LPO predicted seismic anisotropy beneath a simple model of a mid-ocean ridge

Modelling of seismic anisotropy in complex geodynamic environments is common. However the sensitivity of predicted seismic anisotropy and shear-wave splitting to mineral parameters is sometimes overlooked. We use a simple ocean ridge corner flow solution to investigate the effect of varying mineral parameters on the generation of seismic anisotropy and whether these differences can be detected by the predicted shear-wave splitting. We find that seismic anisotropy and shear wave splitting predicted using LPO theory is sensitive to mineral input parameters, such as grain boundary mobility, grain boundary sliding and mineral composition, however experimental constraints greatly reduce the range of predicted values. Predicted shear-wave splitting for a range of mineral parameters are consistent with observations at mid-ocean ridges. Although differences are seen in the predicted shear-splitting for different mineral parameters they are probably too small to detect in observations and hence will not give us new insights in to variation in mantle mineral properties.