Three dimensional velocity structure and relocated aftershocks for the 1985 Constantine, Algeria (MS = 5.9) earthquake

Abstract

Local earthquake travel-time data were inverted to obtain a three dimensional tomographic image of the region centered on the 1985 Constantine earthquake. The resulting velocity model was then used to relocate the events. The tomographic data set consisted of P and S waves travel-times from 653 carefully selected aftershocks of this moderate size earthquake, recorded at 10 temporary stations. A three-dimensional P-wave velocity image to a depth of 12 km was obtained by Thurber's method. At shallower depth, the velocity contrasts reflected the differences in tectonic units. Velocities lower than 4 km/s corresponded to recent deposits, velocities higher than 5 km/s to the Constantine Neritic and the Tellian nappes. The relocation of the aftershocks indicates that most of the seismicity occured where the velocity exceeded 5.5 km/s. The aftershock distribution accurately defined the three segments involved in the main shock and led to a better understanding of the rupture process.

Keywords

• local earthquake tomography
• aftershock study
• Tellian Atlas