On the validation of seismic imaging methods: Finite frequency or ray theory?

We investigate the merits of the more recently developed finite‐frequency approach to tomography against the more traditional and approximate ray theoretical approach for state of the art seismic models developed for western North America. To this end, we employ the spectral element method to assess...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2015-01, Vol.42 (2), p.323-330
Main Authors: Maceira, Monica, Larmat, Carene, Porritt, Robert W., Higdon, David M., Rowe, Charlotte A., Allen, Richard M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anomalies
Correlation
Correlation analysis
Delay
finite frequency
GEOSCIENCES
Imaging
Imaging techniques
Mantle plumes
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Medical imaging
Plumes
Random sampling
ray theory
S waves
seismic models
Seismograms
Spectral element method
Statistical analysis
Statistical methods
Statistical sampling
Statistics
Theories
Theory
Tomography
validation
Wave phase
Wave propagation
Waveforms
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We investigate the merits of the more recently developed finite‐frequency approach to tomography against the more traditional and approximate ray theoretical approach for state of the art seismic models developed for western North America. To this end, we employ the spectral element method to assess the agreement between observations on real data and measurements made on synthetic seismograms predicted by the models under consideration. We check for phase delay agreement as well as waveform cross‐correlation values. Based on statistical analyses on S wave phase delay measurements, finite frequency shows an improvement over ray theory. Random sampling using cross‐correlation values identifies regions where synthetic seismograms computed with ray theory and finite‐frequency models differ the most. Our study suggests that finite‐frequency approaches to seismic imaging exhibit measurable improvement for pronounced low‐velocity anomalies such as mantle plumes. Key Points Relative merits of finite‐frequency tomography versus ray theory approach Models independent validation by full waveform propagation and statistics Finite‐frequency images are superior for certain regions
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1002/2014GL062571