Shear Velocity Structure of Jordan from Explosion Seismic Data

Combined analysis of P- and S-wave data from seismic refraction lines in Jordan has led to the derivation of a Poisson's ratio model for the crust. This model shows that the upper crust, including the sediments, has an average Poisson's ratio of around 0.25, except beneath NW Jordan where the sediments have a high ratio of around 0.32. However, the lower crust below about 20 km depth has high Poisson's ratios ranging from 0.29 to 0.32. These high Poisson's ratios may be interpreted mineralogically in terms of high feldspar and low quartz content in the rocks (e.g. gneiss, amphibolite) of the lower crust or fluid phases in the form of separated penny-shaped inclusions.