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[1] The transition between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is subject to numerous contemporary studies as its nature is still poorly understood. The thickest lithosphere is associated with old cratons and platforms and it has been shown that seismic investigations may fail to image the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary in these areas. Instead, several recent studies have proposed a mid-lithospheric discontinuity of unknown origin existing under several cratons. In this study we investigate the Tanzania craton in East Africa which is enclosed by the eastern and western branches of the East African Rift System. We present evidence from S receiver functions for two consecutive discontinuities at depths of 50-100 km and 140-200 km, which correspond to significant S wave velocity reductions under the Tanzania craton and the Albert and Edward rift segments. By comparison with synthetic waveforms we show that the lower discontinuity coincides with the LAB exhibiting velocity reductions of 6-9%. The shallower interface reveals a velocity drop that varies from 12% beneath the craton to 24% below the Albert-Edward rift. It is interpreted as an infiltration front marking the upper boundary of altered lithosphere due to ascending asthenospheric melts. This is corroborated by computing S velocity variations based on xenolith samples which exhibit a dense system of crystallized veins acting as pathways of the infiltrating melt. Mineral assemblages in these veins are rich in phlogopite and pyroxenite which can explain the reduced shear wave velocities. Melt infiltration represents a suitable mechanism to form a mid-lithospheric discontinuity within cratonic lithosphere that is underlain by anomalously hot mantle.

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SUMMARY Teleseismic data recorded during one and a half years are investigated with the receiver function technique to determine the crustal and upper‐mantle structures underneath the highly elevated Altiplano and Puna plateaus in the central Andes. A series of converting interfaces are determined along two profiles at 21°S and 25.5°S, respectively, with a station spacing of approximately 10 km. The data provide the highest resolution gained from a passive project in this area, so far. The oceanic Nazca plate is detected down to 120 km beneath the Altiplano whereas beneath the Puna, the slab can unexpectedly be traced down to 200 km depth at longer periods. A shallow crustal low‐velocity zone is determined beneath both plateaus exhibiting segmentation. In the case of the Altiplano, the segments present vertical offsets and are separated by inclined interfaces, which coincide with major fault systems at the surface. An average depth to Moho of about 70 km is determined for the Altiplano plateau. A strong negative velocity anomaly located directly below the Moho along with local crustal thinning is interpreted beneath the volcanic arc of the Altiplano plateau between 67°W and 68.5°W. A deep section of the Puna profile reveals thinning of the mantle transition zone. Although poorly resolved, the detected anomaly may suggest the presence of a mantle plume, which may constitute the origin of the anomalous temperatures at the depth of the upper‐mantle discontinuities.

The Rwenzori mountains in western Uganda, with a maximum elevation of more than 5,000 m, are located within the Albertine rift valley. We have deployed a temporary seismic network on the Ugandan side of the mountain range to study the seismic velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle beneath this section of the rift. We present results from a receiver-function study revealing a simple crustal structure along the eastern rift flank with a more or less uniform crustal thickness of about 30 km. The complexity of inner-crustal structures increases drastically within the Rwenzori block. We apply different inversion techniques to obtain reliable results for the thickness of the crust. The observations expose a significantly thinner crust beneath the Rwenzori range with thickness values ranging from about 20-28 km beneath northern and central parts of the mountains. Our study therefore indicates the absence of a crustal root beneath the Rwenzori block. Beneath the Lake Edward and Lake George basins we detect the top of a layer of significantly reduced S-wave velocity at 15 km depth. This low-velocity layer may be attributed to the presence of partial melt beneath a region of recent volcanic activity.