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1. Teleseismic Converted Waves Image of the Indo-Burma Subduction System Across the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar (BIMA) Array

   Ajala, R.; Persaud, P.; Steckler, M.; Sandvol, E.; Islam, M.; Gaherty, J.; Than, O.; Oo, K.; Akhter, S.; Ni, J. (January 2020, American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2020)

   null (Ed.)

   Recent GPS studies show that the Indo-Burma subduction system is locked with the implication of a potential large-magnitude earthquake. To inform better seismic hazard models in the region, we need an improved understanding of the crustal structure and the dynamics of the Indo-Burma subduction system. The Bangladesh-India-Myanmar (BIMA) tripartite project deployed 60 broadband seismometers across the subduction system and have been continuously recording data for ~2 years. In this study, we computed receiver functions from 30 high-quality earthquakes (M≥5.9) with epicentral distances between 30º and 90º recorded by the array. The algorithm utilized ensures the uniqueness of the seismic model and provides an uncertainty estimate of every converted wave amplitude. We stacked all the receiver functions produced at each station along the entire transect to generate a cross-sectional model of the average crustal structure. The level of detail in the image is improved by computing higher frequency receiver functions up to 4 Hz. The results represent some of the strongest constraints on crustal structure across the subduction system. Beneath the Neogene accretionary prism's outer belt, we observe a primary conversion associated with the Ganges Brahmaputra Delta that ranges in depth from ~10 km near the deformation front up to ~12 km at the eastern boundary. From the eastern end of the Neogene accretionary prism to the Sagaing Fault, we image the Indian subducting slab and the Central Myanmar basin. The depth-extent of seismicity associated with the Wadati-Benioff zone is consistent with the locations of primary conversions from the subducting plate. We further verify the converted phases of the slab by analyzing azimuthal moveout variations. The Central Myanmar basin is roughly bowl-shaped in cross-section with a maximum thickness of ~15 km about halfway between the Kabaw and Sagaing faults. The average crustal thickness beneath the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta is ~20 km, most likely representing a transitional crust formed from thinning of the continental crust intruded and underplated by igneous rocks. In contrast, the average thickness of the continental crust beneath the Central Myanmar basin is ~40 km. Our results provide a baseline model for future geophysical investigations of the Indo-Burma subduction zone. 

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2. Three-station interferometry and tomography: coda versus direct waves

   https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa046  

   Zhang, Shane; Feng, Lili; Ritzwoller, Michael H (April 2020, Geophysical Journal International)

   SUMMARY Traditional two-station ambient noise interferometry estimates the Green’s function between a pair of synchronously deployed seismic stations. Three-station interferometry considers records observed three stations at a time, where two of the stations are considered receiver–stations and the third is a source–station. Cross-correlations between records at the source–station with each of the receiver–stations are correlated or convolved again to estimate the Green’s function between the receiver–stations, which may be deployed asynchronously. We use data from the EarthScope USArray in the western United States to compare Rayleigh wave dispersion obtained from two-station and three-station interferometry. Three three-station interferometric methods are distinguished by the data segment utilized (coda-wave or direct-wave) and whether the source–stations are constrained to lie in stationary phase zones approximately inline with the receiver–stations. The primary finding is that the three-station direct wave methods perform considerably better than the three-station coda-wave method and two-station ambient noise interferometry for obtaining surface wave dispersion measurements in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, bandwidth, and the number of measurements obtained, but possess small biases relative to two-station interferometry. We present a ray-theoretic correction method that largely removes the bias below 40 s period and reduces it at longer periods. Three-station direct-wave interferometry provides substantial value for imaging the crust and uppermost mantle, and its ability to bridge asynchronously deployed stations may impact the design of seismic networks in the future. 

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3. Isolating and Tracking Noise Sources across an Active Longwall Mine Using Seismic Interferometry

   https://doi.org/10.1785/0120220031  

   Rabade, Santiago; Wu, Sin-Mei; Lin, Fan-Chi; Chambers, Derrick J. (June 2022, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America)

   ABSTRACT The ability to monitor seismicity and structural integrity of a mine using seismic noise can have great implication for detecting and managing ground-control hazards. The noise wavefield, however, is complicated by induced seismicity and heavy machinery associated with mining operations. In this study, we investigate the nature of time-dependent noise cross-correlations functions (CCFs) across an active underground longwall coal mine. We analyze one month of continuous data recorded by a surface 17 geophone array with an average station spacing of ∼200 m. To extract coherent seismic signals, we calculate CCFs between all stations for each 5-min window. Close inspection of all 5-min CCFs reveals waveforms that can be categorically separated into two groups, one with strong and coherent 1–5 Hz signals and one without. Using a reference station pair, we statistically isolate time windows within each group based on the correlation coefficient between each 5-min CCF and the monthly stacked CCF. The daily stacked CCFs associated with a high correlation coefficient show a clear temporal variation that is consistent with the progression of mining activity. In contrast, the daily stacked CCFs associated with a low correlation coefficient remain stationary throughout the recording period in line with the expected persistent background noise. To further understand the nature of the high correlation coefficient CCFs, we perform 2D and 3D back projection to determine and track the dominant noise source location. Excellent agreement is observed on both short (5-min) and long (daily) time scales between the CCF determined source locations, the overall migration of the active mining operation, and cataloged seismic event locations. The workflow presented in this study demonstrates an effective way to identify and track mining induced signals, in which CCFs associated with background noise can be isolated and used for further temporal structural integrity investigation. 

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4. Interseismic Uplift of Anticlines Above the Rakhine‐Bangladesh Megathrust From ALOS‐2 InSAR

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB030003  

   Chong, Jeng‐Hann; Oryan, Bar; Shen, Lin; Steckler, Michael_S; Lindsey, Eric_O (December 2024, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth)

   Abstract The shallow portion of a megathrust represents the zone of first contact between two colliding plates, and its rheological properties control the seismic and tsunami hazards generated by the fault. The high cost of underwater geodetic data collection results in sparse observations, leading to limited constraints on the interseismic behavior of megathrusts. The Rakhine‐Bangladesh megathrust offers a unique opportunity to probe the behavior of the shallow megathrust as it is the only ocean‐continent subduction zone where the near‐trench region is fully accessible on land. Here, we use observations from ALOS‐2 wide‐swath imagery spanning 2015 to 2022 to conduct an InSAR timeseries analysis of the overriding plate within Bangladesh and the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges. We identify a narrow pattern of alternating uplift and subsidence associated with mapped anticlines but show that it cannot be explained by slip on the megathrust or other fault structures. Instead, we argue that the deformation is likely caused by active aseismic folding within the wedge above a shallow decollement. We show that estimates of the decollement depth derived from a viscous folding model and the observed anticline spacing are in agreement with previous seismic observations of the decollement depth across the fold belt. We suggest that the role of ductile deformation in the overriding plate in subduction zones may be more important than previously recognized. 

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5. Eikonal Tomography of the Southern California Plate Boundary Region

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB017806  

   Qiu, Hongrui; Lin, Fan‐Chi; Ben‐Zion, Yehuda (September 2019, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth)

   Abstract We use Eikonal tomography to derive phase and group velocities of surface waves for the plate boundary region in Southern California. Seismic noise data in the period range 2 and 20 s recorded in year 2014 by 346 stations with ~1‐ to 30‐km station spacing are analyzed. Rayleigh and Love wave phase travel times are measured using vertical‐vertical and transverse‐transverse noise cross correlations, and group travel times are derived from the phase measurements. Using the Eikonal equation for each location and period, isotropic phase and group velocities and 2‐psi azimuthal anisotropy are determined statistically with measurements from different virtual sources. Starting with the SCEC Community Velocity Model, the observed 2.5‐ to 16‐s isotropic phase and group dispersion curves are jointly inverted on a 0.05° × 0.05° grid to obtain local 1‐D piecewise shear wave velocity (Vs) models. Compared to the starting model, the final results have generally lowerVsin the shallow crust (top 3–10 km), particularly in areas such as basins and fault zones. The results also show clear velocity contrasts across the San Andreas, San Jacinto, Elsinore, and Garlock Faults and suggest that the San Andreas Fault southeast of San Gorgonio Pass is dipping to the northeast. Investigation of the nonuniqueness of the 1‐DVsinversion suggests that imaging the top 3‐kmVsstructure requires either shorter period (≤2 s) surface wave dispersion measurements or other types of data set such as Rayleigh wave ellipticity. 

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