Reference crust-mantle density contrast beneath Antarctica based on the Vening Meinesz-Moritz isostatic inverse problem and CRUST2.0 seismic model

The crust-mantle (Moho) density contrast beneath Antarctica was estimated based on solving the Vening Meinesz-Moritz isostatic problem and using constraining information from a seismic global crustal model (CRUST2.0). The solution was found by applying a least-squares adjustment by elements method. Global geopotential model (GOCO02S), global topographic/bathymetric model (DTM2006.0), ice-thickness data for Antarctica (assembled by the BEDMAP project) and global crustal model (CRUST2.0) were used for computing isostatic gravity anomalies. Since CRUST2.0 data for crustal structures under Antarctica are not accurate (due to a lack of seismic data in this part of the world), Moho density contrast was determined relative to a reference homogenous crustal model having 2,670 kg/m3constant density. Estimated values of Moho density contrast were between 160 and 682 kg/m3. The spatial distribution of Moho density contrast resembled major features of the Antarctic's continental and surrounding oceanic tectonic plate configuration; maxima exceeding 500 kg/m3were found throughout the central part of East Antarctica, with an extension beneath the Transantarctic mountain range. Moho density contrast in West Antarctica decreased to 400-500 kg/m3, except for local maxima up to ~ 550 kg/m3in the central Antarctic Peninsula.