CrazyBeachball: A MATLAB GUI-based software package for focal mechanism inversion

We present CrazyBeachball, a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) software package designed for focal mechanism inversion using P-wave first-motion polarity and S/P amplitude ratio data. CrazyBeachball integrates seismic waveform visualization, first-motion polarity picking, and focal mechanism inversion into a single, interactive platform. Unlike conventional methods that involve separate, independent steps, CrazyBeachball streamlines the process and eliminates the need for external data conversion. Its user-friendly interface allows for efficient focal mechanism determination, while its human-machine interaction facilitates enhanced quality control. We demonstrate its effectiveness by determining focal mechanisms for 21 aftershocks from the 2021 M S 6.4 Yangbi earthquake sequence, with results aligning with the regional stress field and fault zone geometry. This open-source software package also allows for user customization, enabling adaptation for specific research needs.

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Publication Details

Journal
Earthquake Science
Published
2025-09-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eqs.2025.06.003
Primary Topic
Seismology and Earthquake Studies
Type
article
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article

CrazyBeachball: A MATLAB GUI-based software package for focal mechanism inversion

Chunquan Yu, Xianwei Zeng
Earthquake Science
Seismology and Earthquake Studies
article

CrazyBeachball: A MATLAB GUI-based software package for focal mechanism inversion

Chunquan Yu, Xianwei Zeng
article en

Abstract

We present CrazyBeachball, a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) software package designed for focal mechanism inversion using P-wave first-motion polarity and S/P amplitude ratio data. CrazyBeachball integrates seismic waveform visualization, first-motion polarity picking, and focal mechanism inversion into a single, interactive platform. Unlike conventional methods that involve separate, independent steps, CrazyBeachball streamlines the process and eliminates the need for external data conversion. Its user-friendly interface allows for efficient focal mechanism determination, while its human-machine interaction facilitates enhanced quality control. We demonstrate its effectiveness by determining focal mechanisms for 21 aftershocks from the 2021 M S 6.4 Yangbi earthquake sequence, with results aligning with the regional stress field and fault zone geometry. This open-source software package also allows for user customization, enabling adaptation for specific research needs.

Earthquake ScienceVol. 38(5)
Southern University of Science and Technology (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 88%
Seismology and Earthquake Studies
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CrazyBeachball: A MATLAB GUI-based software package for focal mechanism inversion — Chunquan Yu, Xianwei Zeng · Earthquake Science (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS