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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Genetic algorithm inversion of the average 1D crustal structure using local and regional earthquakes

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Author(s):
de Vasconcelos Lopes, Afonso Emidio [1] ; Assumpcao, Marcelo [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo IAG USP, Inst Astron Geophys & Atmospher Sci, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Computers & Geosciences; v. 37, n. 9, p. 1372-1380, SEP 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Knowing the best 1D model of the crustal and upper mantle structure is useful not only for routine hypocenter determination, but also for linearized joint inversions of hypocenters and 3D crustal structure, where a good choice of the initial model can be very important. Here, we tested the combination of a simple GA inversion with the widely used HYPO71 program to find the best three-layer model (upper crust, lower crust, and upper mantle) by minimizing the overall P- and S-arrival residuals, using local and regional earthquakes in two areas of the Brazilian shield. Results from the Tocantins Province (Central Brazil) and the southern border of the Sao Francisco craton (SE Brazil) indicated an average crustal thickness of 38 and 43 km, respectively, consistent with previous estimates from receiver functions and seismic refraction lines. The GA + HYPO71 inversion produced correct Vp/Vs ratios (1.73 and 1.71, respectively), as expected from Wadati diagrams. Tests with synthetic data showed that the method is robust for the crustal thickness, Pn velocity, and Vp/Vs ratio when using events with distance up to about 400 km, despite the small number of events available (7 and 22, respectively). The velocities of the upper and lower crusts, however, are less well constrained. Interestingly, in the Tocantins Province, the GA + HYPO71 inversion showed a secondary solution (local minimum) for the average crustal thickness, besides the global minimum solution, which was caused by the existence of two distinct domains in the Central Brazil with very different crustal thicknesses. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 96/01566-0 - Geophysical studies and tectonic model of the central and south-east sectors of the Tocantins province, central Brazil
Grantee:Jesus Antonio Berrocal Gomez
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants