Recovery of the Alberta Basin Sedimentary Structures in Southern‐Central Alberta Using Nonlinear Inversions of Receiver Functions

Secondary converted waves from receiver functions are highly sensitive to physical properties below the Earth's surface. When modeled properly, waveforms of offer direct constraints on impedance contrast, depth, and P-to-S velocity ratio pertaining sedimentary, crustal mantle interfaces. In this study we introduce a nonlinear waveform inversion algorithm that matches first 5 s recorded in Alberta Basin within Western Canada Sedimentary (WCSB). Our searches for optimal thickness sedimentary cover shear velocities appropriately selected layers it. Combining inversions with forward simulations, determine supracrustal stratigraphy 80 regional broadband seismic stations WCSB. The inverted models show east tapering their thicknesses ranging ∼6 km beneath foothills Canadian Rocky Mountains 3–4 Basin. This finding is consistent strata determined well-logging data. layer contains low zones variable amplitudes that, depending locations, may be caused by mechanisms involving deposition, composition or deformation history. near top basement complement existing sonic-logs single component data new subsidence history resolved range depths (0–14 km) effectively bridges gap between vertical scales well logging (0–6 those traditional analysis (>10 surface waves.