Seismic structure of Sri Lanka using receiver function analysis: A comparison with other high-grade Gondwana terrains

Modeling of receiver functions computed using data from the IRIS broadband station PALK in Sri Lanka reveals a simple crust with a thickness of 34 km. The crust appears to be more felsic with dominance of quartzite, as evidenced by a low Poissonʹs ratio of 0.25 compared to the global average for Precambrian shields. An overview of crustal composition of the high-grade terrains of Gondwana land reveals that Poissonʹs ratios mostly lie in the range of 0.24–0.26. These lower than global average values from both Archean and Proterozoic shields, including the metamorphic regions appear to be characteristic of Precambrian shields consistent with the average continental crust composition estimates showing 59% silica content. The two principal mantle discontinuities beneath PALK are found at 418 and 678 km, respectively, which are both deeper than the global averages, suggesting a hotter upper mantle.