<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lg</Emphasis> Body-Wave Magnitude Scaling for the Continental Margin around Korea and Japan

Regional body-wave magnitude scalings are essential for quantification of small and moderate-size earthquakes that are observed only up to regional distances. Crustally-guided shear waves, Lg, develop stably at regional distances in continental crusts and are minimally influenced by the source radiation patterns. Lg body-wave magnitude scalings, m_b(Lg),m_b(Lg), are widely used for assessment of sizes of regional crustal events. The m_b(Lg)m_b(Lg) scaling has rarely been tested in continental margins where Lg waves are significantly attenuated due to abrupt lateral variation of crustal structures. We test the applicability of m_b(Lg)m_b(Lg) scaling to the eastern margin of the Eurasian plate around the Korean Peninsula and Japanese islands. Both third-peak and root-mean-square (rms) amplitudes of Lg vary significantly according to the crustal structures along raypaths, causing apparent underestimation of m_b(Lg).m_b(Lg). Implementation of raypath-dependent quality factors (Q) allows accurate estimation of m_b(Lg),m_b(Lg), retaining the transportability of m_b(Lg)m_b(Lg) in the continental margin around Korea and Japan. The calibration constants for an rms-amplitude-based m_b(Lg)m_b(Lg) scaling are not determined to vary by region in the continental margin due to complicated crustal structures. The calibration constants are determined to be distance-dependent. Both the third-peak-amplitude-based and rms-amplitude-based m_b(Lg)m_b(Lg) scalings yield accurate magnitude estimates when raypath-dependent quality factors are implemented.     

Regional Magnitude Scaling, Transportability, and Ms:mb Discrimination at Small Magnitudes

—?Data sets of m _b (Pn) and m _b (Lg) measurements are presented for three continental regions in order to investigate scaling relationships with moment magnitude M _w and event discrimination at small magnitudes. Compilations of published measurements are provided for eastern North American and central Asian earthquakes, and new measurements are reported for earthquakes located in western United States. Statistical tests on M _w :m _b relationships show that the m _b (Lg) scale of Nuttli (1973) is transportable between tectonic regions, and a single, unified M _w :m _b (Lg) relationship satisfies observations for M _w ～4.2–6.5 in all regions. A unified relationship is also developed for nuclear explosions detonated at the Nevada Test Site and test sites of the former Soviet Union. Regional m _b for explosions scale at higher rates than for earthquakes, and of significance is the finding that m _b (Pn) for explosions scales at a higher rate than m _b (Lg). A model is proposed where differences in scaling rates are related to effects of spectral overshoot and near-field Rg scattering on the generation of Pn and Lg waves by explosions. For earthquakes, m _b (Pn) and m _b (Lg) scale similarly, showing rates near 1.0 or 2/3?·?log₁₀ M _o (seismic moment).¶M _w :m _b (Lg) scaling results are converted to unified M _s :m _b (Lg) relationships using scaling laws between log M _o and M _s . For earthquakes with M _s greater than 3.0, the scaling rate is 0.69?·?M _s , which is the same as it is for nuclear explosions if M _s is proportional to 1.12?·?log M _o, as determined by NTS observations. Thus, earthquake and explosion populations are parallel and separated by 0.68 m _b units for large events. For small events (M _s ?M _s :m _b (Lg) plots for stable and tectonic regions, respectively. While the scaling rate for explosions is ～0.69, this value is uncertain due to paucity of M _o observations at small yields. Measurements of [m _b (P)???m _b (Lg)] for earthquakes in the western United States have an average value of ?0.33?±?.03 m _b units, in good agreement with Nuttli's estimate of m _b bias for NTS. This result suggests that Nuttli's method for estimating test site bias can be extended to earthquakes to make estimates of bias on regional scales. In addition, a new approach for quick assessments of regional bias is proposed where M _s :m _b (P) observations are compared with M _s :m _b (Lg) relationships. Catalog M _s :m _b (P) data suggest that m _b bias is significant for tectonic regions of southern Asia, averaging about ?0.4 m _b units.     

Analysis of the 2012–2013 Torreperogil-Sabiote seismic swarm

This study analyses the temporal clustering, spatial clustering, and statistics of the 2012–2013 Torreperogil-Sabiote (southern Spain) seismic swarm. During the swarm, more than 2200 events were located, mostly at depths of 2–5 km, with magnitude event up to m_bLg 3.9 (M_w 3.7). On the basis of daily activity rate, three main temporal phases are identified and analysed. The analysis combines different seismological relationships to improve our understanding of the physical processes related to the swarm's occurrence. Each temporal phase is characterized by its cumulative seismic moment. Using several different approaches, we estimate a catalog completeness magnitude of m_c≅ 1.5. The maximum likelihood b-value estimates for each swarm phase are 1.11 ± 0.09, 1.04 ± 0.04, and 0.90 ± 0.04, respectively. To test the hypothesis that a b-value decrease is a precursor to a large event, we study temporal variations in b-value using overlapping moving windows. A relationship can be inferred between change in b-value and the regime style of the rupture. b-values are indicators of the stress regime, and influence the size of ruptures. The fractal dimension D₂ is used to perform spatial analysis. Cumulative gamma and beta functions are used to analyse the behaviour of inter-event distances during the earthquake sequence.     

Modeling Seismic Attributes of Pn Waves using the Spectral-Element Method

To investigate the nature of Pn propagation, we have implemented the spectral-element method (SEM) for vertically and laterally varying media with and without attenuation. As a practical measure, essential features of the Pn waves are distilled into seismic attributes including arrival times, amplitudes and pulse frequencies. To validate the SEM simulations, we first compare the SEM results with reflectivity calculations of Braile and Smith (Geophys. J.R. Astr. Soc. 40, 145–176, 1975) and then to the asymptotic results of ?erveny and Ravindra (Theory of Seismic Headwaves, University of Toronto Press, pp. 235–250, 1971). Models with random, laterally varying Moho structures are then simulated, where the amplitude and pulse frequency characteristics are found to be stable to small Moho interface perturbations. SEM calculations for models with different upper-mantle velocity gradients are next performed where it is found that interference effects can strongly influence the Pn amplitudes and pulses frequencies. For larger-scale, laterally varying structures, SEM models similar to that found along the Hi-CLIMB array in Tibet are then performed. It is observed that large-scale structures, along with small-scale structures, upper-mantle velocity gradients and attenuation, can all significantly affect the Pn attributes. Ambiguities between upper-mantle velocity gradients and attenuation are also found when using Pn amplitudes and pulse frequency attributes. These ambiguities may be resolved, to some degree, by using the curvature of the travel times at longer regional distance, however, this would also be complicated by lateral variability.     

Analysis of the IMS Location Accuracy in Northern Eurasia and North America Using Regional and Global Pn Travel-time Tables

—?Joint Research Program of Seismic Calibration of the International Monitoring System (IMS) in Northern Eurasia and North America has been signed by the Nuclear Treaty Programs Office (NTPO), Department of Defense USA, and the Special Monitoring Service (SMS) of the Ministry of Defense, Russian Federation (RF). Under the Program historical data from nuclear and large chemical explosions of known location and shot time, together with appropriate geological and geophysical data, has been used to derive regional Pn/P travel-time tables for seismic event location within the lower 48 States of the USA and the European part of the RF. These travel-time tables are up to 5?seconds faster in shields than the IASPEI91 tables, and up to 5?seconds slower in the Western USA. Relocation experiments using the regional Pn travel-time curves and surrogate networks for the IMS network generally improved locations for regional seismic events. The distance between true and estimated location (mislocation) was decreased from an average of 18.8?km for the IASPEI91 tables to 10.1?km for the regional Pn travel-time tables. However, the regional travel-time table approach has limitations caused by travel-time variations inside major tectonic provinces and paths crossing several tectonic provinces with substantially different crustal and upper mantle velocity structure.¶The RF members of the Calibration Working Group (WG): Colonel Vyacheslav Gordon (chairman); Dr. Prof. Marat Mamsurov, and Dr. Nikolai Vasiliev. The US members of the WG: Dr. Anton Dainty (chairman), Dr. Douglas Baumgardt, Mr. John Murphy, Dr. Robert North, and Dr. Vladislav Ryaboy.     

Application of Network-averaged Teleseismic P-wave Spectra to Seismic Yield Estimation of Underground Nuclear Explosions

—?A set of procedures is described for estimating network-averaged teleseismic P-wave spectra for underground nuclear explosions and for analytically inverting these spectra to obtain estimates of m _b /yield relations and individual yields for explosions at previously uncalibrated test sites. These procedures are then applied to the analyses of explosions at the former Soviet test sites at Shagan River, Degelen Mountain, Novaya Zemlya and Azgir, as well as at the French Sahara, U.S. Amchitka and Chinese Lop Nor test sites. It is demonstrated that the resulting seismic estimates of explosion yield and m _b /yield relations are remarkably consistent with a variety of other available information for a number of these test sites. These results lead us to conclude that the network-averaged teleseismic P-wave spectra provide considerably more diagnostic information regarding the explosion seismic source than do the corresponding narrowband magnitude measures such as m _b , M _s and m _b (L _g ), and, therefore, that they are to be preferred for applications to seismic yield estimation for explosions at previously uncalibrated test sites.     

Seismic discrimination of the 2009 North Korean nuclear explosion based on regional source spectra

Seismic discrimination of an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) based on regional waveforms in continental margins is challenging due to large variations among waveforms. The 2009 North Korean UNE test was conducted in the far eastern Eurasian plate. The UNE was recorded by densely-located regional seismic stations, and regional waveforms exhibit highly path-dependent amplitude and arrival time features due to complex crustal structures. Regional source spectra are calculated by correcting for the path effects on the waveforms. A two-step approach is proposed for stable inversion of source-spectral parameters and path parameters. Characteristic overshoot features are observed in the source spectra, particularly strong in Pn. The path parameter, Q, is determined uniquely regardless of the source-spectral model implemented, which suggests stable separation of path effects from waveform records. The estimated source spectra fit well to a theoretical UNE source-spectral model. The fitness between the estimated and theoretical source-spectral models allows us to discriminate UNEs from natural earthquakes. Also, the P/S source-spectral ratio is observed to be an effective discriminant of UNE.     

A procedure for detecting lateral variations of P-wave attenuation in the lower mantle

P-wave attenuation anomalies in the lower mantle can be delineated by assuming that body-wave magnitude residuals, derived from teleseismic data, are due to structure near the mid-points of the rays. Many rays traversing a given region are used to minimise random errors in the data, after correction for source and receiver effects. Published data for North Atlantic ray paths are used to outline significant anomalies with scale lengths of the order of 500 km, giving magnitude residuals up to 0.1 m_b unit. To achieve the observed residuals, the mean value of Q for short-period P-waves probably does not greatly exceed 1000 in the lower mantle under the North Atlantic.     

Application of 3-D Crustal and Upper Mantle Velocity Model of North America for Location of Regional Seismic Events

—?Seismic event locations based on regional 1-D velocity-depth sections can have bias errors caused by travel-time variations within different tectonic provinces and due to ray-paths crossing boundaries between tectonic provinces with different crustal and upper mantle velocity structures. Seismic event locations based on 3-D velocity models have the potential to overcome these limitations. This paper summarizes preliminary results for calibration of IMS for North America using 3-D velocity model. A 3-D modeling software was used to compute Source-Station Specific Corrections (SSSCs(3-D)) for Pn travel times utilizing 3-D crustal and upper mantle velocity model for the region. This research was performed within the framework of the United States/Russian Federation Joint Program of Seismic Calibration of the International Monitoring System (IMS) in Northern Eurasia and North America.¶An initial 3-D velocity model for North America was derived by combining and interpolating 1-D velocity-depth sections for different tectonic units. In areas where no information on 1-D velocity-depth sections was available, tectonic regionalization was used to extrapolate or interpolate. A Moho depth map was integrated. This approach combines the information obtained from refraction profiles with information derived from local and regional network data. The initial 3-D velocity model was tested against maps of Pn travel-time residuals for eight calibration explosions; corrections to the 3-D model were made to fit the observed residuals. Our goal was to find a 3-D crustal and upper mantle velocity model capable predicting Pn travel times with an accuracy of 1.0–1.5 seconds (r.m.s.).¶The 3-D velocity model for North America that gave the best fit to the observed travel times, was used to produce maps of SSSCs(3-D) for seismic stations. The computed SSSCs(3-D) vary approximately from +5 seconds to ?5 seconds for the western USA and the Pre-Cambrian platform, respectively. These SSSCs(3-D) along with estimated modeling and measurement errors were used to relocate, using regional data, an independent set of large chemical explosions (with known locations and origin times) detonated within various tectonic provinces of North America. Utilization of the 3-D velocity model through application of the computed SSSCs(3-D) resulted in a substantial improvement in seismic event location accuracy and in a significant decrease of error ellipse area for all events analyzed in comparison both with locations based on the IASPEI91 travel times and locations based on 1-D regional velocity models.     

Amplitude Corrections for Regional Seismic Discriminants

—?A fundamental problem associated with event identification lies in deriving corrections that remove path and earthquake source effects on regional phase amplitudes used to construct discriminants. Our goal is to derive a set of physically based corrections that are independent of magnitude and distance, and amenable to multivariate discrimination by extending the technique described in Taylor and Hartse (1998). For a given station and source region, a number of well-recorded earthquakes is used to estimate source and path corrections. The source model assumes a simple Brune (1970) earthquake source that has been extended to handle non-constant stress drop. The discrimination power in using corrected amplitudes lies in the assumption that the earthquake model will provide a poor fit to the signals from an explosion. The propagation model consists of a frequency-independent geometrical spreading and frequency-dependent power law Q. A grid search is performed simultaneously at each station for all recorded regional phases over stress-drop, geometrical spreading, and frequency-dependent Q to find a suite of good-fitting models that remove the dependence on m _b and distance. Seismic moments can either be set to pre-determined values or estimated through inversion and are tied to m _b through two additional coefficients. We also solve for frequency-dependent site/phase excitation terms. Once a set of corrections is derived, effects of source scaling and distance as a function of frequency are applied to amplitudes from new events prior to forming discrimination ratios. Thus, all the corrections are tied to just m _b (or M ₀) and distance and can be applied very rapidly in an operational setting. Moreover, phase amplitude residuals as a function of frequency can be spatially interpolated (e.g., using kriging) and used to construct a correction surface for each phase and frequency. The spatial corrections from the correction surfaces can then be applied to the corrected amplitudes based only on the event location. The correction parameters and correction surfaces can be developed offline and entered into an online database for pipeline processing providing multivariate-normal corrected amplitudes for event identification. Examples are shown using events from western China recorded at the station MAKZ.     

Teleseismic Lg of Semipalatinsk and Novaya Zemlya Nuclear Explosions Recorded by the GRF (Gräfenberg) Array: Comparison with Regional Lg (BRV) and their Potential for Accurate Yield Estimation

—?A comparison of regional and teleseismic log rms (root-mean-square) L g amplitude measurements have been made for 14 underground nuclear explosions from the East Kazakh test site recorded both by the BRV (Borovoye) station in Kazakhstan and the GRF (Gräfenberg) array in Germany. The log rms L g amplitudes observed at the BRV regional station at a distance of 690?km and at the teleseismic GRF array at a distance exceeding 4700?km show very similar relative values (standard deviation 0.048 magnitude units) for underground explosions of different sizes at the Shagan River test site. This result as well as the comparison of BRV rms L g magnitudes (which were calculated from the log rms amplitudes using an appropriate calibration) with magnitude determinations for P waves of global seismic networks (standard deviation 0.054 magnitude units) point to a high precision in estimating the relative source sizes of explosions from L g-based single station data. Similar results were also obtained by other investigators (Patton, 1988; Ringdal et?al., 1992) using L g data from different stations at different distances.¶Additionally, GRF log rms L g and P-coda amplitude measurements were made for a larger data set from Novaya Zemlya and East Kazakh explosions, which were supplemented with m _b (L g) amplitude measurements using a modified version of Nuttli's (1973, 1986a) method. From this test of the relative performance of the three different magnitude scales, it was found that the L g and P-coda based magnitudes performed equally well, whereas the modified Nuttli m _b (L g) magnitudes show greater scatter when compared to the worldwide m _b reference magnitudes. Whether this result indicates that the rms amplitude measurements are superior to the zero-to-peak amplitude measurement of a single cycle used for the modified Nuttli method, however, cannot be finally assessed, since the calculated m _b (L g) magnitudes are only preliminary until appropriate attenuation corrections are available for the specific path to GRF.     

Site-specific Seismic Hazard Estimation in the Main Seismogenic Zones of North Algeria

—?The procedure developed by Kijko and Sellevoll (1989, 1992) and Kijko and Graham (1998, 1999) is used to estimate seismic hazard parameters in north Algeria. The area-specific seismic hazard parameters that were calculated consist of the b value of the Gutenberg–Richter frequency–magnitude relation, the activity rate λ(M) for events above the magnitude M, and the maximum regional magnitude M _max. These parameters were calculated for each of the six seismogenic zones of north Algeria. The site-specific seismic hazard was calculated in terms of the maximum possible PGA at hypothetical engineering structures (HES), situated in each of the six seismogenic zones with coordinates corresponding with those of the six most industrial and populated cities in Algeria.     

Velocity and Attenuation Structure of the Tibetan Lithosphere Under the Hi-CLIMB Array From the Modeling of Pn Attributes

Using seismic data from regional earthquakes in Tibet recorded by the Hi-CLIMB experiment, Pn attributes are used to constrain the velocity gradient and attenuation structure of the Tibetan lithosphere under the Hi-CLIMB array. Numerical modeling is performed using the spectral-element method (SEM) for laterally varying upper-mantle velocity and attenuation, and the seismic attributes considered include the Pn travel-time, envelope amplitude, and pulse frequency. The results from the SEM modeling provide two alternative models for the upper-mantle beneath the Hi-CLIMB array in Tibet. The first model is derived from the 3D velocity model of Griffin et al. (Bull Seism Soc Am 101:1938–1947, 2011) with a constant upper-mantle velocity gradient, and laterally varying upper mantle attenuation. The second model has a laterally varying upper-mantle velocity gradient, and constant upper-mantle attenuation. In both cases, the Qiangtang terrane is distinguished from the Lhasa terrane by a change in Moho depth and upper-mantle velocities. The lower upper-mantle velocities, as well as higher Pn attenuation, suggest hotter temperatures beneath the Qiangtang terrane as compared to the Lhasa terrane. Although the fits to the Pn amplitude and pulse frequency data are comparable between the two models, the first model with the constant upper-mantle velocity gradient fits the travel times somewhat better in relation to the data errors.     

Improved seismic discrimination using pattern recognition

The problem of discriminating between earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions is formulated as a problem in pattern recognition. As such it may be separated into two stages, feature extraction and classification. The short-period (SP) features consist of m_b and autoregressive parameters characterising the preceding noise, signal and coda. The long-period (LP) features consist of LP power spectral estimates taken within various group velocity windows. Contrary to common usage we have extracted features from horizontal Rayleigh waves and Love waves as well as vertical Rayleigh waves. The classification is performed by approximating the statistical distribution of earthquake and explosion feature vectors by multivariate normal distributions.The method has been tested on a data base containing 52 explosions and 73 earthquakes from Eurasia recorded at NORSAR between 1971 and 1975. Several of these events are difficult on the m_b : M_s diagram [m_b(PDE) and M_s (NORSAR) have been used]. The data set was divided into a learning and an independent data set. All of the events both from the learning data set and the independent data set were correctly classified using the new procedures. Furthermore, the increase in separation as compared to the m_b : M_s discriminant is significant.     

Variations of heat flow and Pn - velocity in the continental area of China

Temperature is an important factor affecting seismic velocity, and terrestrial heat flow is the most direct indication of temperature distribution of the lithosphere. Some authors therefore suggested that Pn velocity should be inversely related with heat flow. The average heat flow values (q) and Pn velocities (V _Pn) in 22 areas have been calculated and collected from published literatures to investigate the possible correlation between these two parameters for the continental area of China. However, the results show that the variations ofq andV _Pn in the studied areas are far away from the expected inverse relation. The effects of pressure of seismic velocity and contribution of crustal radiogenic heat on heat flow have been taken into consideration in regressions respectively and simultaneously. However, all the corrections are of little help for the improvement of the expected inverse relation. The conclusion deduced from the present study is that in a large scale region with complex tectonic evolution history and complex deep structure framework such as the continental area of China, temperature at the Moho boundary is not the most important factor affecting Pn velocity. The conceptual inverse correlation between heat flow and Pn velocity might be masked by various “noises”. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 42–50, 1992.     

Sources of Error and the Statistical Formulation of M S: m b Seismic Event Screening Analysis

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a global ban on nuclear explosions, is currently in a ratification phase. Under the CTBT, an International Monitoring System (IMS) of seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasonic and radionuclide sensors is operational, and the data from the IMS is analysed by the International Data Centre (IDC). The IDC provides CTBT signatories basic seismic event parameters and a screening analysis indicating whether an event exhibits explosion characteristics (for example, shallow depth). An important component of the screening analysis is a statistical test of the null hypothesis H ₀: explosion characteristics using empirical measurements of seismic energy (magnitudes). The established magnitude used for event size is the body-wave magnitude (denoted m _b) computed from the initial segment of a seismic waveform. IDC screening analysis is applied to events with m _b greater than 3.5. The Rayleigh wave magnitude (denoted M _S) is a measure of later arriving surface wave energy. Magnitudes are measurements of seismic energy that include adjustments (physical correction model) for path and distance effects between event and station. Relative to m _b, earthquakes generally have a larger M _S magnitude than explosions. This article proposes a hypothesis test (screening analysis) using M _S and m _b that expressly accounts for physical correction model inadequacy in the standard error of the test statistic. With this hypothesis test formulation, the 2009 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea announced nuclear weapon test fails to reject the null hypothesis H ₀: explosion characteristics.     

A worldwide comparison of predicted S-wave delays from a three-dimensional upper mantle model with P-wave station corrections

This paper is a comparison, on a worldwide scale, between P-station corrections deduced from ISC residuals (Dziewonski and Anderson) and synthetic S-station corrections computed using a three-dimensional upper mantle model obtained from mantle wave data (Woodhouse and Dziewonski). The upper mantle S-velocity model is described by a spherical harmonic expansion up to degree 8; the P-station corrections are smoothed using a similar expansion, in order that the two data sets can be compared.Correlations between P-station corrections, δt_P, and synthetic S-station corrections, δt_S relevant to various depths of integration indicate that a station correction contains information about structures down to at least 670 km. For this depth of integration, the correlation coefficient of the two data sets is 0.59; the slope ‘a’ of the relation δt_S = aδt_P + b, obtained for the worldwide distribution of stations, is in good agreement with results of previous regional studies using direct readings of P and S arrival times (a = 3.61 ± 0.13).An analysis of regional variations of the relation δt_S = aδt_P + b is carried out on the basis of two published global tectonic patterns (Okal; Jodan). Results for oceanic regions are not reliable, due to the lack of data. On continental areas, a significant difference appears between mountains (a = 2.7 ± 0.3) and shields (a = 4.5 ± 0.4 for Okal's pattern, a = 5.7 ± 1.5 for Jordan's pattern). The largest a-value for shields rules out an explanation by partial melting, as proposed in previous studies. Thermal heterogeneities lead to low a-values; undulations of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary appear to be the most feasible explanation of the high slope beneath shields; they are also able to explain the range of variation of the station corrections; the lowest values of the station corrections correspond to a total vanishing of the low velocity zone beneath the oldest shields. For mountains, the mean values of the station corrections as well as the low a-value can be accounted for by a slight increase of Poisson's ratio together with a significant density increase.     

Quantification relations between the sourc eparameters

The various useful source-parameter relations between seismic moment and common use magnitude lg(M ₀) andM _s,M _L,m _b; between magnitudesMs andM _L,M _s andm _b,M _L andm _b; and between magnitudeM _s and lg(L) (fault length), lg (W) (fault width), lg(S) (fault area), lg(D) (average dislocation);M _L and lg(f _c) (corner frequency) have been derived from the scaling law which is based on an “average” two-dimensional faulting model of a rectangular fault. A set of source-parameters can be estimated from only one magnitude by using these relations. The average rupture velocity of the faultV _r=2.65 km/s, the total time of ruptureT(s)=0.35L (km) and the average dislocation slip rateD=11.4 m/s are also obtained. There are four strong points to measure earthquake size with the seismic moment magnitudeM _w.

1. The seismic moment magnitude shows the strain and rupture size. It is the best scale for the measurement of earthquake size.
2. It is a quantity of absolute mechanics, and has clear physical meaning. Any size of earthquake can be measured. There is no saturation. It can be used to quantify both shallow and deep earthquakes on the basis of the waves radiated.
3. It can link up the previous magnitude scales.
4. It is a uniform scale of measurement of earthquake size. It is suitable for statistics covering a broad range of magnitudes. So the seismic moment magnitude is a promising magnitude and worth popularization.

     

A first-order seismotectonic regionalization of Mexico for seismic hazard and risk estimation

The purpose of this work is to define a seismic regionalization of Mexico for seismic hazard and risk analyses. This seismic regionalization is based on seismic, geologic, and tectonic characteristics. To this end, a seismic catalog was compiled using the more reliable sources available. The catalog was made homogeneous in magnitude in order to avoid the differences in the way this parameter is reported by various agencies. Instead of using a linear regression to converts from m _b and M _d to M _s or M _w , using only events for which estimates of both magnitudes are available (i.e., paired data), we used the frequency-magnitude relations relying on the a and b values of the Gutenberg-Richter relation. The seismic regions are divided into three main categories: seismicity associated with the subduction process along the Pacific coast of Mexico, in-slab events within the down-going COC and RIV plates, and crustal seismicity associated to various geologic and tectonic regions. In total, 18 seismic regions were identified and delimited. For each, the a and b values of the Gutenberg-Richter relation were determined using a maximum likelihood estimation. The a and b parameters were repeatedly estimated as a function of time for each region, in order to confirm their reliability and stability. The recurrence times predicted by the resulting Gutenberg-Richter relations obtained are compared with the observed recurrence times of the larger events in each region of both historical and instrumental earthquakes.