Crustal Velocity Structure of Western Iraq from Inversion of Receiver Functions at Anbar Seismic Station

Abstract

The inversion of the teleseismic P-wave receiver functions was employed to determine the structure of the crust under Anbar broadband seismic station. Some of the computer programs in seismology were used to analyze the receiver functions of nine teleseismic earthquakes. Results of inversion show that the crustal structure (Moho depth) beneath the ANB1 station is 44 km. The sedimentary cover thickness (basement depth) at the ANB1 station is 12km. In general, the obtained sedimentary cover and crustal thicknesses are consistent with the results of some previous studies in the Mesopotamian plain. As well as the inversion results show that the crustal velocity model beneath the ANB1 station has four distinct discontinuities; the first at 6km with Vs of 2.83km/s, the second one at 12km with Vs of 3.63, the third one at 36km with Vs of 4.21km/s, and the fourth one at 44km with Vs of 4.37km/s. The obtained velocity model may be employed to locate and relocate the local and teleseismic earthquakes and in moment tensor solutions.