Premium
Single station estimation of seismic source time function from coda waves: The Kursk disaster
Author(s) -
Sèbe Olivier,
Bard PierreYves,
Guilbert Jocelyn
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1029/2005gl022799
Subject(s) - coda , deconvolution , seismology , seismogram , wavelet , geology , factorization , blind deconvolution , seismic wave , function (biology) , computer science , geodesy , algorithm , artificial intelligence , evolutionary biology , biology
We propose a high‐resolution technique for estimating the source time function of a seismic event from only one record. This technique is based on the spectral factorization of the minimum phase wavelet from the most random part of a seismogram: its coda. As the coda non‐stationarity is inconsistent with the classical spectral factorization theory, we develop a two‐step algorithm: first, the diffuse coda field is whitened to remove the non‐stationary attenuation effect; second, the minimum phase wavelet equivalent of the seismic source time function is estimated. Applied to the recordings of the Kursk's wreck, this method gives a source wavelet strikingly similar to the general shape of an underwater explosion, allowing us to infer its depth and yield. Based on the fundamental “random” character of diffusive waves, this approach opens up promising applications for new blind deconvolution methods.