Date of Award

2026-05-01

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Geophysics

Advisor(s)

Aaron Velasco

Second Advisor

Marianne Karplus

Abstract

Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) analysis offers an efficient method for characterizing near-surface structure, resolving sediment thickness, and identifying fault-controlled basin geometry in regions with strong impedance contrasts. This study applies HVSR techniques to continuous ambient-noise recordings collected across the El Paso region, a tectonically active segment of the southern Rio Grande Rift where accurate subsurface mapping is essential for seismic hazard assessment. Ambient-noise windows were processed, spectrally smoothed, and stacked to obtain stable HVSR curves, from which fundamental resonance frequencies and corresponding sediment-thickness estimates were derived. Spatial patterns in these resonance frequencies reveal pronounced basin asymmetry, abrupt lateral changes in subsurface stiffness, and structural alignments that correlate with mapped strands of the East Franklin Mountains Fault and other regional normal faults. Additional analysis of the fault system incorporates surface-wave energy behavior, gravity data, and remote-sensing lineaments to provide broader context, but HVSR remains the primary tool for interpreting subsurface structure. The combined results refine current models of basin geometry, improve constraints on fault-zone architecture, and identify zones where resonance amplification may influence ground-motion response during future earthquakes.

Language

en

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Size

111 p.

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Alexandro Dominguez

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