We have examined the theoretical basis behind some of the widely accepted "rules of thumb' for obtaining accurate hypocenter estimates that pertain to the use of S phases and illustrate, in a variety of ways, why and when these "rules' are applicable. Most methods used to determine earthquake hypocenters are based on iterative, linearized, least-squares algorithms. We examine the influence of S-phase arrival time data on such algorithms by using the program HYPOINVERSE with synthetic datasets. We conclude that a correctly timed S phase recorded within about 1.4 focal depth's distance from the epicenter can be a powerful constraint on focal depth. Furthermore, we demonstrate that even a single incorrectly timed S phase can result in depth estimates and associated measures of uncertainty that are significantly incorrect. -from Authors
CITATION STYLE
Gomberg, J. S., Shedlock, K. M., & Roecker, S. W. (1990). The effect of S-wave arrival times on the accuracy of hypocenter estimation. Bulletin - Seismological Society of America, 80(6 A), 1605–1628. https://doi.org/10.1785/bssa08006a1605
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