Coda-wave attenuation in the Baikal rift system lithosphere

Using the single backscattering model a seismic quality factor (QC), a frequency parameter (n) and an attenuation coefficient (δ) have been studied by analyzing the coda waves of local earthquakes of Baikal rift system. The QC values were estimated at 6 central frequencies and for 8 lapse time windows W from 20 to 90 s. The average QC varies with frequency from 46 ± 45 (at 0.3 Hz) to 1025 ± 221 (at 12 Hz). The δ values show significant variations from 0.009 km−1 (for W = 20 s) to 0.003 km−1 (for W = 90 s). Increasing of Q and decreasing of n values with lapse time windows show that the lithosphere upper part is more heterogeneous as against its lower layers.

► The seismic quality factor, the frequency parameter and the attenuation coefficient were obtained for Baikal rift system.
► The Q-factor shows the strong dependence on frequency.
► The attenuation coefficient and the frequency parameters decrease with increasing of depth.
► Attenuation parameter’s deep distribution shows that the lithosphere upper part is more heterogeneous than its lower ones.