Determination of source,path and site parameters based on non-linear inversion of accelerometric data in Greece

Source, propagation path and site conditions are the factors affecting seismic ground motion. Consequently, recordings acquired at a seismic station are formed by the convolution of these three factors. In this work S-wave acceleration Fourier spectra of earthquakes recorded at local and regional scale, by the ITSAK accelerometric network for the period 2010–2016, are modeled as a product of source, propagation path (including geometric and anelastic attenuation) and site effects. The data set consists of 136 crustal earthquakes occurred in the broader Aegean area, with magnitudes 4.2?≤?M_w?≤?6.5 and epicentral distances 20 km?≤?R?≤?350 km, recorded at 112 broadband accelerometric stations installed at sites with various geologic conditions. Based on this data set, an iterative Gauss–Newton inversion method to solve the non-linear problem and retrieve the different terms of source, propagation path and site, is applied. This method uses an initial input model trying to find the best and at the same time a stable solution for the inverted parameters, which are, moment magnitude (M_w), corner frequency (f_c), attenuation quality factor (Q_s?=?Q_of^α), slope of the geometric attenuation (1/R^γ) and site transfer function (S(f)). The initial values of the starting model can be either known from other studies or inferred within a reasonable range. Depending on the level of knowledge on these input parameters, the associated standard deviation can be adjusted (large values for unknown parameters or small values for parameters which are well constrained). Results of the analyses exhibit satisfactory agreement of estimated source parameters with those proposed by seismological centers in Greece and propagation path properties similar to the ones determined in relevant previous studies for the same region. In addition, the site transfer functions obtained by the non-linear inversion are comparable with those calculated for the same sites using either standard spectral ratio or horizontal-to-vertical spectral ration (HVSR—receiver function) techniques. The aforementioned results are encouraging for reliable earthquake source parameters, propagation path properties and site effect assessment, in areas of intermediate to high seismicity.     

Estimation of site effects using strong motion data of BYTNet array in Turkey

Simultaneous estimation of effects of source, propagation path, and local site amplification was carried out using observed strong motion records in a frequency range from 0.8 to 20 Hz for the purpose of empirical evaluation of the local site effects in different geological conditions in the northwestern part of Turkey. The analyzed data are S-wave portions of 162 accelerograms from 39 shallow events observed at 14 sites of BYTNet array. A spectral separation method was applied to the observed S-wave spectra. The solutions for source spectra, inelasticity factor of propagation path for S-waves (Q _s-value), and factor of site amplification at each site were obtained in a least squares sense. In the analysis, we assumed that the factor of the site amplification at a reference site is the same as that of theoretical amplification of S-waves to the soil model whose bottom layer has an S-wave velocity around 2.15 km/s. The estimated Q _s-value of the propagation path is modeled as Q _s(f)?=?87.4f^0.78. The estimated site amplifications are characterized into three groups. The sites in the first group belong to rock site with no dominant peaks at a frequency range of 2 to 10 Hz. The second group of hard soil sites is characterized with moderately dominant peaks at a frequency of 5 Hz. The last group for soft soil sites has common peaks at a frequency of 4 Hz with larger amplitudes than those in the hard soil group. We, then, compare the amplifications with average S-wave velocity in top 30 m of the shallow S-wave profiles and proposed linear empirical formula between them at each frequency. We, furthermore, inverted the observed amplification factors into S-wave velocity and Q _s-value profiles of the deep soil over the basement.     

Determination ofQ S,spreading factor and S-wave acceleration by inversion of seismic intensity data

In this paper, on the basis of intensity data from 85 earthquakes occurred in China, the method of resolving overdetermined equations by using the damped least squares method is applied to inversing for the mean value of 1 s. S wave quality factor, the spreading factor and the S-wave acceleration at the foci of earthquakes in 7 regions of China. The relation between S-wave acceleration at the foci of earthquakes and magnitude is discussed. As an example, 2-DQ _S distribution in Taiwan Province is obtained by inversion. It is found that there exists some corresponding relation between this distribution and Bouguer gravitational anomaly and seismicity. Preliminary analysis and discussion on results of the inversion, and estimation of error inQ _S are made.     

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)}.     

Research on codaQ distribution in Beijing and its surrounding regions

Based on the single scattering model of seismic coda waves, we have calculated theQ-factor in Beijing and its surrounding regions by means of calculating the power density spectrum in frequency domain with a fixed time window. The digital seismic data of 69 earthquakes from Beijing Telemetered Seismographic Network are used. These earthquakes were recorded from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1990 at 20 stations. This paper shows the variations of the codaQ-factors in the studied region with different sites, frequency and lapse time, and the temporal change of the codaQ-factors in these two years. The results indicate that codaQ-factor depends strongly on the lapse time and frequency. It is assumed that whenQ _C=Q ₀f^η, for the three time windows of 15–30s, 30–60s and 60–90s, the average values ofQ ₀ are 48, 115 and 217; and the average values ofη are 0. 89, 0.91 and 0.74, respectively.     

Attenuation of Coda Waves in the Saurashtra Region, Gujarat (India)

The attenuation characteristics based on coda waves of two areas—Jamnagar and Junagarh of Saurashtra, Gujarat (India)—have been investigated in the present study. The frequency dependent relationships have been developed for both the areas using single back scattering model. The broadband waveforms of the vertical components of 33 earthquakes (Mw 1.5–3.5) recorded at six stations of the Jamnagar area, and broadband waveforms of 68 earthquakes (Mw 1.6–5) recorded at five stations of the Junagarh area have been used for the analysis. The estimated relations for the Junagarh area are: Q _c?=?(158?±?5)f^(0.99±0.04) (lapse time : 20?s), Q _c?=?(170?±?4.4)f^(0.97±0.02) (lapse time : 30?s) and Q _c?=?(229?±?6.6)f^(0.94±0.03) (lapse time : 40?s) and for the Jamnagar area are: Q _c?=?(178?±?3)f^(0.95±0.05) (lapse time : 20?s), Q _c?=?(224?±?6)f^(0.98±0.06) (lapse time : 30?s) and Q _c?=?(282?±?7)f^(0.91±0.03) (lapse time : 40?s). These are the first estimates for the areas under consideration. The Junagarh area appears to be more attenuative as compared to the Jamnagar area. The increase in Q _c values with lapse time found here for both the areas show the depth dependence of Q _c as longer lapse time windows will sample larger area. The rate of decay of attenuation (Q ^?1) with frequency for the relations obtained here is found to be comparable with those of other regions of the world though the absolute values differ. A comparison of the coda-Q estimated for the Saurashtra region with those of the nearby Kachchh region shows that the Saurashtra region is less heterogeneous. The obtained relations are expected to be useful for the estimation of source parameters of the earthquakes in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat where no such relations were available earlier. These relations are also important for the simulation of earthquake strong ground motions in the region.     

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.     

Intrinsic absorption and scattering attenuation in the southern part of the Netherlands

We present the first systematic study of attenuation derived from the S-wave coda in the frequency range 1-32 Hz for the southern part of the Netherlands and its surroundings. For this we used two methods, the codaQ (Q _c) method and the Multiple Lapse Time Window (MLTW) method. In the interpretation of the results both single and multiple scattering in a half space are considered. Our aim is to validate these interpretations in our region and to try to identify theeffects of attenuation due to intrinsic absoprtion (Q _i)and scattering attenuation (Q _s). For this we analyzedmore than 100 3-component high-quality digital seismograms from 43 crustalevents and 23 different stations in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.Coda Q results show smaller Q _c (=Q ₀fⁿ) values for epicentral distances shorter than 25 km (Q ₀=90) compared to larger epicentral distances (Q ₀=190), but similar frequency dependence (f^-0.9). Interpretation of MLTW results provided a seismic albedo smaller then 0.5, suggesting that the intrinsic absorption dominates over scattering in this region. Both Q _i and Q _s show similar frequency dependences as Q _c. These results are comparable to those obtained in other areas, but we also show that more sophisticated models are required to remove ambiguities in the interpretation. For short lapse times and shortevent-station distances we find for the simple half space model a correspondinginterpretation of both methodologies, where Q _c correspondsto Q _t, suggesting that a model with single scattering in ahalf space is appropriate. For long lapse times and long event station distances, however, we find that the S-wave coda is, most probably, too much influenced by crust-mantel heterogenities and more sophisticated Qinversion models using larger data sets are required for more reliable attenuation estimates.     

Estimation of Q p and Q s of Kinnaur Himalaya

The attenuation characteristics of the Kinnaur area of the North West Himalayas were studied using local earthquakes that occurred during 2008–2009. Most of the analyzed events are from the vicinity of the Panjal Thrust (PT) and South Tibetan Detachment Thrust, which are well-defined tectonic discontinuities in the Himalayas. The frequency-dependent attenuation of P and S waves was estimated using the extended coda normalization method. Data from 64 local earthquakes recorded at 10 broadband stations were used. The coda normalization of the spectral amplitudes of P and S waves was done at central frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 9, and 12 Hz. Q _p increases from about 58 at 1.5 Hz to 706 at 12 Hz, and Q _s increases from 105 at 1.5 Hz to 1,207 at 12 Hz. The results show that the quality factors for both P and S waves (Q _p and Q _s) increase as a function of frequency according to the relation Q?=?Q _o f ⁿ , where Q _o is the corresponding Q value at 1 Hz frequency and “n” is the frequency relation parameter. We obtained Q _p?=?(47?±?2)f ^(1.04±0.04) and Q _s?=?(86?±?4)f ^(0.96±0.03) by fitting power law dependency model for the estimated values of the entire study region. The Q ₀ and n values show that the region is seismically very active and the crust is highly heterogeneous. There was no systematic variation of values of Q _p and Q _s at different frequencies from one tectonic unit to another. As a consequence, average values of these parameters were obtained for each frequency for the entire region, and these were used for interpretation and for comparison with worldwide data. Q _p values lie within the range of values observed for some tectonically active regions of the world, whereas Q _s values were the lowest among the values compared for different parts of the world. Q _s/Q _p values were >1 for the entire range of frequencies studied. All these factors indicate that the crust is highly heterogeneous in the study region. The high Q _s/Q _p values also indicate that the region is partially saturated with fluids.     

Coda Q Estimates in the Andaman Islands Using Local Earthquakes

The attenuation property of Andaman Island has been investigated analyzing coda waves from 57 local earthquakes in the magnitude range of 2.0–4.9, using the single backscattering model. These earthquakes waveforms, recorded on five broadband seismographs sited over the island from north to south during Nov. 2003 to March 2004, have been used to calculate the frequency dependent Coda Q (Q _c ) applying the time domain coda-decay method. The Coda Q, computed at central frequencies from (0.5–12) Hz and five-lapse time windows from 40 to 80 s, progressively increases from 105 f ^0.88 in the north Andaman to 135 f ^0.79 in the south Andaman with an average of 119 f ^0.80. The average Q _c values vary from 75 ± 42 at 0.5 Hz to 697 ± 54 at 12 Hz central frequency for 40 s lapse time window, while for 80 s lapse time window its variation is from 117 ± 38 at 0.5 Hz to 1256 ± 115 at 12 Hz. The Q _c estimated at different lapse times manifests a significant variation from 122f ^0.75 to 174f ^0.73, corresponding to lapse time window lengths of 40 and 80 s, respectively. The variation of Q _c with frequency, lapse time and also with the location of seismograph reflects the marked structural and compositional inhomogeneity with depth along the Andaman Islands. These observations are well correlated with the seismicity pattern and distinct high angle subduction beneath the island.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis>-factor estimates for the crust and upper mantle in the vicinity of Sochi and Anapa (North Caucasus)

The regularities in the radiation and propagation of seismic waves in the regions of the North Caucasus are analyzed for estimating the ground motion parameters during the probable future strong earthquakes. Based on the records of the regional earthquakes with magnitudes M_W ~ 3.9–5.6 within epicentral distances up to ~300 km obtained during the period of digital measurements at the Sochi and Anapa seismic stations, the Q-factors in the vicinities of these sites are estimated at ~55 f^0.9 and ~90f^0.7, respectively. The estimates were obtained by the coda normalization method developed by Aki, Rautian, and other authors. This method is based on the phenomenon of suppression of the earthquake (source) effects and local (site) responses by coda waves in the S-wave spectra. The obtained Q-factor estimates can be used for forecasting the ground shaking parameters for the future probable strong earthquakes in the North Caucasus in the vicinities of Sochi and Anapa.     

Coda Q Estimates in the Koyna Region, India

—The coda Q, Q _c ?, have been estimated for the Koyna region of India. The coda waves of 76 seismograms from thirteen local earthquakes, recorded digitally in the region during July–August, 1996, have been analyzed for this purpose at nine central frequencies viz., 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 12.0, 16.0 and 24.0 Hz using a single backscattering model. All events with magnitude less than 3 fall in the epicentral distances less than 60 km and have focal depths which range from 0.86 to 9.43 km. For the 30 sec coda window length the estimated Q _c values vary from 81 to 261 at 1.5 Hz and 2088 to 3234 at 24 Hz, whereas the mean values of Q _c with the standard error vary from 148 ± 13.5 at 1.5 Hz to 2703 ± 38.8 at 24 Hz. Both the estimated Q _c values and their mean values exhibit the clear dependence on frequency in the region and a frequency dependence average attenuation relationship, Q _c = 96f ^1.09, has been obtained for the region, covering an approximate area of 11500 km² with the surfacial extent of about 120 km and depth of 60 km.¶Lapse time dependence of Q _c has also been studied for the region, with the coda waves analyzed at five lapse time windows from 20 to 60 sec duration with the difference of 10 sec. The frequency dependence average Q _c relationships obtained at these window lengths Q _c = 66f ^1.16 (20 sec), Q _c = 96f ^1.09 (30 sec), Q _c =131f ^1.04 (40 sec), Q _c = 148f ^1.04 (50 sec), Q _c = 182f ^1.02 (60 sec) show that the frequency dependence (exponentn) remains mostly stationary at all the lapse time window lengths, while the change in Q ₀ value is significant. Lapse time dependence of Q _c in the region is also interpreted as the function of depth.     

Determination of Q S, spreading factor and S-wave acceleration by inversion of seismic intensity data

In this paper, on the basis of intensity data from 85 earthquakes occurred in China, the method of resolving overdetermined equations by using the damped least squares method is applied to inversing for the mean value of 1 s. S wave quality factor, the spreading factor and the S-wave acceleration at the foci of earthquakes in 7 regions of China. The relation between S-wave acceleration at the foci of earthquakes and magnitude is discussed. As an example, 2-DQ _S distribution in Taiwan Province is obtained by inversion. It is found that there exists some corresponding relation between this distribution and Bouguer gravitational anomaly and seismicity. Preliminary analysis and discussion on results of the inversion, and estimation of error inQ _S are made. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,13, 202–211, 1991. The English version of this paper is improved by Professor Yushou Xie.     

Scattering and intrinsic attenuation in Cairo metropolitan area using genetic algorithm

A total number of 46 local earthquakes (2.0≤ML≤4.0) recorded in the period 2000–2011 by the Egyptian seismographic network (ENSN) were used to estimate the total (Q_t⁻¹), intrinsic (Q_i⁻¹) and scattering attenuation (Q_sc⁻¹) in Cairo metropolitan area, Egypt. The multiple lapse time window analysis (MLTWA) under the assumption of multiple isotropic scattering with uniform distribution of scatters was firstly applied to estimate the pair of L_e⁻¹, the extinction length inverse, and B₀, the seismic albedo, in the frequency range 3–24 Hz. To take into account the effect of a depth-dependent earth model, the obtained values of B₀ and L_e⁻¹ were corrected for an earth structure characterized by a transparent upper mantle and a heterogeneous crust. The estimated values of Q_t⁻¹, Q_sc⁻¹ and Q_i⁻¹ exhibited frequency dependences. The average frequency-dependent relationships of attenuation characteristics estimated for the region are found to be: Q_t⁻¹=(0.015±0.008)f ^{(−1.02±0.02)}, Q_sc⁻¹=(0.006±0.001)f ^{(−1.01±0.02)}, and Q_i⁻¹=(0.009±0.008)f ^{(−1.03±0.02)}; showing a predominance of intrinsic absorption over scattering attenuation. This finding implies that the pore-fluid contents may have great effect on the attenuation mechanism in the upper crust where the River Nile is passing through the study area. The obtained results are comparable with those obtained in other tectonic regions.     

Attenuation of High-Frequency Seismic Waves in Eastern Iran

We investigated the frequency-dependent attenuation of the crust in Eastern Iran by analysis data from 132 local earthquakes having focal depths in the range of 5–25 km. We estimated the quality factor of coda waves (Q _c) and body waves (Q _p and Q _s) in the frequency band of 1.5–24 Hz by applying the single backscattering theory of S-coda envelopes and the extended coda-normalization method, respectively. Considering records from recent earthquakes (Rigan M _w 6.5, 2010/12/20, Goharan M _w 6.2, 2013/5/11 and Sirch M _w 5.5, 2013/1/21), the estimated values of Q _c, Q _p and Q _s vary from 151 ± 49, 63 ± 6, and 93 ± 14 at 1.5 Hz to 1,994 ± 124, 945 ± 84 and 1,520 ± 123 at 24 Hz, respectively. The average frequency-dependent relationships (Q = Q _o f ⁿ ) estimated for the region are Q _c = (108 ± 10)f ^(0.96±0.01), Q _p = (50 ± 5)f ^(1.01±0.04), and Q _s = (75 ± 6)f ^(1.03±0.06). These results evidenced a frequency dependence of the quality factors Q _c, Q _p, and Q _s, as commonly observed in tectonically active zones characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity, and the low value of Q indicated an attenuative crust beneath the entire region.     

A study of Guptkashi,Uttarakhand earthquake of 6 February 2017 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis></Subscript>5.3) in the Himalayan arc and implications for ground motion estimation

The 2017 Guptkashi earthquake occurred in a segment of the Himalayan arc with high potential for a strong earthquake in the near future. In this context, a careful analysis of the earthquake is important as it may shed light on source and ground motion characteristics during future earthquakes. Using the earthquake recording on a single broadband strong-motion seismograph installed at the epicenter, we estimate the earthquake’s location (30.546° N, 79.063° E), depth (H?=?19 km), the seismic moment (M₀?=?1.12×10¹⁷ Nm, M _w 5.3), the focal mechanism (φ?=?280°, δ?=?14°, λ?=?84°), the source radius (a?=?1.3 km), and the static stress drop (Δσ _s ~22 MPa). The event occurred just above the Main Himalayan Thrust. S-wave spectra of the earthquake at hard sites in the arc are well approximated (assuming ω^?2 source model) by attenuation parameters Q(f)?=?500f^0.9, κ?=?0.04 s, and f_max?=?infinite, and a stress drop of Δσ?=?70 MPa. Observed and computed peak ground motions, using stochastic method along with parameters inferred from spectral analysis, agree well with each other. These attenuation parameters are also reasonable for the observed spectra and/or peak ground motion parameters in the arc at distances ≤?200 km during five other earthquakes in the region (4.6?≤?M _w ?≤?6.9). The estimated stress drop of the six events ranges from 20 to 120 MPa. Our analysis suggests that attenuation parameters given above may be used for ground motion estimation at hard sites in the Himalayan arc via the stochastic method.     

Variation of intrinsic and scattering attenuation of seismic waves with depth in the Bam region,East-Central Iran

The attenuation properties of the lithosphere in the Bam region, East-Central Iran, have been investigated. For this purpose, 42 local earthquakes having focal depths less than 25 km have been used. The quality factor of coda waves (Q_c) has been estimated using the single back-scattering model. The quality factors Q_p, Q_d (P and direct S-waves) have been estimated using the extended-coda normalization method. Q_i and Q_s (the intrinsic and scattering attenuation parameters) have been estimated for the region. The values of Q_p, Q_d, Q_c, Q_i and Q_s show a dependence on frequency in the range of 1.5–24 Hz for the Bam region. The average frequency-dependent relationships estimated for the region are Q_p=(36±6)f^(1.03±0.06), Q_d=(59±8)f^(1.00±0.03), Q_c=(79±5)f^(1.01±0.04), Q_s=(131±4)f^(1.01±0.04) and Q_i=(104±6)f^(1.01±0.05). A comparison between Q_i and Q_s shows that intrinsic absorption is predominant over scattering.The variation of Q has also been estimated at different lapse times to observe heterogeneities variation with depth. The variation of Q with frequency and lapse time shows that the lithosphere becomes more homogeneous with depth.The estimated Q_o values at different stations suggest a low value of Q indicating a heterogeneous and attenuative crust beneath the entire region.     

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.     

An inversion of site response and Lg attenuation using Lg waveform

Based on spectral ratio method, a joint inversion method was used to obtain parameters of Lg wave attenuation and site response. The inversion method allows simple and direct (two-parameter) determination of Lg wave attenua- tion and site response from sparse spectral data, which are not affected by radiation pattern factor and different response of same instrument after geometrical spreading. The method was used successfully for estimating site re- sponse of stations of Zhejiang Seismic Network and measuring Lg wave attenuation. The study is based on 20 earth- quakes occurred in northeast of Taiwan with magnitude MS5.0~6.7 and 960 seismic wave records from 16 stations in Zhejiang area from 2002 to 2005. The parameters of site response and Lg attenuation were calculated with a fre- quency interval of 0.2 Hz in the range of 0.5 Hz to 10 Hz. Lg wave attenuation coefficient corresponding to U-D, E-W and N-S components are γ ( f )=0.00175 f 0.43485, γ ( f )=0.00145f 0.48467 and γ ( f )=0.0021f 0.41241, respectively. It is found that the site response is component-independent. It is also found that the site response of QIY station is significant above the frequency of 1.5 Hz, and that the site response of NIB station is low for most frequency     

Site effects by generalized inversion technique using strong motion recordings of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

The generalized inversion of S-wave amplitude spectra from the free-field strong motion recordings of the China National Strong Motion Observation Network System (NSMONS) are used to evaluate the site effects in the Wenchuan area. In this regard, a total of 602 recordings from 96 aftershocks of the Wenchuan earthquake with magnitudes of M3.7-M6.5 were selected as a dataset. These recordings were obtained from 28 stations at a hypocenter distance ranging from 30 km to 150 km. The inversion results have been verified as reliable by comparing the site response at station 62WUD using the Generalized Inversion Technique (GIT) and the Standard Spectral Ratio method (SSR). For all 28 stations, the site predominant frequency F _p and the average site amplification in different frequency bands of 1.0–5.0 Hz, 5.0–10.0 Hz and 1.0–10.0 Hz have been calculated based on the inversion results. Compared with the results from the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method, it shows that the HVSR method can reasonably estimate the site predominant frequency but underestimates the site amplification. The linear fitting between the average site amplification for each frequency band and the V _s20 (the average uppermost-20 m shear wave velocity) shows good correlation. A distance measurement called the asperity distance D _Aspt is proposed to reasonably characterize the source-to-site distance for large earthquakes. Finally, the inversed site response is used to identify the soil nonlinearity in the main shock and aftershocks of Wenchuan earthquake. In ten of the 28 stations analyzed in the main shock, the soil behaved nonlinearly, where the ground motion level is apparently beyond a threshold of PGA > 300 cm/s² or PGV > 20 cm/s, and only one station coded 51SFB has evidence of soil nonlinear behavior in the aftershocks.