infer that the variation of fast polarization directions and delay times is caused by spatial variations in shallow hydrogeological structures and the stress field. Local faults and fissures are unlikely to be the primary cause of this anisotropy since most of the fast polarization directions are not consistent with the ridge parallel trend of faults. Stress perturbations induced by magmatic injection into the axial magma chamber or spatial variation in the rates of a hydrothermal heat transfer may contribute to the observed heterogeneity in seismic anisotropy.

A tear in the subducting Nazca slab is located between the end of the Pampean flat slab and normally subducting oceanic lithosphere. Tomographic studies suggest mantle material flows through this opening. The best way to probe this hypothesis is through observations of seismic anisotropy, such as shear wave splitting. We examine patterns of shear wave splitting using data from two seismic deployments in Argentina that lay updip of the slab tear. We observe a simple pattern of plate-motion-parallel fast splitting directions, indicative of plate-motion-parallel mantle flow, beneath the majority of the stations. Our observed splitting contrasts previous observations to the north and south of the flat slab region. Since plate-motion-parallel splitting occurs only coincidentally with the slab tear, we propose mantle material flows through the opening resulting in Nazca plate-motion-parallel flow in both the subslab mantle and mantle wedge.

Azimuthal anisotropy, assumed to be associated with vertical, aligned cracks, fractures, and subsurface stress regimes, causes vertically propagating shear waves to split into a fast component, with particle motion polarized parallel to fracture strike, and a slow component, with particle motion polarized perpendicular to fracture strike. Determining the polarization of each split shear wave and the time lag between them provides valuable insight regarding fracture azimuth and intensity. However, analysis of shear wave polarizations in seismic data is hampered by reflection-induced polarization distortion. Traditional polarization analysis methods are limited to zero offset and are not valid if implemented over the full range of offsets available in typical 3D seismic data sets. Recent proposals for normalizing amplitudes recorded at non-normal incidence to values recorded at normal incidence may provide an extension to correcting offset-dependent shear wave polarization distortion. Removing polarization distortion from shear wave reflections allows a larger range of offsets to be used when determining shear wave polarizations. Additional complexities arise, however, if fracture orientation changes with depth. Reflections from layers with different fracture orientations retain significant energy on off-diagonal components after initial rotations are applied. To properly analyze depth-variant azimuthal anisotropy, time lags associated with each interval of constant anisotropy are removed and additional iterative rotations applied to subsequent offset-normalized reflections. Synthetic data is used to evaluate the success of these methods, which depends largely on the accuracy of AVA approximations used in the correction. The polarization correction effectively removes SV polarity reversals but may be limited in corrections to SH polarizations at very far offsets. After the polarization correction is applied, energy calculations including incidence angles up to 20° more effectively compensates individual SV and SH reflection components, allowing for more faithful polarization information identification of the isotropy plane and the symmetry axis. The polarization correction also localizes diagonal component energy maxima and off-diagonal component energy minima closer to the true orientation of the principal axes when a range of incidence angles up to 20° is used. / text

The upper mantle structure of Swedish part of Baltic Shield with its isotropic and anisotropic seismic velocity characteristics is investigated using telesesismic body waves (i.e. P waves and shear waves) recorded by the Swedish National Seismological Network (SNSN). Nonlinear high-resolution P and SV and SH wave isotropic tomographic inversions reveal velocity perturbations of ± 3 % down to at least 470 km below the network. Separate SV and SV models indicate several consistent major features, many of which are also consistent with P-wave results. A direct cell by cell comparison of SH and SV models reveals velocity differences of up to 4%. Numerical tests show that differences in the two S-wave models can only be partially caused by noise and limited resolution, and some features are attributed to the effect of large scale anisotropy. Shear-wave splitting and P-travel time residual analyses also detect anisotropic mantle structure. Distinct back-azimuth dependence of SKS splitting excludes single-layer anisotropy models with horizontal symmetry axes for the whole region. Joint inversion using both the P and S data reveals 3D self-consistent anisotropic models with well-defined mantle lithospheric domains. These domains of differently oriented anisotropy most probably retain fossil fabric since the domains' origin, supporting the idea of the existence of an early form of plate tectonics during formation of continental cratons already in the Archean. The possible disturbing effects of anisotropy on seismic tomography studies are investigated, and found to be potentially significant. P-wave arrival times were adjusted based on the estimates of mantle anisotropy, and re-inverted. The general pattern of the velocity-perturbation images was similar but changed significantly in some places, including the disappearance of a slab-like structure identified in the inversion with the original data. Thus the analysis demonstrates that anisotropy of quite plausible magnitude can have a significant effect on the tomographic images, and should not be ignored. If, as we believe, our estimates of anisotropy are reasonably correct, then the model based on the adjusted data should give a more robust and correct image of the mantle structure.

<p>The focus of this work is to use geologic and geophysical methods to better understand the faults and fracture systems at Puna, in southeastern Hawaii, and southern Montserrat, in the Lesser Antilles. The particular interest is understanding and locating the deep fracture networks that are necessary for fluid circulation in hydrothermal systems. The dissertation first presents a study in which identification of large scale faulting places Montserrat into a tectonic context. Then follow studies of Puna and Montserrat that focus on faults and fractures of the deep hydrothermal systems.</p><p>The first chapter consists of the results of the SEA-CALIPSO experiment seismic reflection data, recorded on a 48 channel streamer with the active source as a 2600 in3 airgun. This chapter discusses volcaniclastic debris fans off the east coast of Montserrat and faults off the west coast. The work places Montserrat in a transtensional environment (influenced by oblique subduction) as well as in a complex local stress regime. One conclusion is that the stress regime is inconsistent with the larger arc due to the influence of local magmatism and stress.</p><p>The second chapter is a seismic study of the Puna hydrothermal system (PHS) along the Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone. The PHS occurs at a left step in the rift, where a fracture network has been formed between fault segments. It is a productive geothermal field, extracting steam and reinjecting cooled, condensed fluids. A network of eight borehole seismometers recorded >6000 earthquakes. Most of the earthquakes are very small (< M.2), and shallow (1-3 km depth), likely the result of hydrothermal fluid reinjection. Deeper earthquakes occur along the rift as well as along the south-dipping fault plane that originates from the rift zone.</p><p>Seismic methods applied to the PHS data set, after the initial recording, picking, and locating earthquakes, include a tomographic inversion of the P-wave first arrival data. This model indicates a high seismic velocity under the field that is thought to be an intrusion and the heat source of the hydrothermal system. A shear wave splitting study suggested the PHS fracture system is largely oriented rift-parallel with some orthogonal fractures. Shear wave splitting data also were used in a tomographic inversion for fracture density. The fracture density is high in the PHS, which indicates high permeability and potential for extensive fluid circulation. This has been confirmed by high fluid flow and energy generation. The high fracture density is consistent with the interpretation of a transfer zone between the rift segments where a fracture mesh would be expected. In Puna the transfer zone is a relay ramp.</p><p>The results from the PHS are used as an example to examine the proposed hydrothermal system at St. George's Hill, Montserrat. In southern Montserrat, hot springs and fumaroles suggest a deep hydrothermal system heated by local magmatism. A magnetotelluric study obtained resistivity data that suggest focused alteration under southeastern Montserrat that is likely to be along fault segments. Several faults intersect under SGH, making it the probable center of the hydrothermal system. At Puna, and also Krafla, Iceland, where faults interact is an area of increased permeability, acting as a model to be applied to southern Montserrat. The conclusion is that in both Puna and Montserrat large faults interact to produce local areas of stress transfer that lead to fracturing and permeable networks; these networks allow for high-temperature hydrothermal circulation.</p> / Dissertation

The Forsmark area, the main study area in this thesis, is located about 140 km north of Stockholm, central Sweden. It belongs to the Paleoproterozoic Svecokarelian orogen and contains several major ductile and brittle deformation zones including the Forsmark, Eckarfjärden and Singö zones. The bedrock between these zones, in general is less deformed and considered suitable for a nuclear waste repository. While several site investigations have already been carried out in the area, this thesis focuses primarily on (i) re-processing some of the existing reflection seismic lines to improve imaging of deeper structures, (ii) acquiring and processing high-resolution reflection and refraction data for better characterization of the near surface geology for the planning of a new access ramp, (iii) studying possible seismic anisotropy from active sources recorded onto sparse three-component receivers and multi-offset-azimuth vertical seismic profiling data (VSP). Reflection seismic surveys are an important component of these investigations. The re-processing helped in improving the deeper parts (1-5 km) of the seismic images and allowing three major deeper reflections to be better characterized, one of which is sub-horizontal while the other two are dipping moderately. These reflections were attributed to originate from either dolerite sills or brittle fault systems. First break traveltime tomography allowed delineating an undulating bedrock-surface topography, which is typical in the Forsmark area. Shallow reflections imaged in 3D, thanks to the acquisition design were compared with existing borehole data and explained by fractured or weak zones in the bedrock. The analysis of seismic anisotropy indicates the presence of shear-wave splitting due to transverse isotropy with a vertical symmetry axis in the uppermost hundreds of meters of crust. Open fractures and joints were interpreted to be responsible for the large delays observed between the transverse and radial components of the shear-wave arrivals, both on surface and VSP data.

Την 8η Ιουνίου 2008, στις 15:25 τοπική ώρα (12:25 GMT) ένας σεισμός μεγέθους Mw 6.4 εκδηλώθηκε στη ΒΔ Πελοπόννησο, στη Δυτική Ελλάδα. Το επίκεντρο προσδιορίστηκε κοντά στο χωριό Μιχόι, στη Δημοτική Ενότητα Μόβρης, περίπου 35 km ΝΔ της Πάτρας. Στην παρούσα εργασία, έγινε μία μελέτη ανισοτροπίας στην επικεντρική περιοχή του σεισμού της 8ης Ιουνίου. Συγκεκριμένα, έγινε μία μελέτη για την ανίχνευση του φαινομένου διαχωρισμού των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων και της εξέλιξής του σε σχέση με την εκδήλωση του σεισμού της 8ης Ιουνίου. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν οι καταγραφές από τον σεισμολογικό σταθμό του Ριόλου (RLS), καθώς είναι ο μόνος κοντινός σταθμός στο επίκεντρο του σεισμού της 8ης Ιουνίου που βρισκόταν σε συνεχή λειτουργία κατά τα χρονικά διαστήματα πριν και μετά την εκδήλωση του σεισμού. Για τη μελέτη του φαινομένου του διαχωρισμού των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων χρησιμοποιήθηκε η μέθοδος cross-correlation (Ando et al., 1983; Fukao, 1984). Μετά την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων, προσδιορίστηκαν οι παράμετροι του φαινομένου, φ (διεύθυνση ταλάντωσης της ταχύτερης συνιστώσας των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων) και dt (χρόνος καθυστέρησης μεταξύ των δύο συνιστωσών) για κάθε ένα σεισμικό γεγονός. Ο διαχωρισμός των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων (shear-wave splitting) είναι ένα φαινόμενο κατά το οποίο, τα εγκάρσια κύματα διαχωρίζονται σε δύο συνιστώσες, με διαφορετικές διευθύνσεις πόλωσης και διαφορετικές ταχύτητες διάδοσης. Ο διαχωρισμός αυτός πραγματοποιείται κατά την διάδοση των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων μέσα από ένα ανισοτροπικό μέσο (Crampin and Chastin, 2003; Crampin and Peacock, 2005). Σύμφωνα με τη θεωρία, ο διαχωρισμός των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων στον φλοιό, προκαλείται εξαιτίας της ύπαρξης μικρο-ρωγμών, μικρο-διαρρήξεων κορεσμένων με ρευστά. Οι μικρο-διαρήξεις αυτές έχουν συνήθως διευθύνσεις παράλληλες ή υπό-παράλληλες με αυτή της μέγιστης οριζόντιας συμπιεστικής τάσης σε μία περιοχή (Crampin, 1993). Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων κατέδειξε την ύπαρξη του φαινομένου διαχωρισμού των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων στην υπό μελέτη περιοχή. Τόσο πριν, όσο και μετά την εκδήλωση του σεισμού της 8ης Ιουνίου, οι διευθύνσεις πόλωσης της ταχύτερης συνιστώσας των εγκαρσίων κυμάτων ακολουθούν μία μέση διεύθυνση ΒΒΔ-ΝΝΑ. Η μέση διεύθυνση της ταχύτερης συνιστώσας δεν είναι σύμφωνη με τα χαρακτηριστικά του πεδίου των τάσεων στην περιοχή, όπως προσδιορίστηκαν από τους Konstantinou et al. (2011) και Hollenstein et al. (2008), με μία μέση διεύθυνση οριζόντιας συμπιεστικής τάσης Α-Δ. Η ΒΒΔ-ΝΝΑ διεύθυνση πόλωσης της ταχύτερης συνιστώσας οφείλεται πιθανόν στη δράση ενός πεδίου τάσεων γύρω και κάτω από τη θέση καταγραφής με τοπικά χαρακτηριστικά. Τέλος, παρατηρήθηκε μία αύξηση στις τιμές των χρόνων καθυστέρησης μετά την εκδήλωση του σεισμού της 8ης Ιουνίου. Η μέση τιμή των χρόνων καθυστέρησης πριν την εκδήλωση του σεισμού ήταν περίπου 27.3 ms, ενώ μετά την εκδήλωσή του 41.7 ms. H αύξηση των χρόνων καθυστέρησης, υποδηλώνει μία μεταβολή των ιδιοτήτων του μέσου στον ανώτερο φλοιό εξαιτίας της εκδήλωσης του σεισμού. Η εκδήλωση του σεισμού της 8ης Ιουνίου προκάλεσε πιθανόν την διεύρυνση και την επιμήκυνση των προϋπαρχόντων μικρο-διαρρήξεων του φλοιού, τη δημιουργία νέων και την επιπλέον πλήρωσή τους με ρευστά. / On June 8, 2008, at 15:25 local time (12:25 GMT) an Mw 6.4 earthquake occurred in the area of northwest Peloponnesus, Western Greece. The epicenter was located near Mihoi village, in the municipality of Movri, about 35 km southwest of Patras. In this paper, a crustal anisotropy analysis was performed in the epicentral area of Movri Mountain earthquake. Specifically, there was a study to detect shear-wave splitting phenomenon and its temporal evolution in relation to the occurrence of Movri Mountain earthquake. For the needs of the study, we used seismic records from the seismological station of Riolos (RLS). Riolos station is the nearest station from the epicenter of Movri Mountain earthquake which was in continuous operation during the periods before and after the occurrence of the earthquake. The method that was used to study shear-wave splitting phenomenon was the cross-correlation method (Ando et al., 1983; Fukao, 1984; Kuo et al., 1994). Through the data processing, splitting parameters φ (polarization direction of the fastest component of shear waves) and dt (time delay between the two components) were measured for each seismic event. Shear-wave splitting is a phenomenon in which shear-waves are separated into two components with different polarization directions and velocities. The phenomenon in the upper crust is caused by the existence of stress-aligned, fluid-filled micro-cracks/micro-fractures. The polarization directions of the fast components are usually parallel or sub-parallel to the direction of the maximum horizontal compressive stress (Crampin, 1993). Data analysis revealed the existence of shear-wave splitting phenomenon in the study area. Both before and after the occurrence of Movri Mountain earthquake, the polarization directions of the fast component of shear waves follow a general NNW-SSE direction. The observed mean fast polarization direction is not consistent with the estimated characteristics of the regional stress field of the broader area, as identified by Kontsantinou et al. (2011) and Hollenstein et al. (2008), who report a general E-W direction of the maximum horizontal compressive stress. The difference between the estimated fast polarization directions and the properties of the regional stress field shows the presence of a local stress field in the study area. Finally, an increase in time delays was observed after the occurrence of Movri Mountain earthquake. The average value of delay times before the occurrence of the earthquake was about 27.3ms, while after the occurrence was about 41.7ms. The increase in delay times which was observed after the occurrence of Movri Mountain earthquake possibly indicates changes in the properties of the medium in the upper crust. The occurrence of Movri Mountain earthquake caused the expansion/ lengthening of micro-cracks and its further filling with fluids.

Seismic anisotropy at continental regions, mainly at stable areas, gives important information about past and present tectonic events, and helps us in understanding patterns of upper mantle flow in a way not achieved by other methods. The measurement of shear wave splitting (SWS), at individual stations, from core refracted phases (such as SKS phases), indicates the amount and orientation of the seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. Previous studies of SWS in South America concentrated mainly along the Andes and in southeast Brazil. Now we add extra measurements extending to all Brazilian territory, especially in the Pantanal and Paraná-Chaco basins, as part of the FAPESP 3-Basins Thematic Project. The results from both temporary deployments and from the Brazilian permanent network provide a more complete and robust anisotropy map of the South America stable platform. In general the fast polarization orientations have an average E-W orientation. Significant deviations to ESE-WNW or ENE-WSW are observed in many regions. We compare our results with different anisotropy proxies: absolute plate motion given by the hotspot reference frame HS3-NUVEL-1A, a recent model of time dependent upper mantle flow induced by the Nazca plate subduction, global anisotropy from surface wave tomography, and geologic trends. We observe a poor correlation of the anisotropy directions with geological trends, with the exception of a few stations in northern Brazil and a better correlation with the mantle flow model. Therefore, our observed anisotropy is mainly due to upper-mantle flow, with little contribution from frozen lithospheric anisotropy. Also, deviations from the mantle flow model, which includes a thicker lithosphere at the Amazon craton, are mainly due to flow surrounding cratonic nuclei not used in the model: the keel of the São Francisco craton and a possible cratonic nucleus beneath the northern part of the Paraná Basin (called Paranapanema block). Large delay times at the Pantanal Basin may indicate a stronger asthenospheric channel, a more coherent flow, or a thicker asthenosphere. Small delays beneath the northern Paraná Basin and central Amazon craton may indicate thinner anisotropic asthenosphere. / Anisotropia sísmica em regiões continentais, principalmente em áreas estáveis, nos dá informações importantes sobre eventos tectônicos do passado e do presente, e nos ajuda a entender padrões de fluxo do manto superior de forma não alcançada por outros métodos geofísicos. A medida de separação de ondas cisalhantes (SWS), em estações individuais, de fases refratadas no núcleo (fases SKS, por exemplo), indica a intensidade e orientação da anisotropia sísmica no manto superior. Estudos prévios de SWS na América do Sul se concentraram principalmente ao longo dos Andes e no sudeste do Brasil. Agora adicionamos medidas extras que se extendem por todo território Brasileiro e alguns países vizinhos, especialmente nas bacias do Pantanal e do Chaco-Paraná, como parte do \"Projeto Temático 3-Bacias\" da FAPESP. Os resultados tanto das estações temporárias quanto da rede permanente Brasileira mostram um mapa de anisotropia mais robusto e completo da plataforma estável da América do Sul. Em geral, as direções de polarização rápida tem em média direção L-O. Desvios significantes nas direções LSL-ONO ou LNL-OSO são observadas em muitas regiões. Comparamos nossos resultados com diferentes representantes da anisotropia: movimento absoluto de placa dado pelo sistema de referência de hotspot HS3-NUVEL-1A, um modelo recente dependente do tempo de fluxo do manto superior induzido pela subducção da placa de Nazca, anisotropia global de tomografia de ondas de superfície, e tendências geológicas. Observamos pouca correlação das direções de anisotropia com tendências geológicas, com exceção de algumas estações no norte do Brasil e uma melhor correlação com o modelo de fluxo do manto. Portanto, nossa anisotropia observada é devida principalmente a fluxo do manto superior, com pouca contribuição de anisotropia \"congelada\" litosférica. Também, desvios do modelo de fluxo do manto, o qual inclui uma litosfera mais espessa no cráton da Amazônia, são devido ao fluxo ao redor de núcleos cratônicos não usados no modelo: a quilha do cráton do São Francisco e um possível núcleo cratônico abaixo da região norte da bacia do Paraná (chamado bloco do Paranapanema). Atrasos de tempo grandes na bacia do Pantanal podem indicar um canal astenosférico mais forte, um fluxo mais coerente ou uma astenosfera mais espessa. Pequenos atrasos abaixo da parte norte da bacia do Paraná e no centro do cráton da Amazônia podem indicar uma astenosfera mais fina.

Seismic anisotropy at continental regions, mainly at stable areas, gives important information about past and present tectonic events, and helps us in understanding patterns of upper mantle flow in a way not achieved by other methods. The measurement of shear wave splitting (SWS), at individual stations, from core refracted phases (such as SKS phases), indicates the amount and orientation of the seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. Previous studies of SWS in South America concentrated mainly along the Andes and in southeast Brazil. Now we add extra measurements extending to all Brazilian territory, especially in the Pantanal and Paraná-Chaco basins, as part of the FAPESP 3-Basins Thematic Project. The results from both temporary deployments and from the Brazilian permanent network provide a more complete and robust anisotropy map of the South America stable platform. In general the fast polarization orientations have an average E-W orientation. Significant deviations to ESE-WNW or ENE-WSW are observed in many regions. We compare our results with different anisotropy proxies: absolute plate motion given by the hotspot reference frame HS3-NUVEL-1A, a recent model of time dependent upper mantle flow induced by the Nazca plate subduction, global anisotropy from surface wave tomography, and geologic trends. We observe a poor correlation of the anisotropy directions with geological trends, with the exception of a few stations in northern Brazil and a better correlation with the mantle flow model. Therefore, our observed anisotropy is mainly due to upper-mantle flow, with little contribution from frozen lithospheric anisotropy. Also, deviations from the mantle flow model, which includes a thicker lithosphere at the Amazon craton, are mainly due to flow surrounding cratonic nuclei not used in the model: the keel of the São Francisco craton and a possible cratonic nucleus beneath the northern part of the Paraná Basin (called Paranapanema block). Large delay times at the Pantanal Basin may indicate a stronger asthenospheric channel, a more coherent flow, or a thicker asthenosphere. Small delays beneath the northern Paraná Basin and central Amazon craton may indicate thinner anisotropic asthenosphere. / Anisotropia sísmica em regiões continentais, principalmente em áreas estáveis, nos dá informações importantes sobre eventos tectônicos do passado e do presente, e nos ajuda a entender padrões de fluxo do manto superior de forma não alcançada por outros métodos geofísicos. A medida de separação de ondas cisalhantes (SWS), em estações individuais, de fases refratadas no núcleo (fases SKS, por exemplo), indica a intensidade e orientação da anisotropia sísmica no manto superior. Estudos prévios de SWS na América do Sul se concentraram principalmente ao longo dos Andes e no sudeste do Brasil. Agora adicionamos medidas extras que se extendem por todo território Brasileiro e alguns países vizinhos, especialmente nas bacias do Pantanal e do Chaco-Paraná, como parte do \"Projeto Temático 3-Bacias\" da FAPESP. Os resultados tanto das estações temporárias quanto da rede permanente Brasileira mostram um mapa de anisotropia mais robusto e completo da plataforma estável da América do Sul. Em geral, as direções de polarização rápida tem em média direção L-O. Desvios significantes nas direções LSL-ONO ou LNL-OSO são observadas em muitas regiões. Comparamos nossos resultados com diferentes representantes da anisotropia: movimento absoluto de placa dado pelo sistema de referência de hotspot HS3-NUVEL-1A, um modelo recente dependente do tempo de fluxo do manto superior induzido pela subducção da placa de Nazca, anisotropia global de tomografia de ondas de superfície, e tendências geológicas. Observamos pouca correlação das direções de anisotropia com tendências geológicas, com exceção de algumas estações no norte do Brasil e uma melhor correlação com o modelo de fluxo do manto. Portanto, nossa anisotropia observada é devida principalmente a fluxo do manto superior, com pouca contribuição de anisotropia \"congelada\" litosférica. Também, desvios do modelo de fluxo do manto, o qual inclui uma litosfera mais espessa no cráton da Amazônia, são devido ao fluxo ao redor de núcleos cratônicos não usados no modelo: a quilha do cráton do São Francisco e um possível núcleo cratônico abaixo da região norte da bacia do Paraná (chamado bloco do Paranapanema). Atrasos de tempo grandes na bacia do Pantanal podem indicar um canal astenosférico mais forte, um fluxo mais coerente ou uma astenosfera mais espessa. Pequenos atrasos abaixo da parte norte da bacia do Paraná e no centro do cráton da Amazônia podem indicar uma astenosfera mais fina.