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One-dimensional regional shear velocity structure from joint inversion of fundamental mode group velocity dispersion measurements of Love and Rayleigh waves: application to the Uttarakhand Himalaya

  • Research Article - Solid Earth Sciences
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Abstract

Between 2017 and 2019, the CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad, Telangana, established a broad-band seismic-network with fifty-five 3-component broadband seismometers in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. Out of 55 three component broadband seismic (BBS) networks, we chose 17 for the present study. Using digital waveform data from twenty-one (21) regional Indian earthquakes of Mw 5.0–6.2 that were recorded in the 17 broadband seismometer, we compute fundamental mode group-velocity dispersion (FMGVD) characteristics of surface waves (Love and Rayleigh waves) and the average one-dimensional regional shear-wave velocity (Vs) structure of the Uttarakhand Himalayan region. First, we compute FMGVD curves for Love waves (6–73 s) and Rayleigh waves (at 6.55–73 s) period, and then, we finally invert these dispersion curves to compute the final average one-dimensional regional crustal & sub-crustal shear-wave velocity (Vs) structure below the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Our best model in Uttarakhand Himalayan region, India, reveals the 8-layered crust with a mid-crustal low velocity layer (MC-LVL) (approximately a drop of 1.5–2.3% in Vs) between 8 and 20 km depth in the proximity of MCT (Main Central Thrust). In the upper crustal part (0–20 km depths), our modelling suggests shear velocities (Vs) varies from 3.1 to 3.9 km/sec while shear velocities (Vs) in the lower crustal part (20–45 km depth) are modelled to be varying from 3.7 to 4.69 km per sec. The Moho-depth is calculated to be 45 km deep below the K-G Himalaya, and the shear-velocity (Vs) in the sub-crustal sector is 4.69 km/sec. Our estimated mid-crustal low-velocity layer (MC-LVL) could be linked to the presence of metamorphic fluids in the fractured Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), resulting from the weakening of the crustal material at the interface between the overriding Eurasian plate and upper part of the underthrusting Indian plate.

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Data availability

Waveforms used in our present study were recorded on seventeen three-component broadband seismic stations of a local seismic network of the CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad, in Uttarakhand, Himalayan region India. Data could be obtained through a request to the Director, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana State, India). (director@ngri.res.in).

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Acknowledgements

Authors are Thankful to the Director, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, for his kind permission to publish our present work. This study is supported by the CSIR funded Mission mode project on “Safety and security of vital installations”. Authors are grateful to Prof. Hermann, Saint-Louis University, USA, for providing the seismological software for carrying out the surface- wave dispersion study in the present paper; this article, bearing the WIHG contribution No. WIHG/0270.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 GMS Road, Dehradun, 248001, India

    Abhishek Kumar Gupta, Anil Tiwari, Kalachand Sain & Ajay Paul

  2. CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, 500007, India

    Abhishek Kumar Gupta, Prantik Mandal & D. Srinagesh

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  1. Abhishek Kumar Gupta
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Contributions

The modelling and computation of surface wave dispersion is done by Abhishek Kumar Gupta (AKG). Prantik Mandal (PM) and D. Srinagesh (DSN) have cooperated in the interpretation of geodynamic models of this region. Data are gathered, prepared and pre-processed by AKG, PM and DSN. AKG and PM, AT and KS also contributed to discussions—interpretation and writing of the paper.

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Correspondence to Anil Tiwari.

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Edited by Prof. Marian Ivan (ASSOCIATE EDITOR) / Prof. Ramon Zuñiga (CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF).

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Gupta, A.K., Mandal, P., Srinagesh, D. et al. One-dimensional regional shear velocity structure from joint inversion of fundamental mode group velocity dispersion measurements of Love and Rayleigh waves: application to the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Acta Geophys. 71, 2619–2632 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-023-01167-5

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