An S receiver function analysis of the lithospheric structure in South America

Abstract

We make use of S receiver function to investigate the structure and thickness of the crust and mantle lithosphere in the South American continent and adjacent areas. The Moho discontinuity has been detected at all stations and goes from 18 km beneath the coast of the continent to 80 km in the Andean region. The depth of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary can be clearly detected below those stations that are located on stable areas from 50 km to 160 km. The identification of this phase becomes more difficult when the stations are located near subduction zones. We also observed the base of the subducted oceanic lithosphere down to depths of 220 km.