Joint Inversion of Body Wave Arrival Times, Surface Wave Dispersion Data and Receiver Functions: Method and Application to South China

Abstract

AbstractWe have developed a new joint inversion method that incorporates body wave arrival times, surface wave dispersion and receiver functions to simultaneously update earthquake locations and constrain three‐dimensional P‐wave (Vp) and S‐wave velocity (Vs) models. Due to complementary sensitivities of the three types of data, the proposed joint inversion algorithm can reduce the intrinsic non‐uniqueness of inversions using fewer types of data and better determine smooth velocity variations and velocity discontinuities. Synthetic tests demonstrate the advantages of this new joint inversion algorithm in resolving velocity structures, especially in constraining velocity gradients across the Moho interface. We have applied the proposed joint inversion algorithm to image the lithosphere velocity structure of south China. The inverted Vp and Vs models fit body wave arrival times, surface wave dispersion and receiver functions well. We further analyzed the distribution of Vs gradients across the Moho interface in detail, which helps us better understand tectonics in south China.