Estimation of Seismic Attenuation of the Greenland Ice Sheet Using 3-D Waveform Modeling

Genti Toyokuni, Masanao Komatsu, Hiroshi Takenaka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We estimated the seismic attenuation (Q factor) of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) by comparing observed and theoretical Rayleigh waveforms. Observed waveforms are obtained by interfering noise waveforms in vertical-component seismograms between stations belonging to the latest broadband seismic network distributed throughout Greenland (GLISN network). Theoretical waveforms are calculated by parallel computation using the latest 3-D seismic waveform modeling method. Comparing the observed waveforms with the theoretical waveforms at different Q factors reveals that the GrIS has a low Q of 10 ≤ QP, QS ≤ 50, indicating very high attenuation of seismic waves due to the ice. This study is the first to establish the low Q factor of ice sheets via ultra-long-distance propagation (350−1,000 km). The Q factors obtained in this study are indispensable for estimating the thermal state and density distribution of the GrIS, as well as for interpreting the characteristics of seismic waveform that propagates through the GrIS.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2021JB021694
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Volume126
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • 3-D modeling
  • finite-difference method (FDM)
  • Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS)
  • Greenland Ice Sheet Monitoring Network (GLISN)
  • Q factor
  • seismic attenuation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Estimation of Seismic Attenuation of the Greenland Ice Sheet Using 3-D Waveform Modeling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this