Estimation of crustal discontinuities from reflected seismic waves recorded at Shillong and Mikir Hills Plateau, Northeast India

Abstract

In this study, an attempt is made to determine seismic velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Shillong-Mikir Hills Plateau in northeast India region. The principle of the technique is to relate seismic travel times with crustal thickness above the Conrad and Moho discontinuities. Broadband digital waveforms of the local earthquakes make a precise detection of the seismic phases possible that are reflected at these discontinuities. The results show that the Conrad discontinuity is at 18–20 (±0.5) km beneath the Shillong-Mikir Hills Plateau and the Moho discontinuity is at 30 ± 1.0 km beneath the Shillong Plateau and at 35 ± 1.0 km beneath the Mikir Hills.