Modeling seismic wave propagation across complex volcanic structures of the Hawaii-Emperor Ridge

Volcanic seamount chains are widespread throughout ocean basins, but their formation and structure are not well understood. Active-source refraction seismology can provide images of the interiors of these volcanoes via P wave travel time tomography, but that requires proper identification of seismic phases that are generated by and propagate across complex volcanic structures. Unfortunately, the current limitation on the number of seismic phases that can be included in tomographic analyses leads to less detailed images and a limited geological understanding of the structures being imaged. The primary objective of this study is to compare recorded seismic wavefields from recent surveys across the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain with synthetic wavefields generated through waveform modeling. We use simplified yet realistic models of volcanic edifices, the underlying oceanic crust, and the mantle to better understand observed seismic phases and their origins. In previous studies (Dunn et al., 2019; Watts et al., 2021; Xu et al., 2022; MacGregor et al., 2023), several seismic phases were identified in recorded sections along the Hawaiian-Emperor Chain. However, interpreting the origins of some of these phases remains challenging. In this study, we developed an idealized seamount model based on the seismic structure of Jimmu Guyot in the Emperor Ridge (Xu et al., 2022). We calculated the seismic P-SV wavefield for various source and receiver positions using a finite difference wavefield modeling code (Levander, 1988; Lata and Dunn, 2020). Our goal is to model the observed seismograms and identify additional phases, including P-to-S converted waves. Additionally, we aim to verify recent tomographic images of the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain created by P wave travel time inversion via wavefield comparison. By resolving ambiguities and pinpointing new seismic phases, our aim is to improve seismic images of the Hawaiian-Emperor Chain. This contribution will enhance our understanding of specific structures, such as volcanic cores (a high-density and high-wave-speed interior core of the seamount), the hypothesized magmatic underplating of the oceanic crust by mantle melts rising beneath the volcanic chain, and the nature of the Moho and upper oceanic crust beneath these volcanic edifices.