Identification of Subsurface Structures Using H/V Curves from Earthquake Recordings: Application to Seismic Stations in Switzerland

Abstract We performed a study to test the performances of Hybrid Heuristic Search (HHS) algorithm (Nagashima et al. 2014) using earthquake recordings at 23 instrumented sites in Switzerland. The HHS is based on diffuse field theory and estimates P- S-wave velocity profiles by inverting horizontal-to vertical spectral ratio (H/V) curves recordings. In this we inverted H/V computed arrivals local regional earthquakes with maximum magnitude 4.6. compared results inversion technique information available for each investigated site (e.g., characterization analysis). Our emphasize importance data definition parameter space near surface, potential extend depth much higher depths than standard measurements. additional constraints are important drive towards unique solution. analysis confirms invert full curve subsurface investigation its applicability areas low earthquakes. addition, can be useful investigate deeper structures profile that not resolved classical techniques.