@article{PAR00009211,
  title = {{I}mprovements of the maximum intersection method for 3{D} absolute earthquake locations},
  author = {{T}heunissen, {T}. and {F}ont, {Y}vonne and {L}allemand, {S}. and {G}autier, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{W}e present an improvement of the maximum intersection ({MAXI}) method in which absolute earthquake location is defined by the maximum intersection number of hyperbolic equal differential time ({EDT}) volumes (one {EDT} volume being described as all grid nodes satisfying the arrival-time differences between two stations, +/- a tolerance value known as {TERR}). {T}his 3{D} technique is well adapted to a strongly heterogeneous environment, avoids the depth versus origin-time trade-off (even using {P} arrivals alone), and objectively filters possible erroneous arrival times. {I}mprovements consist of introducing an iterative multiscale approach on the {TERR} parameter and conducting a hierarchy of grid discretization to refine the preliminary solution (multigrid algorithm). {T}he outlier cleaning process is strengthened by conducting statistical analyses based on the number of {EDT} volume intersections per station, rather than on travel-time residues. {P}rocessing two series of synthetic arrival times computed in the 3{D} seismological configuration of the southernmost {R}yukyu subduction zone, offshore {T}aiwan, allows us to (1) confirm {MAXI} robustness, even when arrival times are highly disturbed or azimuthal coverage largely reduced, and (2) show that {MAXI}, by limiting trade-offs between origin time and depth and between epicentral position and depth, is less affected by a wrong velocity model than a technique that minimizes travel-time residues. {T}o conclude, we apply the {MAXI} method to locate earthquakes recorded by the combined {C}entral {W}eather {B}ureau of {T}aiwan ({CWB}) and the {J}apanese {M}eteorological {A}gency ({JMA}) networks (1991-2008) within a georealistic a priori 3{D} {P}-velocity model. {H}ypocenter determinations are selected based on {MAXI} confidence factors, and earthquake clustering along well-known tectonic features witnesses hypocenter determination accuracy.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{B}ulletin of the {S}eismological {S}ociety of {A}merica},
  volume = {102},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {1764--1785},
  ISSN = {0037-1106},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1785/0120100311},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00009211},
}