Obtaining a Unique, Comprehensive Deep Seismic Sounding Upper-Mantle Data Set for Broad Seismological and CTBT Monitoring Community

University Of Wyoming, Laramie WY

Investigators

Abstract

0092744 Morozov This grant provides one fourth support of the costs of acquiring digital data sets for nine deep seismic sounding (DSS) profiles from the Center GEON in Moscow. The other 3/4 of the costs will be borne by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The Russian DSS data sets are a truly unique source of seismic data which image the upper mantle structure below a large fraction of the Eurasian continent. These data sets are unique in that they were produced using well controlled and powerful seismic sources, i.e. peaceful nuclear explosions (PNE) equivalent in size to M > 5 earthquakes and chemical explosions. Nine continental transects were produced using over 20 PNEs and 300 chemical explosions recorded at over 200 sites. These data contain structural information about the Earth's interior in the intermediate depth range (0-3200 km) between what can be learned from earthquake seismology and conventional controlled source seismology. In addition, these are data sets that are likely never to be reproduced. The data sets will be digitized and quality-controlled by Center GEON scientists in Moscow, transferred to University of Wyoming scientists for further QC, and finally reformatted and delivered to the IRIS Data Management Center where the data will be freely accessible to all interested academics scientists. The project should be complete in four years. ***