Pn-wave observations in Costa Rica

Abstract

P- and S-wave arrival-time data from 100 local and regional earthquakes recorded by the OVSICORI-UNA Costa Rica seismo- graphic network, between 1984 to1990, are employed to extract crustal and upper mantle information beneath Costa Rica. Pn-wave velocity, Poisson’s ratio, velocity anisotropy and station corrections were calculated in this study. Poisson’s ratio for the uppermost mantle beneath Costa Rica is 0.265 and the Pn velocity is 7.81 km/sec. The present study does not reveal any significant Pn velocity anisotropy. The computed Moho depth beneath Costa Rica is approximately 34 km.