Spectral models for seismological source parameters, path attenuation and site-effects in Alborz region of northern Iran

We analysed 478 three-component strong ground motion time-series from 65 events in the moment magnitude (Mw) 3-6.5 range recorded at 111 stations at distances up to 150 km from 1997 to 2019 in the Alborz region. Non-parametric spectral functions for seismological source, path and site-effects were derived from Fourier amplitude spectra of observed acceleration time-histories using the generalized inversion technique (GIT) for the Alborz region of Iran. To characterize the spectral models in terms of the anelastic attenuation (Q), geometrical spreading, magnitude and stress parameter (Δσ), we fitted non-parametric attenuation and source functions (resulted from inversion) with the standard parametric models. The frequency-dependent non-parametric attenuation function shows a rapid decay at close distances (<60 km) and decreases monotonically at larger distances. The frequency-independent geometrical spreading follows a bilinear hinged model with a crossover distance at 70 km. For hypocentral distances Rhypo < 70 km, the geometrical spreading is R-1.01, and for Rhypo > 70 km it is R-1.37. The corresponding quality factor is Q\(f) =\146f 0.91. The non-parametric source spectra were found in a good agreement with Brune's ω-squared model. The stress-parameter (Δσ) values were found to exhibit large variability from 0.36 to 86.7 MPa with no significant magnitude-dependence. The average Δσ was found to be 8.6 MPa. The mean value of the estimated near-surface attenuation (κ0) from high-frequency part of non-parametric source function is 0.032 s (±0.01 s). In general, there is a good agreement between subsoil resonance frequencies and amplification levels estimated from GIT and HVSR (horizontal to vertical spectral ratio). The results of this study provide updated values of seismological source, attenuation and site properties in the Alborz region of northern Iran, which are expected to improve regional seismic hazard analysis studies in the region.