Inversion for interface structure using teleseismic traveltime residuals

An inversion method is presented for the reconstruction of interface geometry between two or more crustal layers from teleseismic traveltime residuals. The method is applied to 2-D models consisting of continuous interfaces separating constant-velocity layers. The forward problem of determining ray paths and traveltimes between incident wave fronts below the structure and receivers located on the Earth’s surface is solved by an efficient and robust shooting method. A conjugate gradient method is employed to solve the inverse problem of minimizing a least-squares type objective function based on the difference between observed and calculated traveltimes. Teleseismic data do not accurately constrain average vertical structure, so a priori information in the form of layer velocities and average layer thicknesses is required. Synthetic tests show that the method can be used to reconstruct interface geometry accurately, even in the presence of data noise. Tests also show that, if layer velocities and initial interface positions are poorly chosen, lateral structure is still recoverable. The inversion method was applied to previously published teleseismic data recorded by an in-line array of portable seismographs that traversed the northern margin of the Musgrave Block, central Australia. The solution based on interface parametrization is consistent with models given by other studies that used the same data but different methods, most notably the standard tomographic approach that inverts for velocity rather than interface structure.