UsingP/SAmplitude Ratios for Seismic Discrimination at Local Distances

We used a dense seismic network to test the P / S amplitude ratio discriminant for earthquakes and explosions at distances from 20 to 200 km in a complex tectonic setting. We used data from several hundred seismic stations in northern Wyoming to observe 22 earthquakes, 37 mining blasts, and 24 borehole shots and compared their P / S amplitude ratios. Frequencies of 6–8 Hz and above achieved the best discrimination results for single‐shot borehole explosions, whereas 6–8 and 8–10 Hz passbands were best for mining blasts. The P / S method appears valid for 50–200 km but fails at distances