3D simultaneous seismic refraction and reflection tomography of wide-angle data from the Central Chilean Margin

• Published in: Geophysical research letters 1999-08, Vol.26 (16), p.2577-2580
• Main Authors: Zelt, Colin A., Hojka, André M., Flueh, Ernst R., McIntosh, Kirk D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied geophysics; continental margins and sedimentary basins; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Exact sciences and technology; GEOSCIENCES; Internal geophysics; inverse theory; marine geology and geophysics; marine seismics; mathematical geophysics; REFLECTION; REFRACTION; seismology; Solid-earth geophysics, tectonophysics, gravimetry; tectonophysics; theory and modeling; TOMOGRAPHY
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/1999GL900545

We present an application of three‐dimensional (3D) simultaneous seismic refraction and reflection tomography for velocity and interface structure. The inversion technique and method for developing the starting model are specifically designed for relatively sparse wide‐angle data acquired across strongly‐varying structure. The data were recorded in a region of seamount subduction on the Chilean margin and consist of seven receivers and ten intersecting airgun profiles over a 90×90 km area providing constraint to 25 km depth. The tomographic method and the final model are assessed through a comparison with the large‐scale geologic features of the margin and a resolution test. The 3D model shows the Valparaiso forearc basin, the accretionary wedge, the subducting plate, and possibly a subducted seamount. Our results show the potential of relatively sparse 3D wide‐angle data.