Depth and source mechanism estimation for special event analysis, event screening, and regional calibration
Goldstein, P., Doug A. Dodge, Ichinose, Rodgers, A., Bhattacharyya, B., Leach, R. · University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) · 1999
We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of techniques for depth and mechanism estimation and suggest that significant work remains to be done for events with magnitudes of interest for test ban monitoring. We also describe a new, waveform modeling-based tool for fast and accurate, high-resolution depth and mechanism estimation. Significant features of this tool include its speed and accuracy and its applicability at relatively high frequencies. These features allow a user to rapidly determine accurate, high-resolution depth estimates and constraints on source mechanism for relatively small magnitude (mb-4.5) events. Based on the accuracy of depth estimates obtained with this tool, we conclude it is useful for both the analysis of unusual or suspect events and for event screening. We also find that this tool provides significant constraints on source mechanism and have used it to develop ''ground-truth'' estimates of depth and mechanism for a set of events in the Middle East and North Africa. These ''ground-truth'' depths and mechanisms should be useful for regional calibration.