Although seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle is generally attributed to the crystal-preferred orientation of olivine, the strong trench-parallel anisotropy observed in several subduction systems is difficult to explain in terms of olivine anisotropy. Using high-pressure deformation experiments, it is now shown that the crystal-preferred orientation of serpentine, the main hydrous mineral in the upper mantle, can produce the strong trench-parallel seismic anisotropy observed in such subduction systems.
- Ikuo Katayama
- Ken-ichi Hirauchi
- Jun-ichi Ando