Continental lithospheric rupture in the East African Rift : contribution of the joint inversion

Abstract

Geophysical joint inversion attempts to reproduce as best as possible the interior of the Earth. By integrating several geophysical techniques the joint inversion reduces the uncertainties of each methods and improves our understanding of the Earth structure. In this study we use the receiver functions (RF), the magnetotelluric (MT) and the gravity methods which enable to charaterize the Swave velocity, the electrical resistivity and the density, respectively. The objective of this research work is divided in two parts; first with the development of a new 3D joint inversion approach and then with the application of these methods (on a joint or separate approach) on the North Tanzanian Divergence to better understand the continental breakup.For the methodologic part two approaches have been developed; one between the MT and gravity data with an original computation of the topographic effect which decreases the number of cells while keeping a satisfaying resolution. And a second method between the MT and RF data where pseudo 3D velocity model are created and combined with the MT models to better takes into account the physical properties of the receiver function. The application of these methods on the Tanzania highlighted several lithospheric structures and particularly two low-velocity areas in the lower crust and the upper mantle. This latter suggests interactions with Proterozoic inherited structures and the African plume material.