Vp and Vp/Vs structures in the crust and upper mantle of the Taiwan region, China

A tomographic study of the V _p and V _p/V _s structures in the crust and upper mantle beneath the Taiwan region of China is conducted by simultaneous inversion of P and S arrival times. Compared with the previous tomographic results, the spherical finite difference technique is suitable for the strong heterogeneous velocity structure, and may improve the accuracy in the travel time and three-dimensional ray tracing calculations. The V _p and V _p/V _s structures derived from joint inversion and the relocated earthquakes can provide better constraints for analyzing the lateral heterogeneity and deep tectonic characters in the crust and upper mantle. Our tomographic results reveal significant relations between the seismic wavespeed structure and the tectonic characters. In the shallow depth, sedimentary basins and orogen show distinct wavespeed anomalies, with low V _p, high V _p/V _s in basins and high V _p, low V _p/V _s in orogen. As the suture zone of Eurasian Plate and Philippine Sea Plate, Longitudinal Valley is characterized by a significant high V _p/V _s anomaly extending to the middle-lower crust and upper mantle, which reflects the impact of rock cracking, partial melting, and the presence of fluids. In the northeast Taiwan, the V _p, V _p/V _s anomalies and relocated earthquakes depict the subducting Philippine Sea Plate under the Eurasian Plate. The high V _p of oceanic plate and the low V _p, high V _p/V _s atop the subducted oceanic plate extend to 80 km depth. Along the east-west profiles, the thickness of crust reaches 60 km at the east of Central Range with eastward dipping trend, which reveals the eastward subduction of the thickened and deformed crust of the Eurasian continental plate. Supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX3-SW-234-2), National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB411701), National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA09A101-0201) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40804016, 40704013)     

Time domain solution for multiple scattering and the coda envelopes

This article summarizes work on multiple scattering based on models of media with randomly distributed scatterers. The scatterers are isotropic and statistically uniform. Measuring distance in terms of mean-free pathL _s and time in terms of the mean-free timesL _s/V, whereV is the velocity of scattered waves, we have more convenient dimensionless distance and time. It can be shown that after the dimensionless time equals 0.65 energy contributed from multiple scattering becomes predominant. Thus the later coda reflects the effect of multiple scattering rather than single scattering. Treating the seismic record, including starting and tail parts, as a whole, the diffusion theory predicts that at a dense distribution of scatterers and a small distance between source and receiver, codas reflect mainly intrinsicQ _i. Of course, this conclusion is coincident with the presumption of the diffusion theory,Q _s>Q _i. However, from a new integral equation of multiple scattering, which deals with the scattered waves and primary waves separately, the conclusion is similar but clearer. This article quotes the new expression for coda energy in two-dimensional space. It shows that if the receiver is close to the source, the coda decay reflects only intrinsicQ _i, then as the distance increases, effects of scatteringQ _s, are involved in the decay feature. The theoretical plots of coda decay show that it seems in most cases in the earthQ _i should not be smaller than one tenth ofQ _s.Project Sponsored by the Joint Earthquake Science Foundation of China.     

The spatial and temporal changes inV p /V s before strong earthquakes in Kamchatka

A method was developed to obtain from a signal station the spatial and temporal distribution ofV _p /V _s ratios before earthquakes of magnitude>6. It was shown thatV _p /V _s values strongly depend upon the relative positions of the stations, the future large earthquake and the foci of the smaller earthquakes used forV _p /V _s determination. The appearance of a zone of anomalousV _p /V _s values with linear dimensions of the order of 100 km was noted at least 4 years before a deep earthquake of magnitude 7. Similar size anomalous zones were detected one year before some magnitude 6 earthquakes. V _p /V _s values decreased by a small but distinct amount during this time. Additionally, local short term minima inV _p /V _s ratios were observed some months before the major event. The epicenters of the large earthquakes were located within the 100 km size zone where the gradients of theV _p /V _s field were largest.     

Self-diffusion studies of pore fluids in unconsolidated sediments by PFG NMR

The self-diffusion of water and hexadecane in medium and coarse sands from glacial sand deposits in central Germany were investigated by pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG NMR). Due to the restriction of the diffusion path at the pore/grain interface, the measured apparent self-diffusion coefficients (D(Δ)) in the pore space depend on the observation time (Δ) in the PFG NMR experiment. Although the bulk self-diffusion coefficients of water and hexadecane differ by about one order of magnitude, the apparent self-diffusion coefficients in the pore space obey the same characteristic time-behaviour, which depends only on geometrical properties of the pore system. Using the “short-time diffusion” model, surface-to-volume (S/V) ratios and inherent self-diffusion coefficients (D₀) of the pore fluids were extracted from these diffusion measurements. The S/V ratios obtained are independent of the pore fluid used and agree with known geometrical properties of the sand grains. Moreover, the D₀ values are consistent with the corresponding bulk self-diffusion coefficients measured separately. In contrast to these results of PFG NMR, simultaneous investigations of longitudinal (T₁) nuclear magnetic relaxation reveal that the relaxation time of the pore fluid is a less suitable parameter for a quantitative estimation of geometrical properties of the pore/grain interface in these unconsolidated sediments since it depends on chemical properties of the fluid/grain interface.     

中国台湾地区-菲律宾群岛深部纵横波结构成像及其构造意义

使用地震层析成像方法反演了中国台湾地区-菲律宾群岛的1197126条P波震相和1217821条S波震相,首次同时得到了该地区从地表到100km的纵横波速度结构。成像结果揭示了沿着马尼拉海沟向东俯冲的欧亚板块从中国台湾西南部到吕宋岛南端构造形态上的变化;中国台湾中央山脉由于受到造山运动的影响,地壳厚度可达55~60km,而山脉两侧的地壳厚度多为20~35km;此外,成像结果还提供了菲律宾海板块在中国台湾东北部及琉球海沟下方北向俯冲的地球物理学证据;研究区域南部的菲律宾群岛由于同时受到两侧欧亚板块和菲律宾海板块的双向俯冲,使得岛内的岩石圈变形严重,岛弧岩浆和地震活动十分发育;群岛东侧的菲律宾海板块在东吕宋海槽的活动性较弱,很可能是本哈姆海台的碰撞和俯冲所造成的,而菲律宾海板块在菲律宾海沟的俯冲活动则十分强烈,随着深度的增加逐渐向南发展。研究表明,板块俯冲造成了中国台湾地区-菲律宾群岛的地壳及上地幔具有较强的不均一性,这不仅孕育了大量的地震和火山活动,同时也对该地区的地质构造产生了深远的影响。     

Attenuation of Coda Waves at the Changbaishan Tianchi Volcanic Area in Northeast China

21 earthquakes recorded by a temporary seismic network in the Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic area in Northeast China operated during the summer of 2002 and 2003 were analyzed to estimate the S coda attenuation. The attenuation quality factor Q_c was estimated using the single scattering attenuation model of Sato (1977) in the frequency band from 4 to 24 Hz. All the events studied in this paper occurred at depths from 2 to 6 km with ML of 1.4–2.8. The epicentral distances are less than 25 km. For all events which occurred near the Tianchi Lake (caldera), the Q_c patterns obtained at the stations near the lake are similar, and the Q_c values are relatively small. At the stations located about 15 km east of the Tianchi Lake, however, the average Q_c is significantly higher. For an event which occurred 25km from the lake to the west, Q_c patterns derived at the stations near the lake are quite similar to the above mentioned Q_c for stations located in the east. Further study shows that Q_c value in the north and central areas of the volcano is relatively lower than that in the surrounding area. Compared to other volcanic areas in the world, the average Q_c of the Changbaishan Tianchi volcanic area is obviously lower. The deep seismic sounding and teleseismic receiver function studies indicated more than one lower velocity layer in the crust. The MT studies suggested the presence of high conductive bodies beneath the area. We interpret the strong attenuation of coda waves near the Changbaishan Tianchi volcano as being possibly related to high temperature medium caused by shallow magma chambers.     

Modelling shear waves in OBS data from the Vøring basin (Northern Norway) by 2-D ray-tracing

Three component recordings from an array of five ocean bottom seismographs in the northwestern part of the Vøring basin have been used to obtain a 2-D shear-wave (S-wave) velocity-depth model. The shear waves are identified by means of travel-time differences compared to the compressional (P) waves, and by analyzing their particle motions. The model has been obtained by kinematic (travel-time) ray-tracing modelling of the OBS horizontal components.The shear-wave modelling indicates that mode conversions occur at several high velocity interfaces (sills) in the 4–10 km depth range, previously defined by a compressional-wave velocity-depth model using the same data set.An averageV _p /V _s ratio of 2.1 is inferred for the layers above the uppermost sill, indicative of both poorly consolidated sediments and a low sand/shale ratio. A significant decrease in theV _p /V _s ratio (1.7) below the first sill may in part be atributed to well consolidated sediments, and to a change in lithology to more sandy sediments. This layer is interpreted to lie within the lower Cretaceous sequence. At 5–10 km depthV _p /V _s ratios of 1.85 indicate a lower sand/shale ratio consistent with the expected lithologies. The averageV _p /V _s ratio inferred for the crust is 1.75, which is consistent with values obtained north of Vøring, in the Lofoten area. An eastward thinning of the crystalline basement is supported by the shear-wave modelling.     

V p /V s anomalies in dilatant rock samples

Summary In a series of triaxial experiments we have measuredV _p ,V _s and volumetric strain simultaneously in dilating dry and saturated rocks. For the first time these data permit quantitative comparison of seismic velocities or their ratio and dilatant volumetric strain. In air-dry samplesV _p /V _s decreases by a few per cent at strains of 10^–3; in saturated materials with high pore pressure,V _p /V _s increases by a comparable amount. Decreases in seismic velocity ratio are difficult to generate in initially saturated rocks even with low pore pressures and at strain rates of 10^–4/sec. A liquid-vapor transition will not produce a significant drop inV _p /V _s . If dilatancy and fluid flow are responsible for seismic travel time anomalies prior to earthquakes, our results suggest that such anomalies will occur only in regions where pore fluid source to sink dimensions are of the order of 10 km or more, or in regions where the rocks are not saturated to begin with.     

Am improved source mechanism for the 1935 Timiskaming,Quebec earthquake from regional waveforms

The Timiskaming earthquake, which occurred near the Quebec-Ontario border at the northwest end of the Western Quebec seismic zone in 1935, is one of the five largest instrumentally recorded southeastern Canadian earthquakes. Previous studies of this earthquake concentrated on modeling teismograms recorded at regional distances, a better constrained focal mechanism is obtained. The waveforms indicate thrust faulting on a moderately dipping northwest striking plane at a depth of 10 km. TheM _w of 6.1 determined in this study is in good agreement with previous magnitude estimates (m _b 6.1,M _s 6.0, andm _bLg 6.2–6.3). The focal mechanism is similar to those of many recent small to moderate earthquakes in the region, and the inferred (from theP axis) acting stress of northeast compression is consistent with the overall eastern North American stress field. The Lake Timiskaming Rift Valley in which the earthquake occurred, comprises several northwest striking faults consistent with the strike of the 1935 event. Thus, the 1935 earthquake appears to be a result of faulting on the reactivated Timiskaming graben.     

四川、甘肃地区VS30经验估计研究

目前我国建筑工程抗震设计规范中对于工程场地条件的判断依据主要是地表以下20m深度范围内土层的等效剪切波速,简称VS20。相比之下,国外应用较广的是地表以下30m深度范围内的等效剪切波速,简称VS30。这种差别导致国内科研工作者在应用国外的地震工程、工程抗震模型时经常遇到对场地条件描述不准确的困难。为了解决这个问题,本文根据147个四川、甘肃地区国家强震动台站20m左右深度的钻孔剪切波速数据,利用延拓方法、场地分类统计方法以及基于地形特征的VS30估计方法研究各台站VS30与VS20的经验关系,对比发现基于速度梯度延拓的结果最为可取。参考国际上通用的Geomatrix Classification场地分类标准,最终得到四川、甘肃地区各类场地的平均VS30,此结果可以为缺乏钻孔数据的工程场地的VS30估计提供参考。     

CrustalP-wave velocity and velocity-ratio study in northeast India by a microearthquake survey

The upper crustal (20 km)P-wave velocity beneath the Shillong Plateau and Nowgong area has been studied by the time-distance plot method. TheP-arrival data of the shallow (20 km) microearthquakes from three temporary networks are used, and the average velocity is found to be 5.55 km/s. The velocity ratio (V _p /V _s ) for the upper crust (0–20 km) as well as for the lower crust (21–40 km) are determined by the Wadati-plot method and station-by-station method. The average value obtained by the two methods is compatible; theV _p /V _s ranges between 1.74 to 1.76. A generalized seismic velocity model of the area is suggested by this study, which has been very useful for microearthquake location.     

北京平原地区VS30估算模型适用性研究

本文使用基于钻孔测井数据的3类模型,即常速度外推模型、速度梯度模型、双深度参数外推模型,通过对北京地区460个深度超过30m的钻孔剪切波速资料进行分析,详细探究了V_S30估算模型在本研究区的适用性。研究结果表明双深度参数外推模型在估算V_S30上准确度很高,其不需要大量的数据进行回归分析,且不具有区域独立性,可以为全球包括北京地区场地类别划分提供依据,进而在震害快速评估中用于确定场地影响,是一种值得推广的估算模型。     

Vp‐Vs relationship and amplitude variation with offset modelling of glauconitic greensand‡

The relationship between V_p and V_s may be used to predict V_s where only V_p is known. V_p/V_s is also used to identify pore fluids from seismic data and amplitude variation with offset analysis. Theoretical, physical, as well as statistical empirical V_p‐V_s relationships have been proposed for reservoir characterization when shear‐wave data are not available. In published work, the focus is primarily on the V_p‐V_s relationship of quartzitic sandstone. In order to broaden the picture we present V_p‐V_s relationships of greensand composed of quartz and glauconite by using data from the Paleocene greensand Nini oil field in the North Sea. A V_p‐V_s relationship derived from modelling is compared with empirical V_p‐V_s regressions from laboratory data as well as from log data. The accuracy of V_s prediction is quantified in terms of root‐mean‐square error. We find that the V_p‐V_s relationship derived from modelling works well for greensand shear‐wave velocity prediction. We model the seismic response of glauconitic greensand by using laboratory data from the Nini field. Our studies here reveal that brine‐saturated glauconitic greensand can have a similar seismic response to that from oil‐saturated quartzitic sandstone and that oil‐saturated strongly cemented greensand can have a similar amplitude variation with offset response to that from brine‐saturated weakly cemented greensand.     

Interpretation of S-wave data from Tai’an-Xinzhou DSS profile and its relationship with Xingtai earthquakes

On the basis of S wave information from Tai’an-Xinzhou DSS profile and with reference to the results from P-wave interpretation, the 2-D structures, including S-wave velocity V _s, ratio γ between V _p and V _s; and Poisson’ s ratio σ, are calculated; the structural configuration of the profile is presented and the relevant inferences are drawn from the above results. Upwarping mantle districts (V _s≈4.30 km/s) and sloping mantle districts (V _s≈4.50 km/s) of the profile with velocity difference about −4% at the top of upper mantle are divided according to the differences of V _s, γ and σ in different media and structures, also with reference to the information of their neighbouring regions; the existence of Niujiaqiao-Dongwang high-angle ultra-crustal fault zone is reaffirmed; the properties of low and high velocity blocks (zones) including the crust-mantle transitionalzone and the boudary indicators of North China rift valley are discussed. A comprehensive study is conducted on the relation of the interpretation results with earthquakes. It is concluded that the mantle upwarps, thermal material upwells through the high-angle fault, the primary hypocenter was located at the crust-mantle juncture 30.0∼33.0 km deep, and additional stress excited the M _S=6.8 and M _S=7.2 earthquakes at specific locations around 9.0 km below Niujiaqiao-Dongwang, the earthquakes took place around the high-angle ultra-crustal fault and centered in the brittle media and rock strata with low γ and low σ values. This subject is part of the 85-907-02 key project during the “8th Five-Year Plan” from the State Science and Technology Commission.     

Coda Q in the Kachchh Basin, Western India Using Aftershocks of the Bhuj Earthquake of January 26, 2001

Q_C-estimates of Kachchh Basin in western India have been obtained in a high frequency range from 1.5 to 24.0 Hz using the aftershock data of Bhuj earthquake of January 26, 2001 recorded within an epicentral distance of 80 km. The decay of coda waves of 30 sec window from 186 seismograms has been analysed in four lapse time windows, adopting the single backscattering model. The study shows that Q_c is a function of frequency and increases as frequency increases. The frequency dependent Q_c relations obtained for four lapse-time windows are: Q_c=82 f^1.17 (20–50 sec), Q_c=106 f^1.11 (30–60 sec), Q_c=126f^1.03 (40–70 sec) and Q_c=122f^1.02 (50–80 sec). These empirical relations represent the average attenuation properties of a zone covering the surface area of about 11,000, 20,000, 28,000 and 38,000 square km and a depth extent of about 60, 80, 95, 110 km, respectively. With increasing window length, the degree of frequency dependence, n, decreases marginally from 1.17 to 1.02, whereas Q₀ increases significantly from 82 to 122. At lower frequencies up to 6 Hz, Q_c⁻¹ of Kachchh Basin is in agreement with other regions of the world, whereas at higher frequencies from 12 to 24 Hz it is found to be low.     

Velocities,elastic moduli and weathering-age relations for pacific layer 2 basalts

Compressional (V_p) and shear (V_s) wave velocities have been measured to 10 kb in 32 cores of basalt from 14 Pacific sites of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Both V_pandV_s show wide ranges (3.70to6.38km/sec forV_pand1.77to3.40km/sec forV_sat0.5kb) which are linearly related to density and sea floor age, confirming earlier findings by Christensen and Salisbury of decreasing velocity with progressive submarine weathering based on studies of basalts from five sites in the Atlantic. Combined Pacific and Atlantic data give rates of decreasing velocity of ?1.89and?1.35km/sec per100my forV_pandV_s respectively. New analyses of oceanic seismic refraction data indicate a decrease in layer 2 velocities with age similar to that observed in the laboratory, suggesting that weathering penetrates to several hundred meters in many regions and is largely responsible for the extreme range and variability of layer 2 refraction velocities.     

Vp/Vs ratios in the Yellowstone National Park region, Wyoming

In this paper we study the variation of V_p/V_s and Poisson's ratio (δ) in the Yellowstone National Park region, using earthquakes which were well recorded by a local seismic network. We find that the average V_p/V_s value within the geothermally active Yellowstone caldera is about 7% lower than in the area outside the caldera. Within the caldera itself there may be a further 2–7% reduction of V_p/V_s in the hydrothermally active Norris Geyser Basin, the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins, and the Yellowstone Lake and Mud Volcano regions. After considering various possible causes for V_p/V_s changes, such as geologic and structural differences, thermal effects, partial melting, and hydrothermal activity, we conclude that the most plausible explanation for the observed V_p/V_s reduction is the presence of hot-water at temperatures and pore-pressures near the water steam transition in the caldera geothermal reservoirs.     

Regional characteristics of coda attenuation after the lancang-Gengma earthquake

In the light of the single scattering model of coda originating from local earthquakes, and based on the aftershock coda registered respectively at the 4 short period stations installed near the foci shortly after theM7.6 Lancang andM7.2 Gengma earthquakes, this paper has tentatively calculated the rate of amplitude attenuation and theQ _c-value of the coda in the Lancang and Gengma areas using a newly-founded synthetic determination method. Result of the study shows the rate of coda amplitude attenuation demonstrates remarkable regional differences respectively in the southern and northern areas. The southern area presents a faster attenuation (Q _c=114), whereas the northern area shows a slower attenuation (Q _c=231). The paper also discusses the reasons causing such differences. Result of the study also suggests a fairly good linear relation between the coda source factorA _o(f) and the seismic moment and the magnitude. Using the earthquake scaling law, the following formulas can be derived: lgM ₀=lgA ₀(f)+17.6,M _D=0.67lgA ₀(f)+1.21 and logM ₀=1.5M _D+15.79. In addition, the rates of amplitude attenuationβ _s andβ _m are respectively calculated using the single scattering and multiple scattering models, and the ratioβ _s/β_m=1.20−1.50 is found for the results respectively from the two models. Finally, the mean free pathL of the S-wave scattering in the southern and northern areas are determined to be 54 km and 122 km respectively by the relations which can distinguish between the inherentQ _i and scatteringQ _s, testify to this areas having lowQ-values correspond to stronger scatterings. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 71–82, 1992. This study is partly supported by the Seismological Science Foundation of the State Seismological Bureau of China, and the present English version of the paper is translated from its Chinese original by Wenyi Xia, Seismological Bureau of Yunnan Province.     

Tomographic imaging of seismic velocity structure in and around the Onikobe volcanic area, northeastern Japan: implications for fluid distribution

We estimated three-dimensional P- (V_p) and S-wave velocity (V_s) and V_p/V_s structures in and around the Onikobe volcanic area, northeastern Japan, by local travel time tomography. We used travel time data from source and receiver pairs located within and outside the study area, which plays an important role in obtaining the optimum ray coverage and in elucidating the deeper structure more accurately. Detailed information on deeper structures is essential for imaging the complete volcanic system from the magmatic source zone through areas of shallow hydrothermal circulation. More than 50 000 travel time data for the P-waves and 35 000 for the S-waves were used to image the velocity structure. Our results show the following dominant features: (1) two conduits in the upper crust with low V_p and low V_s indicative of H₂O-rich fluid pathways: one lying beneath Naruko volcano, the other beneath the focal area of the 1962 Northern Miyagi earthquake (M6.5); (2) an underlying broad region in the lower crust with low V_p, low V_s and high V_p/V_s, suggestive of a zone of partial melt, from which the fluids in (1) are derived; and (3) low V_p/V_s areas near the surface of the Sanzugawa and Onikobe calderas, suggesting a diffuse vapor-saturated cap.     

Three-dimensional velocity structure and seismicity of Mt. Etna Volcano, Italy

A new set of three-dimensional velocity models beneath Mt. Etna volcano is derived in the present work. We have used P- and S-wave arrivals from local earthquakes recorded at permanent and temporary seismic networks installed since 1980. A set of 1249 earthquakes recorded at more than four seismic stations was selected for traveltime inversion. The velocity models obtained by using different data selection criteria and parametrization display similar basic features, showing a high P-wave velocity at shallow depth in the SE quadrant, in close connection with a high gravimetric Bouguer anomaly. This area shares a low V_p/V_s ratio. High P-wave velocities and high V_p/V_s ratios are obtained along the central conduits, suggesting the presence of dense, intrusive magmatic bodies extending to a depth of about 20 km. The central intrusive core is surrounded by lower P-wave velocities. The relocated earthquake hypocenters also display the presence of an outward dipping brittle region, away from the central conduits, surrounding a ductile zone spatially related to the high P-wave velocity anomalies located in proximity to the central craters.