S U M M A R YWe have used data from the Kuwait National Seismic Network (KNSN) to estimate the seismic structure of Kuwait using a limited amount of seismic data. First, we made surface wave dispersion measurements and calculated receiver functions from the relatively small amount of data available from the broad-band station, KBD. Models were derived from the joint inversion of teleseismic receiver functions and Rayleigh and Love fundamental mode surface wave group velocity dispersion. While both surface waves and receiver functions by themselves can be used to estimate lithospheric structure, we have successfully combined the two to reduce non-uniqueness in estimates based on the individual data sets. The resulting KUW1 model features a thick (8 km) sedimentary cover and crustal thickness of 45 km. Crustal velocities below the sedimentary cover are consistent with global averages for stable platforms. We infer upper-mantle velocities (7.84 km s -1 P-wave velocity; 4.40 km s -1 S-wave velocity) that are slightly lower than expected for a stable platform. In comparison with other crustal structure estimates for the Arabian platform to the west, the crust is thicker and the mantle is slower in Kuwait. This is consistent with the overall tectonic trends of the region that find increasing crustal thickness between the divergent plate boundary at the Red Sea and the convergent plate boundary at the Zagros Mts, as well as slow mantle velocities beneath this nearby orogenic zone. The resulting model fits the traveltimes of regional phases (Pn, Pg, Sn and Lg). Independent inversion of local earthquake traveltimes recorded by KNSN (allowing for event hypocentre relocation) results in a remarkably similar velocity structure, providing confidence that the joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave group velocities can impose accurate constraints on crustal structure for local event location and network operations. Relocation of events in Kuwait improves the clustering of events and results in shallower hypocentres.
Kuwait's Al-Qurain landfill problem resulted from indiscriminate dumping of domestic and industrial waste in an abandoned quarry in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The landfill and surrounding areas were set aside for a government housing project without an environmental assessment of the impact of the landfill on the project. Inhabitants of the newly constructed housing area experienced persistent foul odor emanating from the landfill site. Since then, the issue has generated a lot of public interests, and several remediation measures have been adopted. In this preliminary study, several remotely sensed data consisting of Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS), Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), IKONOS, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acquired between 1972 and 2000 were processed and assessed for their usefulness to study and monitor the landfill site. The imagery provided a historical perspective of how the areas had changed over the last 30 years. Other useful information of the landfill obtained from the satellite imagery included the spatial extent, spectral reflectance, surface temperature, and surface roughness. The landfill site showed higher surface temperatures compared to the immediate surrounding areas-a process that could accelerate the biodegradation and the release of landfill gases. Such dataset could be incorporated into a GIS for the long-term monitoring of the site.
A moderate (M~5) earthquake struck the northeastern United Arab Emirates (UAE) and northern Oman on March 11, 2002. The event was felt over a wide area of the northern Emirates and was accompanied by smaller (felt) events before and after the March 11 main shock. The event was large enough to be detected and located by global networks at teleseismic distances. We estimated focal mechanism and depth from broadband complete regional waveform modeling. We report a normal mechanism with a slight right-lateral strike-slip component consistent with the large-scale tectonics. The normal component suggests relaxation of obducted crust of the Semail Ophilite (specifically, the Khor Fakkan Block) while the right-lateral strike-slip component of the mechanism is consistent with shear across the Oman Line. Felt earthquakes are rare in the region, however no regional seismic network exists in the UAE to determine local seismicity.This event offers a unique opportunity to study the active tectonics of the region as well as inform future studies of seismic hazard in the UAE and northern Oman.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.