New Insights into the Crustal Structure of the San Fernando Valley, California, from a Dense Nodal Seismic Array

The San Fernando Valley (SFV), a densely populated region in Southern California, has high earthquake hazard due to a complex network of active faults and the amplifying effects of the sedimentary basin. Since the devastating 1994 Mw 6.7 Northridge earthquake, numerous studies have examined its structure using various geological and geophysical datasets. However, current seismic velocity models still lack the resolution to accurately image the near-surface velocity structure and concealed or blind faults, which are critical for high-frequency wavefield simulations and earthquake hazard modeling. To address these challenges, we develop a 3D high-resolution shear-wave velocity model for the SFV using ambient noise data from a dense array of 140 seismic nodes and 10 Southern California Seismic Network stations. We also invert gravity data to map the basin geometry and integrate horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios and aeromagnetic data to constrain interfaces and map major geological structures. With a lateral resolution of 250 m near the basin center, our model reveals previously unresolved geological features, including the detailed geometry of the basin and previously unmapped faults. The basin deepens from the Santa Monica Mountains in the south to approximately 4 km near its center and 7 km in the Sylmar subbasin. Strong velocity contrasts are observed across major faults, at the basin edges, and in the basin’s upper 500 m, where we measure velocities as low as 200 m/s. Our high-resolution model will enhance ground motion simulations and earthquake hazard assessments for the SFV and has implications for other urban areas with high seismic risk.