Evidence for departure in self-similarity: a new spectral ratio method using narrowband coda envelopes

Abstract

The use of local and regional S-wave coda is shown to provide stable amplitude ratios that better constrains source differences between event pairs. We first compared amplitude ratio performance between local and near regional S and coda waves in the San Francisco Bay region for moderate-sized events, then applied the coda spectral ratio method to the 1999 Hector Mine mainshock and its larger aftershocks. We find (1) average amplitude ratio standard deviations using coda are ~0.05 to 0.12, roughly a factor of 3 smaller than direct S-waves for 0.2 < f < 15.0 Hz; (2) coda spectral ratios for the Mw 7.0 Hector Mine earthquake and its aftershocks show a clear departure from self-similarity, consistent with other studies using the same datasets; and (3) event-pairs (Green’s function and target events) can be separated by ~25 km for coda amplitudes without any appreciable degradation, in sharp contrast to direct waves.