First-order P-wave ray synthetic seismograms in inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic media

We propose approximate equations for P -wave ray theory Green's function for smooth inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic media. Equations are based on perturbation theory, in which deviations of anisotropy from isotropy are considered to be the first-order quantities. For evaluation of the approximate Green's function, earlier derived first-order ray tracing equations and in this paper derived first-order dynamic ray tracing equations are used.
The first-order ray theory P -wave Green's function for inhomogeneous, weakly anisotropic media of arbitrary symmetry depends, at most, on 15 weak-anisotropy parameters. For anisotropic media of higher-symmetry than monoclinic, all equations involved differ only slightly from the corresponding equations for isotropic media. For vanishing anisotropy, the equations reduce to equations for computation of standard ray theory Green's function for isotropic media. These properties make the proposed approximate Green's function an easy and natural substitute of traditional Green's function for isotropic media.
Numerical tests for configuration and models used in seismic prospecting indicate negligible dependence of accuracy of the approximate Green's function on inhomogeneity of the medium. Accuracy depends more strongly on strength of anisotropy in general and on angular variation of phase velocity due to anisotropy in particular. For example, for anisotropy of about 8 per cent, considered in the examples presented, the relative errors of the geometrical spreading are usually under 1 per cent; for anisotropy of about 20 per cent, however, they may locally reach as much as 20 per cent.     

Crustal root beneath the highlands of southern Norway resolved by teleseismic receiver functions

Teleseismic data have been collected with temporary seismograph stations on two profiles in southern Norway. Including the permanent arrays NORSAR and Hagfors the profiles are 400 and 500 km long and extend from the Atlantic coast across regions of high topography and the Oslo Rift. A total of 1071 teleseismic waveforms recorded by 24 temporary and 8 permanent stations are analysed. The depth-migrated receiver functions show a well-resolved Moho for both profiles with Moho depths that are generally accurate within ±2 km.
For the northern profile across Jotunheimen we obtain Moho depths between 32 and 43 km (below sea level). On the southern profile across Hardangervidda, the Moho depths range from 29 km at the Atlantic coast to 41 km below the highland plateau. Generally the depth of Moho is close to or above 40 km beneath areas of high mean topography (>1 km), whereas in the Oslo Rift the crust locally thins down to 32 km. At the east end of the profiles we observe a deepening Moho beneath low topography. Beneath the highlands the obtained Moho depths are 4–5 km deeper than previous estimates. Our results are supported by the fact that west of the Oslo Rift a deep Moho correlates very well with low Bouguer gravity which also correlates well with high mean topography.
The presented results reveal a ca . 10–12 km thick Airy-type crustal root beneath the highlands of southern Norway, which leaves little room for additional buoyancy-effects below Moho. These observations do not seem consistent with the mechanisms of substantial buoyancy presently suggested to explain a significant Cenozoic uplift widely believed to be the cause of the high topography in present-day southern Norway.     

Weak-contrast reflection/transmission coefficients in weakly anisotropic elastic media: P-wave incidence

We present approximate displacement and energy PP and PS reflection/transmission coefficients for weak-contrast interfaces in general weakly anisotropic elastic media. The coefficients were obtained by applying first-order perturbation theory and then expressed in a compact and relatively simple form. The formulae can be used for arbitrary orientations of the incidence plane and interface, without the need to transform the elasticity parameters to a local Cartesian coordinate system. The accuracy of the approximate formulae is illustrated for the PS reflection coefficient for two synthetic models. For these models, we also study the possibility of using the approximate PP reflection coefficient in the inverse problem.     

Generation of the teleseismic P-wave coda from Aleutian earthquakes

We investigate large-amplitude phases arriving in the P -wave coda of broad-band seismograms from teleseisms recorded by the Gräfenberg array, the German Regional Seismic Network and the Global Seismic Network. The data set consists of all events m _b≤ 5.6 from the Aleutian arc between 1977 and 1992. Earthquakes with large-amplitude coda waves correlate with the presence of oceanic crust in the source region. The amplitudes sometimes approach those of the P wave, much larger than predicted by theory. Modelling indicates that phases in the P -wave coda cannot be P -wave multiples beneath the source and receiver, or underside reflections, which precede PP , from upper-mantle discontinuities. Among the events, seismograms are very similar, where the arrival times of the unusual phases agree approximately with the predicted times of S -to- P conversions from the upper-mantle discontinuities under the source. Because the large-amplitude phases in the P -wave coda have little, if any, dependence on event depth and have predominantly an SV -wave radiation pattern towards the receiver, we suggest that they originate as SV and/or Rayleigh waves and are enhanced by lateral heterogeneity and multipathing from the subducting Aleutian slab.