Abstract: A new method (Source-Scanning Algorithm,SSA) to cope with earthquake location is introduced in this paper. This algorithm can make use of digital waveform data to obtain better location and doesn't need accurately to pick phase arrive time and to calculate theoretical seismograms. At first the paper explains the SSA algorithm developed by Kao et al. Secondly we theoretically simulate the resolution power of SSA by means of 5-point experiment. At last we apply the method to conduct locating test on microseisms along South-north seismic zone in the western part of China. We find that the method can accurately determine the earthquake location. The theoretical simulation and actual location result can all prove that SSA method is a good tool to locate the ordinary small earthquake.

Key words: Source-Scanning Algorithm, Earthquake location, South-north seismicity belt