Great-circle Rayleigh wave attenuation and group velocity,Part III: Inversion of global average group velocities and attenuation coefficients

Average shear-velocity models for the upper mantle have been derived by controlled Monte Carlo inversion of global average Rayleigh wave group velocity (GAGV) data for periods between 50 and 300 seconds. GAGV data have been corrected for attenuative dispersion using a method based on the theory of Liu, Anderson and Kanamori. Two types of model bounds have been used with one- or two-layer low-velocity zones beginning at depths of 70 and 100 km. All models fitting GAGV data within one standard deviation have low-velocity zones in the 100–200 km depth range. Models with low-velocity zones beginning at 70 km, as well as 100 km, fit GAGV data within one standard deviation, so the average thickness of the lithosphere (taken as the depth to the top of the low-velocity zone) cannot be determined with precision.Global average models for shear-wave attenuation (Q^?1_β) have been derived from global average Rayleigh wave attenuation coefficients for periods between 50 and 300 s and average shear-velocity models. Zones of high Q^?1_β coincide with the low-velocity zones of all shear-velocity models, however, models with low-velocity zones beginning at a depth of 70 km have the highest-attenuation layer in the lower half of the low-velocity zone. Resolution kernels for these attenuation models show that parameters for layers shallower than the lower part of the low-velocity-high-attenuation zone are strongly coupled but are distinct from the lower part of this zone. This suggests that the deeper part of the low-velocity-high-attenuation zone is the most mobile part of the zone or that on the average, the top of the zone is deeper than 70 km.The average Q_β of the lithosphere, low-velocity zone, and sub-low-velocity layer (asthenosphere) are approximately 200, 85–110 and 170–200, respectively.     

Anelasticity of the crust and upper mantle beneath north and central India from the inversion of observed Love and Rayleigh wave attenuation data

The fundamental mode Love and Rayleigh waves generated by earthquakes occurring in Kashmir, Nepal Himalaya, northeast India and Burma and recorded at Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kodaikanal seismic stations are analysed. Love and Rayleigh wave attenuation coefficients are obtained at time periods of 15–100 seconds, using the spectral amplitude of these waves for 23 different paths along northern (across Burma to New Delhi) and central (across Kashmir, Nepal Himalaya and northeast India to Hyderabad and Kodaikanal) India. Love wave attenuation coefficients are found to vary from 0.0003 to 0.0022 km^–1 for northern India and 0.00003 km^–1 to 0.00016 km^–1 for central India. Similarly, Rayleigh wave attenuation coefficients vary from 0.0002 km^–1 to 0.0016 km^–1 for northern India and 0.00001 km^–1 to 0.0009 km^–1 for central India. Backus and Gilbert inversion theory is applied to these surface wave attenuation data to obtainQ ^–1 models for the crust and uppermost mantle beneath northern and central India. Inversion of Love and Rayleigh wave attenuation data shows a highly attenuating zone centred at a depth of 20–80 km with lowQ for northern India. Similarly, inversion of Love and Rayleigh wave attenuation data shows a high attenuation zone below a depth of 100 km. The inferred lowQ value at mid-crustal depth (high attenuating zone) in the model for northern India can be by underthrusting of the Indian plate beneath the Eurasian plate which has caused a low velocity zone at this shallow depth. The gradual increase ofQ ^–1 from shallow to deeper depth shows that the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary is not sharply defined beneath central India, but rather it represents a gradual transformation, which starts beneath the uppermost mantle. The lithospheric thickness is 100 km beneath central India and below that the asthenosphere shows higher attenuation, a factor of about two greater than that in the lithosphere. The very lowQ can be explained by changes in the chemical constitution taking place in the uppermost mantle.     

Great-circle Rayleigh wave attenuation and group velocity,Part IV: Regionalization and pure-path models for shear velocity and attenuation

Pure-path averages for group velocities and specific attenuation have been calculated from individual observations and from path averages for two regionalizations; one original to this study and the other previously devised by Wu. Both are based on four upper-mantle provinces: ocean basin, continent, island arc and mid-ocean ridge. Pure-path group velocities and specific attenuation have also been calculated for combinations of regions and provide well separated regional measurements for such composite regions.Shear-velocity models for pure and combined regions have been derived by a controlled Monte Carlo inversion procedure and indicates that a low-velocity zone is required beneath the oceans, but is not required beneath continents. Models have been produced for pure and combined ocean, ocean-ridge, continent and continent-arc provinces.Q^?1_R determined from pure-path average group velocities and attenuation coefficients has been regionalized successfully for 2- and 3-region combinations. The resulting pure-path Q^?1_R for continents is much lower than that for ocean basins and ocean-ridge provinces. Inversion of Q^?1_R for ocean-ridge provinces shows that the average Q_β for the upper 200 km of these regions is between 85 and 100.     

On the Causes of Frequency-Dependent Apparent Seismological Q

Variability of the Earth’s structure makes a first-order impact on attenuation measurements which often does not receive adequate attention. Geometrical spreading (GS) can be used as a simple measure of the effects of such structure. The traditional simplified GS compensation is insufficiently accurate for attenuation measurements, and the residual GS appears as biases in both Q ₀ and η parameters in the frequency-dependent attenuation law Q(f) = Q ₀ f ^η . A new interpretation approach bypassing Q(f) and using the attenuation coefficient χ(f) = γ + πf/Q _e(f) resolves this problem by directly measuring the residual GS, denoted γ, and effective attenuation, Q _e. The approach is illustrated by re-interpreting several published datasets, including nuclear-explosion and local-earthquake codas, Pn, and synthetic 50–300-s surface waves. Some of these examples were key to establishing the Q(f) concept. In all examples considered, χ(f) shows a linear dependence on the frequency, γ ≠ 0, and Q _e can be considered frequency-independent. Short-period crustal body waves are characterized by positive γ _SP values of (0.6–2.0) × 10^?2 s^?1 interpreted as related to the downward upper-crustal reflectivity. Long-period surface waves show negative γ _LP ≈ ?1.9 × 10^?5 s^?1, which could be caused by insufficient modeling accuracy at long periods. The above γ values also provide a simple explanation for the absorption band observed within the Earth. The band is interpreted as apparent and formed by levels of Q _e ≈ 1,100 within the crust decreasing to Q _e ≈ 120 within the uppermost mantle, with frequencies of its flanks corresponding to γ _LP and γ _SP. Therefore, the observed absorption band could be purely geometrical in nature, and relaxation or scattering models may not be necessary for explaining the observed apparent Q(f). Linearity of the attenuation coefficient suggests that at all periods, the attenuation of both Rayleigh and Love waves should be principally accumulated at the sub-crustal depths (~38–100 km).     

Near-source attenuation of high-frequency body waves beneath the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Attenuation characteristics in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) are estimated from 157 local seismograph recordings out of 46 earthquakes of 2.6?≤?M?≤?4.1 with hypocentral distances up to 60 km and focal depths down to 25 km. Digital waveform seismograms were obtained from local earthquakes in the NMSZ recorded by the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) at the University of Memphis. Using the coda normalization method, we tried to determine Q values and geometrical spreading exponents at 13 center frequencies. The scatter of the data and trade-off between the geometrical spreading and the quality factor did not allow us to simultaneously derive both these parameters from inversion. Assuming 1/R ^1.0 as the geometrical spreading function in the NMSZ, the Q _P and Q _S estimates increase with increasing frequency from 354 and 426 at 4 Hz to 729 and 1091 at 24 Hz, respectively. Fitting a power law equation to the Q estimates, we found the attenuation models for the P waves and S waves in the frequency range of 4 to 24 Hz as Q _P?=?(115.80?±?1.36) f ^{(0.495?±?0.129)} and Q _S?=?(161.34?±?1.73) f ^{(0.613?±?0.067)}, respectively. We did not consider Q estimates from the coda normalization method for frequencies less than 4 Hz in the regression analysis since the decay of coda amplitude was not observed at most bandpass filtered seismograms for these frequencies. Q _S/Q _P?>?1, for 4?≤?f?≤?24 Hz as well as strong intrinsic attenuation, suggest that the crust beneath the NMSZ is partially fluid-saturated. Further, high scattering attenuation indicates the presence of a high level of small-scale heterogeneities inside the crust in this region.     

Frequency relationship for seismic Qβ of central southern Italy from accelerograms for the Irpinia earthquake (1980)

The frequency dependence of Q_β for seismic waves in a distance range with a maximum of 150 km from the epicentre of the Irpinia earthquake of November 23, 1980 has been sought using displacement spectral ratios computed from strong-motion accelerograms recorded in the region. The method has been applied to calculate the behaviour of Q_β as a function of frequency in the band 0.1–25 Hz, and to investigate whether azimuthal variations appear in seismic Q_β for the lithosphere in central southern Italy. The same result is obtained using data from stations in western south Italy as using data from eastern south Italy, namely,

$\text{Q}{}_{\mathrm{\beta }}\text{(f) = 40f (}\text{Hz}\text{)}$

The linear relationship suggest that apparent Q_β depends more on the scale of heterogeneity of the lithosphere, affecting reflection and scattering mechanisms, than on intrinsic energy losses related to the anelasticity of the materials through which the seismic waves propagate.The existence of a peak in Q_β^?1 has been investigated in the low-frequency band (0.1–2.5 Hz) using a higher resolution power. A stable result in this low-Q_β zone is not possible on the basis of the available data: only in six Q_β(f) profiles does an evident minimum exist, between 0.2 and 1 Hz, while in nine cases the curves are monotonically increasing from the lowest observable frequencies; a further nine cases appear of uncertain interpretation.     

SEISMIC ATTENUATION IN THE VICINITY OF THE GEOTHERMAL ANOMALY AT URACH OBTAINED FROM NEAR-VERTICAL REFLECTION PROFILES1

The attenuation in the vicinity of the geothermal anomaly at Urach was determined by means of two near-vertical reflection profiles. The attenuation in the sediments and in the upper crust (3-4 km depth) was estimated by interpretation of the first (refracted) arrivals. For calculating the attenuation, the amplitude decay with respect to distance was used. Corrections for the spread factor, i.e. the geometric amplitude divergence was deduced from the traveltime curves. Below the anomaly, higher attenuation values (Q^?1～ 0.008) were observed compared with those in the undisturbed crust (Q^?1～ 0.002). This effect is probably due to the cracks and fissures in the upper part of the crystalline basement. The attenuation in the middle and lower crust was determined using near-vertical reflections from this depth interval. The use of the spectral ratio method leads to higher values of the effective attenuation Q^?1_eff below the heat flow anomaly compared to those of the‘ normal’crust. This zone of high Q^?1_eff coincides with the low velocity body below the heat flow anomaly. Both effects, the higher attenuation and the lower velocities, could be caused by high temperatures, cracks and fissures in the crust.     

Attenuation of Rayleigh waves across the volcanic area of the Massif Central,France

Rayleigh wave attenuation is investigated for periods ranging from 20 to 90 s, along a 450 km-long profile following the Oligocene tensile zone of the French Massif Central. A model is deduced by inversion, assuming that the S-wave intrinsic quality factor Q_β is frequency-independent, and yields a mean value Q_β = 43 ± 10 for the first 100 km in the upper mantle. This value, far lower than the mean value obtained in Eurasia, is close to those obtained in other recent tensile areas, e.g., the western United States or mid-oceanic ridges.A velocity-depth model for S-waves, deduced in a previous study from surface-wave propagation, has been corrected for the attenuation effect. We find a discrepancy between the corrected S-model and P-wave residuals in the same area, implying that Q_β must be frequency-dependent. This can be a clue for partial melting in the upper mantle beneath this region.     

Determination of Q β(f) in Different Parts of Kumaon Himalaya from the Inversion of Spectral Acceleration Data

This paper presents the results of a modified two-step inversion algorithm approach to find S wave quality factor Q _β(f) given by Joshi (Bull Seis Soc Am 96:2165–2180, 2006). Seismic moment is calculated from the source displacement spectra of the S wave using both horizontal components. Average value of seismic moment computed from two horizontal components recorded at several stations is used as an input to the first part of inversion together with the spectra of S phase in the acceleration record. Several values of the corner frequency have been selected iteratively and are used as inputs to the inversion algorithm. Solution corresponding to minimum root mean square error (RMSE) is used for obtaining the final estimate of Q _β(f) relation. The estimates of seismic moment, corner frequency and Q _β(f) from the first part of inversion are further used for obtaining the residual of theoretical and observed source spectra which are treated as site amplification terms. The acceleration record corrected for the site amplification term is used for determination of seismic moment from source spectra by using Q _β(f) obtained from first part of inversion. Corrected acceleration record and new estimate of seismic moment are used as inputs to the second part of the inversion scheme which is similar to the first part except for use of input data. The final outcome from this part of inversion is a new Q _β(f) relation together with known values of seismic moment and corner frequency of each input. The process of two-step inversion is repeated for this new estimate of seismic moment and goes on until minimum RMSE is obtained which gives final estimate of Q _β(f) at each station and corner frequency of input events. The Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand in India lies in the border region of India and Nepal and is part of the seismically active Kumaon Himalaya zone. A network of eight strong motion recorders has been installed in this region since March, 2006. In this study we have analyzed data from 18 local events recorded between March, 2006 and October, 2010 at various stations. These events have been located using HYPO71 and data has been used to obtain frequency-dependent shear-wave attenuation. The Q _β(f) at each station is calculated by using both the north-south (NS) and east-west (EW) components of acceleration records as inputs to the developed inversion algorithm. The average Q _β(f) values obtained from Q _β(f) values at different stations from both NS and EW components have been used to compute a regional average relationship for the Pithoragarh region of Kumaon Himalaya of form Q _β(f)?=?(29?±?1.2)f ^{(1.1 ± 0.06)}.     

Studies of mantle structure of U.S.S.R. territory on long-range seismic profiles

Long-range seismic sounding carried out during the last few years on the territory of the U.S.S.R. has shown a basic inhomogeneity of the uppermost mantle, as well as evidence of regularities in the distribution of its seismic parameters. The following data were used: times and apparent velocities of P- and S-waves for investigation of mantle velocities, converted waves for seismic discontinuity model studies and wave attenuation for Q-factor estimation. Strong regularities were distinguished in the distribution of average seismic velocities for the uppermost mantle, in their dependence on the age and type of geostructure and on their position relative to the central part of the continent. Old platforms and the inner part of the continent are marked by velocities under the Mohorovi?i? discontinuity of more than 8.2–8.3 km s^?1, young platforms and outer parts of the continent by 8.0–8.2 km s^?1, and orogenic and rift zones by 7.8–8.0 km s^?1. The difference becomes more pronounced at a depth of about 100–200 km: for the old platform mantle velocities of 8.5–8.6 km s^?1 are typical; beneath the orogenic and rift areas, inversion zones with velocities less than 7.8 km s^?1 are observed.The converted waves show fine inhomogeneities of the crust and uppermost mantle, the presence of many discontinuities with positive and negative changes of velocity, and anisotropy of seismic waves in some of the layers. Wave attenuation allowed the determination of the Q-factor in the mantle. It varied from one region to another but a close relation between Q and P-wave velocity is the main cause of its variation.     

Surface Wave Velocities Across Arabia

— The group-velocity distribution beneath the Arabian Plate is investigated using Love and Rayleigh waves. We obtained a balanced path coverage using seismograms generated by earthquakes located along the plate boundaries. We measured Love- and Rayleigh-wave group-velocity dispersion using multiple filter analysis and then performed a tomographic inversion using these observations to estimate lateral group velocity variations in the period range of 5–60?s. The Love- and Rayleigh-wave results are consistent and show that the average group velocity across Arabia increases with increasing period. The tomographic results also delineate first-order regional structure heterogeneity as well as the sharp transition between the Arabian shield and the Arabian platform. Systematic differences are observed in the distribution of the short-period group velocities across the two provinces, which are consistent with surface geology. The slower velocities in the platform reveal the imprint of its thick sedimentary section, while faster velocities correlate well with the exposed volcanic flows in the shield. Shear-wave velocity models for the two regions, obtained from the inversion of the group velocities, confirm results from previous studies of higher S-wave velocity in the upper crust beneath the shield. This may be due to the present remnants of the oceanic crust (ophiolite belts) associated with the island arcs evolutionary model of the Arabian shield.¶The mapping of the surface-wave group velocity using a large data can be used in constraining the regional structure at existing and planned broadband stations deployed in this tectonically complex region as part of the seismic monitoring under CTBT.     

A Surface Wave Dispersion Study of the Middle East and North Africa for Monitoring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

—?We present results from a large-scale study of surface-wave group velocity dispersion across the Middle East, North Africa, southern Eurasia and the Mediterranean. Our database for the region is populated with seismic data from regional events recorded at permanent and portable broadband, three-component digital stations. We have measured the group velocity using a multiple narrow-band filter on deconvolved displacement data. Overall, we have examined more than 13,500 seismograms and made good quality dispersion measurements for 6817 Rayleigh- and 3806 Love-wave paths. We use a conjugate gradient method to perform a group-velocity tomography. Our current results include both Love- and Rayleigh-wave inversions across the region for periods from 10 to 60 seconds. Our findings indicate that short-period structure is sensitive to slow velocities associated with large sedimentary features such as the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf. We find our long-period Rayleigh-wave inversion is sensitive to crustal thickness, such as fast velocities under the oceans and slow along the relatively thick Zagros Mts. and Turkish-Iranian Plateau. We also find slow upper mantle velocities along known rift systems. Accurate group velocity maps can be used to construct phase-matched filters along any given path. The filters can improve weak surface wave signals by compressing the dispersed signal. The signals can then be used to calculate regionally determined M _S measurements, which we hope can be used to extend the threshold of m _b :M _S discriminants down to lower magnitude levels. Other applications include using the group velocities in the creation of a suitable background model for forming station calibration maps, and using the group velocities to model the velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle.     

Separation of Source, Propagation and Site Effects from S Waves¶of Local Earthquakes in Bursa Region, Northwestern Turkey

—?We have used micro-earthquake recordings (M= 1.8–4.1) of local events in the distance range of 5–60?km in order to quantify the attenuation and site effects in the vicinity of the Bursa city, Marmara region, Turkey. The data set consists of 120 three-component recorded accelograms from 69 earthquakes, recorded at six stations. Each station is deployed on different geologic units, such as massive limestone, slope deposit and Quaternary young sediments, in the framework of the Marmara Poly-Project.¶In this study a nonparametric inversion method was applied to acceleration records from the Bursa region to estimate source, site and path effects using a two-step inversion. At the first step, we determined attenuation functions by analyzing the distance dependence of the spectral amplitudes and retrieved values of Q _s (f) = 46.59f ^0.67. At the second step, the corrected S-waves spectral records for the attenuation function, including the geometrical spreading effect, were inverted to separate source and site response for 21 different frequencies selected between 0.5 and ～25?Hz. The near-surface attenuation, κ value, was also estimated by using the model proposed by Anderson and Hough (1984) at each site. We observed that κ₀ is smaller for stations located on rock site (I?dιr, SIGD, κ₀～0.004) compared to the one that is located on Neogene sediment (Çukurca, SCKR, κ₀～0.018).¶Site amplifications from inversion showed that the station located within the Bursa basin, Çukurca (SCKR), is the most important site with about 4.0 amplification value at 1.8?Hz. Demirta? (SDEM) amplifies the spectral amplitudes about 3.0 times at 2.0?Hz, SHMK about 3.5 times between 2.5 and 3.5?Hz and SHMT nearly reaching 3.5 times between 1.5 and 4.0?Hz. However, stations located on the Uluda? Mountain Massif (SKAY and SIGD), which correspond to a deep limestone geological unit, have the smallest amplification, that values between 0.6 and 1.4.     

2-D Image of Seismic Attenuation beneath the Deep Seismic Sounding Profile "Quartz," Russia

—We present a 2-D image of the upper mantle attenuation using nuclear explosion data from the ultra-long refraction/reflection profile "Quartz." Our analysis is based on a modified common spectrum technique followed by least-squares inversion for Q and iterative ray tracing in the velocity structure obtained earlier. The resulting attenuation structure corroborates the earlier model for northern Eurasia, as well as our recent estimate based on the analysis of the long-range P _n phase, and provides significantly more detail than the existing models. The resulting upper mantle attenuation structure is characterised by Q values ranging from 400 to 1800. Down to the depths of 150–190, and probably 400 km, the attenuation increases horizontally in SE direction, away from the Baltic Shield. Our model exhibits strong 2-D, vertical and horizontal attenuation contrasts. A high-attenuation layer in the depth range of 120–150 to 160–180 km can apparently be associated with the presence of a partial melts within the base of the lithosphere.     

Q β structure of the crust and upper mantle in the eastern Sino-Korean paraplatform

Based on the long period surface wave data recorded by the China Digital Seismograph Network (CDSN), theQ _R of fundamental mode Rayleigh wave with periods from 10 s to 146 s is determined for the eastern Sino-Korean paraplatform in this paper. TheQ _β models of the crust and upper mantle are respectively obtained for the 4 paths, with the aid of stochastic inverse method. It shows that in the eastern Sino-Korean paraplatform, the average crustalQ _β is about 200, and that there exists a weak attenuation layer in the middle crust (about 10–20 km deep) which is possibly related to earthquake-prone layer. A strong attenuation layer (lowQ) of 70 km thick extensively exists in the uppermost mantle, with the buried depth about 80 km. The averageQ _R of fundamental mode Rayleigh wave is between the value of stable tectonic region and that of active tectonic region, and much close to the latter.     

Short-period PKP phases and the anelastic mechanism of the inner core

Short-period seismograms are synthesized for PKP phases in anelastic Earth models. The synthetics were constructed using a synthetic technique valid at grazing incidence, a source-time function appropriate for deep-focus earthquakes, and an instrument response for either a short-period WWSSN or SRO seismograph. The agreement between predicted and observed amplitudes and spectral ratios requires neither a low-Q_α zone at 0.2–2 Hz nor a low or negative P-velocity gradient at the bottom of the outer core. Thin low-Q_α zones beneath the inner core boundary fit spectral ratio data that sample the upper 200 km of the inner core but fail to fit data that sample the lower inner core. Only a model having Q_α^?1?[0.003, 0.004] at 0.2–2 Hz, nearly constant with depth in the inner core, satisfies all of the spectral ratio and amplitude data. The assumption of a bulk viscosity of 10-10³ Pa s for the liquid phase of a partially molten inner core combined with the observation of low shear attenuation in the inner core at frequencies less than 0.005 Hz limit the physical parameters associated with two possible attenuation mechanisms: (1) fluid flow and viscous relaxation due to ellipsoidally shaped inclusions of melt, and (2) the solid-liquid phase transformation induced by the stress change during the passage of a seismic wave. Both mechanisms require an order of 0.1% partial melt to reproduce the observed Q_α^?1. In the outer core, the time constant of the mechanism of phase transformation is predicted to be 10⁴–10⁶ s. Confirmation of small shear attenuation in the inner core in the frequency band of seismic body waves would favor the mechanism of phase transformation.     

Estimation of the Intrinsic Absorption and Scattering Attenuation in Northeastern Venezuela (Southeastern Caribbean) Using Coda Waves

—Northeastern Venezuela has been studied in terms of coda wave attenuation using seismograms from local earthquakes recorded by a temporary short-period seismic network. The studied area has been separated into two subregions in order to investigate lateral variations in the attenuation parameters. Coda-Q ^?1 (Q _c ^?1) has been obtained using the single-scattering theory. The contribution of the intrinsic absorption (Q _i ^?1) and scattering (Q _s ^?1) to total attenuation (Q _t ^?1) has been estimated by means of a multiple lapse time window method, based on the hypothesis of multiple isotropic scattering with uniform distribution of scatterers. Results show significant spatial variations of attenuation the estimates for intermediate depth events and for shallow events present major differences. This fact may be related to different tectonic characteristics that may be due to the presence of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone, because the intermediate depth seismic zone may be coincident with the southern continuation of the subducting slab under the arc.     

Feasibility of determining Q of near-surface materials from Love waves

High-frequency (≥ 2 Hz) Multi-channel Analysis of Love Waves (MALW) provides a practical way to determine velocity of horizontally polarized shear (SH) waves for a layered earth model up to 30 m below the ground surface in many geological settings. The information used in the MALW method is phase of Love waves. Information on amplitude of Love waves is not utilized in the MALW method. In this paper we present a method that uses information on amplitude of high-frequency Love waves to estimate quality factors (Q_s) of near-surface materials. Unlike Rayleigh waves, attenuation coefficients (amplitude) of Love waves are independent of quality factors for P waves and are function of quality factors of Love waves. In theory, a fewer parameters make the inversion of attenuation coefficients of Love waves more stable and reduce the degree of nonuniqueness. We discussed sensitivity of an inversion system based on a linear relationship between attenuation coefficients and dissipation factors (1/Q_s). The sensitivity analysis suggested that damping and constraints to an inversion system are necessary to obtain a smooth and meaningful quality factor model when no other information is available. We used synthetic and real-world data to demonstrate feasibility of inversion of attenuation coefficients of high-frequency Love-wave data acquired with the MALW method for quality factors with a linear, damped and constrained system.     

A Dislocation Model of Seismic Wave Attenuation and Micro-creep in the Earth: Harold Jeffreys and the Rheology of the Solid Earth

—A microphysical model of seismic wave attenuation is developed to provide a physical basis to interpret temperature and frequency dependence of seismic wave attenuation. The model is based on the dynamics of dislocation motion in minerals with a high Peierls stress. It is proposed that most of seismic wave attenuation occurs through the migration of geometrical kinks (micro-glide) and/or nucleation/migration of an isolated pair of kinks (Bordoni peak), whereas the long-term plastic deformation involves the continuing nucleation and migration of kinks (macro-glide). Kink migration is much easier than kink nucleation, and this provides a natural explanation for the vast difference in dislocation mobility between seismic and geological time scales. The frequency and temperature dependences of attenuation depend on the geometry and dynamics of dislocation motion both of which affect the distribution of relaxation times. The distribution of relaxation times is largely controlled by the distribution in distance between pinning points of dislocations, L, and the observed frequency dependence of Q, Q, Q∝ω^α is shown to require a distribution function of P(L)∝L ^-m with m=4-2α The activation energy of Q ^?1 in minerals with a high Peierls stress corresponds to that for kink nucleation and is similar to that of long-term creep. The observed large lateral variation in Q ^?1 strongly suggests that the Q ^?1 in the mantle is frequency dependent. Micro-deformation with high dislocation mobility will (temporarily) cease when all the geometrical kinks are exhausted. For a typical dislocation density of ～ 10⁸ m^?2, transient creep with small viscosity related to seismic wave attenuation will persist up to the strain of ～ 10^?6, thus even a small strain (～ 10^?6?10^?4) process such as post-glacial rebound is only marginally affected by this type of anelastic relaxation. At longer time scales continuing nucleation of kinks becomes important and enables indefinitely large strain, steady-state creep, causing viscous behavior.     

Seismic Wave Attenuation in the Greater Cairo Region, Egypt

In the present study, a digital waveform dataset of 216 local earthquakes recorded by the Egyptian National Seismic Network (ENSN) was used to estimate the attenuation of seismic wave energy in the greater Cairo region. The quality factor and the frequency dependence for Coda waves and S-waves were estimated and clarified. The Coda waves (Q _c) and S-waves (Q _d) quality factor were estimated by applying the single scattering model and Coda Normalization method, respectively, to bandpass-filtered seismograms of frequency bands centering at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24?Hz. Lapse time dependence was also studied for the area, with the Coda waves analyzed through four lapse time windows (10, 20, 30 and 40?s). The average quality factor as function of frequency is found to be Q _c?=?35?±?9f ^0.9±0.02 and Q _d?=?10?±?2f ^0.9±0.02 for Coda and S-waves, respectively. This behavior is usually correlated with the degree of tectonic complexity and the presence of heterogeneities at several scales. The variation of Q _c with frequency and lapse time shows that the lithosphere becomes more homogeneous with depth. In fact, by using the Coda Normalization method we obtained low Q _d values as expected for a heterogeneous and active zone. The intrinsic quality factor (Q _i ^?1 ) was separated from the scattering quality factor (Q _s ^?1 ) by applying the Multiple Lapse Time Domain Window Analysis (MLTWA) method under the assumption of multiple isotropic scattering with uniform distribution of scatters. The obtained results suggest that the contribution of the intrinsic attenuation (Q _i ^?1 ) prevails on the scattering attenuation (Q _s ^?1 ) at frequencies higher than 3?Hz.