The ZH ratio method for long-period seismic data: sensitivity kernels and observational techniques

Amplitude ratio between vertical and horizontal components of Rayleigh waves is controlled by structure beneath a seismic station. This ratio, measured as a function of frequency, has been extensively analysed for shallow crustal structure study in earthquake engineering and applied seismology. This quantity, termed the ZH ratio in this paper, may be useful for deep earth structure study and its feasibility for the frequency range between 0.004 and 0.05 Hz (period 20-250 s) is explored in this paper. For depth sensitivity kernels, we demonstrate that a numerical approach is practical and provides sufficient accuracy for structural inversion. Depth extent of sensitivity kernels are about half of depth extent in phase velocity kernels, indicating that the ZH ratio is useful for studying the lithospheric structure. Two observational approaches for measurement of the ZH ratio are presented; the first approach uses simple envelope amplitude ratio and the second approach uses waveform correlation technique between vertical and horizontal components. The ZH ratio data alone only constrains structure beneath seismic stations but recent densification of seismic networks may make it possible to extend the analysis to regional scale structure. A greater opportunity may exist in combination of the ZH ratio method and the phase and group velocity measurements.