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Inverting interpolated receiver functions with surface wave dispersion and gravity: Application to the western U.S. and adjacent Canada and Mexico
Author(s) -
Chai Chengping,
Ammon Charles J.,
Maceira Monica,
Herrmann Robert B.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2015gl063733
Subject(s) - receiver function , geology , interpolation (computer graphics) , geodesy , smoothing , azimuth , dispersion (optics) , surface wave , rayleigh wave , seismology , geophysics , mathematical analysis , geometry , physics , mathematics , optics , classical mechanics , motion (physics) , statistics , lithosphere , tectonics
We use P wave receiver functions from the western U.S. and adjacent regions to construct a receiver function wavefield interpolation scheme that helps to equalize the lateral sampling of the receiver functions and the surface wave dispersion and to greatly simplify the receiver functions. Spatial interpolation and smoothing suppress poorly sampled and difficult to interpret back azimuthal variations and allow the extraction of the first‐order features in the receiver function wavefield, including observations from several ray parameter ranges. We combine the interpolated receiver functions with Rayleigh wave dispersion estimates and surface gravity observations to estimate the 3‐D shear wave speed beneath the region. Speed variations in the 3‐D model correlate strongly with expected geologic variations and illuminate broad‐scale features of the western U.S. crust and upper mantle. The model is smooth, self‐consistent, and demonstrates the compatibility of the interpolated receiver functions and dispersion observations.