Imaging the Shallow Shear Wave Velocity Structure of the Northern Cascadia Subduction Zone via Compliance Signals Recorded by Ocean-Bottom Seismometers

The Cascadia subduction zone, which extends along a significant portion of western North America from northern California to southern British Columbia, has the potential to produce large devastating earthquakes and tsunamis. Therefore, better understanding the complex structure of the Cascadia subduction zone is paramount to accurately assessing the seismic and tsunamigenic hazard it poses to the western hemisphere. However, this region is difficult to study because it lies entirely offshore. Therefore, this study will image the structure of the subduction zone by using data recorded by instruments deployed on the seafloor, specifically, those belonging to the Canadian NEPTUNE (North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments) array. One outcome of this research is that it will pave the way for further seismological study utilizing NEPTUNE data. For example, a firm understanding of how seismic energy interacts with the structure beneath NEPTUNE stations is critical to further studies using other imaging techniques. Furthermore this work will showcase the utility of the NEPTUNE arrat for subduction zone research.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pascal Audet

Student:

Partner:

University of California, Santa Barbara

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: