Decrease In Seismic Velocity Research Articles

Variations of seismic velocities in the Kachchh rift zone, Gujarat, India, during 2001–2013

We herein study variations of seismic velocities in the main rupture zone (MRZ) of the Mw 7.7 2001 Bhuj earthquake for the time periods [2001–05, 2006–08, 2009–10 and 2011–13], by constructing dVp(%), dVs(%) and d(Vp/Vs)(%) tomograms using high-quality arrival times of 28,902 P- and 28,696 S-waves from 4644 precise JHD (joint hypocentral determination) relocations of local events. Differential tomograms for 2001–05 reveal a marked decrease in seismic velocities (low dVp, low dVs and high d(Vp/Vs)) in the MRZ (at 5–35km depths) during 2001–10, which is attributed to an increase in crack/fracture density (higher pore fluid pressure) resulted from the intense fracturing that occurred during the mainshock and post-seismic periods. While we observe a slight recovery or increase in seismic velocities 2011–13, this could be related to the healing process (lower pore fluid pressure due to sealing of cracks) of the causative fault zone of the 2001 Bhuj mainshock. The temporal reduction in seismic velocities is observed to be higher at deeper levels (more fluid enrichment under near-lithostatic pressure) than that at shallower levels. Fluid source for low velocity zone (LVZ) at 0–10km depths (with high d(Vp/Vs)) could be attributed to the presence of meteoric water or soft alluvium sediments with higher water content, while fluid source for LVZ at 10–35km depths could be due to the presence of brine fluids (released from the metamorphic dewatering) and volatile CO2 (emanating from the crystallization of carbonatite melts in the asthenosphere), in fractures and pores. We also imaged two prominent LVZs associated with the Katrol Hill fault zone and Island Belt fault zone, extending from shallow upper-crust to sub-crustal depth, which might be facilitating the deeper circulation of metamorphic fluids/volatile CO2, thereby, the generation of lower crustal earthquakes occurring in the Kachchh rift zone.

Effects of crystallization and bubble nucleation on the seismic properties of magmas

AbstractSeismic tomography of potentially hazardous volcanoes is a prime tool to assess the location and dimensions of magmatic reservoirs. Seismic velocities are strongly affected by processes occurring within the conduit or in the magma chamber, such as crystallization and bubble exsolution. However, the limited number of constrained measurements does not allow yet to link seismic tomography and the textural state of a particular volcanic system. In this study, we investigated a chemically simplified melt in the system CaO‐Na2O‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐H2O‐CO2, which undergoes plagioclase crystallization and bubble exsolution. A Paterson‐type internally heated gas pressure apparatus was employed to measure ultrasonic velocities at a constant pressure of 250 MPa and at temperature from 850 to 700°C. Magmatic processes such as crystallization, bubble nucleation, and coalescence have been recognized throughout the measurements of seismic velocities in the laboratory. Compression and shear wave velocities increase nonlinearly during crystallization. At a crystal fraction exceeding 0.45, the formation of a crystal network favors the propagation of seismic waves through magmatic liquids. However, bubble nucleation induced by crystallization leads to an increase of magma compressibility resulting in a lowering of the wave propagation velocities. These two processes occur simultaneously and have a competing influence on the seismic properties of magmas. In addition, as already observed by previous authors, when the bubble fraction is less than 0.10, the decrease in seismic velocities is more pronounced than for higher bubble fractions. The effect of bubble coalescence on elastic properties is thus lower than the effect of bubble nucleation.

Investigation of coseismic and postseismic processes using in situ measurements of seismic velocity variations in an underground mine

AbstractThe in situ mechanical response of a rock mass to a sudden dynamic and static stress change is still poorly known. To tackle this question, we conducted an experiment in an underground mine to examine (1) the influence of dynamic and static stress perturbations on seismic velocities, (2) elastic static stress changes, and (3) induced earthquake activity associated with the blast and removal of a portion of hard rock. We accurately (0.01%) measured seismic velocity variations with ambient seismic noise correlations, located aftershock activity, and performed elastic static stress modeling. Overall, we observe that the blast induced a sudden decrease in seismic velocities over the entire studied area, which we interpreted as the damage due to the passing of strong seismic waves. This sudden process is followed by a slow relaxation lasting up to 5 days, while seismic activity returns to its background level after 2 days. In some locations, after the short‐term effects of the blast have subsided, the seismic velocities converge to new baseline levels and permanent changes in seismic velocity become visible. After comparing the spatial pattern of permanent seismic velocity changes with elastic static stress modeling, we infer that the permanent seismic velocity changes are due to the change in the static volumetric stress induced by the removal of a solid portion of rock by the blast. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of noise‐based permanent seismic velocity changes associated with static stress changes.

Characterization and Petrological Constraints of the Midlithospheric Discontinuity

AbstractWithin continental lithosphere, widespread seismic evidence suggests a sharp discontinuous downward decrease in seismic velocity at 60–160 km depth. This midlithospheric discontinuity (MLD) may be due to anisotropy, melt, hydration, and/or mantle metasomatism. We survey global seismologic observations of the MLD, including observed depths, velocity contrasts, gradients, and locales across multiple seismic techniques. The MLD is primarily found in regions of thick continental lithosphere and is a decrease in seismic shear velocity (2–7% over 10–20 km) at 60–160 km depth, the majority of observations clustering at 80–100 km. Of xenoliths in online databases, 25% of amphibole‐bearing xenoliths, 90% of phlogopite‐bearing xenoliths, and none of carbonate‐bearing xenoliths were formed at pressures associated with these depth (2–5 GPa). We used Perple_X modeling to evaluate the elastic moduli and densities of multiple petrologies to test if the MLD is a layer of crystallized melt. The fractional addition of 5–10% phlogopite, 10–15% carbonate, or 45–100% pyroxenite produce a 2–7% velocity decrease. We postulate this layer of crystallized melt would originate at active margins of continents and crystallize in place as the lithosphere cools. The concentration of mildly incompatible elements (Y, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu) in xenoliths near the MLD is consistent with higher degrees of melting. Thus, we postulate that the MLD is the seismological signature of a chemical interface related to the paleointersection of a volatile‐rich solidus and progressively cooling lithosphere. Furthermore, the MLD may represent a remnant chemical tracer of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB) from when the lithosphere was active and young.

Monitoring changes in seismic velocity related to an ongoing rapid inflation event at Okmok volcano, Alaska

AbstractOkmok is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian Arc. In an effort to improve our ability to detect precursory activity leading to eruption at Okmok, we monitor a recent, and possibly ongoing, GPS‐inferred rapid inflation event at the volcano using ambient noise interferometry (ANI). Applying this method, we identify changes in seismic velocity outside of Okmok's caldera, which are related to the hydrologic cycle. Within the caldera, we observe decreases in seismic velocity that are associated with the GPS‐inferred rapid inflation event. We also determine temporal changes in waveform decorrelation and show a continual increase in decorrelation rate over the time associated with the rapid inflation event. The magnitude of relative velocity decreases and decorrelation rate increases are comparable to previous studies at Piton de la Fournaise that associate such changes with increased production of volatiles and/or magmatic intrusion within the magma reservoir and associated opening of fractures and/or fissures. Notably, the largest decrease in relative velocity occurs along the intrastation path passing nearest to the center of the caldera. This observation, along with equal amplitude relative velocity decreases revealed via analysis of intracaldera autocorrelations, suggests that the inflation source may be located approximately within the center of the caldera and represent recharge of shallow magma storage in this location. Importantly, there is a relative absence of seismicity associated with this and previous rapid inflation events at Okmok. Thus, these ANI results are the first seismic evidence of such rapid inflation at the volcano.

Long-term evolution of intraplate seismicity in stress shadows after a megathrust

Megathrusts produce large permanent lithospheric displacements as well as strong transient ground shaking up to regional distances. The influence of the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake on the seismicity in stable intraplate regions around the Korean Peninsula is investigated. The differential lateral displacements by the megathrust build transient radial tension field over the backarc lithosphere, constructing stress shadows for all types of faults in optimal orientation over the wide backarc region including the southern Korean Peninsula. A characteristic seismic-velocity decrease after the megathrust supports the medium relaxation. The number of earthquakes with magnitudes greater than or equal to 2.5 was increased by 61%after the megathrust. The earthquakes occurred episodically. A series of unusual earthquake swarms and a temporal cluster of moderate-size earthquakes were observed in the Yellow Sea region. The significant seismicity increase since the megathrust may be due to the fluid diffusion during the transient tension field and the pore-fluid pressure increase during the ambient compressional-stress field recovery by tectonic loading. The induced seismicity may continue until the ambient stress field is fully recovered.

Elastic properties of ferropericlase at lower mantle conditions and its relevance to ULVZs

The elasticity of FexMg1−xO was examined under lowermost mantle temperature and pressure conditions using density functional theory (DFT). The addition of iron decreases the shear modulus of MgO but has varying effects on the bulk modulus depending on the spin state of the iron. The spin state of iron in FexMg1−xO is dependent on pressure and temperature but also on the concentration of iron. At 136 GPa, Fe in low concentrations (<25%) is nearly entirely low spin, while at very high concentrations (>75%) it is nearly entirely in the high spin state. There is, as expected, a large decrease in seismic velocities with iron substitution. However, the effect of Fe is greater at high-temperatures than at low-temperatures, meaning it is difficult to extrapolate low-temperature experimental results. We cannot simultaneously match the density and seismic velocities of ULVZs with Fe-enriched ferropericlase. This is reflected in (dln Vs/dln Vp)T,P, which in ULVZs is generally observed to be about 3, but does not exceed about 1.5 for Fe-enriched periclase. A mixture of ferropericlase and ferrous perovskite can cause Vs decreases of up to 45%, which allows the range of ULVZ Vp, Vs and densities to be matched. We also find that (dln Vs/dln Vp)T,P increases up to as much as 3 but this value is strongly dependent on the bounds of the mixing geometry. We conclude, therefore, that the properties of ULVZs can be readily explained by a lower mantle with a single phase that is heavily enriched in Fe.

The seismic mid-lithosphere discontinuity

Seismic S-wave receiver functions (SRF) are a uniquely powerful tool for imaging velocity discontinuities within the upper mantle. SRF data frequently contain negative phases at depths between ∼80 and 100 km within the continental lithosphere, indicative of large and sharp velocity drops at these depths. In young, actively tectonic areas with thin lithosphere, this feature is generally interpreted as the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary. However, in tectonically stable areas it occurs within the continental lithospheric mantle and has been termed the mid-lithosphere discontinuity (MLD). A significant velocity drop at such depths is unexpected and its cause is unknown. In this manuscript, we summarise the current observations and assess the main mechanisms that could produce such a feature. We find that changes in mantle iron content (Mg#) and elastically-accommodated grain-boundary sliding are unlikely to result in sufficiently large velocity decreases to produce an observable SRF response, while partial melt will generally only exist at greater depths within stable lithosphere. Radial and azimuthal seismic anisotropy are both capable of producing negative SRF phases. However, azimuthal anisotropy will not produce consistently negative phases independent of back-azimuth. Some geometries of radial anisotropy can produce consistent negative phases but such geometries are not observed universally and are hard to explain tectonically. Low-velocity minerals can cause sharp and large decreases in seismic velocity. Amphibole-rich layers are likely to form at MLD depths in metasomatised regions, making amphibole a possible cause for the MLD. However, some xenolith sections contain no amphibole, suggesting this may not be a universal explanation. A careful assessment of SRFs shows that the continental lithospheric mantle generally contains numerous positive and negative velocity discontinuities and is spatially heterogeneous. Long-period band-pass filtering can combine smaller features and may lead to the appearance of a larger and more coherent velocity decrease at the MLD than actually exists. We propose that many of the assessed mechanisms may be acting at different depths in different locations to produce numerous velocity discontinuities. The large MLD phase is likely to be commonly associated with amphibole but on current evidence there is no universal cause for the MLD.

A contrast in anisotropy across mid-lithospheric discontinuities beneath the central United States—A relic of craton formation

The mid-lithospheric discontinuity (MLD) is a seemingly sharp decrease in seismic velocity at depths internal to the lithosphere and appears to be a pervasive feature beneath continental interiors. Its presence within cratons, which have remained relatively stable since formation, suggests that the MLD may result from processes associated with continent formation. We use P- to S-wave receiver functions to interrogate seismic anisotropy across the MLD within the ca. 1.35– 1.55 Ga Granite-Rhyolite Province of the central United States. Our analysis reveals strong evidence for sharp changes in the orientation of anisotropy across multiple MLDs, with an approximately north to northwest fast orientation of anisotropy in the upper lithosphere. The consistency of this signature over a large region suggests that the observed anisotropy is a relic of North American craton formation. In addition, the presence of several distinct anisotropic layers within the cratonic lithosphere supports models for craton formation via stacked subducted slabs or a series of underthrusting events.

Large tectonic earthquakes induce sharp temporary decreases in seismic velocity in Volcán de Colima, Mexico

AbstractWe used the ambient noise cross‐correlation and stretching methods to calculate variations in seismic velocities in the region of Volcán de Colima, Mexico. More than 15 years of continuous records were processed, producing long time series of velocity variations related to volcanic activity, meteorological effects, and earthquakes. Velocity variations associated with eruptive activity are tenuous, which probably reflects the open state of the volcano during the study period. Fifteen events among 26 regional tectonic earthquakes produced sharp, temporary decreases in seismic velocities, which then recovered progressively following a linear trend as a function of the logarithm of time. For the 15 events, the amplitude of the perturbation increased almost linearly with the logarithm of the amplitude of the seismic waves that shook the edifice. The most dramatic apparent velocity variation was a drop of up to 2.6% during the nearbyM7.4 Tecomán earthquake in 2003. In order to locate the perturbation in the horizontal plane we applied an inverse method based on the radiative transfer approximation. We also used an original approach based on the frequency dependence of velocity variations to estimate the depth of the perturbation. Our results show that the velocity variation was well localized in the shallow layers (&lt; 800 m) of the volcano, with almost no variations occurring outside the edifice. We discuss several possible interpretations and conclude that the most plausible explanation for the velocity decreases is the nonlinear elastic behavior of the granular volcanic material and its mechanical softening induced by transient strains.

Nature of crust in the central Red Sea

A transition between continental crust in the northern Red Sea and oceanic crust in the southern Red Sea coincides broadly with a southward increase in plate tectonic separation rate and with a decrease in upper mantle seismic velocity. We re-evaluate here the nature of crust in the intervening central Red Sea with the results of legacy seismic refraction experiments and recently released marine gravity anomalies derived from satellite altimeter measurements. In the refraction data, collected east of Thetis Deep, velocities of 6.6–6.9kms−1 of a deep refracting layer, which are similar to measured velocities of unaltered gabbro samples, extend outside the deep to 65km from the axis. The new version of the marine gravity field reveals trends crossing the central Red Sea. Whereas some of them connect with major lineaments in the surrounding African-Arabian shield, those around Thetis Deep die out towards the coastlines. They can be paired across the ridge and lie slightly oblique to plate motions, as is typical of oceanic fracture zones or non-transform discontinuities migrating away from hotspots. Taken together these observations support the view that an oceanic rather than extended continental crust underlies this part of the central Red Sea.The crestal mountains around the median valleys of slow-spreading ridges are typically 500–1000m lower at spreading discontinuities. Around Thetis Deep, the similar pattern in the gravity field to those of slow-spreading ridges suggests that the crestal mountains may variably block or impede flowage of evaporites towards the spreading centre, whereas the discontinuities may mark areas where flowage is unobstructed. Limited multibeam data collected in transits outside Thetis Deep show oblique fabrics as expected from these predicted movements.

Subduction and accretion of sedimentary rocks in the Yakutat collision zone, St. Elias orogen, Gulf of Alaska

The collision of the Yakutat Block with the continental margin of North America in the Gulf of Alaska has intensified exhumation and erosion in the Chugach–St. Elias orogen over the last few million years. The resultant sediment flux and deposition of the glaciomarine Yakataga Formation on the continental shelf has filled a deep sedimentary basin offshore, where the Pamplona fold-thrust belt first deforms these strata. It is presently unclear whether the older sedimentary rocks of the Poul Creek and Kulthieth Formations are also accreted in the Pamplona Zone, or whether they are underthrusting the margin. In this paper we use marine seismic and well logging data to show that in the offshore Yakataga strata, porosity loss and lateral compaction can account for half of the convergence between the Yakutat Block and North America over the last 2 Myr. A lateral seismic velocity gradient in these syn-orogenic strata suggests that this layer-parallel shortening starts approximately 100 km outboard of the deformation front. Beneath the fold-and-thrust belt, where the seismic velocity is as high as 4.7 km/s, we image a large low-velocity zone (2.0–2.5 km/s) at 5 km depth. The dramatic decrease in seismic velocity with depth coincides with the boundary between the Yakataga and Poul Creek Formations in well data. Fine-grained and organic-rich Poul Creek strata possibly accommodate slip, such that older sedimentary rocks are entrained with the subducting Yakutat Block. Alternatively, the imaged low-velocity zone may have formed by increased fluid pressures in the hanging wall. In that case the décollement would lie beneath this low-velocity zone, possibly within the coal-bearing layers of the older and deeper Kulthieth Formation.

The impact of megasplay faulting and permeability contrasts on Nankai Trough subduction zone pore pressures

Results of a coupled fluid flow and deformation model indicate that megasplay fault slip may impact excess pore pressures within an accretionary prism. In a simulation with homogeneous low permeability representative of clay‐rich sediment, excess pore pressures build where compression occurs in the hanging wall and directly beneath the splay fault. In another simulation with heterogeneous permeability, the impact of high permeability fault zones and turbidite horizons lessens the effect of the megasplay fault slip. Overall, excess pore pressures are lower for the heterogeneous simulation than for the simulation with uniform low permeability. Within the footwall of the megasplay fault zone, simulated pore pressures increase across a transition from more permeable uplifted turbidites to less permeable clay‐rich sediments. Strong permeability contrasts might provide an alternate explanation for a previously observed decrease in seismic velocity beneath the megasplay fault of the Nankai Trough subduction zone.

Spatio-temporal changes in seismic velocity associated with the 2000 activity of Miyakejima volcano as inferred from cross-correlation analyses of ambient noise

Miyakejima volcano, Japan, showed strong and interesting volcanic activities in 2000 with the occurrence of dike intrusions, caldera formation and a large amount of gas emission. To understand temporal changes of the volcanic structure associated with this activity, we apply ambient noise correlation analyses to the seismic records of five seismic stations at Miyakejima volcano from July 1999 to December 2002. We calculate cross-correlation functions (CCFs) for eight available station pairs at frequency bands of 0.4–0.8Hz and 0.8–1.6Hz, and retrieve the Rayleigh waves propagating with a group velocity of about 1.0km/s. Comparing CCFs obtained for each day with the reference CCFs that are calculated from a few months of data, we estimate seismic velocity changes before and after the 2000 activity. Results at the two frequency bands show seismic velocity increase and decrease. Shallow structure at the volcanic edifice on the flanks experienced a seismic velocity increase up to 3.3%. On the other hand, the regions located close to the collapsed caldera show a seismic velocity decrease down to 2.3%. To understand the mechanisms that may introduce these seismic velocity increase and decrease, we examine several possible mechanisms of the velocity changes: stress changes due to volcanic pressure sources and caldera formation, and topographic changes. By using the deflation sources previously determined from GPS data, we calculate the stresses at depths of 0km and 1km at the volcano. The results suggest that the seismic velocity increases observed at seismic paths on the volcanic flank are explained by the compression caused by the deflation sources associated with magma activity in 2000. Stress sensitivities of the seismic velocity changes are estimated to be 1.5×10−2 to 2.2×10−2MPa−1 and 4.6×10−3 to 2.4×10−2MPa−1 at frequency bands of 0.4–0.8Hz and 0.8–1.6Hz, respectively, which are in the range of the previously reported results. Our three dimensional numerical calculations on seismic wave propagation show that the seismic velocity decreases observed at seismic paths crossing the collapsed caldera can be explained by topographic changes introduced by a caldera. We further suggest that the seismic velocity decreases detected around the regions close to the caldera may originate from the dilated regions cause by formation of the caldera.

Moho topography and subducting oceanic slab of the Chilean continental margin in the maximum slip segment of the 1960 Mw 9.5 Valdivia (Chile) earthquake from P-receiver functions

The maximum slip area of the 1960 Mw 9.5 Valdivia (Chile) earthquake has been investigated down to 100km depth by a receiver function survey along two trench-perpendicular profiles at 39.3° and 39.5°S. The data are compared with seismicity and local earthquake tomography. We find a slab of ca. 35° dip at depths similar to what is observed to the north and south of the study area. The slab and the overlying mantle wedge show a local decrease in seismic velocities possibly caused by hydration or underplating of sediments. The presence of hydrated or sedimentary rocks would reduce plate coupling in this region in agreement with recent GPS measurements. The Moho is found at depths of 30 to 40km deepening from the coast to the Andes. The Moho topography is close to isostatic equilibrium. Under the volcanic centre of Villarrica, Quetrupillán and Lanín the Moho conversion occurs about 10km shallower than expected for a standard isostatic model. This can be explained by a density reduction in the lower crust due to magmatic processes or by non-compensated stress.

Eruptive hummocks: Building blocks of the upper ocean crust

The spreading axis at many slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges is marked by an axial volcanic ridge. In this study, we use a combination of high-resolution remote sensing methods to elucidate the detailed nature of volcanoes in such a ridge. We find that the “hummocks” described in previous sidescan sonar studies are dome- or cone-shaped edifices, 5–150 m high with diameters of 30–330 m. We estimate they form quickly, in single eruptions, each of which may produce several hummocks. Hummock collapse is common and hummocks of all heights are prone to failure. Collapses generally occur down the regional seafloor slope, suggesting control by local topography. Approximately 33% of hummocks lose ∼40% of their volume by collapse, so ∼12% of all material erupted on the axial volcanic ridge is rapidly converted to talus. The higher porosity of these deposits may increase average upper crustal porosity by several percent, contributing >0.5 km s−1 to seismic velocity decrease in the upper oceanic crust, and may be one of the dominant mechanisms for increasing porosity in upper slow-spreading oceanic crust.

Structure and serpentinization of the subducting Cocos plate offshore Nicaragua and Costa Rica

The Cocos plate experiences extensional faulting as it bends into the Middle American Trench (MAT) west of Nicaragua, which may lead to hydration of the subducting mantle. To estimate the along strike variations of volatile input from the Cocos plate into the subduction zone, we gathered marine seismic refraction data with the R/V Marcus Langseth along a 396 km long trench parallel transect offshore of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Our inversion of crustal and mantle seismic phases shows two notable features in the deep structure of the Cocos plate: (1) Normal oceanic crust of 6 km thickness from the East Pacific Rise (EPR) lies offshore Nicaragua, but offshore central Costa Rica we find oceanic crust from the northern flank of the Cocos Nazca (CN) spreading center with more complex seismic velocity structure and a thickness of 10 km. We attribute the unusual seismic structure offshore Costa Rica to the midplate volcanism in the vicinity of the Galapagos hot spot. (2) A decrease in Cocos plate mantle seismic velocities from ∼7.9 km/s offshore Nicoya Peninsula to ∼6.9 km/s offshore central Nicaragua correlates well with the northward increase in the degree of crustal faulting outboard of the MAT. The negative seismic velocity anomaly reaches a depth of ∼12 km beneath the Moho offshore Nicaragua, which suggests that larger amounts of water are stored deep in the subducting mantle lithosphere than previously thought. If most of the mantle low velocity zone can be interpreted as serpentinization, the amount of water stored in the Cocos plate offshore central Nicaragua may be about 2.5 times larger than offshore Nicoya Peninsula. Hydration of oceanic lithosphere at deep sea trenches may be the most important mechanism for the transfer of aqueous fluids to volcanic arcs and the deeper mantle.

Seismic velocity decrease and recovery related to earthquake swarms in a geothermal area

We found a recurring seismic velocity decrease associated with small earthquake swarms experienced in 2007 in a geothermal area in Kyushu, southwestern Japan, by analyzing long-term changes in the autocorrelation function (ACF) of seismic noise. The seismic velocity decrease appeared just after two major periods of earthquake activity began in June and October of 2007. In both instances, conditions returned to normal within a characteristic time period of 4 months. The observed size of the velocity changes agrees well with the magnitudes of the swarms. The lag-time dependence of ACF changes can be systematically explained by seismic velocity changes induced by fluid inclusion in a small, localized area deep within the hypocenter region.

Joint inversion of receiver functions, surface wave dispersion, and magnetotelluric data

We present joint inversion of magnetotelluric, receiver function, and Raleigh wave dispersion data for a one‐dimensional Earth using a multiobjective genetic algorithm (GA). The chosen GA produces not only a family of models that fit the data sets but also the trade‐off between fitting the different data sets. The analysis of this trade‐off gives insight into the compatibility between the seismic data sets and the magnetotelluric data and also the appropriate noise level to assume for the seismic data. This additional information helps to assess the validity of the joint model, and we demonstrate the use of our approach with synthetic data under realistic conditions. We apply our method to one site from the Slave Craton and one site from the Kaapvaal Craton. For the Slave Craton we obtain similar results to our previously published models from joint inversion of receiver functions and magnetotelluric data but with improved resolution and control on absolute velocities. We find a conductive layer at the bottom of the crust, just above the Moho; a low‐velocity, low‐resistivity zone in the lithospheric mantle, previously termed the Central Slave Mantle Conductor; and indications of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary in terms of a decrease in seismic velocity and resistivity. For the Kaapvaal Craton both the seismic and the MT data are of lesser quality, which prevents as detailed and robust an interpretation; nevertheless, we find an indication of a low‐velocity low‐resistivity zone in the mantle lithosphere. These two examples demonstrate the potential of joint inversion, particularly in combination with nonlinear optimization methods.

Real time monitoring of relative velocity changes using ambient seismic noise at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion) from January 2006 to June 2007

We present the results of a real time method based on coda-wave interferometry from seismic noise cross-correlation functions for relative seismic velocity variations monitoring on a volcanic edifice. The ambient seismic noise at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on La Réunion island is analyzed from January 2006 to June 2007. During this period, five eruptions occurred showing a great diversity in eruption duration, intensity and eruptive fissure location. Two different methods are used to compute the velocity variations in order to compare their stability in quasi real-time routine. We compare the obtained velocity variations with the surface deformation observed by GPS and extensometers networks. This allows us to identify and quantify three major processes at the origin of seismic wave velocity variations in the edifice. Firstly, the observed pre-eruptive summit inflation is accompanied by a decrease in seismic velocity. Secondly, the edifice deflation following the opening of an eruptive fissure is characterized by an increase of the velocity. Finally, the summit caldera collapse generates a strong velocity drop. Coda-wave interferometry from seismic noise cross-correlation functions in quasi-real time may allow us to forecast eruption and constrain the processes taking place in the volcanic plumbing system.