Search

Detailed knowledge of the subsurface elastic properties might provide much‐needed insight into the subduction‐zone structure and the estimation of reservoir parameters. Compressional and shear wave velocities can be inverted by elastic full‐waveform inversion using multicomponent ocean‐bottom seismometer data. However, this process is computationally intensive, requiring massive, repeated simulations scaling with the number of sources. Although source–receiver reciprocity can streamline elastic full‐waveform inversion, it cannot be applied by directly interchanging the positions of sources and ocean‐bottom seismometers. To reduce the computational cost, we develop a source–receiver reciprocal elastic full‐waveform inversion, in which the reciprocity in multicomponent data can be accomplished by transforming the data matching from the original geometry to a specific form under the reciprocal geometry. This approach significantly reduces computational costs from twice the number of sources, as seen in conventional elastic full‐waveform inversion, to a scale with the count of ocean‐bottom seismometers. The tests on synthetic data verify that the proposed reciprocal elastic full‐waveform inversion maintains accuracy while improving computational efficiency, and further application on the field data from East China Sea also showcases the efficiency of the proposed method, resulting in a speed‐up of 10 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of the propagation path and site amplification of shallow tremors along the Nankai Trough. Using far‐field S‐wave propagation from intraslab earthquake data, the amplification factors at the DONET stations were 5–40 times against an inland outcrop rock site. Thick (∼5 km) sedimentary layers with VS of 0.6–2 km/s beneath DONET stations have been confirmed by seismological studies. To investigate the effects of thick sedimentary layers, we synthesized seismograms of shallow tremors and intraslab earthquakes at seafloor stations. The ratios of the maximum amplitudes from the synthetic intraslab seismograms between models with and without thick sedimentary layers were 1–2. This means that thin lower‐velocity (<0.6 km/s) sediments just below the stations primarily control the estimated large amplifications. Conversely, at near‐source (≤20 km) distances, 1‐order amplifications of seismic energies for a shallow tremor source can occur due to thick sedimentary layers. Multiple S‐wave reflections between the seafloor and plate interface are contaminated in tremor envelopes; consequently, seismic energy and duration are overestimated. If a shallow tremor occurs within underthrust sediments, the overestimation becomes stronger because of the invalid rigidity assumptions around the source region. After 1‐order corrections of seismic energies of shallow tremors along the Nankai Trough, the scaled energies of seismic slow earthquakes were 10−10–10−9 irrespective of the region and source depth. Hence, the physical mechanisms governing seismic slow earthquakes can be the same, irrespective of the region and source depth. Plain Language Summary: The deployment of campaigns and permanent ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) has enabled us to investigate the activity and physical properties of offshore seismic phenomena. Our knowledge of offshore subsurface structures is still limited; consequently, many studies have used conventional analysis methods with the simplest assumptions. Using observed and synthetic seismograms near the Nankai Trough, we found a limitation in the conventional analysis method applied to OBS data. Thick sedimentary layers, which have been confirmed by seismological studies along the Nankai Trough just below the OBSs, cause an approximately 1‐order overestimation of source parameters for seismic phenomena occurring around the shallow plate boundary. This overestimation may have occurred during the seismic energy estimation of shallow slow earthquakes in Hikurangi, Costa Rica, and Mexico. After correcting for the effects of thick sedimentary layers, we found that the scaled energies of seismic slow earthquakes were 10−10–10−9 irrespective of the region and source depth. This suggests that the physical mechanisms governing seismic slow earthquakes can be the same, regardless of region and source depth. Key Points: Effects of path and site on the seismic energy estimation of slow earthquakes at shallow plate boundaries were investigatedThe assumption of far‐field body waves without thick sediments causes an overestimation of seismic energies for shallow tremorsScaled energies of seismic slow earthquakes at both shallow and large depths range from 10−10 to 10−9 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) have been used to detect submarine structural and tectonic information for decades. According to signal source controllability, OBS data have generally been classified into active and passive source data categories. The former mainly focuses on the compressional wave (P‐wave) velocity inversion and always lacks valid information about the shear wave (S‐wave) velocity structure. While the latter provides structural information with limited resolution due to the aperture of the stations. Overcoming the barriers between processing these two data types will allow the reuse of a vast amount of data from active source experiments to explore the submarine S‐wave velocity structural properties. Here, we creatively applied ambient noise interferometry to invert the S‐wave velocity structure using data from active source OBS deployment conducted in the southernmost Mariana subduction zone, which had already been utilized to detect submarine P‐wave velocity structure. Considering the short time duration and relatively low quality of this type of data, a combined method of short‐segment cross‐correlation and selected time‐frequency domain phase‐weighted stacking was adopted to obtain stable cross‐correlation functions, which were subsequently used to invert S‐wave velocity structures. Compared to previous studies using different methods, our result sheds new light on the crust and upper mantle structure of the southernmost Mariana subduction zone. This method could be used to detect more information based on the reutilization of existing active source OBS data. Plain Language Summary: Active source ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) data are usually used to detect P‐wave velocity information of submarine areas using signals from air‐gun shootings. However, most of the waveform recording ambient noise has yet to be utilized. A large amount of valuable data needs to be fully exploited for the high cost of OBS experiments. In addition, we still lack shear wave velocity information in many critical marine areas due to the rarely picked shear wave phases. However, this information is of great importance for marine tectonic analysis, such as magmatism, dehydration or serpentinization. Using the recorded ambient noise in OBS data from active source experiments can afford the opportunity to obtain shear‐wave velocity structures. We adopted different processing methods to calculate high‐quality surface wave dispersion data, which were subsequently used to invert shear wave structures in the southernmost Mariana Trench. This method can also provide structural information with a different resolution that is lacking using passive source OBS data. Key Points: Ambient noise interferometry was applied to ocean bottom seismometer data from an active source deployment to invert the shear‐wave velocity structureA selected time‐frequency domain phase‐weighted stack was adopted to improve the quality of cross‐correlationsWater content and hydrated layer thickness of the subducting plate were estimated in the southernmost Mariana Trench [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teleseismic back‐projection imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding the rupture propagation of large earthquakes. However, its application often suffers from artifacts related to the receiver array geometry. We developed a teleseismic back‐projection technique that can accommodate data from multiple arrays. Combined processing of P and pP waveforms may further improve the resolution. The method is suitable for defining arrays ad‐hoc to achieve a good azimuthal distribution for most earthquakes. We present a catalog of short‐period rupture histories (0.5–2.0 Hz) for all earthquakes from 2010 to 2022 with MW ≥ 7.5 and depth less than 200 km (56 events). The method provides automatic estimates of rupture length, directivity, speed, and aspect ratio, a proxy for rupture complexity. We obtained short‐period rupture length scaling relations that are in good agreement with previously published relations based on estimates of total slip. Rupture speeds were consistently in the sub‐Rayleigh regime for thrust and normal earthquakes, whereas a tenth of strike‐slip events propagated at supershear speeds. Many rupture histories exhibited complex behaviors, for example, rupture on conjugate faults, bilateral propagation, and dynamic triggering by a P wave. For megathrust earthquakes, ruptures encircling asperities were frequently observed, with downdip, updip, and balanced patterns. Although there is a preference for short‐period emissions to emanate from central and downdip parts of the megathrust, emissions updip of the main asperity are more frequent than suggested by earlier results. Plain Language Summary: Back‐projection is an earthquake imaging method based on seismic waveforms recorded remotely at a group of seismometers (seismic array). Here, we develop a new approach to combine backprojections from multiple arrays and seismic waveforms and use it to derive a catalog of large earthquake rupture histories from 2010 to 2022, providing a map view of the high‐frequency radiation emitted along the fault. The method automatically estimates the earthquake rupture length, speed, directivity, and aspect ratio. Based on these estimates, we obtained scaling relations between the earthquake magnitude and rupture length that agree with classical relationships. We identified strike‐slip earthquakes propagating at supershear, that is, faster than the shear wave speed, the usual limit for self‐sustaining rupture propagation. We observed complex rupture behaviors, for example, multiple faults activated, bilateral ruptures, and triggering of the main phase of a rupture by a primary (P) wave from the earliest part of the rupture. For subduction earthquakes, high‐frequency emissions were often observed, forming a ring around the fault interface patches (asperities) where the main slip occurs. There was a preference for high‐frequency radiation to emanate from central and deeper parts of the subducting plate interface, but shallower emissions were more frequent than expected from previous literature. Key Points: We provide a complete catalog of high‐frequency rupture histories for M ≥ 7.5 events 2010–2022We develop a semi‐automatic method for estimating rupture length, speed, directivity, and aspect ratioBoth encircling ruptures and emissions updip of slip asperities common in megathrust earthquakes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present both 1-D and 3-D shear wave velocity (Vs) models of the oceanic crust and uppermost mantle below the Deep OCean Test ARray area, located ∼ 70 km north of the central section of the Gloria Fault, in the eastern North-Atlantic Ocean. The velocity models are inferred from the dispersion of surface waves recorded on ocean bottom seismometers. Dispersion measurements are obtained from the analysis of ambient seismic noise at short periods (< 14 s) and teleseismic surface waves at long periods (> 14 s) using the two-station method. The 1-D Vs model is inferred from the joint inversion of Rayleigh wave phase velocities and Love wave group and phase velocities. The 3-D tomographic model is obtained by inversion of 2-D Love wave group velocity maps as a function of depth, further constrained by the average of Love wave phase velocities obtained from ambient noise (4–9 s) and the average Rayleigh and Love wave phase velocities calculated from teleseismic data (14–44 s). The 1-D Vs model shows a sediment layer with a low velocity of 1.05 km s−1, similar to previous studies in the region. Below the sediments, we find an oceanic crust with velocities ranging from 3.3 to 4.5 km s−1. The model reaches an unusually high velocity of 4.9 km s−1 in a 20 km thick layer at depths between 16 and 36 km. We interpret this fast velocity layer as indicative of the presence of harzburgite, a residue of enhanced melting that might have been formed by the proximity between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Azores mantle plume. At greater depths the velocity decreases, forming a low-velocity zone that reaches a minimum at ∼ 70 km depth, which we interpret as the maximum depth for the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary. The 3-D model shows a structure that is mostly horizontally layered, with Vs isocontours at 3.5–4.5 km s−1 highlighting oscillations of the crustal structure with wavelengths of ∼25–30 km. These oscillations may be due to changes in the rate of mantle upwelling and magma supply rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employed seismic tomography to examine the velocity structure of the upper mantle in the Southernmost Mariana subduction zone. Our study focuses on data collected during a six-month experiment from 15 December 2016 to 12 June 2017, using 11 ocean bottom seismometers. By examining over 3700 local arrival times, we are able to determine the three-dimensional Vp and Vs structure. The subducting slab in this region displays a P- and S-wave velocity 2~6% higher than normal mantle and a lower Vp/Vs, with an average dip of 45° at depths ranging from 50 to 100 km. Additionally, our velocity images also shed new lights to the velocity anomalies of the mantle wedge region on top of the subducting slab, from the trench to the remnant arc. We observed slower velocity anomalies in the mantle wedge beneath the Southwest Mariana Rift, the West Mariana Ridge, and the forearc. In the outer forearc, a low-velocity anomaly is observed at depths shallower than 50 km, indicating mantle serpentinization and the presence of water. Additionally, a melt production region is observed beneath the central part of the forearc block at a depth of 40–60 km suggesting the possibility of melting processes in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an approach to better characterize the P‐wave and S‐wave velocity structure of the seafloor sediment layer using ocean bottom seismometers. The presence of low‐velocity seafloor sediment layers influences the observed seismic record at the seafloor over a broad frequency range, such that detailed knowledge of this sediment structure is essential to predict its effect on teleseismic records. We use the radial component of teleseismic P waves and autocorrelation functions of the radial, vertical, and pressure components of teleseismic P and S waves to obtain sediment layer models using the Markov chain Monte Carlo approach with parallel tempering. Synthetic tests show that the body waves constrain the P‐ and S‐wave impedances and travel times and the P‐ to S‐wave velocity ratio of the sediment layers. The proposed method resolves thin layers at a high resolution, including the uppermost thin (∼50 m to a few hundred meters) low S‐wave velocity layer. Real data applications at sites across the Pacific Ocean that are coincident with previous in situ studies demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in characterizing the seafloor sediment unit. The sediment models characterized by this new approach will allow us to more accurately predict and correct the effects of sediment layers in generating P‐ and S‐wave reverberations. Plain Language Summary: Ocean bottom seismometers are powerful tools for investigating the detailed structure of the oceanic mantle. However, most ocean bottom seismometers are placed above the low‐velocity water‐saturated sediment layer, such that their seismic records are inevitably affected by this seafloor sediment layer. Detailed constraints on the structure of the seafloor sediment layer allow us to accurately predict its effects on the observed seismic records. The seafloor sediment layer may consist of multiple discontinuities and vary regionally. This study proposes a new approach for characterizing the seismic properties of the seafloor sediment layer using teleseismic body waves recorded at ocean bottom seismometers. Synthetic tests show that the method can resolve thin sublayers within the sediment layer, such as a very thin low shear‐wave velocity layer and sharp seismic velocity jumps. Real data applications show that the sediment models obtained using this approach are in good agreement with those obtained from direct measurements and previous body‐wave analyses. Our proposed method will enable more detailed prediction and correction of the influence of the sediment layer on ocean bottom seismometer records, thereby providing more accurate constraints on deeper Earth structures. Key Points: The seismic properties of the seafloor sediment layer are characterized using ocean bottom seismometer teleseismic body‐wave recordsThe P‐ and S‐wave impedances and travel times and the VP/VS values of each sublayer within the sediment layer are resolvedIn situ seafloor sediment structure constraints will enable accurate correction and prediction of shallow structure effects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receiver function (RF) based studies have revealed the layered Martian crustal structure beneath the InSight, which provides key information about the composition, rock alteration, deep magma process, and thermal history of Mars. However, limited by the frequency and trade‐offs between the thickness and velocity, inverting RFs alone is difficult to provide an accurate image of the upper crust. Here, by achieving stable measurements of the apparent shear wave velocities (Vs,app) at different frequencies for high‐quality marsquakes, we perform a joint inversion with the RFs. Our crustal models differ from previous models by having an extra shallow structure in the upper crust, either a layer with a sharp velocity jump interface at 4.0 ± 0.9 km depth or a gradient structure with shear wave velocity increasing gradually from 1.1 ± 0.1 km/s near the surface to 1.7 ± 0.3 km/s at a depth of 6.0 ± 2.4 km, which well fits both RFs and Vs,app's. Such an upper crustal velocity model is consistent with the depth‐decaying of porosity due to self‐compaction and indicates a highly porous upper crust with a surface porosity larger than 30%. Besides, a much higher porosity decay constant than that scaled from the Moon is derived, suggesting different mechanical properties of the lunar and Martian crust. Plain Language Summary: The seismic velocity, density, porosity, and composition of the Martian crust hold important information on both internal and external processes of Mars, such as planetary differentiation, deep magmatic or thermal activities, meteorite impacts, and weathering alterations. Using the high‐quality seismic data of several marsquakes recorded by the seismometers of the InSight mission, we can obtain both receiver functions and frequency‐dependent apparent shear wave velocities, which are respectively sensitive to the crustal interfaces and the velocity of the upper crust. Thus, a joint inversion combing these two measurements can relieve the trade‐offs between velocity and interface depth and provide a more accurate upper crustal structure. We consider two types of uppermost crustal structures in the inversion. The first model has a sharp velocity jump interface at 4.0 ± 0.9 km depth and the second one has a gradient structure with velocity increasing gradually from the surface to the depth of 6.0 ± 2.4 km. Our inverted new upper crustal models agree with the prediction from a depth‐decaying porosity profile considering the self‐compaction effect, which further indicates that the Martian upper crust beneath InSight is highly fractured. Key Points: A joint inversion of the Martian crustal structures from receiver functions and apparent shear wave velocities is developedThe uppermost crust has a velocity jump at a depth of ∼4.0 km or a gradually increased velocity from the surface to a depth of ∼6.0 kmThe inverted upper crustal structure is aligned with the depth‐decaying porosity due to the self‐compaction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has long been established that plastic flow in the asthenosphere interacts constantly with the overlying lithosphere and plays a pivotal role in controlling the occurrence of geohazards such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Unfortunately, accurately characterizing the direction and lateral extents of the mantle flow field is notoriously difficult, especially in oceanic areas where deployment of ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) is expensive and thus rare. In this study, by applying shear wave splitting analyses to a dataset recorded by an OBS array that we deployed between mid-2019 and mid-2020 in the South China Sea (SCS), we show that the dominant mantle flow field has a NNW–SSE orientation, which can be attributed to mantle flow extruded from the Tibetan Plateau by the ongoing Indian–Eurasian collision. In addition, the results suggest that E–W oriented flow fields observed in South China and the Indochina Peninsula do not extend to the central SCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The InSight seismometers have recorded more than 1,300 events. Ninety‐eight of these, named the low‐frequency (LF) family, show energy predominantly below 1 Hz down to ∼0.1 Hz. The Marsquake Service identified seismic phases and computed distances for 42 of these marsquakes, 24 of which have backazimuths. Hence, the locations of the majority of LF family events remain undetermined. Here, we use an envelope shape similarity approach to determine event classes and distances, and introduce an alternative method to estimate the backazimuth. In our analysis, we use the highest quality marsquakes with known distances as templates, including the largest event S1222a, and assign new distances to similar group of events for which distance estimates were not previously available. We find the Tharsis region to be more active than initially perceived on the basis of 5 newly located events near Valles Marineris and Olympus Mons. We relocate two marsquakes with little or no S‐wave energy in the NE of the Elysium Bulge. The event epicenters in Cerberus Fossae follow a north‐south trend due to uncertainties in location, while the fault system is in the NW‐SE direction; therefore, these events are re‐projected along the observed fault system based on our interpretations. The marsquakes in our interpreted catalog are predominantly observed in the northern hemisphere of Mars above the equatorial dichotomy boundary. Plain Language Summary: InSight's seismometer recorded more than 1,300 events since landing on the surface of Mars in November 2018 until it retired in December 2022. Most of the events InSight recorded are at high frequencies ≥2.4 Hz. The rest of the events, named the low‐frequency family, produce signals that travel through the planet's interior, allowing us to understand the interior structure when event locations can be determined. In order to use the single‐station approaches for computing the distance and the angle between the station and an event, at least two clear seismic phase arrivals (such as P‐ and S‐waves for distance and P‐wave for event angle) are required. However, marsquakes are often weak and do not always exhibit clear seismic phases; therefore, they cannot be assigned distances using traditional techniques. Here, we use the well‐understood, highest‐quality events as templates to investigate and assign a source region to the weaker seismic signals. Seismicity on Mars occurs mostly along or north of the boundary between the southern highlands and northern lowlands. Valles Marineris is seismically more active than previous catalogs of located events imply. Further, we show evidence that two events likely originate from the Olympus Mons region. Key Points: We use a similarity analysis and high quality marsquake templates from InSight to estimate distances of additional eventsCombining this with new backazimuth estimates we can relocate marsquakes and update the seismicity map of MarsOur results suggest clusters of seismicity have occurred nearby Valles Marineris and Olympus Mons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic response of a structure depends on its characteristics and the behavior of the surrounding soil. Determining the vibration periods and their modes is crucial for understanding and predicting the response to external loads. Often, these periods are estimated using theoretical formulas, which may not accurately reflect reality. In this study, measurements of microvibrations were used with seismographs to analyze a university building in Arequipa, Peru. Measurements were taken at 22 locations within the structure and one in the ground. The data were processed to eliminate noise and converted into frequency spectra. The fundamental vibration period was obtained, along with an approximation of its modes, and details regarding the resonance frequencies of the soil, thicknesses of strata beneath the structure, and S-wave velocities in the subsurface. This precise evaluation, not solely reliant on theoretical calculations, is crucial for ensuring compliance with design standards. Furthermore, this non-intrusive approach significantly reduces the time and costs associated with obtaining essential geotechnical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the shear wave velocity (VS) structures of sedimentary sequences and a section of the upper crustal layer in the Fukushima forearc region of the Japan Trench subduction zone, which were obtained by analysing the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratios of ambient vibration records. The H/V curves were derived using 31 d of continuous seismic data from 3 broad-band and 16 short-period ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) stations. Using the broad-band data, H/V ratios from 0.01 to 10 Hz were derived, but the ratios below 0.1 Hz frequencies were unusually large and temporally unstable. Characterization of seismic noise energy from ∼1 yr of seismic data of three broad-band OBSs revealed variable and elevated energy conditions below 0.1 Hz due to typical long-period oceanic noise; we link these observations with the unstable H/V ratios below this frequency. Therefore, H/V analysis was performed in the frequency range of 0.1–10 Hz for both broad-band and short-period OBSs to obtain subsurface VS profiles. For the forward calculation of the H/V ratios in the inversion process, we used the recently developed 'hvgeneralized' method, which is based on the diffuse field assumption, and accounts for the water layer on top of stratified media. Moreover, available prior geological and geophysical information was utilized during the inversion of the H/V curves. We found that subsurface VS ranged from approximately 30 m s−1 at the seabed to approximately 4900 m s−1 at 7000 m below the sea floor (mbsf). Starting with the best model candidate at each OBS location, the effect of the water layer on the H/V curve in the deep ocean was investigated by comparing synthetic H/V curves with and without the water layer. The synthetic H/V analysis revealed that the water layer had a significant effect on H/V amplitudes at higher frequencies (>1 Hz), whereas comparatively little effect was observed at lower frequencies (<1 Hz). This study provides an empirical basis for H/V analysis using OBS data to determine VS down to several kilometres of sedimentary sequences to the upper crust with high-resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2017–2019, a temporary seismic network of fifty-five 3-component broadband seismometers was installed by CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad, Telangana, in the Uttarakhand Himalayan region, India. We used digital waveform data of 21 local earthquakes of Mw 2.9–4.3 from nineteen 3-component broadband seismic stations of the above seismic network for computing source parameters of local earthquakes, through simultaneous inversion of shear wave (S-wave) spectra. Here, we used the ω square circular source spectral model of Brune (1970) to formulate the iterative inversion scheme to compute earthquake source parameters. The modelled corner-frequency (fc), source radius (r), seismic moment (Mo) and stress-drop (Δσ) vary from 2.4 to 4.0 Hz, 247–693 m, 2.4 × 1013 to 6.6 × 1015 N-m, 0.2–5.4 MPa, respectively. The maximum stress-drop (Δσmax) is computed to be 5.4 MPa for an event of Mw 4.3 while the minimum stress drop (Δσmin) is computed to be 0.2 MPa for an event of Mw 2.9. The scaling relations between Mo and fc is obtained as Mo = 3.2E + 17fc−5.5, while Mo and Δσ are modelled to be related as Mo = 4.59E + 13∆σ2.5. This relationship could be very useful for the future seismic-hazard assessment of the Uttarakhand Himalayan region. Research Highlights: Modelled source parameters of local earthquakes and scaling relationship in the Uttarakhand Himalayan region. Local earthquakes magnitude range of 2.9–4.3. Mo, r, fc, and ∆σ are 2.4×1013–6.6×1015 N-m. 247.0–693.0 m, 2.4–4.0 Hz, 0.2–5.4 MPa, respectively. Mofc5.5 ∝ constant & Mo∆σ2.5 ∝ constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear wave velocities provide an important constraint on crustal lithology. Limited crustal shear wave data are available from the ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridges. We combine observations of both compressional (P) and shear (S) waves in ocean–bottom seismometer data from the Southwest Indian Ridge to determine crustal P -wave velocity (Vp), S- wave velocity (Vs), Vp / Vs and Poisson's ratio variations along the ridge at 49°17′E–50°49′E. Similar layered crustal structures were revealed beneath both the magmatically robust segment centres (Vp / Vs of 1.76–1.94, Poisson's ratio of 0.26–0.32) and the non-transform discontinuity (NTD) between them (Vp / Vs of 1.76–2.03 and Poisson's ratio of 0.26–0.34). Because laboratory measurements show an overlap in Poisson's ratio between mafic igneous and ultramafic rocks, particularly at Vp values typical of oceanic Layer 3, it can be difficult to distinguish crustal composition using this parameter only. However, our observed Vp gradients of 0.1 ± 0.1 s−1 suggest that in this area, oceanic Layer 3 consists primarily of mafic igneous rocks both at segment centres and at the NTD. Oceanic crustal Layers 2A and 2B above are likely also to consist of mafic igneous rocks, with some evidence for increased fracturing at the NTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear wave velocity (Vs) estimations of accretionary prisms can pose unique constraints to the physical properties of rocks, which are hard to obtain from compressional velocities (Vp) alone. Thus, it would help better understand the fluid processes of the accretion system. This study investigates the Vs structure of the Hyuga‐nada accretionary prism using an array of ocean‐bottom seismometers (OBSs) with a 2 km radius. Teleseismic Green's functions and a surface wave dispersion curve are inverted to one‐dimensional Vs structures using transdimensional inversion. The results indicate the presence of a low‐velocity zone 3–4 km below the seafloor. The reduced Vs corresponds to a reduced Vp feature obtained in a previous seismic refraction survey, and the high Vp/Vs ratio suggests the presence of high pore fluid pressure. In addition, the resolved lithological boundary exhibits a sharp offset that extends laterally across the OBS array. We attribute this offset to a blind fault below while acknowledging other possibilities, such as due to mud diapirism or intense fracturing. The predicted fault is located at the Kyushu–Palau Ridge flank, oriented roughly parallel to the ridge axis, and thus likely caused by ridge subduction. This fault may act as a fluid conduit, contributing to the formation of a fluid reservoir beneath the compacted sediment layers. Plain Language Summary: Propagation speeds of seismic S‐waves offer unique constraints on physical properties in shallow subduction zones, which is hard to know from only seismic P‐wave velocity. This study investigates the subsurface structure in Hyuga‐nada in the southwestern Japan subduction zone by exploring S‐wave speeds. For this purpose, we use natural seismic and noise data recorded by densely installed ocean‐bottom seismometers. The results reveal a region with a reduced S‐wave velocity at a depth of ∼3–4 km below the seafloor, which may be a water reservoir. The depth of the potential water reservoir changes abruptly across the array. This offset may suggest the presence of a hidden fault below, although we cannot exclude other possibilities. We propose that a fault created by subducting seamounts acts as a conduit that transports water to the reservoir. Key Points: The shear wave velocity structures of the shallow Hyuga‐nada accretionary prism were derived using a passive seismic arrayA low shear‐wave velocity zone exists ∼3–4 km below the seafloor, possibly indicative of a fluid reservoirA Fault induced by the subducting Kyushu–Palau Ridge may act as a fluid pathway, supplying fluids to the reservoir [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shallow crustal structure of Mars records the evolutionary history of the planet, which is crucial for understanding the early Martian geological environment. Until now, seismic constraints on the Martian crust have come primarily from the receiver functions (RFs). However, analysis of the Mars RFs did not focus on the shallow structure (1–5 km) so far due to the limitation of the signal‐to‐noise ratio at high frequencies for most events. Here, we take advantage of the S1222a and six other marsquakes, which exhibit high signal‐to‐noise ratios, to probe the shallow structure of Mars. We observe a converted S‐wave at approximately 1 s after the direct P‐wave in the high‐frequency P‐wave RFs. This suggests a discontinutity at 2‐km depth between highly fractured and more coherent crustal materials. Plain Language Summary: The Martian shallow crustal structure is essential for understanding the geological evolution of Mars. The InSight lander successfully deployed a seismic station on Mars in late 2018, aiming to investigate the internal structure of Mars. Since most marsquakes detected previously have a low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) at high frequencies, most seismic analyses do not focus on the shallow structure of Mars (1–5 km). However, when the InSight seismometer was near the end of its observational lifetime, a large marsquake occurred on sol 1222 with significant high‐frequency energy, far more than the noise level, allowing us to study the Martian shallow structure. We calculate the high‐frequency P‐wave receiver function (RF) of S1222a and extract a converted S‐wave at approximately 1 s after the direct P‐wave. To confirm the result, we also compute P‐wave RFs for high SNR events that occurred before. We observe this ∼1‐s signal in the high‐frequency P‐wave RFs of two additional large events as well. Combined with the geological analysis adjacent to the InSight lander, we attribute this 1‐s converted S‐wave to a discontinuity at approximately 2 km depth, probably corresponding to the bottom of highly fractured crustal materials beneath the InSight landing site. Key Points: We calculate high‐frequency P‐wave receiver functions (RF) from InSight seismic data of seven marsquakes with high signal‐to‐noise ratiosThe high‐frequency RFs exhibit a converted S‐wave at approximately 1 sThe ∼1‐s converted S‐wave suggests a discontinuity at a depth of approximately 2 km beneath the InSight lander [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow slip events in the northern Hikurangi margin of Aotearoa New Zealand occur every 18–24 months and last for several weeks before returning to average convergence rates of around 38 mm/yr. Along this plate boundary, the Hikurangi plateau subducts beneath the overlying Australian plate and slow slip events occur along their plate interface at depths between 2 and 15 km. To explore whether there is a temporal relationship between slow slip events and earthquake occurrence, the Regressive ESTimator automated phase arrival detection and onset estimation algorithm was applied to a data set of continuous waveform data collected by both land and ocean bottom seismometers. This detector uses an autoregressive algorithm with iterative refinement to first detect seismic events and then create a catalog of hypocenters and P and S wave arrival times. Results are compared with an available catalog of manually detected seismic events. The auto‐detector was able to find more than three times the number of events detected by analysts. With our newly assembled data set of automatically detected earthquakes, we were able to determine that there was an increase in the rate of earthquake occurrence during the 2014 slow slip event. Plain Language Summary: While most tectonic plates move at very slow speeds, two other types of motions are known: the rapid plate movement of an earthquake, where a plate moves by centimeters to meters in a few seconds, and a more puzzling type of motion in which a plate moves a similar distance but over weeks to months. This latter movement is called a "slow slip event" and is known to occur in subduction zones around the world. We still do not understand the relationship between slow slip events and earthquakes. To explore this interaction, we used automatic detection of earthquakes in data collected from the seafloor overlying a known region of slow slip movement near New Zealand. We were then able to build a catalog of earthquakes that is more consistent and over three times larger than the number of earthquakes detected by human analysts. With this new set of seismic events, we found that the occurrence of small earthquakes increased during a 2014 slow slip event and gradually returned to their baseline after the slow slip stopped, suggesting a link between the processes that lead to these enigmatic slow‐motion earthquakes and the more typical earthquake motions. Key Points: We used an automatic detector and locator of earthquakes for an ocean bottom seismic data set from offshore New ZealandThe automated method provides a threefold increase in detections compared to manual pickingThe newly built database allowed us to observe an increase in seismicity during the 2014 slow slip event in the Hikurangi margin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the characteristics of high-frequency (> 1 Hz) S and S-coda waves at ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSs), we analyzed seismograms observed at permanent OBSs and inland broadband seismometers around the Kii Peninsula in southwest Japan along the Nankai Trough. The coda amplitudes (both horizontal and vertical) at the OBSs were much larger than those at the inland rock-site stations. Because coda amplitudes relative to those at inland rock-site stations have been used as site-amplification factors, large site amplifications for both components can be expected due to the presence of thick oceanic sediments just below the OBSs; however, the observed maximum S-wave amplitudes in the vertical component exhibited similar attenuation trends against epicentral distances at both OBS and inland stations. To clarify the causes of this discrepancy, we conducted numerical simulations of seismic wave propagation using various three-dimensional seismic velocity structure models. The results demonstrated that coda waves at OBSs mostly comprise multiple scattered waves within a thick (> 2 km) sedimentary layer; consequently, coda amplitudes at OBSs become much larger than those at inland rock-site stations. Our numerical simulations also confirmed the generation of large coda amplitudes at regions with seawater depths ≥ 4 km, where no OBS was deployed. However, the thick sedimentary layer and seawater have limited effects on maximum S-wave amplitudes at the OBSs. Given that the effects of a thick sedimentary layer and seawater on S and S-coda waves differ, we concluded that the coda-normalization technique for site-amplification correction against a rock-site station could not be applied if stations are located within regions above the thick sedimentary layer or deeper sea depths. The site amplifications at the OBSs were corrected according to the horizontal-to-vertical ratios at each OBS; we adjusted the simulated horizontal envelopes at the OBSs using these ratios of the observed S-coda waves. As well as inland seismometers, the site-corrected simulation results practically reproduced the observed high-frequency envelopes at OBSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-net is a large-scale ocean bottom (OB) network in the Japan Trench area, consisting of inline-type 150 observatories equipped with seismometers and pressure gauges. Among them, 41 observatories have been buried about one meter beneath the seafloors in the shallow water regions (water depth <1500 m). We analyzed the strong-motion data recorded at the S-net sites from earthquakes with magnitudes 3.5 < Mw ≤ 7 and focal depths < 70 km to understand the site amplification effect on the recorded motions. We used the spectral inversion technique and obtained some fundamental properties of the earthquake source spectra, path attenuation, and site factors from the horizontal-component S-wave portions of the recordings. We obtained that the source spectra followed the ω - 2 source model generally well, and the estimated magnitudes were mostly within ± 0.3 magnitude units of the catalog magnitudes. The stress drops increased systematically with the focal depths, and the values for the shallow earthquakes in the Pacific Plate were higher than those for the interplate earthquakes with comparable focal depths. The path-averaged quality factors were generally frequency-dependent and were somewhat larger than those in the past studies. The peak site frequencies ranged between about 0.2 and 10 Hz, while the peak amplification factors ranged between 10 and 50. Even though the peak frequencies and amplification factors differed from site to site, the peak frequencies were mostly higher than 2 Hz at the outer trench stations, while they were lower than 2 Hz at many inner trench stations. The amplification factors at a few OB sites in the shallow water regions were comparable with the theoretical ones computed from the 1-D subsea model. The amplification factors at intermediate frequencies (~ 0.3 to 2 Hz) generally increased with P-wave travel time in the sediments estimated from the multi-channel seismic survey. At about 20% of the sites (mainly at the unburied stations), spurious site spectra were recognized at frequencies higher than about 4 Hz. If the site spectra between 4 and 10 Hz are required, using only the X-component records is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We first successfully report shear wave splitting measurements on the direct S wave of marsquakes recorded by InSight. • The shear wave splitting of the direct S wave in marsquakes suggests seismic anisotropy within Mars • To account for the direct S -wave splitting, seismic anisotropy from the deeper region (> 10 km) of Mars is required. • This implies the aligned cracks in the crust are greater than 10 km beneath the InSight and/or the existence of mantle flow underneath the Elysium Planitia of Mars. Seismic anisotropy, arising from the crystallographic/lattice-preferred orientation of anisotropic minerals or the shape-preferred orientation of melts or cracks, can establish a critical link between Mars's past evolution and its current state. So far, seismic anisotropy in Mars has been proposed due to different velocities of vertically and horizontally polarized shear waves in the Martian crust, obtained from crustal converted waves, multiples, and surface waves recorded by the InSight seismometer. However, the shear wave splitting, which stands out as a straightforward indicator of seismic anisotropy, has not been reported using marsquake records. In this study, we employ low-frequency marsquakes detected by the InSight seismometer to reveal shear wave splitting in marsquake recordings. We find that the direct S waves of three marsquake recordings (S0173a, S0235b, and S1133c) with high signal-to-noise ratios exhibit the splitting phenomenon. We rule out the possibility of apparent anisotropy through synthetic tests, affirming the presence of seismic anisotropy in Mars. The delay time measured from the direct S wave splitting is too large to be solely attributed to the seismic anisotropy in the upper crust (0 – 10 km) beneath the InSight. Thus, seismic anisotropy in the deeper region of Mars is required. Combined with other geophysical evidence near the InSight landing site, the seismic anisotropy observed in this study implies the aligned cracks in the crust are greater than 10 km beneath the InSight and/or the existence of mantle flow underneath the Elysium Planitia of Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conduct a high‐resolution teleseismic receiver function investigation of the subducting plate interface within the Alaskan forearc beneath Kodiak Island using data collected as part of the Alaska Amphibious Community Seismic Experiment in 2019. The Kodiak node array consisted of 398 nodal geophones deployed at ∼200–300 m spacing on northeastern Kodiak Island within the southern asperity of the 1964 Mw9.2 Great Alaska earthquake. Receiver function images at frequencies of 1.2 and 2.4 Hz show a coherent, slightly dipping velocity increase at ∼30–40 km depth consistent with the expected slab Moho. In contrast to studies within the northern asperity of the 1964 rupture, we find no evidence for a prominent low‐velocity layer above the slab Moho thick enough to be resolved by upgoing P‐to‐S conversions. These results support evidence from seismicity and geodetic strain suggesting that the 1964 rupture connected northern (Kenai) and southern (Kodiak) asperities with different plate interface properties. Plain Language Summary: We use 398 portable seismometers that were deployed as part of the Alaska Amphibious Community Seismic Experiment to image the boundary between the subducting Pacific plate and the base of the North American plate. The seismometers, spaced ∼200–300 m apart, were stationed on Kodiak Island in 2019 within the southern rupture area of the 1964 Mw9.2 Great Alaska earthquake. We analyze conversions from compressional to shear waves from distant earthquakes to understand the conditions of the plate interface. Our results show a dipping velocity increase at ∼30–40 km depth at the expected location of the Pacific slab crust‐mantle boundary. In contrast to prior results from the northern 1964 rupture zone, we do not find a low‐velocity layer on the subducting plate. Our results indicate that the 1964 rupture connected segments of the Alaskan subduction zone with different plate interface properties. Key Points: We present receiver function imaging from a dense three‐component nodal array deployment on Kodiak Island above the subducting Pacific PlateA clear slab Moho conversion is found but, in contrast to the Kenai Peninsula, there is no coherent low‐velocity layer atop the slabThe 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake ruptured across structural segments with different plate interface properties [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downgoing/upgoing P/S-wave decomposition of ocean-bottom seismic (OBS) multicomponent data can help suppress the water-layer multiples and cross-talks between P- and S-waves, and therefore plays an important role in seismic migration and construction of P- and S-wave velocity models. We proposed novel composite calibration filters by introducing an additional dimension to the calibration of the particle velocity components, extending the wave-equation-based adaptive decomposition method. We also modified the existing workflow by jointly using primary reflections at near-to-medium offsets and ocean-bottom refractions at far offsets in the calibration optimization. The decomposition scheme with the novel calibration filters yielded satisfactory results in a deep-water OBS field data decomposition example. Expected decomposition effects, such as the enhancement of primary reflections and the attenuation of water-layer multiple events, can be observed in the decomposed upgoing wavefields. An experiment illustrated the effectiveness of composite calibration filters that compensated for unexpected velocity errors along the offset dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and implementation of a performance protocol for local seismicity monitoring, is presented. A low-cost seismograph was installed in an area of high seismic activity in Evgiros, Lefkada Island, Greece, collocated with a high resolution 24-bit digitizer equipped with a broadband seismometer. A testing list of 28 local events with different epicenters and magnitudes has been compiled while acquisition data from the conventional seismograph and the proposed one were analyzed. Stochastic data analysis was used to compare these recordings on the same test site with different logging devices. The obtained results showed a satisfactory outcome in the performance of the proposed low-cost seismograph. Even though noise was present, P and S waves were clearly recorded with distinct amplitudes and therefore this arrival time difference, when compared with the one originating from the conventional seismograph, was found to be insignificant. Moreover, through a known magnitude equation, it manages to calculate earthquake's local magnitude with a deviation of ± 0.4, a result that can be further improved. Lastly, spectral content analysis revealed almost identical waveforms with equivalent relative frequency distributions between the devices being compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using P and S wave receiver functions and P and S wave travel time residuals, we have found velocity models for 16 seismograph stations in Eastern Anatolia. Our study is focused mainly on the mantle lithosphere, asthenosphere and transition zone. The volcanism and uplift of the Eastern Anatolia Plateau are thought to be related to the Bitlis slab break off and delamination of the continental lithosphere. Sinking cold slab and lithospheric drips can reduce temperature in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) by up to a few hundred degrees C. However, our analysis of seismic data provides no robust evidence of significant cooling of the transition zone. In the mantle immediately above the 410-km discontinuity there is a pronounced low S wave velocity layer that may be a source of the volcanism in the study region. Another low velocity layer is present at the base of the MTZ. The obtained S wave velocity models of the upper mantle can be divided into three groups. In the first group, the lithosphere—asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is at a depth of ~ 60 km. In the second group, the LAB is at a depth from 90 to 100 km. In the third group, the mantle lithosphere is practically absent. On a scale of our analysis there is no clear correspondence between the obtained mantle velocity models and the volcanism (< 23 Ma) exposed at the surface. Only the models of the first group are well represented in the neighboring Central Anatolian Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern margin of the Ligurian Basin shows notable seismicity at the Alpine front, including frequent magnitude 4 events. Seismicity decreases offshore towards the Basin centre and Corsica, revealing a diffuse distribution of low-magnitude earthquakes. We analyse data of the amphibious AlpArray seismic network with focus on the offshore component, the AlpArray ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) network, consisting of 24 broadband OBSs deployed for 8 months, to reveal the seismicity and depth distribution of micro-earthquakes beneath the Ligurian Sea. Two clusters occurred between ∼ 10 km to ∼ 16 km depth below the sea surface, within the lower crust and uppermost mantle. Thrust faulting focal mechanisms indicate compression and an inversion of the Ligurian Basin, which is an abandoned Oligocene–Miocene rift basin. The basin inversion is suggested to be related to the Africa–Europe plate convergence. The locations and focal mechanisms of seismicity suggest reactivation of pre-existing rift-related structures. Slightly different striking directions of presumed rift-related faults in the basin centre compared to faults further east and hence away from the rift basin may reflect the counter-clockwise rotation of the Corsica–Sardinia block. High mantle S-wave velocities and a low Vp/Vs ratio support the hypothesis of strengthening of crust and uppermost mantle during the Oligocene–Miocene rifting-related extension and thinning of continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ML 3.8 earthquake occurred in Rushan County On October 1, 2013, Shandong Province, eastern China. After this event, there are already more than 19 600 seismic events recorded by digital seismic seismographs, forming an earthquake sequence. Although three moderate and strong earthquakes occurred successively during this period, the surface rupture undiscovered, it is difficult to diagnose the seismogenic fault from the geological perspective. However, the 3-D velocity structure inversion can provide important information on the location of the moderate earthquakes of the source area, which can help to understand the formation of earthquakes. Compared with source locations, the focal mechanisms can visually reflect the geometric and kinematic characteristics of seismogenic fault rupture, being the basis for inferring the regional tectonic stress field. Moreover, changing the stress field will affect the geometric parameters of the crack and change the shear-wave splitting parameters. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the processes of earthquakes and the seismogenic mechanisms utilizing the spatiotemporal variation of shear wave splitting parameters. In summary, we comprehensively analyzed the seismogenic fault of the Rushan earthquake sequence (RES) with the help of the above methods. The resluts showed that the seismogenic fault of RES is towards the NWW-SEE direction and dips towards the southwest, dominated by high-angle strike-slip movements with certain thrust dip-slip components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site and path effects are always required to isolate the source term from a recorded seismograph for the estimation of source characteristics. In this paper, the site and path effects are assessed in terms of site amplification and anelastic attenuation (quality factor), respectively, to obtain an isolated source term for the estimation of earthquake source parameters in the Kinnaur Himalaya. These terms are then applied to calculate the source parameters of 75 local earthquakes in the range 1.5 ≤ moment magnitude (Mw) ≤ 3.6 recorded in the Kinnaur region. The scaling relations of earthquake source parameters are also established for this region. The site amplification curves and S-wave quality factor Qs(f) are determined and further utilized to correct the Fourier spectrum of earthquake records. The obtained source spectrum corrected for these two terms is compared with the theoretical source spectrum based on the Brune (J Geophys Res 75:4997–5009, 1970) source model. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the observed and theoretical spectrum is formulated by implementing iterative forward modeling. The obtained range of source parameters of 75 events reveals ranges of 2.73 × 1011–3.44 × 1014 N-m for seismic moment, 0.03–13 bar for stress drop, 0.3–0.9 km for source radius, and 5.64 × 1002–1.19 × 1008 J for radiated energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution history of the Sea of Japan back-arc basin remains under debate, involving the opening of sub-basins such as the Japan and Yamato Basins. Detailed knowledge of the lithospheric structure will provide the key to understanding tectonic history. This study identifies the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) beneath the Sea of Japan back-arc basin using S-receiver functions (S-RFs). The study area, including the Japan and Yamato Basins, has been instrumented with broadband ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSs). S-RFs from these OBSs show negative Sp phases preceding the direct S arrivals, suggesting the LAB. The S-RFs also show abnormally reduced amplitudes. For further qualitative interpretation of these findings, we conduct transdimensional Bayesian inversion for S-wave velocity models. This less-subjective Bayesian approach clarifies that the low-velocity seafloor sediments and damped deconvolution contribute to the amplitude reduction, illuminating the necessity of such considerations for similar receiver function works. Inverted velocity structures show a sharp velocity decrease at the mantle depths, which we consider the LAB. The obtained LAB depths vary among sites: ~ 45 km beneath the Japan and Yamato Basins and ~ 70 km beneath the Yamato Rise, a bathymetric high between the two basins. The thick lithosphere beneath the Yamato Rise most likely reflects its continental origin. However, the thickness is still thin compared to that of eastern Asia, suggesting lithosphere extension by rifting. Notably, the Japan and Yamato Basins show a comparable lithospheric thickness, although the crustal thickness beneath the Yamato Basin is known to be anomalously thick. This consistency in the lithospheric thickness implies that both basins undergo similar back-arc opening processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Formosa array, with 137 broadband seismometers and ∼5 km station spacing, was deployed recently in Northern Taiwan. Here by using eight months of continuous ambient noise records, we construct the first high‐resolution three‐dimensional (3‐D) shear wave velocity model of the crust in the area. We first calculate multi‐component cross‐correlations to extract robust Rayleigh wave signals. We then determine phase velocity maps between 3 and 10 s periods using Eikonal tomography and measure Rayleigh wave ellipticity at each station location between 2 and 13 s periods. For each location, we jointly invert the two types of Rayleigh wave measurements with a Bayesian‐based inversion method for a one‐dimensional shear wave velocity model. All piecewise continuous one‐dimensional models are then used to construct the final 3‐D model. Our 3‐D model reveals upper crustal structures that correlate well with surface geological features. Near the surface, the model delineates the low‐velocity Taipei and Ilan Basins from the adjacent fast‐velocity mountainous areas, with basin geometries consistent with the results of previous geophysical exploration and geological studies. At a greater depth, low velocity anomalies are observed associated with the Linkou Tableland, Tatun Volcano Group, and a possible dyke intrusion beneath the Southern Ilan Basin. The model also provides new geometrical constraints on the major active fault systems in the area, which are important to understand the basin formation, orogeny dynamics, and regional seismic hazard. The new 3‐D shear wave velocity model allows a comprehensive investigation of shallow geologic structures in the Northern Taiwan. Plain Language Summary: Around 137 broadband seismometers have recently been installed with ∼5 km uniform station spacing across the entire Northern Taiwan. The new array, named Formosa array, provides new opportunities in studying detailed subsurface structure associated with geological features in the areas such as basins and faults. Here we first extract coherent seismic surface waves propagating between all station pairs from ambient noise records using seismic interferometry. We then measure the propagation wave speed and the ellipticity of the ground particle motion across the entire array. By using the complimentary sensitivity of the measurements, we construct a high‐resolution 3‐D crustal shear wave velocity model between the surface and ∼12 km depth. Our model illuminates detailed subsurface geometry of the Taipei and Ilan Basins, locations and dips of major active faults in the areas, and possible magmatic structures associated with the Tatun Volcano Group and the active geothermal area in Southern Ilan. Getting clearer images of such shallow structures are important not only to understand the geological processes in an extensional tectonic setting but also to better assess the regional geohazards. Key Points: A new Three‐dimensional shear wave velocity model of Northern Taiwan is constructed using Rayleigh wave H/V ratios and phase velocitiesThe addition of H/V ratio measurements allows detailed shallow crustal structure to be resolved with sub‐kilometer depth resolutionThe resolved fine crustal structures provide new geometrical constraints on basin formation and orogeny dynamics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detailed studies of converted S-waves recorded on the Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) can provide evidence for constraining lithology and geophysical properties. However, the research of converted S-waves remains a weakness, especially the S-waves' inversion. In this study, we applied a travel-time inversion method of converted S-waves to obtain the crustal S-wave velocity along the profile NS5. The velocities of the crust are determined by the following four aspects: (1) modelling the P-wave velocity, (2) constrained sediments Vp/Vs ratios and S-wave velocity using PPS phases, (3) the correction of PSS phases' travel-time, and (4) appropriate parameters and initial model are selected for inversion. Our results show that the vs. and Vp/Vs of the crust are 3.0–4.4 km/s and 1.71–1.80, respectively. The inversion model has a similar trend in velocity and Vp/Vs ratios with the forward model, due to a small difference with ∆Vs of 0.1 km/s and ∆Vp/Vs of 0.03 between two models. In addition, the high-resolution inversion model has revealed many details of the crustal structures, including magma conduits, which further supports our method as feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very-low-frequency (VLF) sound has significant potential for underwater detection and estimation of geoacoustic models of the ocean bottom structure. In marine settings, one type of VLF sound is the interface wave. These waves, trapped near the fluid–solid interface, are called Scholte waves, and this is the subject of this study. A field experiment was carried out in the South China Sea with the objective of exciting Scholte waves and investigating the propagation. The data were acquired by an ocean bottom seismometer, deployed on the seafloor. A large volume airgun array near the sea surface provided the sound source. The fundamental and three higher-order mode Scholte waves were excited. The Scholte waves are investigated by seismograms and a phase velocity inversion. The observed frequencies are in the range of 1.0–2.9 Hz. The energy attenuation is proportional to 1 / r at the peak frequency 1.4 Hz. The shear wave speed structure, down to 600 m beneath the seafloor, is revealed from the dispersion curves by a least-squares inversion algorithm. The inversion result shows that the shear wave speed is below 300 m/s in the uppermost layer, which explains well the weak excitation of Scholte waves in this experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) have been widely used in studies of oceanic crustal structure. However, it is challenging to estimate the oceanic crustal structure using teleseismic P waves recorded at a single OBS station, due to water reverberations and the close arrival time between the Moho-converted Ps phase and its multiples. We propose herein a method (the H–β algorithm) based on wavefield continuation and decomposition, whereby the oceanic crustal thickness and average S wave velocity can be estimated by minimizing the energy of the upgoing S wave within the uppermost mantle. Forward tests indicate that the H–β algorithm can resolve the thickness and S-wave velocity of each crustal layer robustly. We apply this method to an OBS station near Hawaii (station PL11) and obtain the oceanic crustal structure beneath the station. The resolved crustal thickness is consistent with previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean‐bottom seismometers (OBSs) commonly record short‐duration events (SDEs) that could be described by all of these characteristics: (i) duration <1 s, (ii) one single‐wave train with no identified P nor S wave arrivals, and (iii) a dominant frequency usually between 4 and 30 Hz. In many areas, SDEs have been associated with gas‐ or fluid‐related processes near cold seeps or hydrothermal vents, although fish bumps, instrumental, or current‐generated noise have been proposed as possible sources. In order to address some remaining issues, this study presents results from in situ and laboratory experiments combined with observations from two contrasting areas, the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) and the Chilean subduction zone. The in situ experiment was conducted at the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory‐Molène submarine observatory (near Brest, France) and consisted in continuously monitoring two OBSs with a camera. The images revealed that no fish regularly bumped into the instruments. Laboratory experiments aimed at reproducing SDEs' waveforms by injecting air or water in a tank filled by sand and seawater and monitored with an OBS. Injecting air in the sediments produced waveforms very similar to the observed SDEs, while injecting air in the water column did not, constraining the source of SDEs in the seafloor sediments. Finally, the systematic analysis of two real data sets revealed that it is possible to discriminate gas‐related SDEs from biological or sea state‐related noise from simple source parameters, such as the temporal mode of occurrence, the back azimuth, and the dominant frequency. Plain Language Summary: Ocean‐bottom seismometers are instruments deployed on the ocean floor to study earthquakes and other sources of noise. They can record large teleseismic earthquakes, like all seismometers, and more specifically smaller submarine earthquakes. However, they also record noise generated by volcanoes, anthropogenic, or biological activity (whale calls). In particular, short events, lasting less than a second, have been reported worldwide with similar characteristics but their origin is still debated. They have been interpreted as fish hitting the instrument, signals generated by hydrothermal activity or by gas expelled out of the sediments. Here, we continuously monitored ocean‐bottom seismometers with a camera and show that no fish accidentally stroke the instruments. Then, during laboratory experiments we demonstrate that gas expelled out of the marine sediments into the water can produce short signals very similar to those recorded by the seismometers in real conditions. Finally, we analyzed data from two experiments, one in the Sea of Marmara and the other offshore Chile. We show that short events are generated by gas expelled into the water. This study thus demonstrates the use of marine seismometers to monitor processes related to gas in the sea, which has direct impacts for better quantifying natural risks. Key Points: Short‐duration high‐amplitude events routinely recorded on marine seismometers are not created by fish bumping into the geophoneIn laboratory experiments, the waveforms of these events are well reproduced by fluid migration in the sedimentsWe propose three simple source parameters to discriminate gas‐related short‐duration events in OBS data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xiaojiang Fault Zone (XJF) is an important boundary fault on the southeast border of the Tibetan Plateau, with a complex subterranean structure and strong tectonic activity. In the present study, 252 seismograph stations were deployed in the northern section of the XJF to collect ambient noise data in a span of 35 days. The minimum resolution attained was 2 km × 2 km to develop a high-precision underground velocity structure model. The velocity model helped in revealing that the low-velocity distribution originated below the XJF. It was also found that the fault, which is the primary channel for magma to rise, might be the cause of the upper crustal deformation of the XJF. The Dongchuan mining area is located to the west of the XJF, which has a low-velocity structure. However, the high-velocity structure appeared on both sides of the ore body. It is speculated that the ore was formed by magma intrusion. The intrusion serves as a heat source for the mining area and promotes deposit formation. [Display omitted] • A short-period dense array based ambient noise tomography for Xiaojiang fault. • High and low velocity 3D structure under Xiaojiang fault. • Deep ore metallogenesis constraints beneath the Dongchuan ore field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient seismic noise or microtremor observations used in spatial auto-correlation (SPAC) array methods consist of a wide frequency range of surface waves from the frequency of about 0.1 Hz to several tens of Hz. The wavelengths (and hence depth sensitivity of such surface waves) allow determination of the site S-wave velocity model from a depth of 1 or 2 m down to a maximum of several kilometres; it is a passive seismic method using only ambient noise as the energy source. Application usually uses a 2D seismic array with a small number of seismometers (generally between 2 and 15) to estimate the phase velocity dispersion curve and hence the S-wave velocity depth profile for the site. A large number of methods have been proposed and used to estimate the dispersion curve; SPAC is the one of the oldest and the most commonly used methods due to its versatility and minimal instrumentation requirements. We show that direct fitting of observed and model SPAC spectra generally gives a superior bandwidth of useable data than does the more common approach of inversion after the intermediate step of constructing an observed dispersion curve. Current case histories demonstrate the method with a range of array types including two-station arrays, L-shaped multi-station arrays, triangular and circular arrays. Array sizes from a few metres to several-km in diameter have been successfully deployed in sites ranging from downtown urban settings to rural and remote desert sites. A fundamental requirement of the method is the ability to average wave propagation over a range of azimuths; this can be achieved with either or both of the wave sources being widely distributed in azimuth, and the use of a 2D array sampling the wave field over a range of azimuths. Several variants of the method extend its applicability to under-sampled data from sparse arrays, the complexity of multiple-mode propagation of energy, and the problem of precise estimation where array geometry departs from an ideal regular array. We find that sparse nested triangular arrays are generally sufficient, and the use of high-density circular arrays is unlikely to be cost-effective in routine applications. We recommend that passive seismic arrays should be the method of first choice when characterizing average S-wave velocity to a depth of 30 m (Vs30) and deeper, with active seismic methods such as multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) being a complementary method for use if and when conditions so require. The use of computer inversion methodology allows estimation of not only the S-wave velocity profile but also parameter uncertainties in terms of layer thickness and velocity. The coupling of SPAC methods with horizontal/vertical particle motion spectral ratio analysis generally allows use of lower frequency data, with consequent resolution of deeper layers than is possible with SPAC alone. Considering its non-invasive methodology, logistical flexibility, simplicity, applicability, and stability, the SPAC method and its various modified extensions will play an increasingly important role in site effect evaluation. The paper summarizes the fundamental theory of the SPAC method, reviews recent developments, and offers recommendations for future blind studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method of multiple scales is used to examine the slow modulation of a harmonic surface shear horizontal wave over the surface of a non-linear elastic half space covered with two different non-linear elastic layers of uniform thickness. The appropriate non-linear Schrödinger (NLS) equation is derived with coefficients that depend, in a complicated way, on linear and non-linear material parameters of the double-layered half space, the thicknesses of the layers and also the wave number of the waves. This equation reduces to the NLS equation obtained for the case of a single-layered half space when the thickness of one of the layers goes to zero. Finally, the effect of the non-linear properties of the intermediate layer on the existence of solitary waves has been investigated numerically and the results are presented graphically. Also, to reveal the effect of the second layer, the coefficients of the NLS equations obtained for a double-layered half space and for a single-layered half space are compared. It has been observed that the propagation is affected considerably by the existence of a second layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2017 Guptkashi earthquake occurred in a segment of the Himalayan arc with high potential for a strong earthquake in the near future. In this context, a careful analysis of the earthquake is important as it may shed light on source and ground motion characteristics during future earthquakes. Using the earthquake recording on a single broadband strong-motion seismograph installed at the epicenter, we estimate the earthquake’s location (30.546° N, 79.063° E), depth (H = 19 km), the seismic moment (M0 = 1.12×1017 Nm, Mw5.3), the focal mechanism (φ = 280°, δ = 14°, λ = 84°), the source radius (a = 1.3 km), and the static stress drop (Δσs~22 MPa). The event occurred just above the Main Himalayan Thrust. S-wave spectra of the earthquake at hard sites in the arc are well approximated (assuming ω−2 source model) by attenuation parameters Q(f) = 500f0.9, κ = 0.04 s, and fmax = infinite, and a stress drop of Δσ = 70 MPa. Observed and computed peak ground motions, using stochastic method along with parameters inferred from spectral analysis, agree well with each other. These attenuation parameters are also reasonable for the observed spectra and/or peak ground motion parameters in the arc at distances ≤ 200 km during five other earthquakes in the region (4.6 ≤ Mw ≤ 6.9). The estimated stress drop of the six events ranges from 20 to 120 MPa. Our analysis suggests that attenuation parameters given above may be used for ground motion estimation at hard sites in the Himalayan arc via the stochastic method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows a formulation that allows obtaining theoretical results that show the energy contents associated with the propagation of compressional and shear seismic waves (P- and S-waves respectively) for the case of a two-dimensional medium. During the propagation of seismic waves, the energy contents of P- and S-waves show fixed proportions according to the properties of the medium where they propagate (i.e. density, wave propagation velocity and Poisson ratio). Theoretically, a material with a Poisson ratio of 0.35 implies that P-waves will only represent 18.75% of the total energy while the other 81.25% will be contributed by S-waves. For a Poisson ratio of 0.45, S-waves will be enormously powerful and contribute with 91.67% of the total energy during propagation. On the other hand, it is also possible to obtain the energy contents through correlations of seismic motions by means of the interpretation of recovered seismograms. In this study, it is also shown that under certain conditions, the recovered energy converges to exact solutions. Our results are validated using published solutions showing an excellent agreement. In addition, theoretical examples have been developed simulating seismic noise and it has been found that energy contents of the P- and S-waves are also satisfied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing the surface-wave (Rayleigh-wave) dispersion properties to estimate subsurface S-wave velocity structure has become a popular method due to simple data collection and analysis procedure during the past decades. In particular, the promotion of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technique enhances its popularity due to the low-cost of ultra-dense observations. Moreover, under the same exploration requirement, the cost of the DAS data collection is much lower than that of the traditional acquisition implemented by the nodal seismographs. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the DAS application. Here, the multimodal surface-wave dispersion curves are successfully extracted from the phase-weighted stack of cross-correlation functions (CCFs) of the DAS data collected at Garner Valley Downhole Array field site, California by the proposed cylindrical-wave phase-shift. Then, the dispersion curves are inverted by the inversion workflow (expected to avoid the mode-misidentification) proposed by Yan et al. (2022a), consisting of staging strategy and pattern search with embedded Kuhn-Munkres (PSEKM) algorithm. Compared with other inversion schemes, the novel inversion method allows the presence of the observed values without prior mode-order definition in the inversion system, which omits the tedious and risky manual mode identification, and the mode-orders would be predicted dynamically during the inversion. The dispersion fittings for certain survey points indicate that the mode losses and aliasings appear to be widespread for the surface waves recorded on the free-surface. Finally, the S-wave velocity tomogram consistent with the geological materials of survey area is revealed. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of extracting the DAS-derived multimodal dispersion information and consequently obtaining a physical-reasonable subsurface S-wave velocity model. • Propose the cylindrical-wave phase-shift for dispersion spectrum calculation. • Construct a dedicated workflow for DAS data analysis. • The inversion method without high-mode order-label is adopted. • Mode-losses and aliasings of dispersion curves are revealed by our method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous inversion of P- and S-wave arrival times, collected during a 3-years Ocean Bottom Seismometer with Hydrophone (OBS/H) monitoring campaign, yields 1D P- and S-wave velocity models for the Ionian lithosphere (Central Mediterranean). The 1D model highlights the presence, in the Ionian upper mantle, of two layers characterized by high seismic P-wave velocity (S1 and S2, 6.3–6.7 and 7.5 km/s, respectively). These two layers, with thicknesses of about 3.3 km and 5 km, respectively, and ranging from ∼8 to ∼16 km in depth, are characterized by low S-wave velocity (S1 = 3.05–3.2 km/s, S2 = 3.85 km/s) and high values of V P /V S (S1 = 2.06–2.09, S2 = 1.95). This is a characteristic feature, often encountered in passive margins and is generally interpreted as partly serpentinized peridotite. The V P , V S and V P /V S values of S1 are consistent with 55–65% of serpentinization of the upper mantle, while the S2 ones are consistent with 15–25% of serpentinization. This research provides a crucial hint about the debated nature of the Ionian crust, suggesting its oceanic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SKS arrivals from ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) data from an offshore southern California deployment are analysed for shear wave splitting. The project involved 34 OBSs deployed for 12 months in a region extending up to 500 km west of the coastline into the oceanic Pacific plate. The measurement process consisted of removing the effects of anisotropy using a range of values for splitting fast directions and delay times to minimize energy along the transverse seismometer axis. Computed splitting parameters are unexpectedly similar to onland parameters, exhibiting WSW-ENE fast polarization directions and delays between 0.8 and 1.8 s, even for oceanic plate sites. This is the first SKS splitting study to extend across the entire boundary between the North America and Pacific plates, into the oceanic part of the Pacific plate. The splitting results show that the fast direction of anisotropy on the Pacific plate does not align with absolute plate motion (APM), and they extend the trend of anisotropy in southern California an additional 500 km west, well onto the oceanic Pacific plate. We model the finite strain and anisotropy within the asthenosphere associated with density-buoyancy driven mantle flow and the effects of APM. In the absence of plate motion effects, such buoyancy driven mantle flow would be NE-directed beneath the Pacific plate observations. The best-fit patterns of mantle flow are inferred from the tomography-based models that show primary influences from foundering higher-density zones associated with the history of subduction beneath North America. The new offshore SKS measurements, when combined with measurements onshore within the plate boundary zone, indicate that dramatic lateral variations in density-driven upper-mantle flow are required from offshore California into the plate boundary zone in California and western Basin and Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct S and Sdiff phases with anomalously low amplitudes are recorded for the earthquakes in Papua New Guinea by seismographs in northern America. According to the prediction by a standard 1D model, the amplitudes are the lowest at stations in southern California, at a distance and azimuth of around 95° and 55°, respectively, from the earthquake. The amplitude anomaly is more prominent at frequencies higher than 0.03 Hz. We checked and ruled out the possibility of the anomalies appearing because of the errors in the focal mechanism used in the reference synthetic waveform calculations. The observed anomaly distribution changes drastically with a relatively small shift in the location of the earthquake. The observations indicate that the amplitude reduction is likely due to the 3D shear velocity (Vs) structure, which deflects the wave energy away from the original ray paths. Moreover, some previous studies suggested that some of the S and Sdiff phases in our dataset are followed by a prominent postcursor and show a large travel time delay, which was explained by placing a large ultra-low velocity zone (ULVZ) located on the core-mantle boundary southwest of Hawaii. In this study, we evaluated the extent of amplitude anomalies that can be explained by the lower mantle structures in the existing models, including the previously proposed ULVZ. In addition, we modified and tested some models and searched for the possible causes of low amplitudes. Full 3D synthetic waveforms were calculated and compared with the observations. Our results show that while the existing models explain the trends of the observed amplitude anomalies, the size of such anomalies remain under-predicted especially at large distances. Adding a low velocity zone, which is spatially larger and has less Vs reduction than ULVZ, on the southwest side of ULVZ, contributes to explain the low amplitudes observed at distances larger than 100° from the earthquake. The newly proposed low velocity zone mostly overlaps with the northern part of the Pacific large low shear velocity province (LLSVP) revealed in tomographic models. Although the very low amplitudes observed at a distance of about 95° remain unexplained, our results indicate that the boundary of the Pacific LLSVP is sharp, and the amplitude of S waves at these large distances is lowered by strong vertical and/or lateral deflection at the boundary toward the interior of the low velocity province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The velocities derived from seismic refraction data/well log/multi-channel seismic (MCS) data serve as the starting point for the saturation estimation of gas hydrates/free gas. Combined with well log data, the estimation of gas hydrate saturation by applying rock physics models to sonic P-wave velocity (Vp) can be greatly improved. The presence of gas hydrates usually changes the shear modulus of the sediment, and to make a reasonable quantification, both P-wave (Vp) and S-wave (Vs) velocities are to be considered, wherever available. The sonic S-wave velocity (Vs) data, if available, provides additional constraints in estimating saturation of gas hydrates. In 2010, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute acquired MCS and ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) station data in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin for the delineation of gas-hydrate reservoirs and quantifying the resource potential. This data is utilized in the present work, and the gas hydrate saturation is estimated using the seismically derived Vp and Vs in the effective medium theory (EMT). The Vp is determined using the MCS data and the hydrophone component (OBS-H) data of the OBS station that records the PP reflections, while Vs is determined from PS converted waves, recorded on the radial component (OBS-R) of the OBS station data. The results have delineated a five layer subsurface model with an average P-wave velocity of 1.8 km/s in the gas hydrate layer and 1.45 km/s in the free gas layer. The average S-wave velocity is of the order of 0.64 km/s in the gas hydrate layer and 0.5 km/s in the free gas layer. Gas hydrate saturation, computed by employing effective medium theory (EMT), shows that the average gas hydrate saturation varies from 16% to 18% of pore space along the profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft sediments make an important component of the subsurface lithology, especially in areas underlain by river/stream basins. Occupying a position directly above the bedrock up to the land surface, these soft sediments can range in thickness from few centimeters to hundreds of meters. They carry a special nuisance in seismic hazards, as they serve as a source of seismic amplification that may enhance the seismic shaking of many folds. Determination of the thickness of the soft sediments is therefore crucial in seismic hazard analysis. A number of studies in recent years have demonstrated that frequency and amplitude spectrum obtained from the noise measurements during the recording of natural seismicity can be used to obtain thickness of soft sediments covering the bedrock. Nakamura (1989) presented a technique to determine such spectrum using ratio of horizontal to vertical components of the Rayleigh waves. The present study is based on an extensive set of microtremor measurements carried out in the Islamabad city, Pakistan. Fundamental frequencies were obtained from weak motion sensors and Tromino Engy Plus instruments to show that the correlation is clearly valid for a wide range of sediment thickness. A simple formula was derived for the investigated area to determine directly the thickness of sediments from the main peaks in the H/ V spectrum for seismometer and Tromino data separately. A comparison is made between sediment thicknesses derived from empirical relations developed in this study with those given in literature to demonstrate a positive correlation. The correlation of instrumental resonant frequencies with calculated resonant frequencies (theoretical) suggests that the relation derived from the noise measurements mostly depends on the velocity depth function of the shear wave. The fundamental frequency of the main peak of spectral ratio of H/ V using the both instruments correlates well with the thickness of sediments at the site obtained from the borehole data. It is found out that there is a wide variation in soft-sediment thickness in the Islamabad area, but as a general rule, soft sediments are thicker adjacent to stream courses compared to the areas intervening the streams. The distribution of sediments in the studied area is illustrated by means of cross sections constructed from results of the microtremor analyses and available borehole data, which provides a visual distribution of the soft sediments underlying the Islamabad city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thrust mechanism of the 2012 Mw 7.8 Haida Gwaii earthquake suggests convergence across the transpressive Pacific-North America plate boundary in the region is accommodated by underthrusting, with important consequences for seismic- and tsunami-hazard analysis. This article investigates the crustal structure and extent of subduction beneath Haida Gwaii by nonlinear inversion of receiver function data processed from teleseismic recordings at five land-based seismograph stations. Three of these stations were deployed since the 2012 earthquake to extend coverage to the southeast and have not been analyzed previously. The inversions provide estimates of the shear-wave velocity structure beneath much of Moresby Island. Results indicate a positive velocity contrast at approximately 18-26 km depth, interpreted as a shallow continental Moho. A 12-17 km thick low shear-wave velocity zone is also identified, which increases in depth from ~25 to 42 km along the direction of plate convergence, which is interpreted as subducting oceanic material. These results provide the first evidence that the subducting oceanic plate extends beneath the entirety of Moresby Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shear wave velocity structure of a wide angle seismic profile (OBS973-2) across Reed Bank in the southern continental margin of the South China Sea (SCS) is simulated by 2-D ray-tracing method, based on its previous P-wave model. This profile is 369-km-long and consists of fifteen three-component ocean bottom seismometers (OBS). The main results are as follows.(1) The model consists of seven layers and the shear wave velocity increases from 0.7 km/s at the top of sediment layer to 4.0 km/s in the lower crust. (2) The Moho depth decreases from 20-22 km at the Reed Bank to 9-11 km at the deep oceanic basin with the shear wave velocity of 4.2 km/s below the Moho. (3) The V p/ V s ratio decreases with depth through the sedimentary layers, attributed to increased compaction and consolidation of the rocks. (4) In the continental upper crust (at model distance 90-170 km), S-wave velocity (2.5–3.2 km/s) is relatively low and V p/ V s ratio (1.75–1.82) is relatively high compared with the other parts of the crust, corresponding to the lower P-wave velocity in the previous P-wave model and normal faults revealed by MCS data, indicating that a strong regional extensional movement had occurred during the formation process of the SCS at the Reed Bank area. (5) The S-wave structures indicate that Reed Bank crust has different rock compositions from that in the east section of the northern margin, denying the presence of conjugate relationship of Reed Bank with Dongsha islands. According to P-wave models and other data, we inferred that Reed Bank and Macclesfield were separated from the same continental crust during the rifting and break-up process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear wave birefringence is a direct diagnostic of seismic anisotropy. It is often used to infer the northern limit of the underthrusting Indian lithosphere, based on the seismic anisotropy contrast between the Indian and Eurasian plates. Most studies have been made through several near north–south trending passive-source seismic experiments in southern Tibet. To investigate the geometry and the nature of the underthrusting Indian lithosphere, an east–west trending seismic array consisting of 48 seismographs was operated in the central Lhasa block from September 2009 to November 2010. Splitting of SKS waves was measured and verified with different methods. Along the profile, the direction of fast wave polarization is about 60° in average with small fluctuations. The delay time generally increases from east to west between 0.2 s and 1.0 s, and its variation correlates spatially with north–south oriented rifts in southern Tibet. The SKS wave arrives 1.0–2.0 s later at stations in the eastern part of the profile than in the west. The source of the anisotropy, estimated by non-overlapped parts of the Fresnel zones at stations with different splitting parameters, is concentrated above ca. 195 km depth. All the first-order features suggest that the geometry of the underthrusting Indian lithospheric slab in the Himalayan–Tibetan collision zone beneath southern Tibet is characterized by systematic lateral variations. A slab tearing and/or breakoff model of Indian lithosphere with different subduction angles is likely a good candidate to explain the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]