Tomographic inversion using ℓ1\ell_1-norm regularization of wavelet coefficients

We propose the use of $\ell_1$ regularization in a wavelet basis for the solution of linearized seismic tomography problems $Am=d$, allowing for the possibility of sharp discontinuities superimposed on a smoothly varying background. An iterative method is used to find a sparse solution $m$ that contains no more fine-scale structure than is necessary to fit the data $d$ to within its assigned errors.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures. Submitted to GJI July 2006. This preprint does not use GJI style files (which gives wrong received/accepted dates). Corrected typ

Compression approaches for the regularized solutions of linear systems from large-scale inverse problems

We introduce and compare new compression approaches to obtain regularized solutions of large linear systems which are commonly encountered in large scale inverse problems. We first describe how to approximate matrix vector operations with a large matrix through a sparser matrix with fewer nonzero elements, by borrowing from ideas used in wavelet image compression. Next, we describe and compare approaches based on the use of the low rank singular value decomposition (SVD), which can result in further size reductions. We describe how to obtain the approximate low rank SVD of the original matrix using the sparser wavelet compressed matrix. Some analytical results concerning the various methods are presented and the results of the proposed techniques are illustrated using both synthetic data and a very large linear system from a seismic tomography application, where we obtain significant compression gains with our methods, while still resolving the main features of the solutions.European Research Council (Advanced Grant 226837)United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Contract N66001-13-1-4050)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Contracts 1320652 and 0748488

Short Note Hydrophone Calibration at Very Low Frequencies

International audienceWe propose a new method to study the response of a hydrophone at very low frequencies. In our method, the hydrophone is placed in a calibration chamber filled with water and, by instantaneously changing the water height, an abrupt pressure increase of about 1000 Pa is produced. The pressure variation mathematically corresponds to an input signal close to a step function. The response is recorded after filtering and digitizing so that we obtain the response of the complete system. We also report on the development of an automatic method to determine the number of poles and zeros and their values that describe the observed response. We apply our method to the RAFOS II hydrophone, used on the Mobile Earthquake Recorder in Marine Areas by Independent Divers (MERMAID) floats. As an illustration of the method, an instrumental response in terms of poles and zeros is used to correct seis-mograms from the 7 April 2014 (M w 4.8) Barcelonnette earthquake, recorded by three MERMAIDs deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, and to express the observed signals in pascals

Finite frequency whole mantle P wave tomography: Improvement of subducted slab images

We present a new whole mantle P wave tomographic model GAP_P4. We used two data groups; short-period data of more than 10 million picked-up onset times and long-period data of more than 20 thousand differential travel times measured by waveform cross-correlation. Finite frequency kernels were calculated at the corresponding frequency bands for both long- and short- period data. With respect to an earlier model GAP_P2, we find important improvements especially in the transition zone and uppermost lower mantle beneath the South China Sea and the southern Philippine Sea owing to broadband ocean bottom seismometers (BBOBS) deployed in the western Pacific Ocean where station coverage is poor. This new model is different from a model in which the full data set is interpreted with classical ray theory. BBOBS observations should be more useful to sharpen images of subducted slabs than expected from simple ray path coverage arguments

Flat versus normal subduction zones: a comparison based on 3-D regional traveltime tomography and petrological modelling of central Chile and western Argentina (29°–35°S)

Our study compares the seismic properties between the flat and normal subduction regions in central Chile, to better understand the links between the slab geometry, surface deformation and the deeper structures. In comparison with previous studies, we show the most complete 3-D regional seismic tomography images for this region, in which we use (1) a larger seismic data set compiled from several short-term seismic catalogues, (2) a denser seismic array allowing a better resolution of the subduction zone from the trench to the backarc and into the upper ∼30 km of the slab and (3) a starting 1-D background velocity model specifically calculated for this region and refined over the years. We assess and discuss our tomography results using regional seismic attenuation models and estimating rock types on the basis of pressure and temperature conditions computed from thermomechanical models. Our results show significant seismic differences between the flat and normal subduction zones. As expected, the faster seismic velocities and increased seismicity within the flat slab and overriding lithosphere are generally consistent with a cooler thermal state. Our results are also consistent with dehydration of the mantle above the subducted Juan Fernandez Ridge at the eastern tip of the flat slab segment, indicating that the latter retains some fluids during subduction. However, fluids in the upper portion of the flat slab segment are not seismically detected, since we report instead fast slab seismic velocities which contradict the argument of its buoyancy being the cause of horizontal subduction. The forearc region, above the flat slab, exhibits high Vs and very low Vp/Vs ratios, uncorrelated with typical rock compositions, increased density or reduced temperature; this feature is possibly linked with the aftershock effects of the Mw7.1 1997 Punitaqui earthquake, the flat slab geometry and/or seismic anisotropy. At the surface, the seismic variations correlate with the geological terranes. The Andean crust is strongly reduced in seismic velocities along the La Ramada–Aconcagua deformation belt, suggesting structural damage. Slow seismic velocities along the Andean Moho match non-eclogitized hydrated rocks, consistent with a previous delamination event or a felsic composition, which in turn supports the extent of the Chilenia terrane at these depths. We confirm previous studies that suggest that the Cuyania terrane in the backarc region is mafic and contains an eclogitized lower crust below 50-km depth. We also hypothesize major Andean basement detachment faults (or shear zones) to extend towards the plate interface and canalize slab-derived fluids into the continental crust

Seismic evidence for a tilted mantle plume and north–south mantle flow beneath Iceland

Post-print / lokagerð höfundaShear waves converted from compressional waves at mantle discontinuities near 410- and 660-km depth recorded by two broadband seismic experiments in Iceland reveal that the center of an area of anomalously thin mantle transition zone lies at least 100 km south of the upper-mantle low-velocity anomaly imaged tomographically beneath the hotspot. This offset is evidence for a tilted plume conduit in the upper mantle, the result of either northward flow of the Icelandic asthenosphere or southward flow of the upper part of the lower mantle in a no-net-rotation reference frame.Peer Reviewe

Imaging the mantle beneath Iceland using integrated seismological techniques

Using a combination of body wave and surface wave data sets to reveal the mantle plume and plume head, this study presents a tomographic image of the mantle structure beneath Iceland to 400 km depth. Data comes primarily from the PASSCAL-HOTSPOT deployment of 30 broadband instruments over a period of 2 years, and is supplemented by data from the SIL and ICEMELT networks. Three sets of relative teleseismic body wave arrival times are generated through cross correlation: S and SKS arrivals at 0.03–0.1 Hz, and P and PKIKP arrivals at 0.03–0.1 and 0.8–2.0 Hz. Prior to inversion the crustal portion of the travel time anomalies is removed using the crustal model ICECRTb. This step has a significant effect on the mantle velocity variations imaged down to a depth of ∼250 km. Inversion of relative arrival times only provides information on lateral velocity variations. Surface waves are therefore used to provide absolute velocity information for the uppermost mantle beneath Iceland. The average wave number for the Love wave fundamental mode at 0.020 and 0.024 Hz is measured and used to invert for the average S velocity. Combination of the body wave and surface wave information reveals a predominantly horizontal low-velocity anomaly extending from the Moho down to ∼250 km depth, interpreted as a plume head. Below the plume head a near-cylindrical low-velocity anomaly with a radius of ∼100 km and peak VP and VS anomalies of −2% and −4%, respectively, extends down to the maximum depth of resolution at 400 km. Within the plume head, in the uppermost mantle above the core of the plume, there is a relatively high velocity with a maximum VP and VS anomaly of +2%. This high-velocity anomaly may be the result of the extreme degree of melt extraction necessary to generate the thick (46 km) crust in central Iceland. Comparison of the plume volumetric flux implied by our images, the crustal generation rate, and the degree of melting suggested by rare earth element inversions, suggests that (1) mantle material must be flowing horizontally away from the plume core faster than the overlying lithosphere and (2) the bulk of the plume material does not participate in melting beneath Iceland

Path-averaged delay times for seismic tomography

International audienceSUMMARY The delay times reported for 427 17 476 mantle and core phases in the ISC-EHB Bulletins for the years 1964–2018 are averaged into 120 41 671 summary rays. For each summary ray, I estimate the standard variance of the mean delay and an upper bound for use in tomographic inversion. The trade-off between model norm and the fit to mantle P-wave data shows that the regularized tomographic problem for these data is well posed, with data adequately fit between their error bounds

Earth’s Structure, Upper Mantle

International audienc

Seismic tomography behond ray theory

Le temps de propagation des ondes à fréquence finie sont affectés par la zone de Fresnel autour du rayon. En raison de la cicatrisation du front d onde, les hétérogénéité d une taille inférieure à celle de la zone de Fresnel contribuent peu aux temps de propagation. Il est possible de tenir compte de cet effet dans une modélisation à fréquence finie. Pour une tomographie globale tenant compte de cet effet, un maillage irrégulier adapté est utilisé. Des données sismologiques longue-période de grande qualité permettent de comparer les images obtenues par tomographies avec la théorie des rayons et avec la modélisation à fréquence finie. Des données courte-période sont aussi incorporées pour améliorer la résolution. Tous les modèles montent une forte corrélation entre les anomalies de basse vitesse et la localisation d un large nombre de points chauds identifiés. Il existe des origines profondes mais aussi plus superficielles. Enfin, des possibles plumes naissantes profonds sont identifiées.Diffraction theory predicts that traveltimes of seismic waves with a finite dominant frequency are affected by heterogeneities whose scale-length is smaller than the size of the Fresnel zone have a reduced effect on traveltimes. Corrections for wavefront healing effects are possible and are referenced as finite-frequency modelling. For this global seismic tomography, we introduced an irregular model parametrization. High-quality long-period data set are used for both tomographies using standard ray theory and finite-frequency modelling. Short period data set are used as well in order to enhance the resolution. All models show strong correlation between low velocity anomalies and the location of a large number known hotspots. Deep mantle plumes exist as well as more shallow ones. Newly discovered plume-like features are visible at depth.NICE-BU Sciences (060882101) / SudocSudocFranceF