# GreenPhase: A Green Learning Approach for Earthquake Phase Picking

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.03344 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.03344/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 9 of its 30 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 23 Feb 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 9 of 9)

- [XGBoost: A Scalable Tree Boosting System](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1603.02754/) (2016)
- [Interpretable Convolutional Neural Networks via Feedforward Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.02786/) (2018)
- [PixelHop++: A Small Successive-Subspace-Learning-Based (SSL-based) Model for Image Classification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2002.03141/) (2020)
- [Green Learning: Introduction, Examples and Outlook](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.00965/) (2022)
- [On Supervised Feature Selection from High Dimensional Feature Spaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.11924/) (2022)
- [CRED: A Deep Residual Network of Convolutional and Recurrent Units for Earthquake Signal Detection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.01965/) (2018)
- [Deep learning for seismic phase detection and picking in the aftershock zone of 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1901.06396/) (2019)
- [Enhancing Edge Intelligence with Highly Discriminant LNT Features](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.14968/) (2023)
- [GUSL: A Novel and Efficient Machine Learning Model for Prostate Segmentation on MRI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.23688/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Earthquake detection and seismic phase picking are fundamental yet challenging tasks in seismology due to low signal-to-noise ratios, waveform variability, and overlapping events. Recent deep-learning models achieve strong results but rely on large datasets and heavy backpropagation training, raising concerns over efficiency, interpretability, and sustainability. We propose GreenPhase, a multi-resolution, feed-forward, and mathematically interpretable model based on the Green Learning framework. GreenPhase comprises three resolution levels, each integrating unsupervised representation learning, supervised feature learning, and decision learning. Its feed-forward design eliminates backpropagation, enabling independent module optimization with stable training and clear interpretability. Predictions are refined from coarse to fine resolutions while computation is restricted to candidate regions. On the Stanford Earthquake Dataset (STEAD), GreenPhase achieves excellent performance with F1 scores of 1.0 for detection, 0.98 for P-wave picking, and 0.96 for S-wave picking. This is accomplished while reducing the computational cost (FLOPs) for inference by approximately 83% compared to state-of-the-art models. These results demonstrate that the proposed model provides an efficient, interpretable, and sustainable alternative for large-scale seismic monitoring.