Location and moment tensor inversion of small earthquakes using 3D Green’s functions in models with rugged topography: application to the Longmenshan fault zone

With dense seismic arrays and advanced imaging methods, regional three-dimensional(3D) Earth models have become more accurate. It is now increasingly feasible and advantageous to use a 3D Earth model to better locate earthquakes and invert their source mechanisms by fitting synthetics to observed waveforms. In this study, we develop an approach to determine both the earthquake location and source mechanism from waveform information. The observed waveforms are filtered in different frequency bands and separated into windows for the individual phases. Instead of picking the arrival times, the traveltime differences are measured by cross-correlation between synthetic waveforms based on the 3D Earth model and observed waveforms. The earthquake location is determined by minimizing the cross-correlation traveltime differences. We then fix the horizontal location of the earthquake and perform a grid search in depth to determine the source mechanism at each point by fitting the synthetic and observed waveforms. This new method is verified by a synthetic test with noise added to the synthetic waveforms and a realistic station distribution. We apply this method to a series of M_W3.4–5.6 earthquakes in the Longmenshan fault(LMSF) zone, a region with rugged topography between the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau and the western part of the Sichuan basin. The results show that our solutions result in improved waveform fits compared to the source parameters from the catalogs we used and the location can be better constrained than the amplitude-only approach. Furthermore, the source solutions with realistic topography provide a better fit to the observed waveforms than those without the topography, indicating the need to take the topography into account in regions with rugged topography.     

Assessment of observational networks with the Representer Matrix Spectra method—application to a 3D coastal model of the Bay of Biscay

The development of coastal ocean modeling in the recent years has allowed an improved representation of the associated complex physics. Such models have become more realistic, to the point that they can now be used to design observation networks in coastal areas, with the idea that a “good” network is a network that controls model state error. To test this ability without performing data assimilation, we set up a technique called Representer Matrix Spectra (RMS) technique that combines the model state and observation error covariance matrices into a single scaled representer matrix. Examination of the spectrum and the eigenvectors of that matrix informs us on which model state error modes a network can detect and constrain amidst the observation error background. We applied our technique to a 3D coastal model in the Bay of Biscay, with a focus on mesoscale activity, and tested the performance of various altimetry networks and an in situ array deployment strategy. It appears that a single nadir altimeter is not efficient enough at capturing coastal mesoscale physics, while a wide swath altimeter would do a much better job. Testing various local in situ array configurations confirms that adding a current meter to a vertical temperature measurement array improves the detection of secondary variability modes, while shifting the array higher on the shelf break would obviously enhance the model constraint along the coast. The RMS technique is easily set up and used as a “black box,” but the utility of its results is maximized by previous knowledge of model state error physics. The technique provides both quantitative (eigenvalues) and qualitative (eigenvectors) tools to study and compare various network options. The qualitative approach is essential to discard possibly inconsistent modes.     

3D joint inversion of Gradient and Mise-à-la-Masse borehole IP/Resistivity data and its application to magmatic sulfide mineral deposit exploration

Gradient and Mise-à-la-Masse IP/Resistivity surveys were conducted on a group of 19 boreholes in Eagle’s Nest, Eagle One magmatic sulfide deposit in northern Ontario, Canada. The surveys were conducted as a follow-up to the many drilled boreholes, some of which missed the target. The surveys were intended to map the distribution of the ore mineralization, outline the deposit hosted by mafic and ultramafic rocks and then guide the drilling of new boreholes. Joint Gradient and Mise-à-la-Masse data inversion produced 3D chargeability and conductivity models. The inverted 3D models in turn help delineate the outline of the mineralized zone, and determine the shape, size, strength and economic viability of the deposit. The Gradient array determined the direction of the mineralization with respect to the boreholes, and the Mise-à-la-Masse array examined the highly conductive subsurface bodies and their surroundings. The mapped ore zone shows close similarity to the 0.5 Cu% and 1.05 Ni% iso-surfaces that are produced from core assay result confirming the reliability of the results obtained in this study.     

Crustal structure of seismic velocity in southern Tibet and east-westward escape of the crustal material——An example by wide-angle seismic profile from Peigu Tso to Pumoyong Tso

The Tibetan plateau, which results from continu- ous collision between India continent and southern Eurasia continent, is cross-cut by no less than three major east-west sutures[1—6]. Yarlung Zangbo suture, marked by one 1500km long ophiolite belt appearing at the southernmost Tibet, separates the Tethyan Hi- malaya to the south from the Lhasa block to the north. In order to understand the deep structure of Tibetan crust and the uplifting process of Tibetan Plateau, one wide-angle seismic…     

Response of a non-linear system with restoring forces governed by fractional derivatives—Time domain simulation and statistical linearization solution

In this paper, the random response of a non-linear system comprising frequency dependent restoring force terms is examined. These terms are accurately modeled in seismic isolation and in many other applications using fractional derivatives. In this context, an efficient numerical approach for determining the time domain response of the system to an arbitrary excitation is first proposed. This approach is based on the Grunwald–Letnikov representation of a fractional derivative and on the well-known Newmark numerical integration scheme for structural dynamic problems. Next, it is shown that for the case of a stochastic excitation, in addition to the time domain solutions, a frequency domain solution can be readily determined by the method of statistical linearization. The reliability of this solution is established in a Monte Carlo simulation context using the herein adopted time domain solution scheme. Furthermore, several related parameter studies are reported.     

Reply to “Discussion 1 on ‘Introspection on improper seismic retrofit of Basilica Santa Maria di Collemaggio after 2009 Italian earthquake' by G.P.Cimellaro, A.M.Reinhorn and A.De Stefano” by Vincenzo Ciampi

The authors thank the discusser for his interest and careful review of the paper and his valuable comments.They also welcome this discussion,because it gives the authors the opportunity to clarify several points which were not explained in sufficient detail in the paper,due to space limitations. The paper does not provide any personal or professional criticism of the discusser or his work and if any statement may have raised an ambiguous interpretation,this should be clarified and dismissed.Any inaccuracy in the reference's citation was not intentional.Some of the authors do not speak Italian;therefore they could not read directly and understand the paper cited by the discusser,which is in Italian.     

Planetary waves observed by TIMED/SABER in coupling the stratosphere–mesosphere–lower thermosphere during the winter of 2003/2004: Part 1—Comparison with the UKMO temperature results

Part 1 of the present paper is focused on the types of planetary wave seen in the TIMED/SABER and UK Met Office (UKMO) temperature data in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) (0–50°N) stratosphere (30–60 km) during the Arctic winter of 2003/2004, as the emphasis is on their spatial structure (latitude and altitude) and temporal evolution particularly in relation to the stratospheric warmings. A new method for analysis of satellite data is presented in this study where the migrating and nonmigrating tides and planetary waves (stationary, zonally symmetric and travelling) are simultaneously extracted from the satellite data. The comparison between the altitude and latitude structure of the SABER and UKMO planetary waves in the temperature field of the NH stratosphere indicates a high degree of qualitative and quantitative resemblance and in this way the validity of the new data analysis method is verified as well.