Seismic Velocity Structure of Harrat Lunayyir, Northwestern Saudi Arabia

Assessing the seismic-volcanic hazard beneath the Cenozoic Harrat Lunayyir volcanic field in northwestern Saudi Arabia has proven to be difficult given the lack of information about the crustal and upper mantle structure in this region. The harrat is associated with considerable volcanic and geothermal activity and has experienced multiple seismic swarms since 2007, which are thought to reflect magma rising to shallow depths in the subsurface. Using data from numerous broadband and short-period seismic stations that have been deployed throughout the region, we are investigating the velocity structure beneath Harrat Lunayyir using seismic travel-time tomography. The resulting models will highlight both magmatic and seismic structures within the harrat, allowing for more accurate hazard assessment. Preliminary results will be shown.