scholarly journals Updates to the Regional Seismic Travel Time (RSTT) Model: 1. Tomography

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Begnaud ◽  
Stephen C. Myers ◽  
Brian Young ◽  
James R. Hipp ◽  
Doug Dodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Earth Models ◽  
Regional Phases

Abstract A function of global monitoring of nuclear explosions is the development of Earth models for predicting seismic travel times for more accurate calculation of event locations. Most monitoring agencies rely on fast, distance-dependent one-dimensional (1D) Earth models to calculate seismic event locations quickly and in near real-time. RSTT (Regional Seismic Travel Time) is a seismic velocity model and computer software package that captures the major effects of three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure on regional seismic travel times, while still allowing for fast prediction speed (milliseconds). We describe updates to the RSTT model using a refined data set of regional phases (i.e., Pn, Pg, Sn, Lg) using the Bayesloc relative relocation algorithm. The tomographic inversion shown here acts to refine the previous RSTT public model (rstt201404um) and displays significant features related to areas of global tectonic complexity as well as further reduction in arrival residual values. Validation of the updated RSTT model demonstrates significant reduction in median epicenter mislocation (15.3 km) using all regional phases compared to the iasp91 1D model (22.1 km) as well as to the current station correction approach used at the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization International Data Centre (18.9 km).

Lateral inhomogeneities in P velocity under the Tarbela array of the lesser Himalayas of Pakistan

1977 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 725-734
Author(s):  
William H. Menke
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Horizontal Layer ◽  
Main Central Thrust ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Lesser Himalayas ◽  
Velocity Anomalies

abstract Three-dimensional seismic-velocity heterogeneities (to a depth of 125 km) under the Tarbela array are determined by the Aki et al. (1976a) method of inverting teleseismic travel-time residuals. Velocity anomalies are clearly present and are elongated in the northwest direction. An overall 2 to 3 per cent decrease in velocity to the northeast is observed across any horizontal layer. These features result from a 4° dip of geologic structures in the direction N41°E. This direction is similar to some observed trends of seismicity in the Tarbela area and to the trend of the Himalayan Main Central Thrust (MCT) east and north of Tarbela, but not to the trend of the fault traces nor the strike of geologic structures in the Tarbela area. Just to the southeast of the Tarbela array, these faults bend sharply westward, forming a mountainous loop. In this study it is concluded that the westerly trending fault traces and westerly striking geology are both only surficial and not representative of structures at greater depth. These deep structures within the lower crust and upper mantle preserve a strike similar to more eastern areas along the MCT. They are shown to be volumetrically and tectonically the more important features.

scholarly journals Imaging the Mediterranean upper mantle by p- wave travel time tomography

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Piromallo ◽  
A. Morelli
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Structural Heterogeneity ◽  
Linear Interpolation ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Tectonic Lineament

Travel times of P-waves in the Euro-Mediterranean region show strong and consistent lateral variations, which can be associated to structural heterogeneity in the underlying crust and mantle. We analyze regional and tele- seismic data from the International Seismological Centre data base to construct a three-dimensional velocity model of the upper mantle. We parameterize the model by a 3D grid of nodes -with approximately 50 km spacing -with a linear interpolation law, which constitutes a three-dimensional continuous representation of P-wave velocity. We construct summary travel time residuals between pairs of cells of the Earth's surface, both inside our study area and -with a broader spacing -on the whole globe. We account for lower mantle heterogeneity outside the modeled region by using empirical corrections to teleseismic travel times. The tomo- graphic images show generai agreement with other seismological studies of this area, with apparently higher detail attained in some locations. The signature of past and present lithospheric subduction, connected to Euro- African convergence, is a prominent feature. Active subduction under the Tyrrhenian and Hellenic arcs is clearly imaged as high-velocity bodies spanning the whole upper mantle. A clear variation of the lithospheric structure beneath the Northem and Southern Apennines is observed, with the boundary running in correspon- dence of the Ortona-Roccamonfina tectonic lineament. The western section of the Alps appears to have better developed roots than the eastern, possibly reflecting à difference in past subduction of the Tethyan lithosphere and subsequent continental collision.

scholarly journals Antarctic Upper Mantle Rheology

2021 ◽  
pp. M56-2020-19
Author(s):  
E. R. Ivins ◽  
W. van der Wal ◽  
D. A. Wiens ◽  
A. J. Lloyd ◽  
L. Caron
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Effective Viscosity ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Velocity Changes

AbstractThe Antarctic mantle and lithosphere are known to have large lateral contrasts in seismic velocity and tectonic history. These contrasts suggest differences in the response time scale of mantle flow across the continent, similar to those documented between the northeastern and southwestern upper mantle of North America. Glacial isostatic adjustment and geodynamical modeling rely on independent estimates of lateral variability in effective viscosity. Recent improvements in imaging techniques and the distribution of seismic stations now allow resolution of both lateral and vertical variability of seismic velocity, making detailed inferences about lateral viscosity variations possible. Geodetic and paleo sea-level investigations of Antarctica provide quantitative ways of independently assessing the three-dimensional mantle viscosity structure. While observational and causal connections between inferred lateral viscosity variability and seismic velocity changes are qualitatively reconciled, significant improvements in the quantitative relations between effective viscosity anomalies and those imaged by P- and S-wave tomography have remained elusive. Here we describe several methods for estimating effective viscosity from S-wave velocity. We then present and compare maps of the viscosity variability beneath Antarctica based on the recent S-wave velocity model ANT-20 using three different approaches.

scholarly journals Shear-wave travel times and amplitudes for two well-constrained earthquakes

1978 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-985
Author(s):  
Robert S. Hart ◽  
Rhett Butler
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Correlation Technique ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
A Value ◽  
Travel Time Data ◽  
Distance Dependence ◽  
Wave Travel

abstract The wave-form correlation technique (Hart, 1975) for determining precise teleseismic shear-wave travel times is extended to two large earthquakes with well-constrained source mechanisms, the 1968 Borrego Mountain, California earthquake and the 1973 Hawaii earthquake. A total of 87 SH travel times in the distance range of 30° to 92° were obtained through analysis of WWSSN and Canadian Network seismograms from these two events. Major features of the travel-time data include a trend toward faster travel times at a distance of about 40° (previously noted by Ibrahim and Nuttli, 1967; Hart, 1975); another somewhat less pronounced trend toward faster times at about 75°; a +6 sec base line shift, with respect to the Jeffreys-Bullen Table, for the Borrego Mountain data; and large azimuthally-dependent scatter for the Hawaiian data, probably reflecting dramatic lateral variations in the near-source region. When azimuthal variations in the Hawaii data are removed, the travel times from both events show very low scatter. The correlations were also used to investigate SH amplitudes for possible distance dependence in the data and variations in tβ*. The Borrego Mountain data show very low scatter and no discernible distance dependence. All of the data are compatible with a value of tβ* = 5.2 ± 0.5. The amplitudes from the Hawaii earthquake show the same azimuthal variations found in the travel-time data. When those effects are removed, the Hawaii data satisfies a value of tβ* equal to 4.0 ± 0.5 and, as with the other data set, no distance dependence is apparent.

Improving teleseismic event locations using a three-dimensional Earth model

1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 788-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon P. Smith ◽  
Göran Ekström
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The United States ◽  
Earth Model ◽  
Published Data ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Origin Time ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Station Corrections ◽  
Earth Models

Abstract A comparison is made between seismic event locations derived from standard spherically symmetric Earth models (JB, PREM, IASP91) and a recent Earth model (S&P12/WM13) that incorporates large-scale lateral heterogeneity of P- and S-wave velocities in the mantle. Events with known hypocentral coordinates are located in the different Earth models using standard methods. Two sets of events are considered: a data set of 26 explosions, including primarily nuclear weapons test explosions and peaceful nuclear explosions in the United States and former USSR; and a published data set of 82 well-located earthquakes with a more even global distribution. IASP91 and PREM are shown to offer similar errors in event location and origin time estimates with respect to the JB model. The three-dimensional (3D) model S&P12/WM13 offers improvement in event locations over all three one-dimensional (1D) models with, or without, station corrections. For the explosion events, the average mislocation distance is reduced by approximately 40%; for the earthquakes, the improvements are smaller. Corrections for crustal thickness beneath source and receiver are found to be of similar magnitude to the mantle corrections, but use of station corrections together with the three-dimensional mantle model provide the best locations.

Earthquake locations by 3-D finite-difference travel times

1990 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn D. Nelson ◽  
John E. Vidale
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Model Complexity ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Origin Time ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Fault Trace

Abstract We present a new method for locating earthquakes in a region with arbitrarily complex three-dimensional velocity structure, called QUAKE3D. Our method searches a gridded volume and finds the global minimum travel-time residual location within the volume. Any minimization criterion may be employed. The L1 criterion, which minimizes the sum of the absolute values of travel-time residuals, is especially useful when the station coverage is sparse and is more robust than the L2 criterion (which minimizes the RMS sum) employed by most earthquake location programs. On a UNIX workstation with 8 Mbytes memory, travel-time grids of size 150 by 150 by 50 are reasonably employed, with the actual geographic coverage dependent on the grid spacing. Location precision is finer than the grid spacing. Earthquake recordings at six stations in Bear Valley are located as an example, using various layered and laterally varying velocity models. Locations with QUAKE3D are nearly identical to HYPOINVERSE locations when the same flat-layered velocity model is used. For the examples presented, the computation time per event is approximately 4 times slower than HYPOINVERSE, but the computation time for QUAKE3D is dependent only on the grid size and number of stations, and independent of the velocity model complexity. Using QUAKE3D with a laterally varying velocity model results in locations that are physically more plausible and statistically more precise. Compared to flat-layered solutions, the earthquakes are more closely aligned with the surface fault trace, are more uniform in depth distribution, and the event and station travel-time residuals are much smaller. Hypocentral error bars computed by QUAKE3D are more realistic in that the trade-off of depth versus origin time is implicit in our error estimation, but ignored by HYPOINVERSE.

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