Collaborative Research: High-Resolution Seismic Velocity and Attenuation Models of Western China

Abstract

Abstract : The objective of this project is to construct seismic attenuation and velocity models for the crust and upper mantle in western China. This research will increase the coverage of critical areas throughout western China. This work used data collected by the 90-station ASCENT and 25-station NETS arrays (a total of 116 broadband stations) and integrated waveform data from existing broadband stations in western China, such as the MIT and Namche Barwa temporary arrays. These new data sets allow the application of new techniques designed to create robust models of seismic velocity and attenuation in which we reliably estimate the absolute amplitude of the velocity and Q variations across western China. We have created an anisotropic component to our attenuation models. We have extended the work on Sn propagation in eastern Tibet to regional phase Sn wave propagation across northeastern China where high frequency Sn is more prevalent. The work on Northeastern China was not in our original proposal; however, we were able to leverage existing data and human resources to deliver this new research.