Accurate hypocentre locations in the Middle-Durance Fault Zone, South-Eastern France

Abstract

A one-dimensional velocity model and station corrections for the Middle-Durance fault zone (south-eastern France) was computed by inverting P-wave arrival times recorded on a local seismic network of 8 stations. A total of 93 local events with a minimum number of 6 P-phases, RMS<0.4 s and a maximum gap of 220° were selected. Comparison with previous earthquake locations shows an improvement for the relocated earthquakes. Tests were carried out to verify the robustness of inversion results in order to corroborate the conclusions drawn from our findings. The obtained minimum 1-D velocity model can be used to improve routine earthquake locations and represents a further step toward more detailed seismotectonic studies in this area of south-eastern France.