Seismic Velocity Structure and Event Relocation in Kazakhstan from Observation and Modeling of Secondary P Phases
Abstract
Data from presumed explosions in Kazakhstan recorded by NRDC/SAS stations were analyzed to model the crustal structure of the region and to examine the use of arrival times of secondary P phases in event location. Data from 20 events were modeled using a reflectivity algorithm. A good fit to the first five seconds of the P wave was obtained in the epicentral distance range of 100 to 300 km. The best fitting crustal model has a velocity in the upper crust increasing from 4.5 km/sec near the surface to over 6 km/sec at 10 km depth and a mid-crustal velocity of 6.5 km/sec at 15 km depth increasing to 6.95 km/sec at 40 km depth. The model is similar to previous estimates of P velocity structure in the region, though with a gentler gradient in the upper crust and steeper gradient in the lower crust. We used the derived crustal model and the primary and secondary P wave arrival times to relocate events in the region. Utilizing the phase PmP substantially decreases the focal depth uncertainty for many events. Virtually all of the events analyzed are concluded to be surface explosions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA254345
Entities
People
- C. H. Thurber
- H. R. Quin
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison