Mapping crustal S-wave velocity structure with SV-component receiver function method

In this article, we analyze the characters of SV-component receiver function of teleseismic body waves and its advantages in mapping the S-wave velocity structure of crust in detail. Similar to radial receiver function, SV-component receiver function can be obtained by directly deconvolving the P-component from the SV-component of teleseismic recordings. Our analyses indicate that the change of amplitude of SV-component receiver function against the change of epicentral distance is less than that of radial receiver function. Moreover, the waveform of SV-component receiver function is simpler than the radial receiver function and gives prominence to the PS converted phases that are the most sensitive to the shear wave velocity structure in the inversion. The synthetic tests show that the convergence of SV-component receiver function inversion is faster than that of the radial receiver function inversion. As an example, we investigate the S-wave velocity structure beneath HIA sta-tion by using the SV-component receiver function inversion method.

Double-difference tomography of P- and S-wave velocity structure beneath the western part of Java, Indonesia

West Java in the western part of the Sunda Arc has a relatively high seismicity due to subduction activity and faults.In this study,double-difference tomography was used to obtain the 3D velocity tomograms of P and S waves beneath the western part of Java.To infer the geometry of the structure beneath the study area,precise earthquake hypo・center determination was first performed before tomographic imaging.For this,earthquake waveform data were extracted from the regional Meteorological,Climatological,Geophysical Agency(BMKG)network of Indonesia from South Sumatra to Central Java.The P and S arrival times for about 1,000 events in the period April 2009 to July 2016 were selected,the key features being events of magnitude>3,azimuthal gap<210°and number of phases>8.A nonlinear method using the oct-tree sampling algorithm from the NonLinLoc program was employed to determine the earthquake hypocenters.The hypocenter locations were then relocated using double-difference tomography(tomoDD).A significant reduction of travel-time(root mean square basis)and a better clustering of earthquakes were achieved which correlated well with the geological structure in West Java.Double-difference tomography was found to give a clear velocity structure,especially beneath the volcanic arc area,i.e.,under Mt Anak Krakatau,Mt Salak and the mountains complex in the southern part of West Java.Low velocity anomalies for the P and S waves as well as the vp/vs ratio below the volcanoes indicated possible partial melting of the upper mantle which ascended from the subducted slab beneath the volcanic arc.

3D S-wave velocity structure of the Ningdu basin in Jiangxi province inferred from ambient noise tomography with dense array

The Ningdu basin,located in southern Jiangxi province of southwest China,is one of the Mesozoic basin groups which has exploration prospects for geothermal energy.A study on the detailed velocity structure of the Ningdu basin can provide important information for geothermal resource exploration.In this study,we deployed a dense seismic array in the Ningdu basin to investigate the 3D velocity structure and discuss implications for geothermal exploration and geological evolution.Based on the dense seismic array including 35 short-period(5 s-100 Hz)seismometers with an average interstation distance of~5 km,Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves were extracted from the continuous ambient noise data for surface wave tomographic inversion.Group velocity tomography was conducted and the 3D S-wave velocity structure was inverted by the neighborhood algorithm.The results revealed obvious low-velocity anomalies in the center of the basin,consistent with the low-velocity Cretaceous sedimentary rocks.The basement and basin-controlling fault can also be depicted by the S-wave velocity anomalies.The obvious seismic interface is about 2 km depth in the basin center and decreases to 700 m depth near the basin boundary,suggesting spatial thickness variations of the Cretaceous sediment.The fault features of the S-wave velocity profile coincide with the geological cognition of the western boundary basincontrolling fault,which may provide possible upwelling channels for geothermal fluid.This study suggests that seismic tomography with a dense array is an effective method and can play an important role in the detailed investigations of sedimentary basins.

S-wave velocity structure beneath Changbaishan volcano inferred from receiver function

The S wave velocity structure in Changbaishan volcanic region was obtained from teleseismic receiver function modeling. The results show that there exist distinct low velocity layers in crust in volcano area. Beneath WQD station near to the Tianchi caldera the low velocity layer at 8 km depth is 20 km thick with the lowest S-wave velocity about 2.2 km/s At EDO station located 50 km north of Tianchi caldera, no obvious crustal low velocity layer is detected. In the volcanic region, the thickness of crustal low velocity layer is greater and the lowest velocity is more obvious with the distance shorter to the caldera. It indicates the existence of the high temperature material or magma reservoir in crust near the Tianchi caldera. The receiver functions and inversion result from different back azimuths at CBS permanent seismic station show that the thickness of near surface low velocity layer and Moho depth change with directions. The near surface low velocity layer is obviously thicker in south direction. The Moho depth shows slight uplifting in the direction of the caldera located. We con- sider that the special near surface velocity structure is the main cause of relatively lower prominent frequency of volcanic earthquake waveforms recorded by CBS station. The slight uplifting of Moho beneath Tianchi caldera indicates there is a material exchanging channel between upper mantle and magma reservoir in crust.

Crustal S-wave velocity structure across the northeastern South China Sea continental margin: implications for lithology and mantle exhumation

The northeastern margin of the South China Sea (SCS), developed from continental rifting and breakup, is usually thought of as a non-volcanic margin. However, post-spreading volcanism is massive and lower crustal high-velocity anomalies are widespread, which complicate the nature of the margin here. To better understand crustal seismic velocities, lithology, and geophysical properties, we present an S-wave velocity (VS) model and a VP/VS model for the northeastern margin by using an existing P-wave velocity (VP) model as the starting model for 2-D kinematic S-wave forward ray tracing. The Mesozoic sedimentary sequence has lower VP/VS ratios than the Cenozoic sequence;in between is a main interface of P-S conversion. Two isolated high-velocity zones (HVZ) are found in the lower crust of the continental slope, showing S-wave velocities of 4.0–4.2 km/s and VP/VS ratios of 1.73–1.78. These values indicate a mafic composition, most likely of amphibolite facies. Also, a VP/VS versus VP plot indicates a magnesium-rich gabbro facies from post-spreading mantle melting at temperatures higher than normal. A third high-velocity zone (VP : 7.0–7.8 km/s;VP/VS: 1.85–1.96), 70-km wide and 4-km thick in the continent-ocean transition zone, is most likely to be a consequence of serpentinization of upwelled upper mantle. Seismic velocity structures and also gravity anomalies indicate that mantle upwelling/ serpentinization could be the most severe in the northeasternmost continent-ocean boundary of the SCS. Empirical relationships between seismic velocity and degree of serpentinization suggest that serpentinite content decreases with depth, from 43% in the lower crust to 37% into the mantle.

S-wave velocity structure in the SE Tibetan plateau

We use observations recorded by 23 permanent and 99 temporary stations in the SE Tibetan plateau to obtain the S-wave velocity structure along two profiles by applying joint inversion with receiver functions and surface waves. The two profiles cross West Yunnan block （WYB）, the Central Yunnan sub-block （CYB）, South China block （SCB）, and Nanpanjiang basin （NPB）. The profile at -25°N shows that the Moho interface in the CYB is deeper than those in the WYB and the NPB, and the topography and Moho depth have clear correspondence. Beneath the Xiaojiang fault zone （XJF）, there exists a crustal low-velocity zone （LYZ）, crossing the XJF and expanding eastward into the SCB. The NPB is shown to be of relatively high velocity. We speculate that the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan plateau may pass through the XJF and affect its eastern region, and is resisted by the rigid NPB, which has high velocity. This may be the main cause of the crustal thickening and uplift of the topography. In the Tengchong volcanic area, the crust is shown to have alternate high- and low-velocity layers, and the upper mantle is shown to be of low velocity. We consider that the magma which exists in the crust is from the upper mantle and that the complex crustal velocity structure is related to magmatic differentiation. Between the Tengchong volcanic area and the XJF, the crustal velocity is relatively high. Combining these observations with other geophysical evi- dence, it is indicated that rock strength is high and defor- mation is weak in this area, which is why the level of seismicity is quite low. The profile at ~ 23~N shows that the variation of the Moho depth is small from the eastern rigid block to the western active block with a wide range of LVZs. We consider that deformation to the south of the SE Tibetan Plateau is weak.

S-wave velocity structure inferred from receiver function inversion in Tengchong volcanic area

Tengchong volcanic area is located near the impinging and underthrust margin of India and Eurasia plates. The volcanic activity is closely related to the tectonic environment. The deep structure characteristics are inferred from the receiver function inversion with the teleseismic records in the paper. The results show that the low velocity zone is influenced by the NE-trending Dayingjiang fault. The S-wave low velocity structure occurs obviously in the southern part of the fault, but unobviously in its northern part. There are low velocity zones in the shallow po-sition, which coincides with the seismicity. It also demonstrates that the low velocity zone is directly related to the thermal activity in the volcanic area. Therefore, we consider that the volcano may be alive again.

Estimation of Shallow S-Wave Velocity Structure of Two Practical Sites from Microtremors Array Observation in Tangshan Area

Microtremors array observation for estimating S-wave velocity structure from phase velocities of Rayleigh and Love wave on two practical sites in Tangshan area by a China-US joint group are researched.The phase velocities of Rayleigh wave are estimated from vertical component records and those of Love wave are estimated from three-component records of microtremors array using modified spatial auto-correlation method.Haskell matrix method is used in calculating Rayleigh and Love wave phase velocities,and the shallow S-wave velocity structure of two practical sites are estimated by means of a hybrid approach of Genetic Algorithm and Simplex.The results are compared with the PS logging data of the two sites,showing it is feasible to estimate the shallow S-wave velocity structure of practical site from the observation of microtremor array.

Joint inversion of Rayleigh group and phase velocities for S-wave velocity structure of the 2021 M_(S)6.0 Luxian earthquake source area,China

On September 16,2021,a MS6.0 earthquake struck Luxian County,one of the shale gas blocks in the Southeastern Sichuan Basin,China.To understand the seismogenic environment and its mechanism,we inverted a fine three-dimensional S-wave velocity model from ambient noise tomography using data from a newly deployed dense seismic array around the epicenter,by extracting and jointly inverting the Rayleigh phase and group velocities in the period of 1.6–7.2 s.The results showed that the velocity model varied significantly beneath different geological units.The Yujiasi syncline is characterized by low velocity at depths of~3.0–4.0 km,corresponding to the stable sedimentary layer in the Sichuan Basin.The eastern and western branches of the Huayingshan fault belt generally exhibit high velocities in the NE-SW direction,with a few local low-velocity zones.The Luxian MS6.0 earthquake epicenter is located at the boundary between the high-and low-velocity zones,and the earthquake sequences expand eastward from the epicenter at depths of 3.0–5.0 km.Integrated with the velocity variations around the epicenter,distribution of aftershock sequences,and focal mechanism solution,it is speculated that the seismogenic mechanism of the main shock might be interpreted as the reactivation of pre-existing faults by hydraulic fracturing.

S-wave velocity structure in Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas from joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion

Using the seismic records of 83 temporary and 17 permanent broadband seismic stations deployed in Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas(39°N–41.5°N,115.5°E–119.5°E),we conducted a nonlinear joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion.We obtained some detailed information about the Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas,including sedimentary thickness,Moho depth,and crustal and upper mantle S-wave velocity.Meanwhile,we also obtained the vP/vS structure along two sections across the Tangshan region.The results show that:(1)the Moho depth ranges from 30 km to 38 km,and it becomes shallower from Yanshan uplift area to North China basin;(2)the thickness of sedimentary layer ranges from 0 km to 3 km,and it thickens from Yanshan uplift region to North China basin;(3)the S-wave velocity structure shows that the velocity distribution of the upper crust has obvious correlation with the surface geological structure,while the velocity characteristics of the middle and lower crust are opposite to that of the upper crust.Compared with the upper crust,the heterogeneity of the middle and lower crust is more obvious;(4)the discontinuity of Moho on the two sides of Tangshan fault suggests that Tangshan fault cut the whole crust,and the low vS and high vP/vS beneath the Tangshan earthquake region may reflect the invasion of mantle thermal material through Tangshan fault.

A two-step multi-frequency receiver function inversion method for shallow crustal S-wave velocity structure and its application across the basin-mountain range belts in Northeast China

A shallow crustal velocity structure(above 10 km depth) is essential for understanding the crustal structures and deformation and assessing the exploration prospect of natural resources, and also provides priori information for imaging deeper crustal and mantle structure. Passive-source seismic methods are cost-effective and advantageous for regional-scale imaging of shallow crustal structures compared to active-source methods. Among these passive methods, techniques utilizing receiver function waveforms and/or body-wave amplitude ratios have recently gained prominence due to their relatively high spatial resolution. However, in basin regions, reverberations caused by near-surface unconsolidated sedimentary layers often introduce strong non-uniqueness and uncertainty, limiting the applicability of such methods. To address these challenges, we propose a two-step inversion method that uses multi-frequency P-RF waveforms and P-RF horizontal-to-vertical amplitude ratios. Synthetic tests indicate that our two-step inversion method can mitigate the non-uniqueness of the inversion and enhance the stability of the results. Applying this method to teleseismic data from a linear seismic array across the sedimentary basins in Northeast China, we obtain a high-resolution image of the shallow crustal S-wave velocity structure along the array. Our results reveal significant differences between the basins and mountains. The identification of low-velocity anomalies(<2.8 km s^(-1)) at depths less than 1.0 km beneath the Erlian Basin and less than 2.5 km beneath the Songliao Basin suggests the existence of sedimentary layers. Moreover, the high-velocity anomalies(~3.4–3.8 km s^(-1)) occurring at depths greater than 7 km in the Songliao Basin may reflect mafic intrusions emplaced during the Early Cretaceous. Velocity anomaly distribution in our imaging result is consistent with the location of the major faults, uplifts, and sedimentary depressions, as well as active-source seismic results. This application further validates the effectiveness of our method in constraining the depth-dependent characteristics of the S-wave velocity in basins with unconsolidated sedimentary cover.

Relationship between polyhedral structures formed by tangent planes of ellipsoidal particles and system sound velocity

Internal polyhedral structures of a granular system can be investigated using the Voronoi tessellations.This technique has gained increasing recognition in research of kinetic properties of granular flows.For systems with mono-sized spherical particles,Voronoi tessellations can be utilized,while radial Voronoi tessellations are necessary for analyzing systems with multi-sized spherical particles.However,research about polyhedral structures of non-spherical particle systems is limited.We utilize the discrete element method to simulate a system of ellipsoidal particles,defined by the equation(x a)2+(y1)2+(z 1/a)2=1,where a ranges from 1.1 to 2.0.The system is then dissected by using tangent planes at the contact points,and the geometric quantities of the resulting polyhedra in different shaped systems,such as surface area,volume,number of vertices,number of edges,and number of faces,are calculated.Meanwhile,the longitudinal and transverse wave velocities within the system are calculated with the time-of-flight method.The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the sound velocity of the system and the geometry of the dissected polyhedra.The sound velocity of the system increases with the increase in a,peaking at a=1.3,and then decreases as a continues to increase.The average volume,surface area,number of vertices,number of edges,and number of faces of the polyhedra decrease with the increase in sound velocity.That is,these quantities initially decrease with the increase in a,reaching minima at a=1.3,and then increase with further increase of a.The relationship between sound velocity and the geometric quantities of the dissected polyhedra can serve as a reference for acoustic material design.

3D S-Wave Velocity Structure of the Crust and Upper Mantle

In this paper, 238 Rayleigh wave path data are selected and processed by the matched-filtering frequency-time analysis technique and the grid dispersion inversion method to obtain the 3D S-wave velocity structure of China mainland and its adjacent sea regions. The results show that the velocity structure relates to geotectonic division, Bouguer gravity anomaly is basically controlled by the relief of Moho discontinuity, the buried depth of LVL in upper mantle concerns the surface heat flow deeply. In this paper, authors indicate the main characteristics of the velocity structure in tectonic active and stable regions.

Crustal P-and S-Wave Velocity Structure of the North China Craton at 36°N from Active-Source Seismic Data and Its Tectonic Implications

We present crustal models for seismic P-waves(Vp),S-waves(Vs)and the Vp/Vs ratio across the southern North China Craton along latitude 36°N.Our results are based on inverse and forward modeling of long-range wide-angle reflection/refraction data.The crust of the southern Ordos Block has high lower crustal velocity(7.0 km/s)and a Moho depth of~42 km.In contrast,thick sediments and a lower average velocity(compared with the Ordos block)found underneath the Shanxi Graben are likely to be the products of rifting that has occurred since the Cenozoic.Steep Moho dips,exposed basement rock and higher average crustal velocity beneath the Lüliang Mountain and the Taihang Mountain are characteristic of an orogenic belt.The Tanlu fault and the Liaocheng-Lankao fault show sharp crustal velocity variations and a Moho offset.This seismic profile sampled the entire region of the Eastern North China Craton where the cratonic root has been destroyed and the unique crustal structure is correlated with the substantially modified lithosphere.Our crustal seismic velocity model shows a strong correspondence between surface geology,local tectonics and the deep crustal structure.

The shallow Longmenshan crustal S-velocity structure of the fault zone using ambient noise tomography of a seismic dense array

The Longmenshan fault zone(LMSF),characterized by complex structures and strong seismicity,is located at the junction between the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and the north-western Sichuan basin.Since the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12,2008,abundant studies of the formation mechanism of earthquakes along the LMSF were performed.In this study,a short-period dense seismic array deployed across the LMSF was applied by ambient noise tomography.Fifty-two 3-D seismic instruments were used for data acquisition for 26 days.We calculated the empirical Green's functions(EGFs)between different station-pairs and extracted 776 Rayleigh-wave dispersion curves between 2 and 7 s.And then,we used the direct-inversion method to obtain the fine shallow crustal S-wave velocity structure within 6 km depth in the middle section of the Longmenshan fault zone and nearby areas.Our results show that the sedimentary layer(>5 km)exists in the northwest margin of Sichuan Basin with a low S-wave velocity(~1.5-2.5 km/s)which is much thicker than that beneath the Longmenshan fault zone and the Songpan-Garze block.The high-velocity structures with clear boundaries below the middle of Longmenshan fault zone(~2-4 km)and the Songpan-Garze block(~4.5-6 km)probably reveal the NW-SE distribution patterns of both the Pengguan complex and the high-density belt hidden in the northwest of the Pengguan complex.And the obviously high-velocity anomalies observed at the depth of^1-2 km in the southeastern margin of the Songpan-Garze block can be considered as the Laojungou granites.Our results provide a high-resolution shallow velocity structure for detailed studies of the Longmenshan fault zone.

Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure of the crust beneath Hainan Island and its adjacent regions,China

Using over 3 500 first P arrival times recorded by nine digital seismic stations from Hainan Digital Seismic Net-work during 1999～2005,a 3-D P-wave velocity model of the crust under Hainan Island and adjacent regions has been determined. The results show that the pattern of velocity anomalies in the shallower upper crust is somewhat associated with the surface geological tectonics in the region. A relative low-velocity anomaly appears north of the Wangwu-Wenjiao fault zone and a relative high-velocity anomaly appears south of the Wangwu-Wenjiao fault zone,corresponding to the depressed areas in north Hainan Island,where many volcanoes are frequently active and geothermal values are relatively higher,and the uplifted and stable regions in central and south of the Hainan Is-land. In the middle and lower crust velocities are relatively lower in east Hainan than those in west Hainan,possi-bly suggesting the existence of the upwelling of hot materials from the mantle in east Hainan. The pattern of veloc-ity anomalies also indicates that NW faults,i.e.,the Puqian-Qinglan fault,may be shallower,while the E-W Wangwu-Wenjiao fault may be deeper,which perhaps extends down to Moho depth or deeper.

Earthquake relocation and 3-dimensional crustal structure of P-wave velocity in cen-tral-western China

采用中国中西部地区(2l°～36°N，98°～112°E)193个地震台在1992～1999年间记录到的9988次地震的Pg和Sg震相走时的读数资料，用Roecker的SPHYPIT90程序，反演了该地区三维地壳P波速度结构，并用SPHREL3D90程序进行了地震的重新定位．反演结果揭示了中国中西部地区地震P波速度结构明显的横向不均匀性，这些不同深度上波速的横向变化多以该地区的活动断裂为分界线．可以看出活动断裂两侧存在明显的速度反差．通过重新定位，得到了6459次地震的震源参数，这些精确定位的地震震中明显沿该区活动断裂呈现条带状分布，其范围和尺度清晰地表示了这一地区地震活动与活动断裂的紧密关系．其中，82％重新精确定位的事件的震源深度在20km以内．这一结果与笔者用双差地震定位法得到的重新定位的震源深度分布相一致．

3-D velocity structure in the central-eastern part of Qilianshan

The 3-D velocity tomography image of the central-eastern part of Qilianshan is obtained by the joint inversion of 3-D velocity structure and focal parameters based on the S-P data of micro-earthquakes recorded by the digital seismic network set up for a Sino-French cooperation program since 1996. The inversed velocity structure does primarily reflect some important features of the deep structure in the region and provide the scientific background for the further study of active tectonic structure and the calculation of earthquake parameters.

Three dimensional shear wave velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in South China Sea and its adjacent regions by surface waveform inversion

We assembled approximately 328 seismic records. The data set was from 4 digitally recording long-period and broadband stations of CDSN. We carried out the inversion based on the partitioned waveform inversion (PWI). It partitions the large-scale optimization problem into a number of independent small-scale problems. We adopted surface waveform inversion with an equal block (2((2() discretization in order to acquire the images of shear velocity structure at different depths (from surface to 430 km) in the crust and upper-mantle. The resolution of all these anomalies has been established with (check-board( resolution tests. These results show significant difference in velocity, lithosphere and asthenosphere structure between South China Sea and its adjacent regions.

Structural similarity of lithospheric velocity models of Chinese mainland

Existing lithospheric velocity models exhibit similar structures typically associated with the first-order tectonic features,with dissimilarities due to different data and methods used in model generation.The quantification of model structural similarity can help in interpreting the geophysical properties of Earth's interior and establishing unified models crucial in natural hazard assessment and resource exploration.Here we employ the complex wavelet structural similarity index measure(CW-SSIM)active in computer image processing to analyze the structural similarity of four lithospheric velocity models of Chinese mainland published in the past decade.We take advantage of this method in its multiscale definition and insensitivity to slight geometrical distortion like translation and scaling,which is particularly crucial in the structural similarity analysis of velocity models accounting for uncertainty and resolution.Our results show that the CW-SSIM values vary in different model pairs,horizontal locations,and depths.While variations in the inter-model CW-SSIM are partly owing to different databases in the model generation,the difference of tomography methods may significantly impact the similar structural features of models,such as the low similarities between the full-wave based FWEA18 and other three models in northeastern China.We finally suggest potential solutions for the next generation of tomographic modeling in different areas according to corresponding structural similarities of existing models.