A method for the estimation of seismic parameters and inhomogeneities of the oceanic crust

A computer database on the deep seismic sounding of the earth's crust of th e Pacific Ocean and the Central Atlantic is presented. Case stories of the database application for the studies of the seismic parameters of the crust of the oceanic basins are described. The deterministic approach to the des cription of the types of the oceanic crust based on its subdivision into co mmonly accepted crustal layers is justified. Following the technique sugges ted, regions with different types of the crust are distinguished in the Nor th American Basin. A procedure for the construction of averaged seismic vel ocity models of the oceanic crust accounting for the root-mean-square devia tions is described. This procedure was applied to compare the seismic param eters of the crust and upper mantle in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean and i n the North American Basin.