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Bias in estimates of m_b at small magnitudes

J.F.EVERNDEN U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 345 MIDDLEFIELD RD, MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025

Abstract

A possibly significant factor in application of an identification criterion such as M_S:m_b is systematic bias in m_b magnitude estimates at small magnitudes due to a variety of factors. Magnitude bias is the difference in magnitude value, positive or negative, between an observed network-based magnitude value and the expected magnitude value if all stations of the network had detected the event at high signal-to-noise ratio. This paper constitutes a partial study of the general problem; it evaluates the bias effects expected from both conceptual and operational networks when using parameters for noise and signal levels and standard deviations derived from observations, and when correcting observed station m_b values solely via a simple parameter station correction factor.

The analysis shows that any bias effects on m_b inherent in any operational or potential worldwide network are so small as to have negligible effect on use of an M_S:m_b discriminant.

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