Estimation of azimuthal anisotropy in the NW Pacific from seismic ambient noise in seafloor records

We analysed background surface waves in seismic ambient noise by cross-correlating continuous records of eight ocean bottom seismometers and nine differential pressure gauges deployed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean by the PLATE project. After estimating the clock delay and instrumental phase responses of differential pressure gauges by using cross-correlation functions, we measured average phase velocities in the area of the array for the fundamental-, first higher- and second higher-mode Rayleigh waves, and the fundamental-mode Love waves at a period range of 3–40 s by waveform fitting. We then measured phase-velocity anomalies of fundamental-mode and first higher-mode Rayleigh waves for each pair of stations at a period range of 5–25 s, and corrected the effect of variation in water-depths. The seismic anomalies imply the presence of strong azimuthal anisotropy beneath the eastern part of array. The direction of maximum velocity is approximately N35°E in the fossil seafloor spreading direction perpendicular to magnetic lineations from the ancient triple junction at this location. The peak-to-peak intensity of shear-wave velocity anisotropy in the mantle is ∼7 per cent.