Abstract
We present the first evidence for a lower S-wave velocity (Vs
~3.3 to 3.5 km/s) at 8-17 km depth underlying a 4 km
thick high-velocity zone with Vs >3.8 km/s beneath the west
coast and the neighbouring parts of the Deccan Volcanic Province, India,
coinciding with the last phase of volcanism. The velocity structure is
derived from joint inversion of receiver function from 9 seismographs
operated along ~106 km long W-E profile with the surface
wave dispersion data. The low-velocity layer possibly represents the
horizontally elongated frozen magma reservoir, the source for the magma
eruption at ~65 million years produced due to the
interaction of the Reunion hotspot with India. The shallow,
high-velocity layer could be basaltic mafic intrusions responsible for
the production of massive CO2 degassing. The Moho deepens beneath the
west coast to ~45 km due to 10-15 km of underplating as
a consequence of magma upwelling.