Origins of High-Frequency Scattered Waves near PKKP from Large Aperture Seismic Array Data

This article identifies the likely origin of 1-Hz scattered waves in the vicinity of PKKP by comparing measurements of slowness and onset time to ray-theoretical predictions. The measurements are obtained from slant stacks of Large Aperture Seismic Array (LASA) data from 36 earthquakes and six explosions in the range 30°–116°. Three types of scattered waves explain the main features seen in the stacks, including: P scattered to PKP near the Earth9s surface ( P.PKP ), PKKP scattered near its core–mantle–boundary (CMB) reflection point ( PK.KP ), and SKKP scattered near its CMB reflection point ( SK.KP ). The LASA stacks image the amplitude and slowness variations of the scattered waves with time. They also show where these waves can be detected and where they are free from contaminating arrivals. SK.KP waves rise above the noise approximately 100 sec before the onset time of the main SKKP arrival near 113°. Observations of PK.KP span 30°–100°. However, at distances greater than 50° they suffer from P.PKP contamination. At distances less than 40° the PK.KP last for about 280 sec. This is approximately 130 sec longer than the maximum ray-theoretical prediction for waves scattered at the CMB, indicating a possible combination of near-surface scattering and contributions from the overlying mantle.