Attenuation of body waves in Southeastern Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

The attenuation of P- and S-waves in Southeastern Sicily was estimated by applying two different methods in time and frequency domains. We analyzed waveforms from about 290 local events (0.6 ≤ ML ≤ 4.6) recorded at a three-component digital network. By applying the pulse broadeningmethod to the first P-wave pulse,we found an averageQp value of ca. 140. The application of the frequency decay method provided a Qp value of ca. 120, in the low-frequency band (3–9Hz). Conversely, in the high frequency range (16–27Hz) the average Qp is significantly larger (ca. 640). The frequency decay method was also applied to S-waves spectra. In the low frequency range (2–5Hz) the estimated average Qs is ca. 190. As for Qp, also Qs, in the high frequency range (16–27Hz), is larger (ca. 700). These results evidenced a frequency dependence of both the quality factors Qp and Qs, as commonly observed in tectonically active zones characterized by high degree of heterogeneity