HR: 1330h
AN: S42B-0165    [PDF]
TI: Real-time Seismic Warning With a 2-Station Subarray
AU: Rydelek, P A
EM: par@ceri.memphis.edu
AF: Center for Earthquake Research and Information, The University of Memphis, 3890 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38152 United States
AU: * Pujol, J M
EM: pujol@ceri.memphis.edu
AF: Center for Earthquake Research and Information, The University of Memphis, 3890 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38152 United States
AB: One of the most basic problems in seismology is earthquake location. In particular, the ability to quickly locate a large, potentially devastating earthquake is of fundamental importance in a real-time warning system where speed is a key factor in determining the level of success of such systems. We have developed a simple method that uses only the two earliest P-wave arrival times in a seismic array. Assuming a simple velocity model, these arrivals are used to construct a hyperbolic curve on which the approximate epicenter of the earthquake is expected to lie. Epicentral location along this hyperbola is further constrained by using the fact that the P-waves arriving at the other stations in the array are not first arrivals. When applied to P-wave data from seismic networks in the central US and California, model results show agreement with actual earthquake locations. Although there is an inherent uncertainty in the subarray method of locating large earthquakes, this may be an acceptable trade-off in an early warning system in view of the time (few to tens of seconds) saved by not waiting for other P-arrivals.
DE: 7209 Earthquake dynamics and mechanics
DE: 7223 Seismic hazard assessment and prediction
DE: 7230 Seismicity and seismotectonics
DE: 7294 Instruments and techniques
SC: Seismology [S]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting