Joint inversion of receiver function and surface wave dispersion based on the unscented Kalman inversion

Abstract

Summary Joint inversion, such as the combination of receiver function and surface wave dispersion, can significantly improve subsurface imaging by exploiting their complementary sensitivities. Bayesian methods have been demonstrated to be effective in this field. However, there are practical challenges associated with this approach. Notably, most Bayesian methods, such as the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, are computationally intensive. Additionally, accurately determining the data noise across different data sets to ensure effective inversion is often a complex task. This study explores the unscented Kalman inversion (UKI) as a potential alternative. Through a data-driven approach to adjust estimated noise levels, we can achieve a balance between actual noise and the weights assigned to different data sets, enhancing the effectiveness of the inversion process. Synthetic tests of joint inversion of receiver function and surface wave dispersions indicate that the UKI can provide robust solutions across a range of data noise levels. Furthermore, we apply the UKI to real data from seismic arrays in Pamir and evaluate the accuracy of the joint inversion through posterior Gaussian distribution. Our results demonstrate that the UKI presents a promising supplement to conventional Bayesian methods in the joint inversion of geophysical data sets with superior computational efficiency.