A stacking approach to estimate VP/VS from receiver functions

Abstract

This note documents an approach to process a suite of receiver function (RF) traces in order to identify discontinuity-generated P-to-S (Ps) conversions based on the timing of their associated reverberations. It is inspired by Kumar and Bostock's method to estimate absolute P wave speeds. From RF estimates recorded in the typical source range for direct P arrivals, the method yields P to S wave speed ratios (VP/VS) without knowledge of crustal VP or thickness. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 RAS.