Improved lithospheric attenuation structure of the Arabian Peninsula through the use of national network data

Crustal Lg Attenuation Beneath the Iranian Plateau: Implications for Cenozoic Magmatism Related to Slab Subduction, Slab Break‐Off, and Mantle Flow

“…The Eurasian plate in the north shows prominent weak attenuation characteristics, in which the maximum $${Q}_{\mathrm{Lg}}$$ can reach approximately twice the regional average. By comparison, the Anatolian Plateau, Iranian Plateau, Afghan Block, and Pamir Plateau all exhibit relatively lower $${Q}_{\mathrm{Lg}}$$ than the surrounding stable Arabian and Eurasian Plates, which is consistent with previous studies (Kaviani et al., 2015; Pasyanos et al., 2021; Zhao & Xie, 2016). The lateral variations in crustal attenuation at each frequency are generally similar, but some specific zones vary with frequency.…”

“…Determining the current crustal thermal structure within the plateau is an effective way to retrospectively examine younger magma activity (Su et al., 2014) and is an important way to link the deep large‐scale mantle structure and surface volcanic activity. A large number of geophysical studies have been conducted in and around the Iranian Plateau, including seismic velocity tomography (e.g., Al‐Lazki et al., 2014; Alinaghi et al., 2007; Amini et al., 2012; Mahmoodabadi et al., 2019; Pei et al., 2011), seismic anisotropy investigation (e.g., Gao et al., 2022; Kaviani et al., 2021), attenuation tomography (e.g., Kaviani et al., 2015; Pasyanos et al., 2009, 2021; Sandvol et al., 2001; Zhao & Xie, 2016), receiver function imaging (e.g., Taghizadeh‐Farahmand et al., 2015; Wu et al., 2021), gravity inversion (e.g., Jiménez‐Munt et al., 2012), and GPS data analysis (e.g., Vernant et al., 2004). Compared with seismic velocity related to the elastic properties of the Earth, seismic attenuation has special advantages in detecting lithospheric thermodynamics, including outstanding sensitivities to temperature, partial melting, and fluid and magma movements (e.g., Boyd et al., 2004).…”

“…The resolution of the previous broadband Lg attenuation image is only $$6{}^{\circ}\times 6{}^{\circ}$$ on the Iranian Plateau (Zhao & Xie, 2016). P‐ and S‐wave attenuation models of the crust and upper mantle also reveal only large‐scale attenuation features (e.g., Pasyanos et al., 2021). The resolutions of attenuation tomography have been limited primarily by the sparse station distribution in Iran (e.g., Zhao & Xie, 2016), which is insufficient for exploring the detailed thermal distributions associated with magmatism.…”

“…In general, a higher quality factor ($$Q$$) of Lg‐waves corresponds to weaker attenuation, representing a stable and colder crustal structure, while a lower $$Q$$ value corresponds to stronger attenuation, indicating unstable and high‐temperature tectonic environments. The Iranian Plateau typically represents a strong attenuation (low $$Q$$) area, which corresponds to an active orogenic system (e.g., Kaviani et al., 2015; Pasyanos et al., 2021; Sandvol et al., 2001; Zhao & Xie, 2016). Lg/Pg attenuation tomography has revealed an entire weak Lg region with Lg/Pg ratios of 1.5–2.0 in the Iranian Plateau (Al‐Damegh et al., 2004; Sandvol et al., 2001).…”

Yield Estimation of the August 2020 Beirut Explosion by Using Physics‐Based Propagation Simulations of Regional Infrasound

“…While gas porosity is another important factor, it was considered to be low for an explosion located at the water's edge. The analysis was performed in the 1-8 Hz passband using a recently-developed high-resolution attenuation model for the Arabian Peninsula (Pasyanos et al, 2021). We employ the surface coupling curve for hardrock from Ford et al (2014) that was specified in Pasyanos and Kim (2019).…”