[1] Source and Q(p) parameters were estimated from the inversion of first arrival P waveform durations of about 300 microearthquakes recorded at a digital seismic network operating in southeastern Sicily. The average risetime and pulse width at each station do not show large differences, allowing us to exclude significant differential attenuation site effects. A first Q(p) estimate was obtained by applying the classical risetime method, under the assumption of a point-like source time function. In order to investigate the effect of directivity due to the finiteness of seismic sources, new nonlinear relationships, based on a circular crack model rupturing at a constant velocity, were numerically built. These relationships were used to formulate a nonlinear inverse method for retrieving source ( radius, dip, and strike of the circular crack) and Q(p) parameters from the inversion of risetime and pulse width data. The application of the method produced a better fit of the observed data and a Q(p) value higher than that obtained by applying the risetime method. The discrepancy between the different Q estimates may be due to a trade-off among source dimension and Q(p), as we inferred from a test on a subset of low-magnitude events (M-l less than or equal to 2.5). A good agreement with independent estimates of fault plane solutions, as inferred from P polarities and S polarizations, was found. The estimated stress drops are generally very low (0.1 - 10 bars). This suggests that the background seismic activity in southeastern Sicily is related to fault segments and/or weakened zones where great stress accumulations are hindered.
Source and Q(p) parameters from pulse width inversion of microearthquake data in southeastern Sicily, Italy RID C-3422-2011
DE LORENZO, SALVATORE;
2004-01-01
Abstract
[1] Source and Q(p) parameters were estimated from the inversion of first arrival P waveform durations of about 300 microearthquakes recorded at a digital seismic network operating in southeastern Sicily. The average risetime and pulse width at each station do not show large differences, allowing us to exclude significant differential attenuation site effects. A first Q(p) estimate was obtained by applying the classical risetime method, under the assumption of a point-like source time function. In order to investigate the effect of directivity due to the finiteness of seismic sources, new nonlinear relationships, based on a circular crack model rupturing at a constant velocity, were numerically built. These relationships were used to formulate a nonlinear inverse method for retrieving source ( radius, dip, and strike of the circular crack) and Q(p) parameters from the inversion of risetime and pulse width data. The application of the method produced a better fit of the observed data and a Q(p) value higher than that obtained by applying the risetime method. The discrepancy between the different Q estimates may be due to a trade-off among source dimension and Q(p), as we inferred from a test on a subset of low-magnitude events (M-l less than or equal to 2.5). A good agreement with independent estimates of fault plane solutions, as inferred from P polarities and S polarizations, was found. The estimated stress drops are generally very low (0.1 - 10 bars). This suggests that the background seismic activity in southeastern Sicily is related to fault segments and/or weakened zones where great stress accumulations are hindered.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
