Finite differences and a coupled analytic technique with applications to explosions and earthquakes

Citation

Stead, Richard J. (1990) Finite differences and a coupled analytic technique with applications to explosions and earthquakes. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/gsvf-5426. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03192015-141813901

Abstract

An analytic technique is developed that couples to finite difference calculations to extend the results to arbitrary distance. Finite differences and the analytic result, a boundary integral called two-dimensional Kirchhoff, are applied to simple models and three seismological problems dealing with data. The simple models include a thorough investigation of the seismologic effects of a deep continental basin. The first problem is explosions at Yucca Flat, in the Nevada test site. By modeling both near-field strong-motion records and teleseismic P-waves simultaneously, it is shown that scattered surface waves are responsible for teleseismic complexity. The second problem deals with explosions at Amchitka Island, Alaska. The near-field seismograms are investigated using a variety of complex structures and sources. The third problem involves regional seismograms of Imperial Valley, California earthquakes recorded at Pasadena, California. The data are shown to contain evidence of deterministic structure, but lack of more direct measurements of the structure and possible three-dimensional effects make two-dimensional modeling of these data difficult.

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