# mB_BB — SeisComP Release documentation

6.9.0

# mB_BB

Body wave magnitude at teleseismic distances similar to mb

## Description

The mB/mB_BB magnitude has been recommended by the IASPEI commission (Bormann and Saul [38], Bormann and Saul [39], IASPEI [46]). It is based on amplitude measurements of body waves like mb, but with the amplitude measured in a broad frequency range and longer time windows. Instead of amplitude measurements on displacement data together with the dominant period, the maximum velocity amplitude Vmax is taken directly from velocity-proportional records with . The time window for the measurement can be determined by the duration of the high-frequency (1-3 Hz) radiation (Bormann and Saul [38]). This time window usually contains the phases P, pP, sP, PcP, but not PP. According to the long time window and broad frequency range used for amplitude measurements mB saturates not like mb.

Note

In SeisComP the term m_B is a synonym for mB_BB which is used by IASPEI [46].

### Amplitude

mB amplitudes are calculated on vertical-component displacement seismograms in accordance with Bormann and Saul [38] and similar to mb. A default time window of 60 s is considered for amplitude measurements at stations in the distance range of 5° to 105°. If the epicentral is known, the length of the time window after the P wave onset is

where is the epicentral distance. The methods for measuring amplitudes are configurable in the global bindings.

### Station Magnitude

The mB station magnitudes are calculated in accordance with Bormann and Saul [38].

with A as the displacement amplitude in micrometers, T as the dominant period of the signal in seconds, Q as a correction term for depth and distance.

- Amplitude unit in SeisComP: nanometers/s (nm/s),

- Time window: 60 s if set by scautopick, otherwise 0 s - 11.5 * distance (deg) with 60 s minimum

- Default distance range: 5 - 105 deg, configurable: `magnitudes.mB.minDist`, `magnitudes.mB.maxDist`,

- Depth range: no limitation.

Note

In 2013 the IASPEI commission (IASPEI [46]) recommended a minimum distance of 20 deg. However, the calibration formula (Bormann and Saul [38]) which is integrated in SeisComP allows the extension down to 5 deg while maintaining consistent magnitudes at 20 deg and beyond. Therefore, 5 deg is used as the default in `magnitudes.mB.minDist`.

### Network magnitude

By default, the trimmed mean is calculated from the station magnitudes to form the network magnitude. Outliers beyond the outer 12.5% percentiles are removed before forming the mean.

### Configuration

Adjust the configurable parameters in global bindings in the mB section or use `global.cfg` as MLv. Add mB to the list of computed amplitudes and magnitudes in the configuration of scamp and scmag and in scesv or scolv for visibility.