W-phase CMT Regional Real Time Implementation in Chile Evolution of the algorithm: 2011 - today

Abstract:

W-phase algorithm has been proven to be a reliable and robust method to calculate CMT. Currently is operating in real time at NEIC (National Earthquake Information Center), IPGS (Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg) and PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) for teleseismic distances. In Chile has been implemented at National Seismological Center (CSN) since 2011 for regional distances, obtaining satisfactory results. Here we show the results for 250 Moment Tensors, and how this algorithm has been evolved with the development of the new Chilean National Seismic Network. We compared our solutions with NEIC wphase moment tensors (WCMT) results, and with the Global CMT. Our threshold magnitude move from 6.5 in 2011 down to 5.0 today, our first magnitude is obtained 6 minutes after an earthquake occurs, now wphase magnitude is the authorative magnitude at CSN; more than 90 broadband stations operating in real time have made this possible. Here we present the case of the Mw 8.2 Iquique Earthquake and how wphase algorithm performed for this event from the tsunami early warning point view. We present other large events in southern Peru and Chile. This catalog can be used for operational or scientific purposes, if more stations and seismic data available, it will be possible to characterize earthquakes faster and more accurate, specially for tsunami early warning purposes. Collaboration between regional networks will be essential to issue a fast tsunami warning.