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Joint inversion of teleseismic receiver functions and magnetotelluric data using a genetic algorithm: Are seismic velocities and electrical conductivities compatible?
Author(s) -
Moorkamp M.,
Jones A. G.,
Eaton D. W.
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2007gl030519
Subject(s) - magnetotellurics , lithosphere , geology , inversion (geology) , seismology , geophysics , mantle (geology) , joint (building) , tectonics , geodesy , electrical resistivity and conductivity , architectural engineering , engineering , electrical engineering
Joint inversion of different kinds of geophysical data has the potential to improve model resolution, under the assumption that the different observations are sensitive to the same subsurface features. Here, we examine the compatibility of P‐wave teleseismic receiver functions and long‐period magnetotelluric (MT) observations, using joint inversion, to infer one‐dimensional lithospheric structure. We apply a genetic algorithm to invert teleseismic and MT data from the Slave craton; a region where previous independent analyses of these data have indicated correlated layering of the lithosphere. Examination of model resolution and parameter trade‐off suggests that the main features of this area, the Moho, Central Slave Mantle Conductor and the Lithosphere‐Asthenosphere boundary, are sensed to varying degrees by both methods. Thus, joint inversion of these two complementary data sets can be used to construct improved models of the lithosphere. Further studies will be needed to assess whether the approach can be applied globally.