Synthetic seismograms for finite sources in spherically symmetric Earth using normal-mode summation

Abstract

Normal-mode summation is the most rapidly used method in calculating synthetic seismograms. However, normal-mode summation is mostly applied to point sources. For earthquakes triggered by faults extending for as long as several 100 km, the seismic waves are usually simulated by point source summation. In this paper, we attempt to follow a different route, i.e., directly calculate the excitation of each mode, and use normal-mode summation to obtain the seismogram. Furthermore, we assume the finite source to be a “line source” and numerically calculate the transverse component of synthetic seismograms for vertical strike-slip faults. Finally, we analyze the features in the Love waves excited by finite faults.