Abstract
The growth of data recorded by dense seismic arrays has stimulated the
development of new array-based receiver function (RF) imaging
techniques. This study examines the feasibility and performance of the
least-squares migration (LSM) method, a state-of-art technique used in
exploration seismology, to lithospheric imaging using teleseismic RFs.
Taking advantage of a pair of forward (de-migration) and adjoint
(migration) operators, the LSM casts migration as a regularized
least-squares optimization problem. We employ the Split-step Fourier
method to design the two operators and conduct wavefield propagation in
heterogeneous media. Synthetic tests with models containing various Moho
geometries demonstrate that LSM enables resolving interfaces at a higher
resolution than conventional migration. Then LSM is applied to
teleseismic data recorded by the Hi-CLIMB array deployed on the Tibetan
Plateau. Considering the irregular and noisy recordings from field
acquisition, we adopt signal processing algorithms, including the Radon
transform and Singular Spectrum Analysis filter, to regularize the
wavefields and precondition the RFs. The proposed workflow produces a
significantly improved subsurface image than conventional methods,
revealing new observations of 1) two well-defined interfaces at the base
of the crust and 2) gently dipping mantle discontinuities extending
continuously from the Lhasa Block to the Qiangtang Block. These
structures could represent the imbricated Indian and Tibetan crust
underlain by the underthrusting Indian lithosphere, implying that the
Indian collisional front extends as far north as the Bangong-Nujiang
suture. Overall, our study offers a new high-resolution RF imaging tool
and inspires the future development of advanced array processing
workflows.