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Inversion of ground-motion data from a seismometer array for rotation using a modification of Jaeger's method

January 1, 2011

We develop a new way to invert 2D translational waveforms using Jaeger's (1969) formula to derive rotational ground motions about one axis and estimate the errors in them using techniques from statistical multivariate analysis. This procedure can be used to derive rotational ground motions and strains using arrayed translational data, thus providing an efficient way to calibrate the performance of rotational sensors. This approach does not require a priori information about the noise level of the translational data and elastic properties of the media. This new procedure also provides estimates of the standard deviations of the derived rotations and strains. In this study, we validated this code using synthetic translational waveforms from a seismic array. The results after the inversion of the synthetics for rotations were almost identical with the results derived using a well-tested inversion procedure by Spudich and Fletcher (2009). This new 2D procedure can be applied three times to obtain the full, three-component rotations. Additional modifications can be implemented to the code in the future to study different features of the rotational ground motions and strains induced by the passage of seismic waves.

Publication Year 2011
Title Inversion of ground-motion data from a seismometer array for rotation using a modification of Jaeger's method
DOI 10.1785/0120100204
Authors Wu-Cheng Chi, W. H. K. Lee, J.A.D. Aston, C.J. Lin, C.-C. Liu
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America
Index ID 70032394
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earthquake Science Center