We estimated the seismic attenuation (Q factor) of the Greenland Ice
Sheet (GrIS) by comparing observed and theoretical Rayleigh waveforms.
Observed waveforms are obtained by interfering with noise waveforms in
vertical-component seismograms between stations, which belong to the
latest broadband seismic network distributed throughout Greenland (GLISN
network). Theoretical waveforms are calculated by parallel computation
with the latest 3-D seismic waveform modeling. Comparing the observed
waveforms with the theoretical waveforms at different Q factors reveals
that GrIS has a low Q of QP,
QS ≤ 50, indicating very high attenuation of
seismic waves due to the ice. This study is the first to confirm the low
Q factor of ice sheets via ultra-long-distance propagation
(~several hundreds to 1,000 km). The Q factors obtained
in this study are indispensable for estimating the thermal status of
GrIS, as well as for interpreting the characteristics of seismic
waveform that propagates through GrIS.