A travel time and amplitude interpretation of a marine refraction profile: Primary waves

Oceanic refraction surveys are interpreted almost exclusively on a time basis yielding layered crustal models. This study utilizes more of the observed information by requiring the model to produce similar waveforms as well as travel times. Theoretical seismograms based on possible travel time models are compared with the first few seconds of observed recording. Closely spaced comparisons are made along a 120-km profile located north of the Hawaiian Islands. The final model indicates: (1) a high positive velocity gradient in the upper layers above the main oceanic layer. (2) a relatively homogeneous oceanic layer with a sharp velocity discontinuity at the crust-mantle interface. (3) a small positive velocity gradient in the upper mantle.