Improved lithospheric attenuation structure of the Arabian Peninsula through the use of national network data

Abstract

We characterize the attenuation structure of the Arabian Peninsula through the measurement of regional phase amplitudes. High-resolution is achieved by combining stations from global networks with national network data through the cooperative effort of several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and Kuwait. The result is an improved attenuation model of the crust and upper mantle for a broad frequency band that extends from 0.5 to 10 Hz. The observed attenuation is in accordance with various elements of earth structure, including plate boundary type, style of tectonism, thermo-tectonic age, and temperature. Emerging features from the model include details in the structure along the Red Sea, and improved imaging of the southern Arabian Peninsula extending north from the Gulf of Aden. The resulting attenuation model can be employed for better magnitude estimates, in isolating tectonic and structural features, and in characterizing strong ground motion in the Arabian Peninsula.