The New Algorithm for Fast Probabilistic Hypocenter Locations

Abstract

The spatial location of sources of seismic waves is one of the first tasks when transient waves from natural (uncontrolled) sources are analysed in many branches of physics, including seismology, oceanology, to name a few. It is well recognised that there is no single universal location algorithm which performs equally well in all situations. Source activity and its spatial variability in time, the geometry of recording network, the complexity and heterogeneity of wave velocity distribution are all factors influencing the performance of location algorithms. In this paper we propose a new location algorithm which exploits the reciprocity and time-inverse invariance property of the wave equation. Basing on these symmetries and using a modern finite-difference-type eikonal solver, we have developed a new very fast algorithm performing the full probabilistic (Bayesian) source location. We illustrate an efficiency of the algorithm performing an advanced error analysis for 1647 seismic events from the Rudna copper mine operating in southwestern Poland.