Minor-arc and major-arc global surface wave diffraction tomography

We discuss extending global surface wave diffraction tomography to accommodate major-arc dispersion measurements. The introduction of major-arc surface wave dispersion measurements improves path density and resolution in regions poorly covered by minor-arc measurements alone, as occurs in much of the Southern Hemisphere. The addition of major-arc measurements to the inversion for dispersion maps does not appreciably degrade the fit to the minor-arc measurements but significantly improves the fit to the major-arc measurements. For these reasons, we conclude that the addition of major-arc measurements is worthwhile in the interim until the broad-band network of ocean bottom or Antarctic stations is improved in the future. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.