Application of Receiver Function Method to Estimate the Buried Depths of Discontinuities in the Upper Mantle beneath China and Adjacent Area

Abstract

Abstract 263 receiver functions were obtained from three component broadband seismograms recorded at the 18 stations in China and adjacent areas from far earthquakes. The observed arrival time differences of P410S and P660S with P were obtained from these receiver functions. The buried depths of 410km and 660km discontinuities under a station are acquired by the way of adjusting the depths of these two discontinuities in the velocity model until the theoretical arrival time differences of P410S and P660S with P well conformed to the observed. The result shows obvious lateral heterogeneity of 410km and 660km discontinuities. The depth of 410km discontinuity is shallower beneath BJI, XAN, LZH and ENH, but deeper under QIZ and CHTO, and the average is 403km. The average depth of 660km discontinuity is 663km, deeper under MDJ and MAJO, but shallower under QIZ and HYB.