Intrinsic and scattering attenuation in the crust of the Abu Dabbab area in the eastern desert of Egypt

Abstract

Fifty-five microearthquakes recorded by a digital-temporary seismic network in the Abu Dabbab area in the Eastern Desert of Egypt were used to estimate the direct S-wave ( Q β), coda ( Q c), intrinsic ( Q i), and scattering quality factors ( Q s). Sato's [Sato H., 1977] single-scattering assumption was used to fit the amplitude envelopes of the coda at seven central frequency bands (1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 Hz), obtaining a Q c varying with frequency as generally observed in tectonically active areas. Lapse time dependence was also studied for the area, with the coda waves analyzed at window lengths ranging from 10 to 40 s starting from the onset of the S-wave arrival. The direct S-wave Q β was estimated using the coda normalization method [Aki, K., 1980a]. The frequency dependence of Q was investigated for the direct S-waves and coda waves. Results show a low quality factor and a high frequency parameter, indicating that the upper lithosphere of the Abu Dabbab area is seismically active and heterogeneous. Using the independent estimates of Q c and Q β, the intrinsic quality factor Q i was separated from the scattering quality factor. The results suggest that intrinsic dissipation plays a predominant role with respect to scattering phenomena in the area; the obtained Q values seem closer to those reported by analyzing volcano-tectonic earthquakes. This finding reflects that the cause of Abu Dabbab earthquake swarms might be igneous activity where the magma is ascending through joints or serpentinized joints that are dewatering.