Epicenter Location of Regional Seismic Events Using Love Wave and Rayleigh Wave Ambient Seismic Noise Green's Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levshin, A. L.; Barmin, M. P.; Moschetti, M. P.; Mendoza, C.; Ritzwoller, M. H.

2011-12-01

We describe a novel method to locate regional seismic events based on exploiting Empirical Green's Functions (EGF) that are produced from ambient seismic noise. Elastic EGFs between pairs of seismic stations are determined by cross-correlating long time-series of ambient noise recorded at the two stations. The EGFs principally contain Rayleigh waves on the vertical-vertical cross-correlations and Love waves on the transverse-transverse cross-correlations. Earlier work (Barmin et al., "Epicentral location based on Rayleigh wave empirical Green's functions from ambient seismic noise", Geophys. J. Int., 2011) showed that group time delays observed on Rayleigh wave EGFs can be exploited to locate to within about 1 km moderate sized earthquakes using USArray Transportable Array (TA) stations. The principal advantage of the method is that the ambient noise EGFs are affected by lateral variations in structure similarly to the earthquake signals, so the location is largely unbiased by 3-D structure. However, locations based on Rayleigh waves alone may be biased by more than 1 km if the earthquake depth is unknown but lies between 2 km and 7 km. This presentation is motivated by the fact that group time delays for Love waves are much less affected by earthquake depth than Rayleigh waves; thus exploitation of Love wave EGFs may reduce location bias caused by uncertainty in event depth. The advantage of Love waves to locate seismic events, however, is mitigated by the fact that Love wave EGFs have a smaller SNR than Rayleigh waves. Here, we test the use of Love and Rayleigh wave EGFs between 5- and 15-sec period to locate seismic events based on the USArray TA in the western US. We focus on locating aftershocks of the 2008 M 6.0 Wells earthquake, mining blasts in Wyoming and Montana, and small earthquakes near Norman, OK and Dallas, TX, some of which may be triggered by hydrofracking or injection wells.

Seismic waves and earthquakes in a global monolithic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roubíček, Tomáš

2018-03-01

The philosophy that a single "monolithic" model can "asymptotically" replace and couple in a simple elegant way several specialized models relevant on various Earth layers is presented and, in special situations, also rigorously justified. In particular, global seismicity and tectonics is coupled to capture, e.g., (here by a simplified model) ruptures of lithospheric faults generating seismic waves which then propagate through the solid-like mantle and inner core both as shear (S) or pressure (P) waves, while S-waves are suppressed in the fluidic outer core and also in the oceans. The "monolithic-type" models have the capacity to describe all the mentioned features globally in a unified way together with corresponding interfacial conditions implicitly involved, only when scaling its parameters appropriately in different Earth's layers. Coupling of seismic waves with seismic sources due to tectonic events is thus an automatic side effect. The global ansatz is here based, rather for an illustration, only on a relatively simple Jeffreys' viscoelastic damageable material at small strains whose various scaling (limits) can lead to Boger's viscoelastic fluid or even to purely elastic (inviscid) fluid. Self-induced gravity field, Coriolis, centrifugal, and tidal forces are counted in our global model, as well. The rigorous mathematical analysis as far as the existence of solutions, convergence of the mentioned scalings, and energy conservation is briefly presented.

Tutorial review of seismic surface waves' phenomenology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levshin, A. L.; Barmin, M. P.; Ritzwoller, M. H.

2018-03-01

In recent years, surface wave seismology has become one of the leading directions in seismological investigations of the Earth's structure and seismic sources. Various applications cover a wide spectrum of goals, dealing with differences in sources of seismic excitation, penetration depths, frequency ranges, and interpretation techniques. Observed seismic data demonstrates the great variability of phenomenology which can produce difficulties in interpretation for beginners. This tutorial review is based on the many years' experience of authors in processing and interpretation of seismic surface wave observations and the lectures of one of the authors (ALL) at Workshops on Seismic Wave Excitation, Propagation and Interpretation held at the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (Trieste, Italy) in 1990-2012. We present some typical examples of wave patterns which could be encountered in different applications and which can serve as a guide to analysis of observed seismograms.

Near-surface mapping using SH-wave and P-wave seismic land-streamer data acquisition in Illinois, U.S

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pugin, Andre J.M.; Larson, T.H.; Sargent, S.L.; McBride, J.H.; Bexfield, C.E.

2004-01-01

SH-wave and P-wave high-resolution seismic reflection combined with land-streamer technology provide 3D regional maps of geologic formations that can be associated with aquifers and aquitards. Examples for three study areas are considered to demonstrate this. In these areas, reflection profiling detected near-surface faulting and mapped a buried glacial valley and its aquifers in two settings. The resulting seismic data can be used directly to constrain hydrogeologic modeling of shallow aquifers.

Propagation of seismic waves in tall buildings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Safak, E.

1998-01-01

A discrete-time wave propagation formulation of the seismic response of tall buildings is introduced. The building is modeled as a layered medium, similar to a layered soil medium, and is subjected to vertically propagating seismic shear waves. Soil layers and the bedrock under the foundation are incorporated in the formulation as additional layers. Seismic response is expressed in terms of the wave travel times between the layers, and the wave reflection and transmission coefficients at the layer interfaces. The equations account for the frequency-dependent filtering effects of the foundation and floor masses. The calculation of seismic response is reduced to a pair of simple finite-difference equations for each layer, which can be solved recursively starting from the bedrock. Compared to the commonly used vibration formulation, the wave propagation formulation provides several advantages, including simplified calculations, better representation of damping, ability to account for the effects of the soil layers under the foundation, and better tools for identification and damage detection from seismic records. Examples presented show the versatility of the method. ?? 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Seismic wave propagation through an extrusive basalt sequence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanford, Oliver; Hobbs, Richard; Brown, Richard; Schofield, Nick

2016-04-01

Layers of basalt flows within sedimentary successions (e.g. in the Faeroe-Shetland Basin) cause complex scattering and attenuation of seismic waves during seismic exploration surveys. Extrusive basaltic sequences are highly heterogeneous and contain strong impedance contrasts between higher velocity crystalline flow cores (˜6 km s-1) and the lower velocity fragmented and weathered flow crusts (3-4 km s-1). Typically, the refracted wave from the basaltic layer is used to build a velocity model by tomography. This velocity model is then used to aid processing of the reflection data where direct determination of velocity is ambiguous, or as a starting point for full waveform inversion, for example. The model may also be used as part of assessing drilling risk of potential wells, as it is believed to constrain the total thickness of the sequence. In heterogeneous media, where the scatter size is of the order of the seismic wavelength or larger, scattering preferentially traps the seismic energy in the low velocity regions. This causes a build-up of energy that is guided along the low velocity layers. This has implications for the interpretation of the observed first arrival of the seismic wave, which may be a biased towards the low velocity regions. This will then lead to an underestimate of the velocity structure and hence the thickness of the basalt, with implications for the drilling of wells hoping to penetrate through the base of the basalts in search of hydrocarbons. Using 2-D acoustic finite difference modelling of the guided wave through a simple layered basalt sequence, we consider the relative importance of different parameters of the basalt on the seismic energy propagating through the layers. These include the proportion of high to low velocity material, the number of layers, their thickness and the roughness of the interfaces between the layers. We observe a non-linear relationship between the ratio of high to low velocity layers and the apparent velocity

Scattered surface wave energy in the seismic coda

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zeng, Y.

2006-01-01

One of the many important contributions that Aki has made to seismology pertains to the origin of coda waves (Aki, 1969; Aki and Chouet, 1975). In this paper, I revisit Aki's original idea of the role of scattered surface waves in the seismic coda. Based on the radiative transfer theory, I developed a new set of scattered wave energy equations by including scattered surface waves and body wave to surface wave scattering conversions. The work is an extended study of Zeng et al. (1991), Zeng (1993) and Sato (1994a) on multiple isotropic-scattering, and may shed new insight into the seismic coda wave interpretation. The scattering equations are solved numerically by first discretizing the model at regular grids and then solving the linear integral equations iteratively. The results show that scattered wave energy can be well approximated by body-wave to body wave scattering at earlier arrival times and short distances. At long distances from the source, scattered surface waves dominate scattered body waves at surface stations. Since surface waves are 2-D propagating waves, their scattered energies should in theory follow a common decay curve. The observed common decay trends on seismic coda of local earthquake recordings particular at long lapse times suggest that perhaps later seismic codas are dominated by scattered surface waves. When efficient body wave to surface wave conversion mechanisms are present in the shallow crustal layers, such as soft sediment layers, the scattered surface waves dominate the seismic coda at even early arrival times for shallow sources and at later arrival times for deeper events.

Investigating the Effects Fracture Systems Have on Seismic Wave Velocities at the Lajitas, Texas Seismic Station

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-01

Victoria L. Sandidge-Bodoh % S Southern Methodist University Department of Geological Sciences Dallas, TX 75275 1 May 1989 Final Report 3 March 1987 - 2...Projects Agency or the U.S. Government. This technical report has been reviewed and is approved for publicj ion. JAME F. LEWKOW(CZ J/ S F. LEWKOWiC...Effects Fracture Systems Have on Seismic Wave Velocities at the Lajitas, Texas Seismic Station 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR( S ) Victoria L. Sandidge-Bodoh 13a. TYPE

Crustal and uppermost mantle S-wave velocity structure beneath the Japanese islands from seismic ambient noise tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zhi; Gao, Xing; Shi, Heng; Wang, Weiming

2013-04-01

In this study, the crustal and uppermost mantle shear wave velocities beneath the Japanese islands have been determined by inversion from seismic ambient noise tomography using data recorded at 75 Full Range Seismograph Network of Japan broad-band seismic stations, which are uniformly distributed across the Japanese islands. By cross-correlating 2 yr of vertical component seismic ambient noise recordings, we are able to extract Rayleigh wave empirical Green's functions, which are subsequently used to measure phase velocity dispersion in the period band of 6-50 s. The dispersion data are then inverted to yield 2-D tomographic phase velocity maps and 3-D shear wave velocity models. Our results show that the velocity variations at short periods (˜10 s), or in the uppermost crust, correlate well with the major known surface geological and tectonic features. In particular, the distribution of low-velocity anomalies shows good spatial correlation with active faults, volcanoes and terrains of sediment exposure, whereas the high-velocity anomalies are mainly associated with the mountain ranges. We also observe that large upper crustal earthquakes (5.0 ≤ M ≤ 8.0, depth ≤ 25 km) mainly occurred in low-velocity anomalies or along the boundary between low- and high-velocity anomalies, suggesting that large upper crustal earthquakes do not strike randomly or uniformly; rather they are inclined to nucleate within or adjacent to low-velocity areas.

Seismic Velocity and Its Temporal Variations of Hutubi Basin Revealed by Near Surface Trapped Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Z.; Wang, B.; Wang, H.; Wang, Q.; Su, J.

2017-12-01

Sedimentary basins amplify bypassing seismic waves, which may increase the seismic hazard in basin area. The study of basin structure and its temporal variation is of key importance in the assessment and mitigation of seismic hazard in basins. Recent investigations of seismic exploration have shown that basins may host a distinct wave train with strong energy. It is usually named as Trapped Wave or Whispering Gallery (WG) Phase. In this study, we image the velocity structure and monitor its temporal changes of Hutubi basin in Xinjiang, Northwestern China with trapped wave generated from an airgun source. Hutubi basin is located at mid-segment of the North Tianshan Mountain. Hutubi aigun signal transmitting station was constructed in May 2013. It is composed of six longlife airgun manufactured by BOLT. Prominent trapped waves with strong energy and low velocity are observed within 40km from the source. The airgun source radiates repeatable seismic signals for years. The trapped waves have relative low frequency 0.15s-4s and apparent low velocities of 200m/s to 1000m/s. In the temporal-frequency diagram, at least two groups of wave train can be identified. Based on the group velocity dispersion curves, we invert the S-wave velocity profile of Hutubi basin. The velocity structure is further verified with synthetic seismogram. Velocity variations and Rayleigh wave polarization changes are useful barometers of underground stress status. We observed that the consistent seasonal variations in velocity and polarization. According to the simulate results, we suggest that the variations may be related to the changes of groundwater level and the formation and disappearance of frozen soil.

Surface wave tomography of Europe from ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yang; Stehly, Laurent; Paul, Anne

2017-04-01

We present a European scale high-resolution 3-D shear wave velocity model derived from ambient seismic noise tomography. In this study, we collect 4 years of continuous seismic recordings from 1293 stations across much of the European region (10˚W-35˚E, 30˚N-75˚N), which yields more than 0.8 million virtual station pairs. This data set compiles records from 67 seismic networks, both permanent and temporary from the EIDA (European Integrated Data Archive). Rayleigh wave group velocity are measured at each station pair using the multiple-filter analysis technique. Group velocity maps are estimated through a linearized tomographic inversion algorithm at period from 5s to 100s. Adaptive parameterization is used to accommodate heterogeneity in data coverage. We then apply a two-step data-driven inversion method to obtain the shear wave velocity model. The two steps refer to a Monte Carlo inversion to build the starting model, followed by a linearized inversion for further improvement. Finally, Moho depth (and its uncertainty) are determined over most of our study region by identifying and analysing sharp velocity discontinuities (and sharpness). The resulting velocity model shows good agreement with main geological features and previous geophyical studies. Moho depth coincides well with that obtained from active seismic experiments. A focus on the Greater Alpine region (covered by the AlpArray seismic network) displays a clear crustal thinning that follows the arcuate shape of the Alps from the southern French Massif Central to southern Germany.

Crustal seismic structure beneath the southwest Yunnan region from joint inversion of body-wave and surface wave data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Y.; Thurber, C. H.; Zeng, X.; Zhang, L.

2016-12-01

Data from 71 broadband stations of a dense transportable array deployed in southwest Yunnan makes it possible to improve the resolution of the seismic model in this region. Continuous waveforms from 12 permanent stations of the China National Seismic Network were also used in this study. We utilized one-year continuous vertical component records to compute ambient noise cross-correlation functions (NCF). More than 3,000 NCFs were obtained and used to measure group velocities between 5 and 25 seconds with the frequency-time analysis method. This frequency band is most sensitive to crustal seismic structure, especially the upper and middle crust. The group velocity at short-period shows a clear azimuthal anisotropy with a north-south fast direction. The fast direction is consistent with previous seismic results revealed from shear wave splitting. More than 2,000 group velocity measurements were employed to invert the surface wave dispersion data for group velocity maps. We applied a finite difference forward modeling algorithm with an iterative inversion. A new body-wave and surface wave joint inversion algorithm (Fang et al., 2016) was utilized to improve the resolution of both P and S models. About 60,000 P wave and S wave arrivals from 1,780 local earthquakes, which occurred from May 2011 to December 2013 with magnitudes larger than 2.0, were manually picked. The new high-resolution seismic structure shows good consistency with local geological features, e.g. Tengchong Volcano. The earthquake locations also were refined with our new velocity model.

Simulations of Seismic Wave Propagation on Mars

DOE PAGES

Bozdağ, Ebru; Ruan, Youyi; Metthez, Nathan; ...

2017-03-23

In this paper, we present global and regional synthetic seismograms computed for 1D and 3D Mars models based on the spectral-element method. For global simulations, we implemented a radially-symmetric Mars model with a 110 km thick crust. For this 1D model, we successfully benchmarked the 3D seismic wave propagation solver SPECFEM3D_GLOBE against the 2D axisymmetric wave propagation solver AxiSEM at periods down to 10 s. We also present higher-resolution body-wave simulations with AxiSEM down to 1 s in a model with a more complex 1D crust, revealing wave propagation effects that would have been difficult to interpret based on raymore » theory. For 3D global simulations based on SPECFEM3D_GLOBE, we superimposed 3D crustal thickness variations capturing the distinct crustal dichotomy between Mars’ northern and southern hemispheres, as well as topography, ellipticity, gravity, and rotation. The global simulations clearly indicate that the 3D crust speeds up body waves compared to the reference 1D model, whereas it significantly changes surface waveforms and their dispersive character depending on its thickness. We also perform regional simulations with the solver SES3D based on 3D crustal models derived from surface composition, thereby addressing the effects of various distinct crustal features down to 2 s. The regional simulations confirm the strong effects of crustal variations on waveforms. Finally, we conclude that the numerical tools are ready for examining more scenarios, including various other seismic models and sources.« less

Simulations of Seismic Wave Propagation on Mars

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bozdağ, Ebru; Ruan, Youyi; Metthez, Nathan

In this paper, we present global and regional synthetic seismograms computed for 1D and 3D Mars models based on the spectral-element method. For global simulations, we implemented a radially-symmetric Mars model with a 110 km thick crust. For this 1D model, we successfully benchmarked the 3D seismic wave propagation solver SPECFEM3D_GLOBE against the 2D axisymmetric wave propagation solver AxiSEM at periods down to 10 s. We also present higher-resolution body-wave simulations with AxiSEM down to 1 s in a model with a more complex 1D crust, revealing wave propagation effects that would have been difficult to interpret based on raymore » theory. For 3D global simulations based on SPECFEM3D_GLOBE, we superimposed 3D crustal thickness variations capturing the distinct crustal dichotomy between Mars’ northern and southern hemispheres, as well as topography, ellipticity, gravity, and rotation. The global simulations clearly indicate that the 3D crust speeds up body waves compared to the reference 1D model, whereas it significantly changes surface waveforms and their dispersive character depending on its thickness. We also perform regional simulations with the solver SES3D based on 3D crustal models derived from surface composition, thereby addressing the effects of various distinct crustal features down to 2 s. The regional simulations confirm the strong effects of crustal variations on waveforms. Finally, we conclude that the numerical tools are ready for examining more scenarios, including various other seismic models and sources.« less

Explosion Generated Seismic Waves and P/S Methods of Discrimination from Earthquakes with Insights from the Nevada Source Physics Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, W. R.; Ford, S. R.; Pitarka, A.; Pyle, M. L.; Pasyanos, M.; Mellors, R. J.; Dodge, D. A.

2017-12-01

The relative amplitudes of seismic P-waves to S-waves are effective at identifying underground explosions among a background of natural earthquakes. These P/S methods appear to work best at frequencies above 2 Hz and at regional distances ( >200 km). We illustrate this with a variety of historic nuclear explosion data as well as with the recent DPRK nuclear tests. However, the physical basis for the generation of explosion S-waves, and therefore the predictability of this P/S technique as a function of path, frequency and event properties such as size, depth, and geology, remains incompletely understood. A goal of current research, such as the Source Physics Experiments (SPE), is to improve our physical understanding of the mechanisms of explosion S-wave generation and advance our ability to numerically model and predict them. The SPE conducted six chemical explosions between 2011 and 2016 in the same borehole in granite in southern Nevada. The explosions were at a variety of depths and sizes, ranging from 0.1 to 5 tons TNT equivalent yield. The largest were observed at near regional distances, with P/S ratios comparable to much larger historic nuclear tests. If we control for material property effects, the explosions have very similar P/S ratios independent of yield or magnitude. These results are consistent with explosion S-waves coming mainly from conversion of P- and surface waves, and are inconsistent with source-size based models. A dense sensor deployment for the largest SPE explosion allowed this conversion to be mapped in detail. This is good news for P/S explosion identification, which can work well for very small explosions and may be ultimately limited by S-wave detection thresholds. The SPE also showed explosion P-wave source models need to be updated for small and/or deeply buried cases. We are developing new P- and S-wave explosion models that better match all the empirical data. Historic nuclear explosion seismic data shows that the media in which

Attenuation of seismic waves obtained by coda waves analysis in the West Bohemia earthquake swarm region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bachura, Martin; Fischer, Tomas

2014-05-01

Seismic waves are attenuated by number of factors, including geometrical spreading, scattering on heterogeneities and intrinsic loss due the anelasticity of medium. Contribution of the latter two processes can be derived from the tail part of the seismogram - coda (strictly speaking S-wave coda), as these factors influence the shape and amplitudes of coda. Numerous methods have been developed for estimation of attenuation properties from the decay rate of coda amplitudes. Most of them work with the S-wave coda, some are designed for the P-wave coda (only on teleseismic distances) or for the whole waveforms. We used methods to estimate the 1/Qc - attenuation of coda waves, methods to separate scattering and intrinsic loss - 1/Qsc, Qi and methods to estimate attenuation of direct P and S wave - 1/Qp, 1/Qs. In this study, we analyzed the S-wave coda of local earthquake data recorded in the West Bohemia/Vogtland area. This region is well known thanks to the repeated occurrence of earthquake swarms. We worked with data from the 2011 earthquake swarm, which started late August and lasted with decreasing intensity for another 4 months. During the first week of swarm thousands of events were detected with maximum magnitudes ML = 3.6. Amount of high quality data (including continuous datasets and catalogues with an abundance of well-located events) is available due to installation of WEBNET seismic network (13 permanent and 9 temporary stations) monitoring seismic activity in the area. Results of the single-scattering model show seismic attenuations decreasing with frequency, what is in agreement with observations worldwide. We also found decrease of attenuation with increasing hypocentral distance and increasing lapse time, which was interpreted as a decrease of attenuation with depth (coda waves on later lapse times are generated in bigger depths - in our case in upper lithosphere, where attenuations are small). We also noticed a decrease of frequency dependence of 1/Qc

Poisson's ratio model derived from P- and S-wave reflection seismic data at the CO2CRC Otway Project pilot site, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beilecke, Thies; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.; Tanner, David C.; Ziesch, Jennifer; Research Group Protect

2014-05-01

Compressional wave (P-wave) reflection seismic field measurements are a standard tool for subsurface exploration. 2-D seismic measurements are often used for overview measurements, but also as near-surface supplement to fill gaps that often exist in 3-D seismic data sets. Such supplementing 2-D measurements are typically simple with respect to field layout. This is an opportunity for the use of shear waves (S-waves). Within the last years, S-waves have become more and more important. One reason is that P- and S-waves are differently sensitive to fluids and pore fill so that the additional S-wave information can be used to enhance lithological studies. Another reason is that S-waves have the advantage of higher spatial resolution. Within the same signal bandwidth they typically have about half the wavelength of P-waves. In near-surface unconsolidated sediments they can even enhance the structural resolution by one order of magnitude. We make use of these capabilities within the PROTECT project. In addition to already existing 2-D P-wave data, we carried out a near surface 2-D S-wave field survey at the CO2CRC Otway Project pilot site, close to Warrnambool, Australia in November 2013. The combined analysis of P-wave and S-wave data is used to construct a Poisson's Ratio 2-D model down to roughly 600 m depth. The Poisson's ratio values along a 1 km long profile at the site are surprisingly high, ranging from 0.47 in the carbonate-dominated near surface to 0.4 at depth. In the literature, average lab measurements of 0.22 for unfissured carbonates and 0.37 for fissured examples have been reported. The high values that we found may indicate areas of rather unconsolidated or fractured material, or enhanced fluid contents, and will be subject of further studies. This work is integrated in a larger workflow towards prediction of CO2 leakage and monitoring strategies for subsurface storage in general. Acknowledgement: This work was sponsored in part by the Australian

Three-dimensional seismic tomography from P wave and S wave microearthquake travel times and rock physics characterization of the Campi Flegrei Caldera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanorio, T.; Virieux, J.; Capuano, P.; Russo, G.

2005-03-01

The Campi Flegrei (CF) Caldera experiences dramatic ground deformations unsurpassed anywhere in the world. The source responsible for this phenomenon is still debated. With the aim of exploring the structure of the caldera as well as the role of hydrothermal fluids on velocity changes, a multidisciplinary approach dealing with three-dimensional delay time tomography and rock physics characterization has been followed. Selected seismic data were modeled by using a tomographic method based on an accurate finite difference travel time computation which simultaneously inverts P wave and S wave first-arrival times for both velocity model parameters and hypocenter locations. The retrieved P wave and S wave velocity images as well as the deduced Vp/Vs images were interpreted by using experimental measurements of rock physical properties on CF samples to take into account steam/water phase transition mechanisms affecting P wave and S wave velocities. Also, modeling of petrophysical properties for site-relevant rocks constrains the role of overpressured fluids on velocity. A flat and low Vp/Vs anomaly lies at 4 km depth under the city of Pozzuoli. Earthquakes are located at the top of this anomaly. This anomaly implies the presence of fractured overpressured gas-bearing formations and excludes the presence of melted rocks. At shallow depth, a high Vp/Vs anomaly located at 1 km suggests the presence of rocks containing fluids in the liquid phase. Finally, maps of the Vp*Vs product show a high Vp*Vs horseshoe-shaped anomaly located at 2 km depth. It is consistent with gravity data and well data and might constitute the on-land remainder of the caldera rim, detected below sea level by tomography using active source seismic data.

Seismic Waves in Rocks with Fluids and Fractures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berryman, J G

2006-02-06

Seismic wave propagation through the earth is often strongly affected by the presence of fractures. When these fractures are filled with fluids (oil, gas, water, CO{sub 2}, etc.), the type and state of the fluid (liquid or gas) can make a large difference in the response of the seismic waves. This paper will summarize some early work of the author on methods of deconstructing the effects of fractures, and any fluids within these fractures, on seismic wave propagation as observed in reflection seismic data. Methods to be explored here include Thomsen's anisotropy parameters for wave moveout (since fractures often inducemore » elastic anisotropy), and some very convenient fracture parameters introduced by Sayers and Kachanov that permit a relatively simple deconstruction of the elastic behavior in terms of fracture parameters (whenever this is appropriate).« less

Attenuation Characteristics of High Frequency Seismic Waves in Southern India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivaram, K.; Utpal, Saikia; Kanna, Nagaraju; Kumar, Dinesh

2017-07-01

We present a systematic study of seismic attenuation and its related Q structure derived from the spectral analysis of P-, S-waves in the southern India. The study region is separated into parts of EDC (Eastern Dharwar Craton), Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT). The study is carried out in the frequency range 1-20 Hz, using a single-station spectral ratio technique. We make use of about 45 earthquakes, recorded in a network of about 32 broadband 3-component seismograph-stations, having magnitudes ( M L) varying from 1.6 to 4.5, to estimate the average seismic body wave attenuation quality factors; Q P and Q S. Their estimated average values are observed to be fitting to the power law form of Q = Q 0 f n . The averaged power law relations for Southern Indian region (as a whole) are obtained as Q P = (95 ± 1.12) f (1.32±0.01); Q S = (128 ± 1.84) f (1.49±0.01). Based on the stations and recorded local earthquakes, for parts of EDC, WDC and SGT, the average power law estimates are obtained as: Q P = (97 ± 5) f (1.40±0.03), Q S = (116 ± 1.5) f (1.48±0.01) for EDC region; Q P = (130 ± 7) f (1.20±0.03), Q S = (103 ± 3) f (1.49±0.02) for WDC region; Q P = (68 ± 2) f (1.4±0.02), Q S = (152 ± 6) f (1.48±0.02) for SGT region. These estimates are weighed against coda Q ( Q C) estimates, using the coda decay technique, which is based on a weak backscattering of S-waves. A major observation in the study of body wave analysis is the low body wave Q ( Q 0 < 200), moderately high value of the frequency-exponent, ` n' (>0.5) and Q S/ Q P ≫ 1, suggesting lateral stretches of dominant scattering mode of seismic wave propagation. This primarily could be attributed to possible thermal anomalies and spread of partially fluid-saturated rock-masses in the crust and upper mantle of the southern Indian region, which, however, needs further laboratory studies. Such physical conditions might partly be correlated to the active seismicity and

Seismic wave interaction with underground cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Felix M.; Esterhazy, Sofi; Perugia, Ilaria; Bokelmann, Götz

2016-04-01

Realization of the future Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) will require ensuring its compliance, making the CTBT a prime example of forensic seismology. Following indications of a nuclear explosion obtained on the basis of the (IMS) monitoring network further evidence needs to be sought at the location of the suspicious event. For such an On-Site Inspection (OSI) at a possible nuclear test site the treaty lists several techniques that can be carried out by the inspection team, including aftershock monitoring and the conduction of active seismic surveys. While those techniques are already well established, a third group of methods labeled as "resonance seismometry" is less well defined and needs further elaboration. A prime structural target that is expected to be present as a remnant of an underground nuclear explosion is a cavity at the location and depth the bomb was fired. Originally "resonance seismometry" referred to resonant seismic emission of the cavity within the medium that could be stimulated by an incident seismic wave of the right frequency and observed as peaks in the spectrum of seismic stations in the vicinity of the cavity. However, it is not yet clear which are the conditions for which resonant emissions of the cavity could be observed. In order to define distance-, frequency- and amplitude ranges at which resonant emissions could be observed we study the interaction of seismic waves with underground cavities. As a generic model for possible resonances we use a spherical acoustic cavity in an elastic full-space. To solve the forward problem for the full elastic wave field around acoustic spherical inclusions, we implemented an analytical solution (Korneev, 1993). This yields the possibility of generating scattering cross-sections, amplitude spectrums and synthetic seismograms for plane incident waves. Here, we focus on the questions whether or not we can expect resonant responses in the wave field scattered from the cavity. We show

Short-Period Surface Wave Based Seismic Event Relocation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White-Gaynor, A.; Cleveland, M.; Nyblade, A.; Kintner, J. A.; Homman, K.; Ammon, C. J.

2017-12-01

Accurate and precise seismic event locations are essential for a broad range of geophysical investigations. Superior location accuracy generally requires calibration with ground truth information, but superb relative location precision is often achievable independently. In explosion seismology, low-yield explosion monitoring relies on near-source observations, which results in a limited number of observations that challenges our ability to estimate any locations. Incorporating more distant observations means relying on data with lower signal-to-noise ratios. For small, shallow events, the short-period (roughly 1/2 to 8 s period) fundamental-mode and higher-mode Rayleigh waves (including Rg) are often the most stable and visible portion of the waveform at local distances. Cleveland and Ammon [2013] have shown that teleseismic surface waves are valuable observations for constructing precise, relative event relocations. We extend the teleseismic surface wave relocation method, and apply them to near-source distances using Rg observations from the Bighorn Arche Seismic Experiment (BASE) and the Earth Scope USArray Transportable Array (TA) seismic stations. Specifically, we present relocation results using short-period fundamental- and higher-mode Rayleigh waves (Rg) in a double-difference relative event relocation for 45 delay-fired mine blasts and 21 borehole chemical explosions. Our preliminary efforts are to explore the sensitivity of the short-period surface waves to local geologic structure, source depth, explosion magnitude (yield), and explosion characteristics (single-shot vs. distributed source, etc.). Our results show that Rg and the first few higher-mode Rayleigh wave observations can be used to constrain the relative locations of shallow low-yield events.

Seismic Wave Propagation on the Tablet Computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emoto, K.

2015-12-01

Tablet computers widely used in recent years. The performance of the tablet computer is improving year by year. Some of them have performance comparable to the personal computer of a few years ago with respect to the calculation speed and the memory size. The convenience and the intuitive operation are the advantage of the tablet computer compared to the desktop PC. I developed the iPad application of the numerical simulation of the seismic wave propagation. The numerical simulation is based on the 2D finite difference method with the staggered-grid scheme. The number of the grid points is 512 x 384 = 196,608. The grid space is 200m in both horizontal and vertical directions. That is the calculation area is 102km x 77km. The time step is 0.01s. In order to reduce the user waiting time, the image of the wave field is drawn simultaneously with the calculation rather than playing the movie after the whole calculation. P and S wave energies are plotted on the screen every 20 steps (0.2s). There is the trade-off between the smooth simulation and the resolution of the wave field image. In the current setting, it takes about 30s to calculate the 10s wave propagation (50 times image updates). The seismogram at the receiver is displayed below of the wave field updated in real time. The default medium structure consists of 3 layers. The layer boundary is defined by 10 movable points with linear interpolation. Users can intuitively change to the arbitrary boundary shape by moving the point. Also users can easily change the source and the receiver positions. The favorite structure can be saved and loaded. For the advance simulation, users can introduce the random velocity fluctuation whose spectrum can be changed to the arbitrary shape. By using this application, everyone can simulate the seismic wave propagation without the special knowledge of the elastic wave equation. So far, the Japanese version of the application is released on the App Store. Now I am preparing the

Seismic Wave Velocity in the Subducted Oceanic Crust from Autocorrelation of Tectonic Tremor Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ducellier, A.; Creager, K.

2017-12-01

Hydration and dehydration of minerals in subduction zones play a key role in the geodynamic processes that generate seismicity and that allow tectonic plates to subduct. Detecting the presence of water in the subducted plate is thus crucial to better understand the seismogenesis and the consequent seismic hazard. A landward dipping, low velocity layer has been detected in most subduction zones. In Cascadia, this low velocity zone is characterized by a low S-wave velocity and a very high Poisson's ratio, which has been interpreted as high pore-fluid pressure in the upper half part of the subducted oceanic crust. Most previous studies were based on seismic reflection imaging, receiver function analysis, or body wave tomography, with seismic sources located far from the low velocity zone. In contrast, the sources of the tectonic tremors generated during Episodic Tremor and Slip (ETS) events are located on the plate boundary. As the sources of the tremors are much closer to the low velocity zone, seismic waves recorded during ETS events should illuminate the area with greater precision. Most methods to detect and locate tectonic tremors and low-frequency earthquakes are based on the cross correlation of seismic signals; either signals at the same station for different events, or the same event at different stations. We use the autocorrelation of the seismic signal recorded by eight arrays of stations, located in the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Each tremor, assumed to be on the plate boundary, generates a direct wave and reflected and converted waves from both the strong shear-wave velocity contrast in the mid-oceanic crust, and from the Moho of the subducted oceanic crust. The time lag between the arrivals of these different waves at a seismic station corresponds to a peak of amplitude on the autocorrelation signals. Using the time lags observed for different locations of the tremor source, we intend to invert for the seismic wave velocity of the subducted oceanic

Refinements to the method of epicentral location based on surface waves from ambient seismic noise: introducing Love waves

USGS Publications Warehouse

Levshin, Anatoli L.; Barmin, Mikhail P.; Moschetti, Morgan P.; Mendoza, Carlos; Ritzwoller, Michael H.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a modification to a previous method of regional seismic event location based on Empirical Green’s Functions (EGFs) produced from ambient seismic noise. Elastic EGFs between pairs of seismic stations are determined by cross-correlating long ambient noise time-series recorded at the two stations. The EGFs principally contain Rayleigh- and Love-wave energy on the vertical and transverse components, respectively, and we utilize these signals between about 5 and 12 s period. The previous method, based exclusively on Rayleigh waves, may yield biased epicentral locations for certain event types with hypocentral depths between 2 and 5 km. Here we present theoretical arguments that show how Love waves can be introduced to reduce or potentially eliminate the bias. We also present applications of Rayleigh- and Love-wave EGFs to locate 10 reference events in the western United States. The separate Rayleigh and Love epicentral locations and the joint locations using a combination of the two waves agree to within 1 km distance, on average, but confidence ellipses are smallest when both types of waves are used.

Detection and monitoring of shear crack growth using S-P conversion of seismic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Modiriasari, A.; Bobet, A.; Pyrak-Nolte, L. J.

2017-12-01

, which causes energy partitioning into P, S, and P-to-S or S-to-P waves. This finding provides a diagnostic method for detecting shear crack initiation and growth using seismic wave conversions. Acknowledgments: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation, Geomechanics and Geotechnical Systems Program (award No. CMMI-1162082).

GNSS seismometer: Seismic phase recognition of real-time high-rate GNSS deformation waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Zhaosheng; Zhang, Rui; Liu, Gang; Jia, Zhige; Wang, Dijin; Zhou, Yu; Lin, Mu

2016-12-01

High-rate global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) can potentially be used as seismometers to capture short-period instantaneous dynamic deformation waves from earthquakes. However, the performance and seismic phase recognition of the GNSS seismometer in the real-time mode, which plays an important role in GNSS seismology, are still uncertain. By comparing the results of accuracy and precision of the real-time solution using a shake table test, we found real-time solutions to be consistent with post-processing solutions and independent of sampling rate. In addition, we analyzed the time series of real-time solutions for shake table tests and recent large earthquakes. The results demonstrated that high-rate GNSS have the ability to retrieve most types of seismic waves, including P-, S-, Love, and Rayleigh waves. The main factor limiting its performance in recording seismic phases is the widely used 1-Hz sampling rate. The noise floor also makes recognition of some weak seismic phases difficult. We concluded that the propagation velocities and path of seismic waves, macro characteristics of the high-rate GNSS array, spatial traces of seismic phases, and incorporation of seismographs are all useful in helping to retrieve seismic phases from the high-rate GNSS time series.

Simulations of Seismic Wave Propagation on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bozdağ, Ebru; Ruan, Youyi; Metthez, Nathan; Khan, Amir; Leng, Kuangdai; van Driel, Martin; Wieczorek, Mark; Rivoldini, Attilio; Larmat, Carène S.; Giardini, Domenico; Tromp, Jeroen; Lognonné, Philippe; Banerdt, Bruce W.

2017-10-01

We present global and regional synthetic seismograms computed for 1D and 3D Mars models based on the spectral-element method. For global simulations, we implemented a radially-symmetric Mars model with a 110 km thick crust (Sohl and Spohn in J. Geophys. Res., Planets 102(E1):1613-1635, 1997). For this 1D model, we successfully benchmarked the 3D seismic wave propagation solver SPECFEM3D_GLOBE (Komatitsch and Tromp in Geophys. J. Int. 149(2):390-412, 2002a; 150(1):303-318, 2002b) against the 2D axisymmetric wave propagation solver AxiSEM (Nissen-Meyer et al. in Solid Earth 5(1):425-445, 2014) at periods down to 10 s. We also present higher-resolution body-wave simulations with AxiSEM down to 1 s in a model with a more complex 1D crust, revealing wave propagation effects that would have been difficult to interpret based on ray theory. For 3D global simulations based on SPECFEM3D_GLOBE, we superimposed 3D crustal thickness variations capturing the distinct crustal dichotomy between Mars' northern and southern hemispheres, as well as topography, ellipticity, gravity, and rotation. The global simulations clearly indicate that the 3D crust speeds up body waves compared to the reference 1D model, whereas it significantly changes surface waveforms and their dispersive character depending on its thickness. We also perform regional simulations with the solver SES3D (Fichtner et al. Geophys. J. Int. 179:1703-1725, 2009) based on 3D crustal models derived from surface composition, thereby addressing the effects of various distinct crustal features down to 2 s. The regional simulations confirm the strong effects of crustal variations on waveforms. We conclude that the numerical tools are ready for examining more scenarios, including various other seismic models and sources.

Deep Downhole Seismic Testing at the Waste Treatment Plant Site, Hanford, WA. Volume IV S-Wave Measurements in Borehole C4993 Seismic Records, Wave-Arrival Identifications and Interpreted S-Wave Velocity Profile.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stokoe, Kenneth H.; Li, Song Cheng; Cox, Brady R.

2007-06-06

In this volume (IV), all S-wave measurements are presented that were performed in Borehole C4993 at the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) with T-Rex as the seismic source and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) 3-D wireline geophone as the at-depth borehole receiver. S-wave measurements were performed over the depth range of 370 to 1300 ft, typically in 10-ft intervals. However, in some interbeds, 5-ft depth intervals were used, while below about 1200 ft, depth intervals of 20 ft were used. Shear (S) waves were generated by moving the base plate of T-Rex for a given number of cycles at amore » fixed frequency as discussed in Section 2. This process was repeated so that signal averaging in the time domain was performed using 3 to about 15 averages, with 5 averages typically used. In addition, a second average shear wave record was recorded by reversing the polarity of the motion of the T-Rex base plate. In this sense, all the signals recorded in the field were averaged signals. In all cases, the base plate was moving perpendicular to a radial line between the base plate and the borehole which is in and out of the plane of the figure shown in Figure 1.1. The definition of “in-line”, “cross-line”, “forward”, and “reversed” directions in items 2 and 3 of Section 2 was based on the moving direction of the base plate. In addition to the LBNL 3-D geophone, called the lower receiver herein, a 3-D geophone from Redpath Geophysics was fixed at a depth of 22 ft in Borehole C4993, and a 3-D geophone from the University of Texas (UT) was embedded near the borehole at about 1.5 ft below the ground surface. The Redpath geophone and the UT geophone were properly aligned so that one of the horizontal components in each geophone was aligned with the direction of horizontal shaking of the T-Rex base plate. This volume is organized into 12 sections as follows. Section 1: Introduction, Section 2: Explanation of Terminology, Section 3: Vs Profile at Borehole C

First seismic shear wave velocity profile of the lunar crust as extracted from the Apollo 17 active seismic data by wavefield gradient analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sollberger, David; Schmelzbach, Cedric; Robertsson, Johan O. A.; Greenhalgh, Stewart A.; Nakamura, Yosio; Khan, Amir

2016-04-01

We present a new seismic velocity model of the shallow lunar crust, including, for the first time, shear wave velocity information. So far, the shear wave velocity structure of the lunar near-surface was effectively unconstrained due to the complexity of lunar seismograms. Intense scattering and low attenuation in the lunar crust lead to characteristic long-duration reverberations on the seismograms. The reverberations obscure later arriving shear waves and mode conversions, rendering them impossible to identify and analyze. Additionally, only vertical component data were recorded during the Apollo active seismic experiments, which further compromises the identification of shear waves. We applied a novel processing and analysis technique to the data of the Apollo 17 lunar seismic profiling experiment (LSPE), which involved recording seismic energy generated by several explosive packages on a small areal array of four vertical component geophones. Our approach is based on the analysis of the spatial gradients of the seismic wavefield and yields key parameters such as apparent phase velocity and rotational ground motion as a function of time (depth), which cannot be obtained through conventional seismic data analysis. These new observables significantly enhance the data for interpretation of the recorded seismic wavefield and allow, for example, for the identification of S wave arrivals based on their lower apparent phase velocities and distinct higher amount of generated rotational motion relative to compressional (P-) waves. Using our methodology, we successfully identified pure-mode and mode-converted refracted shear wave arrivals in the complex LSPE data and derived a P- and S-wave velocity model of the shallow lunar crust at the Apollo 17 landing site. The extracted elastic-parameter model supports the current understanding of the lunar near-surface structure, suggesting a thin layer of low-velocity lunar regolith overlying a heavily fractured crust of basaltic

The damping of seismic waves and its determination from reflection seismograms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Engelhard, L.

1979-01-01

The damping in theoretical waveforms is described phenomenologically and a classification is proposed. A method for studying the Earth's crust was developed which includes this damping as derived from reflection seismograms. Seismic wave propagation by absorption, attenuation of seismic waves by scattering, and dispersion relations are considered. Absorption of seismic waves within the Earth as well as reflection and transmission of elastic waves seen through boundary layer absorption are also discussed.

High Resolution Vertical Seismic Profile from the Chicxulub IODP/ICDP Expedition 364 Borehole: Wave Speeds and Seismic Reflectivity.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nixon, C.; Kofman, R.; Schmitt, D. R.; Lofi, J.; Gulick, S. P. S.; Christeson, G. L.; Saustrup, S., Sr.; Morgan, J. V.

2017-12-01

We acquired a closely-spaced vertical seismic profile (VSP) in the Chicxulub K-Pg Impact Crater drilling program borehole to calibrate the existing surface seismic profiles and provide complementary measurements of in situ seismic wave speeds. Downhole seismic records were obtained at spacings ranging from 1.25 m to 5 m along the borehole from 47.5 m to 1325 mwsf (meters wireline below sea floor) (Fig 1a) using a Sercel SlimwaveTM geophone chain (University of Alberta). The seismic source was a 30/30ci Sercel Mini GI airgun (University of Texas), fired a minimum of 5 times per station. Seismic data processing used a combination of a commercial processing package (Schlumberger's VISTA) and MatlabTM codes. The VSP displays detailed reflectivity (Fig. 1a) with the strongest reflection seen at 600 mwsf (280 ms one-way time), geologically corresponding to the sharp contact between the post-impact sediments and the target peak ring rock, thus confirming the pre-drilling interpretations of the seismic profiles. A two-way time trace extracted from the separated up-going wavefield matches the major reflection both in travel time and character. In the granitic rocks that form the peak ring of the Chicxulub impact crater, we observe P-wave velocities of 4000-4500 m/s which are significantly less than the expected values of granitoids ( 6000 m/s) (Fig. 1b). The VSP measured wave speeds are confirmed against downhole sonic logging and in laboratory velocimetry measurements; these data provide additional evidence that the crustal material displaced by the impact experienced a significant amount of damage. Samples and data provided by IODP. Samples can be requested at http://web.iodp.tamu.edu/sdrm after 19 October 2017. Expedition 364 was jointly funded by ECORD, ICDP, and IODP with contributions and logistical support from the Yucatan State Government and UNAM. The downhole seismic chain and wireline system is funded by grants to DRS from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and

Seismic wave propagation in granular media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tancredi, Gonzalo; López, Francisco; Gallot, Thomas; Ginares, Alejandro; Ortega, Henry; Sanchís, Johnny; Agriela, Adrián; Weatherley, Dion

2016-10-01

Asteroids and small bodies of the Solar System are thought to be agglomerates of irregular boulders, therefore cataloged as granular media. It is a consensus that many asteroids might be considered as rubble or gravel piles.Impacts on their surface could produce seismic waves which propagate in the interior of these bodies, thus causing modifications in the internal distribution of rocks and ejections of particles and dust, resulting in a cometary-type comma.We present experimental and numerical results on the study of propagation of impact-induced seismic waves in granular media, with special focus on behavior changes by increasing compression.For the experiment, we use an acrylic box filled with granular materials such as sand, gravel and glass spheres. Pressure inside the box is controlled by a movable side wall and measured with sensors. Impacts are created on the upper face of the box through a hole, ranging from free-falling spheres to gunshots. We put high-speed cameras outside the box to record the impact as well as piezoelectic sensors and accelerometers placed at several depths in the granular material to detect the seismic wave.Numerical simulations are performed with ESyS-Particle, a software that implements the Discrete Element Method. The experimental setting is reproduced in the numerical simulations using both individual spherical particles and agglomerates of spherical particles shaped as irregular boulders, according to rock models obtained with a 3D scanner. The numerical experiments also reproduces the force loading on one of the wall to vary the pressure inside the box.We are interested in the velocity, attenuation and energy transmission of the waves. These quantities are measured in the experiments and in the simulations. We study the dependance of these three parameters with characteristics like: impact speed, properties of the target material and the pressure in the media.These results are relevant to understand the outcomes of impacts in

Wave-propagation formulation of seismic response of multistory buildings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Safak, E.

1999-01-01

This paper presents a discrete-time wave-propagation method to calculate the seismic response of multistory buildings, founded on layered soil media and subjected to vertically propagating shear waves. Buildings are modeled as an extension of the layered soil media by considering each story as another layer in the wave-propagation path. The seismic response is expressed in terms of wave travel times between the layers and wave reflection and transmission coefficients at layer interfaces. The method accounts for the filtering effects of the concentrated foundation and floor masses. Compared with commonly used vibration formulation, the wave-propagation formulation provides several advantages, including simplicity, improved accuracy, better representation of damping, the ability to incorporate the soil layers under the foundation, and providing better tools for identification and damage detection from seismic records. Examples are presented to show the versatility and the superiority of the method.

Seismic tomographic imaging of P- and S-waves velocity perturbations in the upper mantle beneath Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alinaghi, Alireza; Koulakov, Ivan; Thybo, Hans

2007-06-01

The inverse tomography method has been used to study the P- and S-waves velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle underneath Iran. The method, based on the principle of source-receiver reciprocity, allows for tomographic studies of regions with sparse distribution of seismic stations if the region has sufficient seismicity. The arrival times of body waves from earthquakes in the study area as reported in the ISC catalogue (1964-1996) at all available epicentral distances are used for calculation of residual arrival times. Prior to inversion we have relocated hypocentres based on a 1-D spherical earth's model taking into account variable crustal thickness and surface topography. During the inversion seismic sources are further relocated simultaneously with the calculation of velocity perturbations. With a series of synthetic tests we demonstrate the power of the algorithm and the data to reconstruct introduced anomalies using the ray paths of the real data set and taking into account the measurement errors and outliers. The velocity anomalies show that the crust and upper mantle beneath the Iranian Plateau comprises a low velocity domain between the Arabian Plate and the Caspian Block. This is in agreement with global tomographic models, and also tectonic models, in which active Iranian plateau is trapped between the stable Turan plate in the north and the Arabian shield in the south. Our results show clear evidence of the mainly aseismic subduction of the oceanic crust of the Oman Sea underneath the Iranian Plateau. However, along the Zagros suture zone, the subduction pattern is more complex than at Makran where the collision of the two plates is highly seismic.

Guided Seismic Waves: Possible Diagnostics for Hot Plumes in the Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, J. R.; Julian, B. R.; Foulger, G. R.

2005-12-01

Seismic waves potentially provide by far the highest resolution view of the three-dimensional structure of the mantle, and the hope of detecting wave-speed anomalies caused by hot or compositionally buoyant mantle plumes has been a major incentive to the development of tomographic seismic techniques. Seismic tomography is limited, however, by the uneven geographical distribution of earthquakes and seismometers, which can produce artificial tomographic wave-speed anomalies that are difficult to distinguish from real structures in the mantle. An alternate approach may be possible, because hot plumes and possibly some compositional upwellings would have low seismic-wave speeds and would act as efficient waveguides over great depth ranges in the mantle. Plume-guided waves would be little affected by bends or other geometric complexities in the waveguides (analogously to French horns and fiber-optic cables), and their dispersion would make them distinctive on seismograms and would provide information on the size and structure of the waveguide. The main unanswered question is whether guided waves in plumes could be excited sufficiently to be observable. Earthquakes do not occur in the deep mantle, but at least two other possible sources of excitation can be imagined: (1) shallow earthquakes at or near plume-fed hotspots; and (2) coupling of plume-guided waves to seismic body waves near the bottom of the mantle. In the first case, downward-traveling guided waves transformed to seismic body waves at the bottom of the waveguide would have to be detected at teleseismic distances. In the second case, upward-traveling guided waves generated by teleseismic body waves would be detected on seismometers at hotspots. Qualitative reasoning based on considerations of reciprocity suggests that the signals in these two situations should be similar in size and appearance. The focusing of seismic core phases at caustics would amplify plume waves excited by either mechanism (1) or (2) at

Amplification of seismic waves beneath active volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navon, O.; Lensky, N. G.; Collier, L.; Neuberg, J.; Lyakhovsky, V.

2003-04-01

Long-period (LP) seismic events are typical for many volcanoes and are attributed to energy leaking from waves traveling along the conduit - country-rock interface. While the wave propagation is well understood, their actual trigger mechanism and their energy source are not. Here we test the hypothesis that energy may be supplied by volatile-release from a supersaturated melt. If bubbles are initially in equilibrium with the melt in the conduit, and the melt is suddenly decompressed, the transfer of volatiles from the supersaturated melt into the bubbles transforms stored potential energy into expansion work. For example, small dome collapse, opening of a crack or a displacement along the brittle part of the conduit may decompress the magma by a few bars and create the needed supersaturation. This energy is released over the timescale of accelerated expansion, which is longer than a typical LP event. Following decompression, when the transfer of volatiles into bubbles is fast enough, expansion accelerates and the bulk viscosity of the bubbly magma is negative (Lensky et al., 2002). New calculations show that under such conditions a sinusoidal P-wave is amplified. We note that seismic waves created by tectonic earthquakes that are not associated with net decompression, do not lead to net release of volatiles or to net expansion. In this case, the bulk viscosity is positive and waves traveling through the magma should attenuate. The proposed model explains how weak seismic signals may be amplified as they travel through a conduit that contains supersaturated bubbly magma. It provides the general framework for amplifying volcanic seismicity such as long-period events.

Characterization of tsunamigenic earthquake in Java region based on seismic wave calculation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pribadi, Sugeng, E-mail: sugengpribadimsc@gmail.com; Afnimar,; Puspito, Nanang T.

This study is to characterize the source mechanism of tsunamigenic earthquake based on seismic wave calculation. The source parameter used are the ratio (Θ) between the radiated seismic energy (E) and seismic moment (M{sub o}), moment magnitude (M{sub W}), rupture duration (T{sub o}) and focal mechanism. These determine the types of tsunamigenic earthquake and tsunami earthquake. We calculate the formula using the teleseismic wave signal processing with the initial phase of P wave with bandpass filter 0.001 Hz to 5 Hz. The amount of station is 84 broadband seismometer with far distance of 30° to 90°. The 2 June 1994more » Banyuwangi earthquake with M{sub W}=7.8 and the 17 July 2006 Pangandaran earthquake with M{sub W}=7.7 include the criteria as a tsunami earthquake which distributed about ratio Θ=−6.1, long rupture duration To>100 s and high tsunami H>7 m. The 2 September 2009 Tasikmalaya earthquake with M{sub W}=7.2, Θ=−5.1 and To=27 s which characterized as a small tsunamigenic earthquake.« less

Infrasonic sounds excited by seismic waves of the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake as visualized in ionograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maruyama, Takashi; Shinagawa, Hiroyuki

2014-05-01

After the M 9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake in 2011, strong deformation of ionogram echo traces, forming multiple cusp signatures (MCSs), were observed at three stations 790-1880 km from the epicenter. The vertical structure of the ionospheric disturbances was determined by true height analysis and compared with broadband seismograph records at stations close to the ionosondes. These ionospheric disturbances were caused by vertically propagating acoustic waves excited by the up/down ground motion of seismic waves. Numerical simulations have shown that acoustic waves with a period of 15-40 s and amplitude of order 1 mm/s at the ground level were sufficient to create MCSs as sharp as those observed. These acoustic wave parameters are consistent with the seismic records if the motion of the air mass on the ground level is assumed to be the same as the ground motion. The travel time diagram of the seismic records along the line connecting the epicenter and ionosondes showed that the first MCS ionogram detected at each station was caused by P waves, while the others were caused by Rayleigh waves.

A Hammer-Impact, Aluminum, Shear-Wave Seismic Source

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haines, Seth

2007-01-01

Near-surface seismic surveys often employ hammer impacts to create seismic energy. Shear-wave surveys using horizontally polarized waves require horizontal hammer impacts against a rigid object (the source) that is coupled to the ground surface. I have designed, built, and tested a source made out of aluminum and equipped with spikes to improve coupling. The source is effective in a variety of settings, and it is relatively simple and inexpensive to build.

Amplification of seismic waves beneath active volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navon, O.; Lensky, N. G.; Collier, L.; Neuberg, J.; Lyakhovsky, V.

2003-04-01

Long-period (LP) seismic events are typical of many volcanoes and are attributed to energy leaking from waves traveling through the volcanic conduit or along the conduit - country-rock interface. The LP events are triggered locally, at the volcanic edifice, but the source of energy for the formation of tens of events per day is not clear. Energy may be supplied by volatile-release from a supersaturated melt. If bubbles are present in equilibrium with the melt in the conduit, and the melt is suddenly decompressed, transfer of volatiles from the supersaturated melt into the bubbles transforms stored potential energy into expansion work. For example, small dome collapses may decompress the conduit by a few bars and lead to solubility decrease, exsolution of volatiles and, consequently, to work done by the expansion of the bubbles under pressure. This energy is released over a timescale that is similar to that of LP events and may amplify the original weak seismic signals associated with the collapse. Using the formulation of Lensky et al. (2002), following the decompression, when the transfer of volatiles into bubbles is fast enough, expansion accelerates and the bulk viscosity of the bubbly magma is negative. New calculations show that under such conditions a sinusoidal P-wave is amplified. We note that seismic waves created by tectonic earthquakes that are not associated with net decompression, do not lead to net release of volatiles or to net expansion. In this case, the bulk viscosity is positive and waves traveling through the magma should attenuate. The proposed model explains how weak seismic signals may be amplified as they travel through a conduit that contains supersaturated bubbly magma. It provides the general framework for amplifying volcanic seismicity such as the signals associated with long-period events.

High-resolution 3-D S-wave Tomography of upper crust structures in Yilan Plain from Ambient Seismic Noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Kai-Xun; Chen, Po-Fei; Liang, Wen-Tzong; Chen, Li-Wei; Gung, YuanCheng

2015-04-01

The Yilan Plain (YP) in NE Taiwan locates on the western YP of the Okinawa Trough and displays high geothermal gradients with abundant hot springs, likely resulting from magmatism associated with the back-arc spreading as attested by the offshore volcanic island (Kueishantao). YP features NS distinctive characteristics that the South YP exhibits thin top sedimentary layer, high on-land seismicity and significant SE movements, relative those of the northern counterpart. A dense network (~2.5 km station interval) of 89 Texan instruments was deployed in Aug. 2014, covering most of the YP and its vicinity. The ray path coverage density of each 0.015 degree cells are greater than 150 km that could provide the robustness assessment of tomographic results. We analyze ambient noise signals to invert a high-resolution 3D S-wave model for shallow velocity structures in and around YP. The aim is to investigate the velocity anomalies corresponding to geothermal resources and the NS geological distinctions aforementioned. We apply the Welch's method to generate empirical Rayleigh wave Green's functions between two stations records of continuous vertical components. The group velocities of thus derived functions are then obtained by the multiple-filter analysis technique measured at the frequency range between 0.25 and 1 Hz. Finally, we implement a wavelet-based multi-scale parameterization technique to construct 3D model of S-wave velocity. Our first month results exhibit low velocity in the plain, corresponding existing sediments, those of whole YP show low velocity offshore YP and those of high-resolution south YP reveal stark velocity contrast across the Sanshin fault. Key words: ambient seismic noises, Welch's method, S-wave, Yilan Plain

Seismic waves triggering slow slip event on the pressure gauge records in the Hikurangi subducting margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Y.; Wallace, L. M.; Henrys, S. A.; Kaneko, Y.; Webb, S. C.; Muramoto, T.; Ohta, K.; Mochizuki, K.; Suzuki, S.; Kido, M.; Hino, R.

2017-12-01

The two M7-class earthquakes struck in New Zealand in 2016. One is the M7.1 Te Araroa earthquake on 1st September, and the other is the M7.8 Kaikoura earthquake on 14th November. The M7.1 earthquake struck offshore, following a sequence of the Hikurangi slow slip event on the northern Hikurangi Margin. The M7.8 Kaikoura earthquake has triggered a shallow slow slip event of northern Hikurangi subduction margin. We present seismic and tsunami waves radiated from two large earthquakes of M7.8 Kaikoura and M7.1 Te Araroa earthquakes in 2016 using a network of absolute pressure gauges (APG) deployed at the Hikurangi subduction margin offshore New Zealand. We deployed 5 APG on the accretionary wedge at the northen part of the Hikurangi margnin in June 2016 at the northern part of Hikurangi subducting margin, and were recovered in June 2015. The pressure gauge recorded data continuously for one year, with a logging interval of 1 or 2 s. Our processing of the APG data to identify seismic is a band pass filter with a range of 10-100 s is applied for seismic signals. We observed seismic waves radiated from both the M7.8 Kaikoura and M7.1 Te Araroa earthquakes. The pressure fluctuation more than 20 hPa from the arrivals of seismic waves was observed on two both earthquakes. It should be noted that marine pressure records are nearly equivalent to vertical acceleration measurements [Webb, 1998]. Specifically, on the M7.8 Kaikoura earthquake, the characteristic seismic signals with large amplitude more than 20 hPa lasting more than 300 s was observed on the all of four APGs. The long duration seismic waves with relatively large amplitude observed after the 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake would dynamically trigger the Hikurangi slow slip event; the dynamic triggering and characteristic seismic waves in the accretionary wedge has been predicted from a wave-field modeling using a 3D velocity model with a low-velocity sedimentary basin [Wallace et al., 2017].

Using Near Surface P and S Wave Velocities and Seismic Reflection Images to Detect the Westerly Extension of the Active Meishan Fault in Southwestern Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Putriani, E.; Huang, W. H.; Shih, R. C.

2017-12-01

The Southwestern Taiwan has higher potential seismic risks among the island. In 1906 the Meishan earthquake of magnitude 7.1 caused very severe damages. The associated Meishan fault was believed extended from Meishan westerly to Hsingang area for 23 km long; however, only the eastern part of the fault could be traces on the surface. The western part of the Meishan fault was simply proposed from the observed lineation of sand blow from the middle of the fault, the Minhsiung area westerly to the Hsingang area. The purpose of this paper is hope to prove the extension of this fault by using near surface P wave and S wave velocities and the seismic reflection images acquired across the suspicious fault location. Totally, we have conducted 20 seismic velocity survey lines, which were deployed in six areas with and without liquefaction observed, and 2 seismic reflection lines. The P and S wave velocities variations were used to analyze depth of the water table, the elastic modulus, soil porosity and the safety factor for soil liquefaction assessment. Preliminary result of the seismic velocity distribution was effective within 17 m deep from surface and showed no particular difference at the sites of liquefaction observed or no liquefaction. The results could indicate that the sand blow observed in 1906 were not site dependent, but more likely related to activity of the Meishan fault. In order to detect the detailed fault trace, the seismic reflection images will be combined for interpreting the buried Meishan fault in the final result.

Investigations of acoustic-seismic effects at long range - Early-arriving seismic waves from Apollo 16

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalins, I.; Mccarty, V. M.; Kaschak, G.; Donn, W. L.

1974-01-01

A reasonably comprehensive technical effort is described dealing with the investigations of acoustically generated seismic waves of Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 origin along the eastern seabord of the United States. This expanded effort is a continuation of earlier, rather successful detections of rocket-generated seismic disturbances on Skidaway Island, Georgia. The more recent effort has yielded few positive results other than a recording of an early-arriving seismic wave from Apollo 16 that was detected in Jacksonville. Evaluation of the negative results obtained in the Fort Monmouth area, with earlier studies of infrasound, local weather conditions, and geology, could be advantageous in the process of trying to gain a better insight into the acoustic-seismic resonance mechanism requiring phase-velocity matching at the atmosphere-ground interface.

Poroelastic Seismic Wave Propagation Modeling of CO2 Sequestration Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aldridge, D. F.; Bartel, L. C.

2009-12-01

Long term geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered a viable approach for removing large amounts of excess carbon from the earth’s surface environment. As CO2 is injected into a subsurface porous formation, it displaces (or mixes with) in situ pore fluids. Seismic reflection and transmission responses of the formation depend on the degree of CO2 substitution. Additionally, geochemical reactions involving CO2 and mineral grains alter the bulk and shear moduli of the solid constituent and/or the matrix of the porous medium. We examine full waveform, wide-angle, amplitude vs. offset (AVO) responses of sandstone and carbonate layers. Synthetic seismic data are calculated with a 3D poroelastic wave propagation algorithm that solves Biot’s system of thirteen coupled partial differential equations via an explicit, time-domain, finite-difference method. All common seismological phases (primary and multiple reflections, mode conversions, head waves, surface and interface waves) are generated with fidelity, provided spatial and temporal gridding intervals are sufficiently fine. Initial calculations indicate that full or partial replacement of H2O by CO2 is readily detected by the AVO recording configuration, particularly with long offset events. Difference seismogram amplitudes of surface-recorded particle velocities range up to ~25%. Equivalent elastic medium responses, with elastic parameters assigned by Gassmann formulae, are inadequate at higher frequencies. Finally, these sensitivity modeling experiments are being extended to vertical seismic profiling geometries. Sandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram science and engineering facility operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed-Martin company, for the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Shallow seismic source parameter determination using intermediate-period surface wave amplitude spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, Benjamin D.; Selby, Neil D.; Heyburn, Ross; Woodhouse, John H.

2012-09-01

Estimating reliable depths for shallow seismic sources is important in both seismo-tectonic studies and in seismic discrimination studies. Surface wave excitation is sensitive to source depth, especially at intermediate and short-periods, owing to the approximate exponential decay of surface wave displacements with depth. A new method is presented here to retrieve earthquake source parameters from regional and teleseismic intermediate period (100-15 s) fundamental-mode surface wave recordings. This method makes use of advances in mapping global dispersion to allow higher frequency surface wave recordings at regional and teleseismic distances to be used with more confidence than in previous studies and hence improve the resolution of depth estimates. Synthetic amplitude spectra are generated using surface wave theory combined with a great circle path approximation, and a grid of double-couple sources are compared with the data. Source parameters producing the best-fitting amplitude spectra are identified by minimizing the least-squares misfit in logarithmic amplitude space. The F-test is used to search the solution space for statistically acceptable parameters and the ranges of these variables are used to place constraints on the best-fitting source. Estimates of focal mechanism, depth and scalar seismic moment are determined for 20 small to moderate sized (4.3 ≤Mw≤ 6.4) earthquakes. These earthquakes are situated across a wide range of geographic and tectonic locations and describe a range of faulting styles over the depth range 4-29 km. For the larger earthquakes, comparisons with other studies are favourable, however existing source determination procedures, such as the CMT technique, cannot be performed for the smaller events. By reducing the magnitude threshold at which robust source parameters can be determined, the accuracy, especially at shallow depths, of seismo-tectonic studies, seismic hazard assessments, and seismic discrimination investigations can

Experimental study on the impact-induced seismic wave propagating through granular materials: Implications for a future asteroid mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasui, M.; Matsumoto, E.; Arakawa, M.; Matsue, K.; Kobayashi, N.

2014-07-01

Introduction: A seismic wave survey is a direct method to investigate the sub-surface structures of solid bodies, so we measured and analyzed these seismic waves propagating through these interiors. Earthquake and Moonquake are the only two phenomena that have been observed to explore these interiors until now, while the future surveys on the other bodies, (solid planets and/or asteroids) are now planned. To complete a seismic wave survey during the mission period, an artificial method that activates the seismic wave is necessary and one candidate is a projectile collision on the target body. However, to utilize the artificial seismic wave generated on the target body, the relationship between the impact energy and the amplitude and the decay process of the seismic wave should be examined. If these relationships are clarified, we can estimate the required sensitivity of seismometers installed on the target body and the possible distance from the seismic origin measurable for the seismometer. Furthermore, if we can estimate the impact energy from the observed seismic wave, we expect to be able to estimate the impact flux of impactors that collided on the target body. McGarr et al. (1969) did impact experiments by using the lexan projectile and two targets, quartz sand and sand bonded by epoxy cement, at 0.8-7 km/s. They found a difference of seismic wave properties between the two targets, and calculated the conversion efficiency to discuss the capability of detection of seismic waves on the Moon. However, they did not examine the excitation and propagation properties of the seismic waves in detail. In this study, we carried out impact experiments in the laboratory to observe the seismic waves by accelerometers, and examined the effects of projectile properties on the excitation and propagation properties of the seismic waves. Experimental methods: We made impact experiments by using a one-stage gas gun at Kobe University. Projectiles were a polycarbonate cylinder

Upper mantle structure beneath southern African cratons from seismic finite-frequency P- and S-body wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Youssof, M.; Thybo, H.; Artemieva, I. M.; Levander, A.

2015-06-01

We present a 3D high-resolution seismic model of the southern African cratonic region from teleseismic tomographic inversion of the P- and S-body wave dataset recorded by the Southern African Seismic Experiment (SASE). Utilizing 3D sensitivity kernels, we invert traveltime residuals of teleseismic body waves to calculate velocity anomalies in the upper mantle down to a 700 km depth with respect to the ak135 reference model. Various resolution tests allow evaluation of the extent of smearing effects and help defining the optimum inversion parameters (i.e., damping and smoothness) for regularizing the inversion calculations. The fast lithospheric keels of the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe cratons reach depths of 300-350 km and 200-250 km, respectively. The paleo-orogenic Limpopo Belt is represented by negative velocity perturbations down to a depth of ˜ 250 km, implying the presence of chemically fertile material with anomalously low wave speeds. The Bushveld Complex has low velocity down to ˜ 150 km, which is attributed to chemical modification of the cratonic mantle. In the present model, the finite-frequency sensitivity kernels allow to resolve relatively small-scale anomalies, such as the Colesberg Magnetic Lineament in the suture zone between the eastern and western blocks of the Kaapvaal Craton, and a small northern block of the Kaapvaal Craton, located between the Limpopo Belt and the Bushveld Complex.

Crustal and upper mantle S-wave velocity structures across the Taiwan Strait from ambient seismic noise and teleseismic Rayleigh wave analyses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Y.; Yao, H.; Wu, F. T.; Liang, W.; Huang, B.; Lin, C.; Wen, K.

2013-12-01

Although orogeny seems to have stopped in western Taiwan large and small earthquakes do occur in the Taiwan Strait. Limited studies have focused on this region before and were barely within reach for comprehensive projects like TAICRUST and TAIGER for logistical reasons; thus, the overall crustal structures of the Taiwan Strait remain unknown. Time domain empirical Green's function (TDEGF) from ambient seismic noise to determine crustal velocity structure allows us to study an area using station pairs on its periphery. This research aims to resolve 1-D average crustal and upper mantle S-wave velocity (Vs) structures alone paths of several broadband station-pairs across the Taiwan Strait; 5-120 s Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion data derived by combining TDEGF and traditional surface wave two-station method (TS). The average Vs structures show significant differences in the upper 15 km as expected. In general, the highest Vs are observed in the coastal area of Mainland China and the lowest Vs appear along the southwest offshore of the Taiwan Island; they differ by about 0.6-1.1 km/s. For different parts of the Strait, the Vs are lower in the middle by about 0.1-0.2 km/s relative to those in the northern and southern parts. The overall crustal thickness is approximately 30 km, much thinner and less variable than under the Taiwan Island.

Wave-equation migration velocity inversion using passive seismic sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witten, B.; Shragge, J. C.

2015-12-01

Seismic monitoring at injection sites (e.g., CO2 sequestration, waste water disposal, hydraulic fracturing) has become an increasingly important tool for hazard identification and avoidance. The information obtained from this data is often limited to seismic event properties (e.g., location, approximate time, moment tensor), the accuracy of which greatly depends on the estimated elastic velocity models. However, creating accurate velocity models from passive array data remains a challenging problem. Common techniques rely on picking arrivals or matching waveforms requiring high signal-to-noise data that is often not available for the magnitude earthquakes observed over injection sites. We present a new method for obtaining elastic velocity information from earthquakes though full-wavefield wave-equation imaging and adjoint-state tomography. The technique exploits the fact that the P- and S-wave arrivals originate at the same time and location in the subsurface. We generate image volumes by back-propagating P- and S-wave data through initial Earth models and then applying a correlation-based extended-imaging condition. Energy focusing away from zero lag in the extended image volume is used as a (penalized) residual in an adjoint-state tomography scheme to update the P- and S-wave velocity models. We use an acousto-elastic approximation to greatly reduce the computational cost. Because the method requires neither an initial source location or origin time estimate nor picking of arrivals, it is suitable for low signal-to-noise datasets, such as microseismic data. Synthetic results show that with a realistic distribution of microseismic sources, P- and S-velocity perturbations can be recovered. Although demonstrated at an oil and gas reservoir scale, the technique can be applied to problems of all scales from geologic core samples to global seismology.

Simulating Seismic Wave Propagation in Viscoelastic Media with an Irregular Free Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaobo; Chen, Jingyi; Zhao, Zhencong; Lan, Haiqiang; Liu, Fuping

2018-05-01

In seismic numerical simulations of wave propagation, it is very important for us to consider surface topography and attenuation, which both have large effects (e.g., wave diffractions, conversion, amplitude/phase change) on seismic imaging and inversion. An irregular free surface provides significant information for interpreting the characteristics of seismic wave propagation in areas with rugged or rapidly varying topography, and viscoelastic media are a better representation of the earth's properties than acoustic/elastic media. In this study, we develop an approach for seismic wavefield simulation in 2D viscoelastic isotropic media with an irregular free surface. Based on the boundary-conforming grid method, the 2D time-domain second-order viscoelastic isotropic equations and irregular free surface boundary conditions are transferred from a Cartesian coordinate system to a curvilinear coordinate system. Finite difference operators with second-order accuracy are applied to discretize the viscoelastic wave equations and the irregular free surface in the curvilinear coordinate system. In addition, we select the convolutional perfectly matched layer boundary condition in order to effectively suppress artificial reflections from the edges of the model. The snapshot and seismogram results from numerical tests show that our algorithm successfully simulates seismic wavefields (e.g., P-wave, Rayleigh wave and converted waves) in viscoelastic isotropic media with an irregular free surface.

Seismic Wave Propagation in Icy Ocean Worlds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stähler, Simon C.; Panning, Mark P.; Vance, Steven D.; Lorenz, Ralph D.; van Driel, Martin; Nissen-Meyer, Tarje; Kedar, Sharon

2018-01-01

Seismology was developed on Earth and shaped our model of the Earth's interior over the twentieth century. With the exception of the Philae lander, all in situ extraterrestrial seismological effort to date was limited to other terrestrial planets. All have in common a rigid crust above a solid mantle. The coming years may see the installation of seismometers on Europa, Titan, and Enceladus, so it is necessary to adapt seismological concepts to the setting of worlds with global oceans covered in ice. Here we use waveform analyses to identify and classify wave types, developing a lexicon for icy ocean world seismology intended to be useful to both seismologists and planetary scientists. We use results from spectral-element simulations of broadband seismic wavefields to adapt seismological concepts to icy ocean worlds. We present a concise naming scheme for seismic waves and an overview of the features of the seismic wavefield on Europa, Titan, Ganymede, and Enceladus. In close connection with geophysical interior models, we analyze simulated seismic measurements of Europa and Titan that might be used to constrain geochemical parameters governing the habitability of a sub-ice ocean.

Volcanic plume height measured by seismic waves based on a mechanical model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Prejean, Stephanie G.; Brodsky, Emily E.

2011-01-01

In August 2008 an unmonitored, largely unstudied Aleutian volcano, Kasatochi, erupted catastrophically. Here we use seismic data to infer the height of large eruptive columns such as those of Kasatochi based on a combination of existing fluid and solid mechanical models. In so doing, we propose a connection between a common, observable, short-period seismic wave amplitude to the physics of an eruptive column. To construct a combined model, we estimate the mass ejection rate of material from the vent on the basis of the plume height, assuming that the height is controlled by thermal buoyancy for a continuous plume. Using the estimated mass ejection rate, we then derive the equivalent vertical force on the Earth through a momentum balance. Finally, we calculate the far-field surface waves resulting from the vertical force. The model performs well for recent eruptions of Kasatochi and Augustine volcanoes if v, the velocity of material exiting the vent, is 120-230 m s-1. The consistency between the seismically inferred and measured plume heights indicates that in these cases the far-field ~1 s seismic energy radiated by fluctuating flow in the volcanic jet during the eruption is a useful indicator of overall mass ejection rates. Thus, use of the model holds promise for characterizing eruptions and evaluating ash hazards to aircraft in real time on the basis of far-field short-period seismic data. This study emphasizes the need for better measurements of eruptive plume heights and a more detailed understanding of the full spectrum of seismic energy radiated coeruptively.

Wave Gradiometry for the Central U.S

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

liu, Y.; Holt, W. E.

2013-12-01

Wave gradiometry is a new technique utilizing the shape of seismic wave fields captured by USArray transportable stations to determine fundamental wave propagation characteristics. The horizontal and vertical wave displacements, spatial gradients and time derivatives of displacement are linearly linked by two coefficients which can be used to infer wave slowness, back azimuth, radiation pattern and geometrical spreading. The reducing velocity method from Langston [2007] is applied to pre-process our data. Spatial gradients of the shifted displacement fields are estimated using bi-cubic splines [Beavan and Haines, 2001]. Using singular value decomposition, the spatial gradients are then inverted to iteratively solve for wave parameters mentioned above. Numerical experiments with synthetic data sets provided by Princeton University's Neal Real Time Global Seismicity Portal are conducted to test the algorithm stability and evaluate errors. Our results based on real records in the central U.S. show that, the average Rayleigh wave phase velocity ranges from 3.8 to 4.2 km/s for periods from 60-125s, and 3.6 to 4.0 km/s for periods from 25-60s, which is consistent with earth model. Geometrical spreading and radiation pattern show similar features between different frequency bands. Azimuth variations are partially correlated with phase velocity change. Finally, we calculated waveform amplitude and spatial gradient uncertainties to determine formal errors in the estimated wave parameters. Further effort will be put into calculating shear wave velocity structure with respect to depth in the studied area. The wave gradiometry method is now being employed across the USArray using real observations and results obtained to date are for stations in eastern portion of the U.S. Rayleigh wave phase velocity derived from Aug, 20th, 2011 Vanuatu earthquake for periods from 100 - 125 s.

Laboratory Investigation of the Effect of Water-Saturation on Seismic Wave Dispersion in Carbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, W.; Pyrak-Nolte, L. J.

2009-12-01

In subsurface rock, fluid content changes with time through natural causes or because of human interactions, such as extraction or sequestration of fluids. The ability to monitor, seismically, fluid migration in the subsurface requires an understanding of the effects that the degree of saturation and spatial distribution of fluids have on wave propagation in rock. In this study, we find that the seismic dispersion of a dry carbonate rock can be masked by saturating the sample. We used a laboratory mini-seismic array to monitor fluid invasion and withdrawal in a carbonate rock with fabric-controlled layering. Experiments were performed on prismatic samples of Austin Chalk measuring 50mm x 50mm x 100mm. The epoxy-sealed samples contained an inlet and an outlet port to enable fluid invasion/withdrawal along the long axis of the sample. Water was infused and withdrawn from the sample at a rate of 1ml/hr. The mini-seismic array consisted of a set of 12 piezoelectric contact transducers, each with a central frequency 1.0 MHz. Three compressional wave source-receiver pairs and three shear wave source-receiver pairs were used to probe along the length of the sample prior to invasion and during invasion and withdrawal of water from the sample. A pressure transducer was used to record the fluid pressure simultaneously with the full transmitted wave forms every 15-30 minutes. A wavelet analysis determined the effect of fluid invasion on velocity dispersion. We observed that the compressional wave dispersion was more sensitive to changes in saturation than the shear wave dispersion. When the sample was unsaturated, the high frequency components of the compressional wave (1.2MHz to 2MHz) had lower velocities (~ 2750m/s) than the low frequency components, which decrease monotonically from 2890 m/s for 0.2MHz to 1.2 MHz. As water infused the sample, the dispersion weakened. When the sample as fully saturated, the compressional wave velocity was frequency independent. The

MEASUREMENT OF COMPRESSIONAL-WAVE SEISMIC VELOCITIES IN 29 WELLS AT THE HANFORD SITE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

PETERSON SW

2010-10-08

Check shot seismic velocity surveys were collected in 100 B/C, 200 East, 200-PO-1 Operational Unit (OU), and the Gable Gap areas in order to provide time-depth correlation information to aid the interpretation of existing seismic reflection data acquired at the Hanford Site (Figure 1). This report details results from 5 wells surveyed in fiscal year (FY) 2008, 7 wells in FY 2009, and 17 wells in FY 2010 and provides summary compressional-wave seismic velocity information to help guide future seismic survey design as well as improve current interpretations of the seismic data (SSC 1979/1980; SGW-39675; SGW-43746). Augmenting the check shotmore » database are four surveys acquired in 2007 in support of the Bechtel National, Inc. Waste Treatment Plant construction design (PNNL-16559, PNNL-16652), and check shot surveys in three wells to support seismic testing in the 200 West Area (Waddell et al., 1999). Additional sonic logging was conducted during the late 1970s and early 1980s as part of the Basalt Waste Isolation Program (BWIP) (SSC 1979/1980) and check shot/sonic surveys as part of the safety report for the Skagit/Hanford Nuclear project (RDH/10-AMCP-0164). Check shot surveys are used to obtain an in situ measure of compressional-wave seismic velocity for sediment and rock in the vicinity of the well point, and provide the seismic-wave travel time to geologic horizons of interest. The check shot method deploys a downhole seismic receiver (geophone) to record the arrival of seismic waves generated by a source at the ground surface. The travel time of the first arriving seismic-wave is determined and used to create a time-depth function to correlate encountered geologic intervals with the seismic data. This critical tie with the underlying geology improves the interpretation of seismic reflection profile information. Fieldwork for this investigation was conducted by in house staff during the weeks of September 22, 2008 for 5 wells in the 200 East Area (Figure 2

The theory and method of variable frequency directional seismic wave under the complex geologic conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, T.; Yue, Y.

2017-12-01

It is well known that the mono-frequency directional seismic wave technology can concentrate seismic waves into a beam. However, little work on the method and effect of variable frequency directional seismic wave under complex geological conditions have been done .We studied the variable frequency directional wave theory in several aspects. Firstly, we studied the relation between directional parameters and the direction of the main beam. Secondly, we analyzed the parameters that affect the beam width of main beam significantly, such as spacing of vibrator, wavelet dominant frequency, and number of vibrator. In addition, we will study different characteristics of variable frequency directional seismic wave in typical velocity models. In order to examine the propagation characteristics of directional seismic wave, we designed appropriate parameters according to the character of direction parameters, which is capable to enhance the energy of the main beam direction. Further study on directional seismic wave was discussed in the viewpoint of power spectral. The results indicate that the energy intensity of main beam direction increased 2 to 6 times for a multi-ore body velocity model. It showed us that the variable frequency directional seismic technology provided an effective way to strengthen the target signals under complex geological conditions. For concave interface model, we introduced complicated directional seismic technology which supports multiple main beams to obtain high quality data. Finally, we applied the 9-element variable frequency directional seismic wave technology to process the raw data acquired in a oil-shale exploration area. The results show that the depth of exploration increased 4 times with directional seismic wave method. Based on the above analysis, we draw the conclusion that the variable frequency directional seismic wave technology can improve the target signals of different geologic conditions and increase exploration depth with little

SH-wave reflection seismic and VSP as tools for the investigation of sinkhole areas in Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadas, Sonja; Tschache, Saskia; Polom, Ulrich; Buness, Hermann; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.

2017-04-01

groundwater, forming cavities due to the increase in rock permeability. Besides these structures, anomalies of the seismic velocities and the attenuation of seismic waves are visible, especially in the SH-wave profiles. Low velocities < 200 m/s and high attenuation may indicate areas affected by subrosion. Other parameters characterizing the underground stability are the shear modulus, derived from shear-wave interval velocities and density, and the Vp-Vs ratio. The 1-D and the 2-D data revealed zones of low shear modulus < 100 MPa and high Vp-Vs ratios > 2,5, probably indicating unstable areas due to subrosion. We conclude, that SH-wave reflection seismic offer an important tool for the imaging and characterization of near-surface subrosion structures and the identification of unstable zones, especially in combination with P-wave reflection seismic and zero-offset VSP with P- and S-waves. Presumably there is a connection between the presence of large fluid pathways, like faults, and the occurrence of widespread subrosion.

Spectral-element Seismic Wave Propagation on CUDA/OpenCL Hardware Accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peter, D. B.; Videau, B.; Pouget, K.; Komatitsch, D.

2015-12-01

Seismic wave propagation codes are essential tools to investigate a variety of wave phenomena in the Earth. Furthermore, they can now be used for seismic full-waveform inversions in regional- and global-scale adjoint tomography. Although these seismic wave propagation solvers are crucial ingredients to improve the resolution of tomographic images to answer important questions about the nature of Earth's internal processes and subsurface structure, their practical application is often limited due to high computational costs. They thus need high-performance computing (HPC) facilities to improving the current state of knowledge. At present, numerous large HPC systems embed many-core architectures such as graphics processing units (GPUs) to enhance numerical performance. Such hardware accelerators can be programmed using either the CUDA programming environment or the OpenCL language standard. CUDA software development targets NVIDIA graphic cards while OpenCL was adopted by additional hardware accelerators, like e.g. AMD graphic cards, ARM-based processors as well as Intel Xeon Phi coprocessors. For seismic wave propagation simulations using the open-source spectral-element code package SPECFEM3D_GLOBE, we incorporated an automatic source-to-source code generation tool (BOAST) which allows us to use meta-programming of all computational kernels for forward and adjoint runs. Using our BOAST kernels, we generate optimized source code for both CUDA and OpenCL languages within the source code package. Thus, seismic wave simulations are able now to fully utilize CUDA and OpenCL hardware accelerators. We show benchmarks of forward seismic wave propagation simulations using SPECFEM3D_GLOBE on CUDA/OpenCL GPUs, validating results and comparing performances for different simulations and hardware usages.

Analysis of coal seam thickness and seismic wave amplitude: A wedge model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Guangui; Xu, Zhiliang; Peng, Suping; Fan, Feng

2018-01-01

Coal seam thickness is of great significance in mining coal resources. The focus of this study is to determine the relationship between coal seam thickness and seismic wave amplitude, and the factors influencing this relationship. We used a wedge model to analyze this relationship and its influencing factors. The results show that wave interference from the top and bottom interfaces is the primary reason for the linear relationship between seismic wave amplitude and wedge thickness, when the thickness of the wedge is less than one quarter of the wavelength. This relationship is influenced by the dominant frequency, reflection coefficients from the top and bottom boundaries, depth, thickness, and angle of the wedge. However, when the lateral shift between the reflected waves is smaller than the radius of the first Fresnel zone, the wedge angle and change in lithology at the top and bottom layers are considered to have little effect on the amplitude of the interference wave. The difference in the dominant frequency of seismic waves can be reduced by filtering, and the linear relationship between amplitude and coal thickness can be improved. Field data from Sihe coal mine was analyzed, and the error was found to be within 4% of the predicted seismic wave amplitude. The above conclusions could help predict the thickness of coal seam by seismic amplitude.

A modified symplectic PRK scheme for seismic wave modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shaolin; Yang, Dinghui; Ma, Jian

2017-02-01

A new scheme for the temporal discretization of the seismic wave equation is constructed based on symplectic geometric theory and a modified strategy. The ordinary differential equation in terms of time, which is obtained after spatial discretization via the spectral-element method, is transformed into a Hamiltonian system. A symplectic partitioned Runge-Kutta (PRK) scheme is used to solve the Hamiltonian system. A term related to the multiplication of the spatial discretization operator with the seismic wave velocity vector is added into the symplectic PRK scheme to create a modified symplectic PRK scheme. The symplectic coefficients of the new scheme are determined via Taylor series expansion. The positive coefficients of the scheme indicate that its long-term computational capability is more powerful than that of conventional symplectic schemes. An exhaustive theoretical analysis reveals that the new scheme is highly stable and has low numerical dispersion. The results of three numerical experiments demonstrate the high efficiency of this method for seismic wave modeling.

Surface wave tomography of the European crust and upper mantle from ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LU, Y.; Stehly, L.; Paul, A.

2017-12-01

We present a high-resolution 3-D Shear wave velocity model of the European crust and upper mantle derived from ambient seismic noise tomography. In this study, we collect 4 years of continuous vertical-component seismic recordings from 1293 broadband stations across Europe (10W-35E, 30N-75N). We analyze group velocity dispersion from 5s to 150s for cross-correlations of more than 0.8 million virtual source-receiver pairs. 2-D group velocity maps are estimated using adaptive parameterization to accommodate the strong heterogeneity of path coverage. 3-D velocity model is obtained by merging 1-D models inverted at each pixel through a two-step data-driven inversion algorithm: a non-linear Bayesian Monte Carlo inversion, followed by a linearized inversion. Resulting S-wave velocity model and Moho depth are compared with previous geophysical studies: 1) The crustal model and Moho depth show striking agreement with active seismic imaging results. Moreover, it even provides new valuable information such as a strong difference of the European Moho along two seismic profiles in the Western Alps (Cifalps and ECORS-CROP). 2) The upper mantle model displays strong similarities with published models even at 150km deep, which is usually imaged using earthquake records.

Using Tectonic Tremor to Constrain Seismic-wave Attenuation in Cascadia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Littel, G.; Thomas, A.; Baltay, A.

2017-12-01

In addition to fast, seismic slip, many subduction zones also host slow, largely aseismic slip, accompanied by a weak seismic signal known as tectonic tremor. Tremor is a small amplitude, low-frequency seismic signal that originates at the plate interface, down-dip of where large earthquakes typically occur. The Cascadia subduction zone has not seen a large megathrust earthquake since 1700, yet its recurrence interval of 350-500 years motivates heightened interest in understanding the seismic hazard of the region. Of great importance is to understand the degree to which waves are attenuated as they leave the plate interface and travel towards populated regions of interest. Ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) relate ground motion to a number of parameters, including earthquake magnitude, depth, style of faulting, and anelastic attenuation, and are typically determined empirically from earthquake ground motion recordings. In Cascadia, however, earthquakes of the moderate size typically used to constrain GMPEs occur relatively infrequently compared to tectonic tremor events, which, in contrast, occur periodically approximately every 10-19 months. Studies have shown that the abundant tectonic tremor in Cascadia, despite its small amplitudes, can be used to constrain seismic wave attenuation in GMPEs. Here we quantify seismic wave attenuation and determine its spatial variations in Cascadia by performing an inversion using tremor ground motion amplitudes, taken as peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) from 1 min window waveforms of each individual tremor event. We estimate the anelastic attenuation parameter for varying regional sections along the Cascadia margin. Changes in seismic-wave attenuation along the Cascadia Subduction Zone could result in significantly different ground motions in the event of a very large earthquake, hence quantifying attenuation may help to better estimate the severity of shaking in densely populated

Seismic Waves, 4th order accurate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

2013-08-16

SW4 is a program for simulating seismic wave propagation on parallel computers. SW4 colves the seismic wave equations in Cartesian corrdinates. It is therefore appropriate for regional simulations, where the curvature of the earth can be neglected. SW4 implements a free surface boundary condition on a realistic topography, absorbing super-grid conditions on the far-field boundaries, and a kinematic source model consisting of point force and/or point moment tensor source terms. SW4 supports a fully 3-D heterogeneous material model that can be specified in several formats. SW4 can output synthetic seismograms in an ASCII test format, or in the SAC finarymore » format. It can also present simulation information as GMT scripts, whixh can be used to create annotated maps. Furthermore, SW4 can output the solution as well as the material model along 2-D grid planes.« less

Continental lithospheric subduction and intermediate-depth seismicity: Constraints from S-wave velocity structures in the Pamir and Hindu Kush

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wei; Chen, Yun; Yuan, Xiaohui; Schurr, Bernd; Mechie, James; Oimahmadov, Ilhomjon; Fu, Bihong

2018-01-01

The Pamir has experienced more intense deformation and shortening than Tibet, although it has a similar history of terrane accretion. Subduction as a primary way to accommodate lithospheric shortening beneath the Pamir has induced the intermediate-depth seismicity, which is rare in Tibet. Here we construct a 3D S-wave velocity model of the lithosphere beneath the Pamir by surface wave tomography using data of the TIPAGE (Tien Shan-Pamir Geodynamic program) and other seismic networks in the area. We imaged a large-scale low velocity anomaly in the crust at 20-50 km depth in the Pamir overlain by a high velocity anomaly at a depth shallower than 15 km. The high velocity anomalies colocate with exposed gneiss domes, which may imply a similar history of crustal deformation, partial melting and exhumation in the hinterland, as has occurred in the Himalaya/Tibet system. At mantle depths, where the intermediate-depth earthquakes are located, a low velocity zone is clearly observed extending to about 180 km and 150 km depth in the Hindu Kush and eastern Pamir, respectively. Moreover, the geometry of the low-velocity anomaly suggests that lower crustal material has been pulled down into the mantle by the subducting Asian and Indian lithospheric mantle beneath the Pamir and Hindu Kush, respectively. Metamorphic processes in the subducting lower crust may cause the intermediate-depth seismicity down to 150-180 km depth beneath the Pamir and Hindu Kush. We inverted focal mechanisms in the seismic zone for the stress field. Differences in the stress field between the upper and lower parts of the Indian slab imply that subduction and detachment of the Indian lithosphere might cause intense seismicity associated with the thermal shear instability in the deep Hindu Kush.

A Novel Approach to Constrain Near-Surface Seismic Wave Speed Based on Polarization Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, S.; Ishii, M.

2016-12-01

Understanding the seismic responses of cities around the world is essential for the risk assessment of earthquake hazards. One of the important parameters is the elastic structure of the sites, in particular, near-surface seismic wave speed, that influences the level of ground shaking. Many methods have been developed to constrain the elastic structure of the populated sites or urban basins, and here, we introduce a new technique based on analyzing the polarization content or the three-dimensional particle motion of seismic phases arriving at the sites. Polarization analysis of three-component seismic data was widely used up to about two decades ago, to detect signals and identify different types of seismic arrivals. Today, we have good understanding of the expected polarization direction and ray parameter for seismic wave arrivals that are calculated based on a reference seismic model. The polarization of a given phase is also strongly sensitive to the elastic wave speed immediately beneath the station. This allows us to compare the observed and predicted polarization directions of incoming body waves and infer the near-surface wave speed. This approach is applied to High-Sensitivity Seismograph Network in Japan, where we benchmark the results against the well-log data that are available at most stations. There is a good agreement between our estimates of seismic wave speeds and those from well logs, confirming the efficacy of the new method. In most urban environments, where well logging is not a practical option for measuring the seismic wave speeds, this method can provide a reliable, non-invasive, and computationally inexpensive estimate of near-surface elastic properties.

Experimental study on impact-induced seismic wave propagating through quartz sand simulating asteroid regolith

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsue, Kazuma; Arakawa, Masahiko; Yasui, Minami; Matsumoto, Rie; Tsujido, Sayaka; Takano, Shota; Hasegawa, Sunao

2015-08-01

Introduction: Recent spacecraft surveys clarified that asteroid surfaces were covered with regolith made of boulders and pebbles such as that found on the asteroid Itokawa. It was also found that surface morphologies of asteroids formed on the regolith layer were modified. For example, the high-resolution images of the asteroid Eros revealed the evidence of the downslope movement of the regolith layer, then it could cause the degradation and the erasure of small impact crater. One possible process to explain these observations is the regolith layer collapse caused by seismic vibration after projectile impacts. The impact-induced seismic wave might be an important physical process affecting the morphology change of regolith layer on asteroid surfaces. Therefore, it is significant for us to know the relationship between the impact energy and the impact-induced seismic wave. So in this study, we carried out impact cratering experiments in order to observe the seismic wave propagating through the target far from the impact crater.Experimental method: Impact cratering experiments were conducted by using a single stage vertical gas gun set at Kobe Univ and a two-stage vertical gas gun set at ISAS. We used quartz sands with the particle diameter of 500μm, and the bulk density of 1.48g/cm3. The projectile was a ball made of polycarbonate with the diameter of 4.75mm and aluminum, titan, zirconia, stainless steel, cupper, tungsten carbide projectile with the diameter of 2mm. These projectiles were launched at the impact velocity from 0.2 to 7km/s. The target was set in a vacuum chamber evacuated below 10 Pa. We measured the seismic wave by using a piezoelectric uniaxial accelerometer.Result: The impact-induced seismic wave was measured to show a large single peak and found to attenuate with the propagation distance. The maximum acceleration of the seismic wave was recognized to have a good relationship with the normalized distance x/R, where x is the propagation distance

A new impulsive seismic shear wave source for near-surface (0-30 m) seismic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crane, J. M.; Lorenzo, J. M.

2010-12-01

Estimates of elastic moduli and fluid content in shallow (0-30 m) natural soils below artificial flood containment structures can be particularly useful in levee monitoring as well as seismic hazard studies. Shear wave moduli may be estimated from horizontally polarized, shear wave experiments. However, long profiles (>10 km) with dense receiver and shot spacings (<1m) cannot be collected efficiently using currently available shear wave sources. We develop a new, inexpensive, shear wave source for collecting fast, shot gathers over large acquisition sites. In particular, gas-charged, organic-rich sediments comprising most lower-delta sedimentary facies, greatly attenuate compressional body-waves. On the other hand, SH waves are relatively insensitive to pore-fluid moduli and can improve resolution. We develop a recoil device (Jolly, 1956) into a single-user, light-weight (<20 kg), impulsive, ground-surface-coupled SH wave generator, which is capable of working at rates of several hundred shotpoints per day. Older impulsive methods rely on hammer blows to ground-planted stationary targets. Our source is coupled to the ground with steel spikes and the powder charge can be detonated mechanically or electronically. Electrical fuses show repeatability in start times of < 50 microseconds. The barrel and shell-holder exceed required thicknesses to ensure complete safety during use. The breach confines a black-powder, 12-gauge shotgun shell, loaded with inert, environmentally safe ballast. In urban settings, produced heat and sound are confined by a detached, exterior cover. A moderate 2.5 g black-powder charge generates seismic amplitudes equivalent to three 4-kg sledge-hammer blows. We test this device to elucidate near subsurface sediment properties at former levee breach sites in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Our radio-telemetric seismic acquisition system uses an in-house landstreamer, consisting of 14-Hz horizontal component geophones, coupled to steel plates

Controlled-source seismic interferometry with one way wave fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Neut, J.; Wapenaar, K.; Thorbecke, J. W.

2008-12-01

In Seismic Interferometry we generally cross-correlate registrations at two receiver locations and sum over an array of sources to retrieve a Green's function as if one of the receiver locations hosts a (virtual) source and the other receiver location hosts an actual receiver. One application of this concept is to redatum an area of surface sources to a downhole receiver location, without requiring information about the medium between the sources and receivers, thus providing an effective tool for imaging below complex overburden, which is also known as the Virtual Source method. We demonstrate how elastic wavefield decomposition can be effectively combined with controlled-source Seismic Interferometry to generate virtual sources in a downhole receiver array that radiate only down- or upgoing P- or S-waves with receivers sensing only down- or upgoing P- or S- waves. For this purpose we derive exact Green's matrix representations from a reciprocity theorem for decomposed wavefields. Required is the deployment of multi-component sources at the surface and multi- component receivers in a horizontal borehole. The theory is supported with a synthetic elastic model, where redatumed traces are compared with those of a directly modeled reflection response, generated by placing active sources at the virtual source locations and applying elastic wavefield decomposition on both source and receiver side.

Wavelet-based automatic determination of the P- and S-wave arrivals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogiatzis, P.; Ishii, M.

2013-12-01

The detection of P- and S-wave arrivals is important for a variety of seismological applications including earthquake detection and characterization, and seismic tomography problems such as imaging of hydrocarbon reservoirs. For many years, dedicated human-analysts manually selected the arrival times of P and S waves. However, with the rapid expansion of seismic instrumentation, automatic techniques that can process a large number of seismic traces are becoming essential in tomographic applications, and for earthquake early-warning systems. In this work, we present a pair of algorithms for efficient picking of P and S onset times. The algorithms are based on the continuous wavelet transform of the seismic waveform that allows examination of a signal in both time and frequency domains. Unlike Fourier transform, the basis functions are localized in time and frequency, therefore, wavelet decomposition is suitable for analysis of non-stationary signals. For detecting the P-wave arrival, the wavelet coefficients are calculated using the vertical component of the seismogram, and the onset time of the wave is identified. In the case of the S-wave arrival, we take advantage of the polarization of the shear waves, and cross-examine the wavelet coefficients from the two horizontal components. In addition to the onset times, the automatic picking program provides estimates of uncertainty, which are important for subsequent applications. The algorithms are tested with synthetic data that are generated to include sudden changes in amplitude, frequency, and phase. The performance of the wavelet approach is further evaluated using real data by comparing the automatic picks with manual picks. Our results suggest that the proposed algorithms provide robust measurements that are comparable to manual picks for both P- and S-wave arrivals.

Fluid-structure interaction dynamic simulation of spring-loaded pressure relief valves under seismic wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Dongwei; Zhang, Jian; Yu, Xinhai

2018-05-01

In this paper, a fluid-structure interaction dynamic simulation method of spring-loaded pressure relief valve was established. The dynamic performances of the fluid regions and the stress and strain of the structure regions were calculated at the same time by accurately setting up the contact pairs between the solid parts and the coupling surfaces between the fluid regions and the structure regions. A two way fluid-structure interaction dynamic simulation of a simplified pressure relief valve model was carried out. The influence of vertical sinusoidal seismic waves on the performance of the pressure relief valve was preliminarily investigated by loading sine waves. Under vertical seismic waves, the pressure relief valve will flutter, and the reseating pressure was affected by the amplitude and frequency of the seismic waves. This simulation method of the pressure relief valve under vertical seismic waves can provide effective means for investigating the seismic performances of the valves, and make up for the shortcomings of the experiment.

Investigation of sinkhole areas in Germany using 2D shear wave reflection seismics and zero-offset VSP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tschache, Saskia; Wadas, Sonja; Polom, Ulrich; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.

2017-04-01

Sinkholes pose a serious geohazard for humans and infrastructure in populated areas. The Junior Research Group Subrosion within the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics and the joint project SIMULTAN work on the multi-scale investigation of subrosion processes in the subsurface, which cause natural sinkholes. In two case studies in sinkhole areas of Thuringia in Germany, we applied 2D shear wave reflection seismics using SH-waves with the aim to detect suitable parameters for the characterisation of critical zones. This method has the potential to image near-surface collapse and faulting structures in improved resolution compared to P-wave surveys resulting from the shorter wavelength of shear waves. Additionally, the shear wave velocity field derived by NMO velocity analysis is a basis to calculate further physical parameters, as e.g. the dynamic shear modulus. In both investigation areas, vertical seismic profiles (VSP) were acquired by generating P- and SH-waves (6 component VSP) directly next to a borehole equipped with a 3C downhole sensor. They provide shear and compressional wave velocity profiles, which are used to improve the 2D shear wave velocity field from surface seismics, to perform a depth calibration of the seismic image and to calculate the Vp/Vs ratio. The signals in the VSP data are analysed with respect to changes in polarisation and attenuation with depth and/or azimuth. The VSP data reveal low shear wave velocities of 200-300 m/s in rock layers known to be heavily affected by subrosion and confirm the low velocities calculated from the surface seismic data. A discrepancy of the shear wave velocities is observed in other intervals probably due to unsymmetrical travel paths in the surface seismics. In some VSP data dominant conversion of the direct SH-wave to P-wave is observed that is assumed to be caused by an increased presence of cavities. A potential fault distorting the vertical travel paths was detected by abnormal P-wave first

Shear-wave polarization analysis of the seismic swarm following the July 9th 1998 Faial (Azores) earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dias, N. A.; Matias, L.; Tellez, J.; Senos, L.; Gaspar, J. L.

2003-04-01

The Azores Islands, located at a tectonic triple Junction, geodynamically are a highly active place. The seismicity in this region occurs mainly in the form of two types of seismic swarms with tectonic and/or volcanic origins, lasting from hours to years. In some cases the swarm follows a main stronger shock, while in others the more energetic event occurs sometime after the beginning of the swarm. In order to understand the complex phenomena of this region, a multidisciplinary approach is needed, involving geophysical, geological and geochemical studies such as the one being carried under the MASHA project (POCTI/CTA/39158/2001), On July 9th 1998 an Mw=6.2 earthquake stroked the island of Faial, in the central group of the Azores archipelago, followed by a seismic swarm still active today. We will present some preliminary results of the shear-wave polarization analysis of a selected dataset of events of this swarm. These correspond to the 112 best- constrained events, record during the first 2 weeks by the seismic network deployed on the 3 islands surrounding the area of the main shock. The objective was to analyse the behaviour of the S wave polarization and the eventual relationship with the presence of seismic anisotropy under the seismic stations, and to correlate this with the regional structure and origin of the Azores plateau. Two main tectonic features are observable on the islands, one primarily orientated SE-NW and the other crossing it roughly with the WNW-ESE direction. The polarization direction observed in the majority of the seismic stations is not stable, varying from SE-NW to WSW-ENE, and showing also the presence in same cases of shear-wave splitting, indicating the presence of anisotropy. Part of the polarization seems to be coherent with the direction of the local tectonic features, but its instability suggest a more complex seismic anisotropy than that proposed by the model EDA of Crampin. Furthermore, the dataset revealed some limitations to

Determining the upper mantle seismic structure beneath the northern Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica, from regional P- and S-wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brenn, Gregory Randall

Stretching 3,500 km across Antarctica, with peak elevations up to 4,500 m, the Transantarctic Mountains (TAMs) are the largest non-compressional continental mountain range on Earth and represent a tectonic boundary between the East Antarctica (EA) craton and the West Antarctic Rift System. The origin and uplift mechanism associated with the TAMs is controversial, and multiple models have been proposed. Seismic investigations of the TAM's subsurface structure can provide key constraints to help evaluate these models, but previous studies have been primarily focused only on the central TAMs near Ross Island. Using data from the new 15-station Transantarctic Mountain Northern Network as well as data from several smaller networks, this study investigates the upper mantle velocity structure beneath a previously unexplored portion of the northern TAMs through regional body wave tomography. Relative travel-times were calculated for 11,182 P-wave and 8,285 S-wave arrivals from 790 and 581 Mw ≥ 5.5 events, respectively, using multi-channel cross correlation, and these data were then inverted for models of the upper mantle seismic structure. Resulting P- and S-wave tomography images reveal two focused low velocity anomalies beneath Ross Island (RI; deltaVP ≈ -2.0%; deltaV S ≈ -1.5% to -4.0%) and Terra Nova Bay (TNB; deltaVP ≈ -1.5% to -2.0%; deltaVS ≈ -1.0% to -4.0%) that extend to depths of 200 and 150 km, respectively. The RI and TNB slow anomalies also extend 50-100 km laterally beneath the TAMs front and sharply abut fast velocities beneath the EA craton (deltaVP ≈ 0.5% to 2%; deltaV S ≈ 1.5% to 4.0%). A low velocity region (deltaVP ≈ -1.5%), centered at 150 km depth beneath the Terror Rift (TR) and primarily constrained within the Victoria Land Basin, connects the RI and TNB anomalies. The focused low velocities are interpreted as regions of partial melt and buoyancy-driven upwelling, connected by a broad region of slow (presumably warm) upper mantle

Diffusion approximation with polarization and resonance effects for the modelling of seismic waves in strongly scattering small-scale media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margerin, Ludovic

2013-01-01

This paper presents an analytical study of the multiple scattering of seismic waves by a collection of randomly distributed point scatterers. The theory assumes that the energy envelopes are smooth, but does not require perturbations to be small, thereby allowing the modelling of strong, resonant scattering. The correlation tensor of seismic coda waves recorded at a three-component sensor is decomposed into a sum of eigenmodes of the elastodynamic multiple scattering (Bethe-Salpeter) equation. For a general moment tensor excitation, a total number of four modes is necessary to describe the transport of seismic waves polarization. Their spatio-temporal dependence is given in closed analytical form. Two additional modes transporting exclusively shear polarizations may be excited by antisymmetric moment tensor sources only. The general solution converges towards an equipartition mixture of diffusing P and S waves which allows the retrieval of the local Green's function from coda waves. The equipartition time is obtained analytically and the impact of absorption on Green's function reconstruction is discussed. The process of depolarization of multiply scattered waves and the resulting loss of information is illustrated for various seismic sources. It is shown that coda waves may be used to characterize the source mechanism up to lapse times of the order of a few mean free times only. In the case of resonant scatterers, a formula for the diffusivity of seismic waves incorporating the effect of energy entrapment inside the scatterers is obtained. Application of the theory to high-contrast media demonstrates that coda waves are more sensitive to slow rather than fast velocity anomalies by several orders of magnitude. Resonant scattering appears as an attractive physical phenomenon to explain the small values of the diffusion constant of seismic waves reported in volcanic areas.

Numerical simulation of seismic wave propagation from land-excited large volume air-gun source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, W.; Zhang, W.

2017-12-01

The land-excited large volume air-gun source can be used to study regional underground structures and to detect temporal velocity changes. The air-gun source is characterized by rich low frequency energy (from bubble oscillation, 2-8Hz) and high repeatability. It can be excited in rivers, reservoirs or man-made pool. Numerical simulation of the seismic wave propagation from the air-gun source helps to understand the energy partitioning and characteristics of the waveform records at stations. However, the effective energy recorded at a distance station is from the process of bubble oscillation, which can not be approximated by a single point source. We propose a method to simulate the seismic wave propagation from the land-excited large volume air-gun source by finite difference method. The process can be divided into three parts: bubble oscillation and source coupling, solid-fluid coupling and the propagation in the solid medium. For the first part, the wavelet of the bubble oscillation can be simulated by bubble model. We use wave injection method combining the bubble wavelet with elastic wave equation to achieve the source coupling. Then, the solid-fluid boundary condition is implemented along the water bottom. And the last part is the seismic wave propagation in the solid medium, which can be readily implemented by the finite difference method. Our method can get accuracy waveform of land-excited large volume air-gun source. Based on the above forward modeling technology, we analysis the effect of the excited P wave and the energy of converted S wave due to different water shapes. We study two land-excited large volume air-gun fields, one is Binchuan in Yunnan, and the other is Hutubi in Xinjiang. The station in Binchuan, Yunnan is located in a large irregular reservoir, the waveform records have a clear S wave. Nevertheless, the station in Hutubi, Xinjiang is located in a small man-made pool, the waveform records have very weak S wave. Better understanding of

Noise-based body-wave seismic tomography in an active underground mine.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olivier, G.; Brenguier, F.; Campillo, M.; Lynch, R.; Roux, P.

2014-12-01

Over the last decade, ambient noise tomography has become increasingly popular to image the earth's upper crust. The seismic noise recorded in the earth's crust is dominated by surface waves emanating from the interaction of the ocean with the solid earth. These surface waves are low frequency in nature ( < 1 Hz) and not usable for imaging smaller structures associated with mining or oil and gas applications. The seismic noise recorded at higher frequencies are typically from anthropogenic sources, which are short lived, spatially unstable and not well suited for constructing seismic Green's functions between sensors with conventional cross-correlation methods. To examine the use of ambient noise tomography for smaller scale applications, continuous data were recorded for 5 months in an active underground mine in Sweden located more than 1km below surface with 18 high frequency seismic sensors. A wide variety of broadband (10 - 3000 Hz) seismic noise sources are present in an active underground mine ranging from drilling, scraping, trucks, ore crushers and ventilation fans. Some of these sources generate favorable seismic noise, while others are peaked in frequency and not usable. In this presentation, I will show that the noise generated by mining activity can be useful if periods of seismic noise are carefully selected. Although noise sources are not temporally stable and not evenly distributed around the sensor array, good estimates of the seismic Green's functions between sensors can be retrieved for a broad frequency range (20 - 400 Hz) when a selective stacking scheme is used. For frequencies below 100 Hz, the reconstructed Green's functions show clear body-wave arrivals for almost all of the 153 sensor pairs. The arrival times of these body-waves are picked and used to image the local velocity structure. The resulting 3-dimensional image shows a high velocity structure that overlaps with a known ore-body. The material properties of the ore-body differ from

Significantly Improving Regional Seismic Amplitude Tomography at Higher Frequencies by Determining S -Wave Bandwidth

DOE PAGES

Fisk, Mark D.; Pasyanos, Michael E.

2016-05-03

Characterizing regional seismic signals continues to be a difficult problem due to their variability. Calibration of these signals is very important to many aspects of monitoring underground nuclear explosions, including detecting seismic signals, discriminating explosions from earthquakes, and reliably estimating magnitude and yield. Amplitude tomography, which simultaneously inverts for source, propagation, and site effects, is a leading method of calibrating these signals. A major issue in amplitude tomography is the data quality of the input amplitude measurements. Pre-event and prephase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) tests are typically used but can frequently include bad signals and exclude good signals. The deficiencies ofmore » SNR criteria, which are demonstrated here, lead to large calibration errors. To ameliorate these issues, we introduce a semi-automated approach to assess the bandwidth of a spectrum where it behaves physically. We determine the maximum frequency (denoted as F max) where it deviates from this behavior due to inflections at which noise or spurious signals start to bias the spectra away from the expected decay. We compare two amplitude tomography runs using the SNR and new F max criteria and show significant improvements to the stability and accuracy of the tomography output for frequency bands higher than 2 Hz by using our assessments of valid S-wave bandwidth. We compare Q estimates, P/S residuals, and some detailed results to explain the improvements. Lastly, for frequency bands higher than 4 Hz, needed for effective P/S discrimination of explosions from earthquakes, the new bandwidth criteria sufficiently fix the instabilities and errors so that the residuals and calibration terms are useful for application.« less

A Study on distinguishing seismic waves caused by natural earthquakes and underground nuclear explosion within North Korean Context

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Premlet, B.; Sabu, S.; Kamarudheen, R.; Subair, S.

2017-12-01

Since the first nuclear test on 15 July 1945 , there have been over 2,051 other weapon tests around the world . The waveforms of a natural earthquake which generates strong S waves and an underground explosion which is dominated by P waves were distinguished from the analysis of data corresponding to a 2005 M5.0 Earthquake and a 2016 North Korean nuclear test , both at similar distances from seismometer . Further differences between the seismograms were evaluated and successfully distinguished between the origins of the elastic waves through the data using Moment Tensor Solution using stations BJT , HIA and INCN . North Korea has developed a nuclear fuel cycle capability and has both plutonium and enriched uranium programs at Pyongyang . Seismic recordings of vertical ground motion at Global Seismographic Network station IC.MDJ of the 4 seismic events at Punggye-ri , North Korea , which occurred on the 9th of October 2006 , 25th of May 2009, 12th of February 2013 and on the 6th of January and 9th of September , 2016 were examined and the P waves of these seismic waves , which show very similar wave form , were inspected and compared to the seismic data of the latest underground nuclear test on the 3rd of September 2017 at 03:30 UTC at the same site which is many times more powerful than the previous tests . The country , which is the only nation to have tested nuclear weapons in this millennium , has successfully prevented the release of radioactive isotopes and hampered data collection but further studies were done using acoustic data which was analysed from sonograms of the 4 North Korean tests at station MDJ. The latest explosion data from 3rd September was also compared to 42 presumed underground explosions which occurred in China , India , the U.S.S.R , Iran , Turkey and recorded at Arkansas Seismic Network.

Seismicity and S-wave velocity structure of the crust and the upper mantle in the Baikal rift and adjacent regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seredkina, Alena; Kozhevnikov, Vladimir; Melnikova, Valentina; Solovey, Oksana

2016-12-01

Correlations between seismicity, seismotectonic deformation (STD) field and velocity structure of the crust and the upper mantle in the Baikal rift and the adjacent areas of the Siberian platform and the Mongol-Okhotsk fold belt have been investigated. The 3D S-wave velocity structure up to the depths of 500 km has been modeled using a representative sample of Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion curves (about 3200 paths) at periods from 10 to 250 s. The STD pattern has been reconstructed from mechanisms of large earthquakes, and is in good agreement with GPS and structural data. Analysis of the results has shown that most of large shallow earthquakes fall in regions of low S-wave velocities in the uppermost mantle (western Mongolia and areas of recent mountain building in southern Siberia) and in zones of their relatively high lateral variations (northeastern flank of the Baikal rift). In the first case the dominant STD regime is compression manifested in a mixture of thrust and strike-slip deformations. In the second case we observe a general predominance of extension.

Finite-Frequency Simulations of Core-Reflected Seismic Waves to Assess Models of General Lower Mantle Anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowacki, A.; Walker, A. M.; Wookey, J.; Kendall, J.

2012-12-01

The core-mantle boundary (CMB) region is the site of the largest change in properties in the Earth. Moreover, the lowermost mantle above it (known as D″) shows the largest lateral variations in seismic velocity and strength of seismic anisotropy below the upper mantle. It is therefore vital to be able to accurately forward model candidate structures in the lowermost mantle with realistic sensitivity to structure and at the same frequencies at which observations are made. We use the spectral finite-element method to produce synthetic seismograms of ScS waves traversing a model of D″ anisotropy derived from mineralogical texture calculations and show that the seismic discontinuity atop the lowermost mantle varies in character laterally purely as a function of the strength and orientation of anisotropy. The lowermost mantle is widely anisotropic, shown by numerous shear wave splitting studies using waves of dominant frequency ~0.2-1 Hz. Whilst methods exist to model the finite-frequency seismic response of the lowermost mantle, most make the problem computationally efficient by imposing a certain symmetry to the problem, and of those which do not, almost none allow for completely general elasticity. Where low frequencies are simulated to reduce computational cost, it is uncertain whether waves of that frequency have comparable sensitivity to D″ structure as those observed at shorter periods. Currently, therefore, these computational limitations precludes the ability to interpret our observations fully. We present recent developments in taking a general approach to forward-modelling waves in D″. We use a modified version of SPECFEM3D_GLOBE, which uses the spectral finite-element method to model seismic wave propagation in a fully generally-elastic (i.e., 3D-varying, arbitrarily anisotropic) Earth. The calculations are computationally challenging: to approach the frequency of the observations, up to 10,000 processor cores and up to 2 TB of memory are needed. The

Determining the Upper Mantle Seismic Structure beneath the Northern Transantarctic Mountains from Regional P- and S-wave Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brenn, G.; Hansen, S. E.; Park, Y.

2016-12-01

Stretching 3500 km across Antarctica, the Transantarctic Mountains (TAMs) are the largest non-compressional mountain range on Earth. It has been suggested that the TAMs may have served as a nucleation point for the large-scale glaciation of Antarctica, and understanding their tectonic history has important implications for ice sheet modeling. However, the origin and uplift mechanism associated with the TAMs is controversial, and multiple models have been proposed. Seismic investigations of the TAM's subsurface structure can provide key constraints to help evaluate these models, but previous studies have been primarily focused on the central TAMs near Ross Island. Using data from the new 15-station Transantarctic Mountain Northern Network as well as data from several smaller networks, this study investigates the upper mantle velocity structure beneath a previously unexplored portion of the northern TAMs through regional body wave tomography. Relative travel-times were calculated for 11,182 P-wave and 8,285 S-wave arrivals from 790 and 581 Mw ≥ 5.5 events, respectively, using multi-channel cross correlation, and these data were then inverted for models of the upper mantle seismic structure. Resulting P- and S-wave tomography images reveal two focused low velocity anomalies beneath Ross Island (RI; δVP= -2.0%; δVS=-1.5% to -4.0%) and Terra Nova Bay (TNB; δVP=-1.5% to -2.0%; δVS= -1.0% to -4.0%) that extend to depths of 200 and 150 km, respectively. The RI and TNB slow anomalies also extend 50-100 km laterally beneath the TAMs front and sharply abut fast velocities beneath the EA craton (δVP=0.5% to 2%; δVS=1.5% to 4.0%). A low velocity region (δVP= -1.5%), centered at 150 km depth beneath the Terror Rift (TR) and primarily constrained within the Victoria Land Basin, connects the RI and TNB anomalies. The focused low velocities are interpreted as regions of partial melt and buoyancy-driven upwelling, connected by a broad region of slow (presumably warm) upper

Earthquake early warning using P-waves that appear after initial S-waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodera, Y.

2017-12-01

As measures for underprediction for large earthquakes with finite faults and overprediction for multiple simultaneous earthquakes, Hoshiba (2013), Hoshiba and Aoki (2015), and Kodera et al. (2016) proposed earthquake early warning (EEW) methods that directly predict ground motion by computing the wave propagation of observed ground motion. These methods are expected to predict ground motion with a high accuracy even for complicated scenarios because these methods do not need source parameter estimation. On the other hand, there is room for improvement in their rapidity because they predict strong motion prediction mainly based on the observation of S-waves and do not explicitly use P-wave information available before the S-waves. In this research, we propose a real-time P-wave detector to incorporate P-wave information into these wavefield-estimation approaches. P-waves within a few seconds from the P-onsets are commonly used in many existing EEW methods. In addition, we focus on P-waves that may appear in the later part of seismic waves. Kurahashi and Irikura (2013) mentioned that P-waves radiated from strong motion generation areas (SMGAs) were recognizable after S-waves of the initial rupture point in the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake (Mw 9.0) (the Tohoku-oki earthquake). Detecting these P-waves would enhance the rapidity of prediction for the peak ground motion generated by SMGAs. We constructed a real-time P-wave detector that uses a polarity analysis. Using acceleration records in boreholes of KiK-net (band-pass filtered around 0.5-10 Hz with site amplification correction), the P-wave detector performed the principal component analysis with a sliding window of 4 s and calculated P-filter values (e.g. Ross and Ben-Zion, 2014). The application to the Tohoku-oki earthquake (Mw 9.0) showed that (1) peaks of P-filter that corresponded to SMGAs appeared in several stations located near SMGAs and (2) real-time seismic intensities (Kunugi et al

Integration of P- and SH-wave high-resolution seismic reflection and micro-gravity techniques to improve interpretation of shallow subsurface structure: New Madrid seismic zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bexfield, C.E.; McBride, J.H.; Pugin, Andre J.M.; Ravat, D.; Biswas, S.; Nelson, W.J.; Larson, T.H.; Sargent, S.L.; Fillerup, M.A.; Tingey, B.E.; Wald, L.; Northcott, M.L.; South, J.V.; Okure, M.S.; Chandler, M.R.

2006-01-01

Shallow high-resolution seismic reflection surveys have traditionally been restricted to either compressional (P) or horizontally polarized shear (SH) waves in order to produce 2-D images of subsurface structure. The northernmost Mississippi embayment and coincident New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ) provide an ideal laboratory to study the experimental use of integrating P- and SH-wave seismic profiles, integrated, where practicable, with micro-gravity data. In this area, the relation between "deeper" deformation of Paleozoic bedrock associated with the formation of the Reelfoot rift and NMSZ seismicity and "shallower" deformation of overlying sediments has remained elusive, but could be revealed using integrated P- and SH-wave reflection. Surface expressions of deformation are almost non-existent in this region, which makes seismic reflection surveying the only means of detecting structures that are possibly pertinent to seismic hazard assessment. Since P- and SH-waves respond differently to the rock and fluid properties and travel at dissimilar speeds, the resulting seismic profiles provide complementary views of the subsurface based on different levels of resolution and imaging capability. P-wave profiles acquired in southwestern Illinois and western Kentucky (USA) detect faulting of deep, Paleozoic bedrock and Cretaceous reflectors while coincident SH-wave surveys show that this deformation propagates higher into overlying Tertiary and Quaternary strata. Forward modeling of micro-gravity data acquired along one of the seismic profiles further supports an interpretation of faulting of bedrock and Cretaceous strata. The integration of the two seismic and the micro-gravity methods therefore increases the scope for investigating the relation between the older and younger deformation in an area of critical seismic hazard. ?? 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Seismo-Electromagnetic Emissions Related to Seismic Waves can Trigger TLEs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sorokin, Leonid V.

2009-04-01

This paper deals with the rare high intensity electromagnetic pulses associated with earthquakes, whose spectrum signature differs from that of atmospherics produced by lightning discharges. On the basis of actual data records, cases of the generation of anomalous seismo-electromagnetic emissions are described. These natural sub-millisecond electromagnetic pulses were associated with the passage of seismic waves from earthquakes to Moscow, the place where the electromagnetic field observations were made. Space-time coupling has been revealed between exact seismic waves from the earthquakes, lightning triggering and Transient Luminous Events triggering.

Incorporating fault zone head wave and direct wave secondary arrival times into seismic tomography: Application at Parkfield, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennington, N. L.; Thurber, C. H.; Zhang, H.; Peng, Z.; Zhao, P.

2011-12-01

Large crustal faults such as the San Andreas fault (SAF) often juxtapose rocks of significantly different elastic properties, resulting in well-defined bimaterial interfaces. A sharp material contrast across the fault interface is expected to generate fault zone head waves (FZHW's) that spend a large portion of their propagation paths refracting along the bimaterial interface (Ben-Zion 1989, 1990; Ben-Zion & Aki 1990). Because of this FZHW's provide a high-resolution tool for imaging the velocity contrast across the fault. Recently, Zhao et al. (2010) systematically analyzed large data sets of near-fault waveforms recorded by several permanent and temporary seismic networks along the Parkfield section of the SAF. The local-scale tomography study of Zhang et al. (2009) for a roughly 10 km3 volume centered on SAFOD and the more regional-scale study of Thurber et al. (2006) for a 130 km x 120 km x 20 km volume centered on the 2004 Parkfield earthquake rupture provide what are probably the best 3D images of the seismic velocity structure of the area. The former shows a low velocity zone associated with the SAF extending to significant depth, and both image the well-known velocity contrast across the fault. Seismic tomography generally uses just first P and/or S arrivals because of the relative simplicity of phase picking and ray tracing. Adding secondary arrivals such as FZHW's, however, can enhance the resolution of structure and strengthen constraints on earthquake locations and focal mechanisms. We present a model of 3D velocity structure for the Parkfield region that utilizes a combination of arrival times for FZHW's and the associated direct-wave secondary arrivals as well as existing P-wave arrival time data. The resulting image provides a higher-resolution model of the SAF at depth than previously published models. In addition, we plan to measure polarizations of the direct P and S waves and FZHW's and incorporate the data into our updated velocity tomography

Quantitative analysis of seismic fault zone waves in the rupture zone of the 1992 Landers, California, earthquake: Evidence for a shallow trapping structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peng, Z.; Ben-Zion, Y.; Michael, A.J.; Zhu, L.

2003-01-01

We analyse quantitatively a waveform data set of 238 earthquakes recorded by a dense seismic array across and along the rupture zone of the 1992 Landers earthquake. A grid-search method with station delay corrections is used to locate events that do not have catalogue locations. The quality of fault zone trapped waves generated by each event is determined from the ratios of seismic energy in time windows corresponding to trapped waves and direct S waves at stations close to and off the fault zone. Approximately 70 per cent of the events with S-P times of less than 2 s, including many clearly off the fault, produce considerable trapped wave energy. This distribution is in marked contrast with previous claims that trapped waves are generated only by sources close to or inside the Landers rupture zone. The time difference between the S arrival and trapped waves group does not grow systematically with increasing hypocentral distance and depth. The dispersion measured from the trapped waves is weak. These results imply that the seismic trapping structure at the Landers rupture zone is shallow and does not extend continuously along-strike by more than a few kilometres. Synthetic waveform modelling indicates that the fault zone waveguide has depth of approximately 2-4 km, a width of approximately 200 m, an S-wave velocity reduction relative to the host rock of approximately 30-40 per cent and an S-wave attenuation coefficient of approximately 20-30. The fault zone waveguide north of the array appears to be shallower and weaker than that south of the array. The waveform modelling also indicates that the seismic trapping structure below the array is centred approximately 100 m east of the surface break.

Methods for use in detecting seismic waves in a borehole

DOEpatents

West, Phillip B.; Fincke, James R.; Reed, Teddy R.

2007-02-20

The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting seismic waves propagating through a subterranean formation surrounding a borehole. In a first embodiment, a sensor module uses the rotation of bogey wheels to extend and retract a sensor package for selective contact and magnetic coupling to casing lining the borehole. In a second embodiment, a sensor module is magnetically coupled to the casing wall during its travel and dragged therealong while maintaining contact therewith. In a third embodiment, a sensor module is interfaced with the borehole environment to detect seismic waves using coupling through liquid in the borehole. Two or more of the above embodiments may be combined within a single sensor array to provide a resulting seismic survey combining the optimum of the outputs of each embodiment into a single data set.

Seismic excitation by space shuttles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kanamori, H.; Mori, J.; Sturtevant, B.; Anderson, D.L.; Heaton, T.

1992-01-01

Shock waves generated by the space shuttles Columbia (August 13, 1989), Atlantis (April 11, 1991) and Discovery (September 18, 1991) on their return to Edwards Air Force Base, California, were recorded by TERRAscope (Caltech's broadband seismic network), the Caltech-U.S.G.S Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN), and the University of Southern California (USC) Los Angeles Basin Seismic Network. The spatial pattern of the arrival times exhibits hyperbolic shock fronts from which the path, velocity and altitude of the space shuttle could be determined. The shock wave was acoustically coupled to the ground, converted to a seismic wave, and recorded clearly at the broadband TERRAscope stations. The acoustic coupling occurred very differently depending on the conditions of the Earth's surface surrounding the station. For a seismic station located on hard bedrock, the shock wave (N wave) was clearly recorded with little distortion. Aside from the N wave, very little acoustic coupling of the shock wave energy to the ground occurred at these sites. The observed N wave record was used to estimate the overpressure of the shock wave accurately; a pressure change of 0.5 to 2.2 mbars was obtained. For a seismic station located close to the ocean or soft sedimentary basins, a significant amount of shock wave energy was transferred to the ground through acoustic coupling of the shock wave and the oceanic Rayleigh wave. A distinct topography such as a mountain range was found effective to couple the shock wave energy to the ground. Shock wave energy was also coupled to the ground very effectively through large man made structures such as high rise buildings and offshore oil drilling platforms. For the space shuttle Columbia, in particular, a distinct pulse having a period of about 2 to 3 seconds was observed, 12.5 s before the shock wave, with a broadband seismograph in Pasadena. This pulse was probably excited by the high rise buildings in downtown Los Angeles which were

SeismoDome: Sonic and visual representation of earthquakes and seismic waves in the planetarium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holtzman, B. K.; Candler, J.; Repetto, D.; Pratt, M. J.; Paté, A.; Turk, M.; Gualtieri, L.; Peter, D. B.; Trakinski, V.; Ebel, D. S. S.; Gossmann, J.; Lem, N.

2017-12-01

Since 2014, we have produced four "Seismodome" public programs in the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. To teach the general public about the dynamics of the Earth, we use a range of seismic data (seismicity catalogs, surface and body wave fields, ambient noise, free oscillations) to generate movies and sounds conveying aspects of the physics of earthquakes and seismic waves. The narrative aims to stretch people's sense of time and scale, starting with 2 billion years of convection, then zooming in seismicity over days to twenty years at different length scales, to hours of global seismic wave propagation, all compressed to minute long movies. To optimize the experience in the planetarium, the 180-degree fisheye screen corresponds directly to the surface of the Earth, such that the audience is inside the planet. The program consists of three main elements (1) Using sonified and animated seismicity catalogs, comparison of several years of earthquakes on different plate boundaries conveys the dramatic differences in their dynamics and the nature of great and "normal" earthquakes. (2) Animations of USArray data (based on "Ground Motion Visualizations" methods from IRIS but in 3D, with added sound) convey the basic observations of seismic wave fields, with which we raise questions about what they tell us about earthquake physics and the Earth's interior structure. (3) Movies of spectral element simulations of global seismic wave fields synchronized with sonified natural data push these questions further, especially when viewed from the interior of the planet. Other elements include (4) sounds of the global ambient noise field coupled to movies of mean ocean wave height (related to the noise source) and (5) three months of free oscillations / normal modes ringing after the Tohoku earthquake. We use and develop a wide range of sonification and animation methods, written mostly in python. Flat-screen versions of these movies

Upper mantle seismic structure beneath southwest Africa from finite-frequency P- and S-wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Youssof, Mohammad; Yuan, Xiaohui; Tilmann, Frederik; Heit, Benjamin; Weber, Michael; Jokat, Wilfried; Geissler, Wolfram; Laske, Gabi; Eken, Tuna; Lushetile, Bufelo

2015-04-01

We present a 3D high-resolution seismic model of the southwestern Africa region from teleseismic tomographic inversion of the P- and S- wave data recorded by the amphibious WALPASS network. We used 40 temporary stations in southwestern Africa with records for a period of 2 years (the OBS operated for 1 year), between November 2010 and November 2012. The array covers a surface area of approximately 600 by 1200 km and is located at the intersection of the Walvis Ridge, the continental margin of northern Namibia, and extends into the Congo craton. Major questions that need to be understood are related to the impact of asthenosphere-lithosphere interaction, (plume-related features), on the continental areas and the evolution of the continent-ocean transition that followed the break-up of Gondwana. This process is supposed to leave its imprint as distinct seismic signature in the upper mantle. Utilizing 3D sensitivity kernels, we invert traveltime residuals to image velocity perturbations in the upper mantle down to 1000 km depth. To test the robustness of our tomographic image we employed various resolution tests which allow us to evaluate the extent of smearing effects and help defining the optimum inversion parameters (i.e., damping and smoothness) used during the regularization of inversion process. Resolution assessment procedure includes also a detailed investigation of the effect of the crustal corrections on the final images, which strongly influenced the resolution for the mantle structures. We present detailed tomographic images of the oceanic and continental lithosphere beneath the study area. The fast lithospheric keel of the Congo Craton reaches a depth of ~250 km. Relatively low velocity perturbations have been imaged within the orogenic Damara Belt down to a depth of ~150 km, probably related to surficial suture zones and the presence of fertile material. A shallower depth extent of the lithospheric plate of ~100 km was observed beneath the ocean

Teleseismic surface wave study of S-wave velocity structure in Southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prindle-Sheldrake, K. L.; Tanimoto, T.

2002-12-01

We report on a 3D S-wave velocity structure derived from teleseismic Rayleigh and Love waves using TriNet broadband seismic data. Phase velocity maps, constructed between 20 and 55 mHz for Rayleigh waves and between 25 and 45 mHz for Love waves, were inverted for S-wave velocity structure at depth. Our starting model is SCEC 2.2, which has detailed crustal structure, but laterally homogeneous upper mantle structure. Depth resolution from the data set is good from the surface to approximately 100 km, but deteriorates rapidly beyond this depth. Our analysis indicates that, while Rayleigh wave data are mostly sensitive to mantle structure, Love wave data require some modifications of crustal structure from SCEC 2.2 model. Various regions in Southern California have different seismic-velocity signatures in terms of fast and slow S-wave velocities: In the Southern Sierra, both the crust and mantle are slow. In the Mojave desert, mid-crustal depths tend to show slow velocities, which are already built into SCEC 2.2. In the Transverse Ranges, the lower crust and mantle are both fast. Our Love wave results require much faster crustal velocity than those in SCEC 2.2 in this region. In the Peninsular ranges, both the crust and mantle are fast with mantle fast velocity extending to about 70 km. This is slightly more shallow than the depth extent under the Transverse Ranges, yet it is surprisingly deep. Under the Salton Sea, the upper crust is very slow and the upper mantle is also slow. However, these two slow velocity layers are separated by faster velocity lower crust which creates a distinct contrast with respect to the adjacent slow velocity regions. Existence of such a relatively fast layer, sandwiched by slow velocities, are related to features in phase velocity maps, especially in the low frequency Love wave phase velocity map (25 mHz) and the high frequency Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps (above 40 mHz). Such a feature may be related to partial melting processes

Seismic waves in rocks with fluids and fractures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berryman, J.G.

2007-05-14

Seismic wave propagation through the earth is often stronglyaffected by the presence of fractures. When these fractures are filledwith fluids (oil, gas, water, CO2, etc.), the type and state of the fluid(liquid or gas) can make a large difference in the response of theseismic waves. This paper summarizes recent work on methods ofdeconstructing the effects of fractures, and any fluids within thesefractures, on seismic wave propagation as observed in reflection seismicdata. One method explored here is Thomsen's weak anisotropy approximationfor wave moveout (since fractures often induce elastic anisotropy due tononuniform crack-orientation statistics). Another method makes use ofsome very convenient fracturemore » parameters introduced previously thatpermit a relatively simple deconstruction of the elastic and wavepropagation behavior in terms of a small number of fracture parameters(whenever this is appropriate, as is certainly the case for small crackdensities). Then, the quantitative effects of fluids on thesecrack-influence parameters are shown to be directly related to Skempton scoefficient B of undrained poroelasticity (where B typically ranges from0 to 1). In particular, the rigorous result obtained for the low crackdensity limit is that the crack-influence parameters are multiplied by afactor (1 ? B) for undrained systems. It is also shown how fractureanisotropy affects Rayleigh wave speed, and how measured Rayleigh wavespeeds can be used to infer shear wave speed of the fractured medium.Higher crack density results are also presented by incorporating recentsimulation data on such cracked systems.« less

2.5D S-wave velocity model of the TESZ area in northern Poland from receiver function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilde-Piorko, Monika; Polkowski, Marcin; Grad, Marek

2016-04-01

Receiver function (RF) locally provides the signature of sharp seismic discontinuities and information about the shear wave (S-wave) velocity distribution beneath the seismic station. The data recorded by "13 BB Star" broadband seismic stations (Grad et al., 2015) and by few PASSEQ broadband seismic stations (Wilde-Piórko et al., 2008) are analysed to investigate the crustal and upper mantle structure in the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) in northern Poland. The TESZ is one of the most prominent suture zones in Europe separating the young Palaeozoic platform from the much older Precambrian East European craton. Compilation of over thirty deep seismic refraction and wide angle reflection profiles, vertical seismic profiling in over one hundred thousand boreholes and magnetic, gravity, magnetotelluric and thermal methods allowed for creation a high-resolution 3D P-wave velocity model down to 60 km depth in the area of Poland (Grad et al. 2016). On the other hand the receiver function methods give an opportunity for creation the S-wave velocity model. Modified ray-tracing method (Langston, 1977) are used to calculate the response of the structure with dipping interfaces to the incoming plane wave with fixed slowness and back-azimuth. 3D P-wave velocity model are interpolated to 2.5D P-wave velocity model beneath each seismic station and synthetic back-azimuthal sections of receiver function are calculated for different Vp/Vs ratio. Densities are calculated with combined formulas of Berteussen (1977) and Gardner et al. (1974). Next, the synthetic back-azimuthal sections of RF are compared with observed back-azimuthal sections of RF for "13 BB Star" and PASSEQ seismic stations to find the best 2.5D S-wave models down to 60 km depth. National Science Centre Poland provided financial support for this work by NCN grant DEC-2011/02/A/ST10/00284.

Shear-wave splitting in Quaternary sediments: Neotectonic implications in the central New Madrid seismic zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harris, J.B.

1996-01-01

Determining the extent and location of surface/near-surface structural deformation in the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ) is very important for evaluating earthquake hazards. A shallow shear-wave splitting experiment, located near the crest of the Lake County uplift (LCU) in the central NMSZ, shows the presence of near-surface azimuthal anisotropy believed to be associated with neotectonic deformation. A shallow fourcomponent data set, recorded using a hammer and mass source, displayed abundant shallow reflection energy on records made with orthogonal source-receiver orientations, an indicator of shear-wave splitting. Following rotation of the data matrix by 40??, the S1 and S2 sections (principal components of the data matrix) were aligned with the natural coordinate system at orientations of N35??W and N55??E, respectively. A dynamic mis-tie of 8 ms at a two-way traveltime of 375 ms produced an average azimuthal anisotropy of ???2% between the target reflector (top of Quaternary gravel at a depth of 35 m) and the surface. Based on the shear-wave polarization data, two explanations for the azimuthal anisotropy in the study area are (1) fractures/cracks aligned in response to near-surface tensional stress produced by uplift of the LCU, and (2) faults/fractures oriented parallel to the Kentucky Bend scarp, a recently identified surface deformation feature believed to be associated with contemporary seismicity in the central NMSZ. In addition to increased seismic resolution by the use of shear-wave methods in unconsolidated, water-saturated sediments, measurement of near-surface directional polarizations, produced by shear-wave splitting, may provide valuable information for identifying neotectonic deformation and evaluating associated earthquake hazards.

Seismic tomography of northeastern Tibetan Plateau from body wave arrival times and surface wave dispersion data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, H.; Yao, H.; Zhang, H.

2017-12-01

Reliable crustal and upper mantle structure is important to understand expansion of material from the Tibetan plateau to its northeastern margin. Previous studies have used either ambient noise tomography or body wave traveltime tomography to obtain the crustal velocity models in northeastern Tibetan Plateau. However, clear differences appear in these models obtained using different datasets. Here we propose to jointly invert local and teleseismic body wave arrival times and surface wave dispersion data from ambient noise cross correlation to obtain a unified P and S wavespeed model of the crust and upper mantle in NE Tibetan Plateau. Following Fang et al. (2016), we adopt the direct inversion strategy for surface wave data (Fang et al., 2015), which eliminates the need to construct the phase/group velocity maps and allows the straightforward incorporation of surface wave dispersion data into the body wave inversion framework. For body wave data including both local and teleseismic arrival times, we use the fast marching method (Rawlinson et al., 2004) in order to trace multiple seismic phases simultaneously. The joint inversion method takes advantage of the complementary strengths of different data types, with local body wave data constraining more on the P than S wavespeed in the crust, surface wave data most sensitive to S wavespeed in the crust and upper mantle, teleseismic body wave data resolving the upper mantle structure. A series of synthetic tests will be used to show the robustness and superiority of the joint inversion method. Besides, the inverted model will be validated by waveform simulation and comparison with other studies, like receiver function imaging. The resultant P and S wavespeed models, as well as the derived Vp/Vs model, will be essential to understand the regional tectonics of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, and to address the related geodynamic questions of the Tibetan Plateau formation and expansion.

Seismic anisotropy of northeastern Algeria from shear-wave splitting analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radi, Zohir; Yelles-Chaouche, Abdelkrim; Bokelmann, Götz

2015-11-01

There are few studies of internal deformation under northern Africa; here we present such a study. We analyze teleseismic shear-wave splitting for northeast Algeria, to improve our knowledge of lithospheric and asthenospheric deformation mechanisms in this region. We study waveform data generated by tens of teleseismic events recorded at five recently installed broadband (BB) stations in Algeria. These stations cover an area 2° across, extending from the Tellian geological units in the North to the Saharan Atlas units in the South. Analysis of SKS-wave splitting results insignificant spatial variations in fast polarization orientation, over a scale length of at most 100 km. The seismic anisotropy shows three clear spatial patterns. A general ENE-WSW orientation is observed under the stations in the north. This polarization orientation follows the direction of the Tell Atlas mountain chain, which is perpendicular to the convergence direction between Africa and Eurasia. Delay times vary significantly across the region, between 0.6 and 2.0 s. At several stations there is an indication of a WNW-ESE polarization orientation, which is apparently related to a later geodynamic evolutionary phase in this region. A third pattern of seismic anisotropy emerges in the South, with an orientation of roughly N-S. We discuss these observations in light of geodynamic models and present-day geodetic motion.

Deep-towed high resolution seismic imaging II: Determination of P-wave velocity distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marsset, B.; Ker, S.; Thomas, Y.; Colin, F.

2018-02-01

The acquisition of high resolution seismic data in deep waters requires the development of deep towed seismic sources and receivers able to deal with the high hydrostatic pressure environment. The low frequency piezoelectric transducer of the SYSIF (SYstème Sismique Fond) deep towed seismic device comply with the former requirement taking advantage of the coupling of a mechanical resonance (Janus driver) and a fluid resonance (Helmholtz cavity) to produce a large frequency bandwidth acoustic signal (220-1050 Hz). The ability to perform deep towed multichannel seismic imaging with SYSIF was demonstrated in 2014, yet, the ability to determine P-wave velocity distribution wasn't achieved. P-wave velocity analysis relies on the ratio between the source-receiver offset range and the depth of the seismic reflectors, thus towing the seismic source and receivers closer to the sea bed will provide a better geometry for P-wave velocity determination. Yet, technical issues, related to the acoustic source directivity, arise for this approach in the particular framework of piezoelectric sources. A signal processing sequence is therefore added to the initial processing flow. Data acquisition took place during the GHASS (Gas Hydrates, fluid Activities and Sediment deformations in the western Black Sea) cruise in the Romanian waters of the Black Sea. The results of the imaging processing are presented for two seismic data sets acquired over gas hydrates and gas bearing sediments. The improvement in the final seismic resolution demonstrates the validity of the velocity model.

Retrieval of P wave Basin Response from Autocorrelation of Seismic Noise-Jakarta, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saygin, E.; Cummins, P. R.; Lumley, D. E.

2016-12-01

Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta, is home to a very large (over 10 million), vulnerable population and is proximate to known active faults, as well as to the subduction of Australian plate, which has a megathrust at abut 300 km distance, as well as intraslab seismicity extending to directly beneath the city. It is also located in a basin filled with a thick layer of unconsolidated and poorly consolidated sediment, which increases the seismic hazard the city is facing. Therefore, the information on the seismic velocity structure of the basin is crucial for increasing our knowledge of the seismic risk. We undertook a passive deployment of broadband seismographs throughout the city over a 3-month interval in 2013-2014, recording ambient seismic noise at over 90 sites for intervals of 1 month or more. Here we consider autocorrelations of the vertical component of the continuously recorded seismic wavefield across this dense network to image the shallow P wave velocity structure of Jakarta, Indonesia. Unlike the surface wave Green's functions used in ambient noise tomography, the vertical-component autocorrelograms are dominated by body wave energy that is potentially sensitive to sharp velocity contrasts, which makes them useful in seismic imaging. Results show autocorrelograms at different seismic stations with travel time variations that largely reflect changes in sediment thickness across the basin. We also confirm the validity our interpretation of the observed autocorrelation waveforms by conducting 2D finite difference full waveform numerical modeling for randomly distributed seismic sources to retrieve the reflection response through autocorrelation.

Military applications and examples of near-surface seismic surface wave methods (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

sloan, S.; Stevens, R.

2013-12-01

Although not always widely known or publicized, the military uses a variety of geophysical methods for a wide range of applications--some that are already common practice in the industry while others are truly novel. Some of those applications include unexploded ordnance detection, general site characterization, anomaly detection, countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and security monitoring, to name a few. Techniques used may include, but are not limited to, ground penetrating radar, seismic, electrical, gravity, and electromagnetic methods. Seismic methods employed include surface wave analysis, refraction tomography, and high-resolution reflection methods. Although the military employs geophysical methods, that does not necessarily mean that those methods enable or support combat operations--often times they are being used for humanitarian applications within the military's area of operations to support local populations. The work presented here will focus on the applied use of seismic surface wave methods, including multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and backscattered surface waves, often in conjunction with other methods such as refraction tomography or body-wave diffraction analysis. Multiple field examples will be shown, including explosives testing, tunnel detection, pre-construction site characterization, and cavity detection.

A Global Sensitivity Analysis Method on Maximum Tsunami Wave Heights to Potential Seismic Source Parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Luchuan

2015-04-01

A Global Sensitivity Analysis Method on Maximum Tsunami Wave Heights to Potential Seismic Source Parameters Luchuan Ren, Jianwei Tian, Mingli Hong Institute of Disaster Prevention, Sanhe, Heibei Province, 065201, P.R. China It is obvious that the uncertainties of the maximum tsunami wave heights in offshore area are partly from uncertainties of the potential seismic tsunami source parameters. A global sensitivity analysis method on the maximum tsunami wave heights to the potential seismic source parameters is put forward in this paper. The tsunami wave heights are calculated by COMCOT ( the Cornell Multi-grid Coupled Tsunami Model), on the assumption that an earthquake with magnitude MW8.0 occurred at the northern fault segment along the Manila Trench and triggered a tsunami in the South China Sea. We select the simulated results of maximum tsunami wave heights at specific sites in offshore area to verify the validity of the method proposed in this paper. For ranking importance order of the uncertainties of potential seismic source parameters (the earthquake's magnitude, the focal depth, the strike angle, dip angle and slip angle etc..) in generating uncertainties of the maximum tsunami wave heights, we chose Morris method to analyze the sensitivity of the maximum tsunami wave heights to the aforementioned parameters, and give several qualitative descriptions of nonlinear or linear effects of them on the maximum tsunami wave heights. We quantitatively analyze the sensitivity of the maximum tsunami wave heights to these parameters and the interaction effects among these parameters on the maximum tsunami wave heights by means of the extended FAST method afterward. The results shows that the maximum tsunami wave heights are very sensitive to the earthquake magnitude, followed successively by the epicenter location, the strike angle and dip angle, the interactions effect between the sensitive parameters are very obvious at specific site in offshore area, and there

Relocation of Groningen seismicity using refracted waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruigrok, E.; Trampert, J.; Paulssen, H.; Dost, B.

2015-12-01

The Groningen gas field is a giant natural gas accumulation in the Northeast of the Netherlands. The gas is in a reservoir at a depth of about 3 km. The naturally-fractured gas-filled sandstone extends roughly 45 by 25 km laterally and 140 m vertically. Decades of production have led to significant compaction of the sandstone. The (differential) compaction is thought to have reactivated existing faults and being the main driver of induced seismicity. Precise earthquake location is difficult due to a complicated subsurface, and that is the likely reason, the current hypocentre estimates do not clearly correlate with the well-known fault network. The seismic velocity model down to reservoir depth is quite well known from extensive seismic surveys and borehole data. Most to date earthquake detections, however, were made with a sparse pre-2015 seismic network. For shallow seismicity (<5 km depth) horizontal source-receiver distances tend to be much larger than vertical distances. Consequently, preferred source-receiver travel paths are refractions over high-velocity layers below the reservoir. However, the seismic velocities of layers below the reservoir are poorly known. We estimated an effective velocity model of the main refracting layer below the reservoir and use this for relocating past seismicity. We took advantage of vertical-borehole recordings for estimating precise P-wave (refraction) onset times and used a tomographic approach to find the laterally varying velocity field of the refracting layer. This refracting layer is then added to the known velocity model, and the combined model is used to relocate the past seismicity. From the resulting relocations we assess which of the faults are being reactivated.

Structural analysis of S-wave seismics around an urban sinkhole: evidence of enhanced dissolution in a strike-slip fault zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadas, Sonja H.; Tanner, David C.; Polom, Ulrich; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.

2017-12-01

In November 2010, a large sinkhole opened up in the urban area of Schmalkalden, Germany. To determine the key factors which benefited the development of this collapse structure and therefore the dissolution, we carried out several shear-wave reflection-seismic profiles around the sinkhole. In the seismic sections we see evidence of the Mesozoic tectonic movement in the form of a NW-SE striking, dextral strike-slip fault, known as the Heßleser Fault, which faulted and fractured the subsurface below the town. The strike-slip faulting created a zone of small blocks ( < 100 m in size), around which steep-dipping normal faults, reverse faults and a dense fracture network serve as fluid pathways for the artesian-confined groundwater. The faults also acted as barriers for horizontal groundwater flow perpendicular to the fault planes. Instead groundwater flows along the faults which serve as conduits and forms cavities in the Permian deposits below ca. 60 m depth. Mass movements and the resulting cavities lead to the formation of sinkholes and dissolution-induced depressions. Since the processes are still ongoing, the occurrence of a new sinkhole cannot be ruled out. This case study demonstrates how S-wave seismics can characterize a sinkhole and, together with geological information, can be used to study the processes that result in sinkhole formation, such as a near-surface fault zone located in soluble rocks. The more complex the fault geometry and interaction between faults, the more prone an area is to sinkhole occurrence.

A simple method of predicting S-wave velocity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, M.W.

2006-01-01

Prediction of shear-wave velocity plays an important role in seismic modeling, amplitude analysis with offset, and other exploration applications. This paper presents a method for predicting S-wave velocity from the P-wave velocity on the basis of the moduli of dry rock. Elastic velocities of water-saturated sediments at low frequencies can be predicted from the moduli of dry rock by using Gassmann's equation; hence, if the moduli of dry rock can be estimated from P-wave velocities, then S-wave velocities easily can be predicted from the moduli. Dry rock bulk modulus can be related to the shear modulus through a compaction constant. The numerical results indicate that the predicted S-wave velocities for consolidated and unconsolidated sediments agree well with measured velocities if differential pressure is greater than approximately 5 MPa. An advantage of this method is that there are no adjustable parameters to be chosen, such as the pore-aspect ratios required in some other methods. The predicted S-wave velocity depends only on the measured P-wave velocity and porosity. ?? 2006 Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

Shear-wave seismic reflection imaging and impedance inversion for a near-surface point-bar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benton, N. W.; Morrison, M.; Lorenzo, J. M.; Odom, B.; Clift, P. D.; Olson, E.; Gostic, A.

2017-12-01

Imaging and inversion of SH-waves are useful to detect, map, and quantitatively characterize near-surface point-bar strata. We conduct a horizontally-polarized (SH) reflection survey across and along a near-surface (9 - 40 m) downstream point-bar. We invert for shear-impedance profiles and correlate our interpretation to electrical conductivity (EC) logs in adjacent wells to study the internal architecture and lithology of point-bars. We acquire two common-midpoint (CMP) SH-wave seismic reflection lines at False River (Point Coupee Parish, Louisiana). A 104 m long seismic line (L1) is oriented orthogonal (NW - SE) to point-bar strike. A second line (L2) is 48 m long and set parallel to point-bar strike (NE - SW). Two EC wells lie 33 m apart. Both wells are parallel with respect to the L1 survey and offset from it by 15 m. EC log measurements range from 1 - 25 m depth. Interference of Love-waves prevents seismic imaging at depths less than 9 m. The L1 and L2 data sets are inverted for shear-impedance using a model-based band-limited impedance (BLIMP) algorithm that incorporates a low-frequency velocity model. This model is also used for the depthing processing. The L1 cross-section shows coherent dipping reflection events ( 4 - 7º) from 0.15 - 0.35 s (10 - 40 m). The corresponding shear-impedance profile also reveals coherent and dipping impedance contrasts that grow in magnitude with increasing depth. The L2 cross-section shows comparatively less dip ( 1º) as well as sharper and shallower continuity of reflection events (0.1 - 0.28 s TWT or 9 - 25 m). Depth-converted (TVD) seismic amplitudes and impedance values correlate to near-surface point-bar geology via superposition of log data. The first well (W5) shows distinct EC local maxima (+50 - 70 mS/m) at 14.5 and 15.5 m depth that correlate well with the seismic amplitudes and impedance values from both L1 and L2 data sets. The second well (W7) shows comparatively lower local maxima (+40 - 60 mS/m) but at greater

P- and S-Wave Speeds of the Very Upper Crust Estimated by a New Technique Based Upon Body-Wave Polarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, S.; Ishii, M.

2017-12-01

Various seismic imaging methods have been developed, such as traveltime, waveform, and noise tomography, improving our knowledge of the subsurface structure and evolution. Near-surface structure, in particular, is crucial in understanding earthquake and volcano hazards. Seismic speed is directly related to the level of ground shaking, and monitoring its temporal change is valuable in volcanic hazard assessment. Here, we introduce a novel technique to constrain seismic wave speed of the very upper crust based upon the polarization measurements of teleseismic body-wave arrivals. The technique relates the orientation of recorded body waves to the wave speed immediately beneath a seismic instrument. We develop a counter-intuitive relationship that the P-wave polarization direction is only sensitive to subsurface shear wave speed but not to compressional wave speed, while the S-wave polarization direction is sensitive to both wave speeds. This approach is applied to the High-Sensitivity Seismograph Network in Japan, where the results are benchmarked against the borehole well data available at most stations. There is a good agreement between polarization-based estimates and the well measurements at as shallow as 100 m, confirming the efficacy of the new method in resolving the shallow structure. The lateral variation of wave speeds shows that sedimentary basins and mountainous regions are characterized by low and high wave speeds, respectively. It also correlates with volcano locations and geological units of different ages. Moreover, the analysis is expanded into 3D by examining the frequency dependence, where some preliminary results using broadband data are presented. These 2D and 3D wave speed estimates can be used to identify zones of high seismic risk by comparison with population distribution. This technique requires minimal computation resources and can be applied to any single three-component seismograph. It opens a new path to a reliable, non-invasive, and

Comparison of recent S-wave indicating methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hubicka, Katarzyna; Sokolowski, Jakub

2018-01-01

Seismic event consists of surface waves and body waves. Due to the fact that the body waves are faster (P-waves) and more energetic (S-waves) in literature the problem of their analysis is taken more often. The most universal information that is received from the recorded wave is its moment of arrival. When this information is obtained from at least four seismometers in different locations, the epicentre of the particular event can be estimated [1]. Since the recorded body waves may overlap in signal, the problem of wave onset moment is considered more often for faster P-wave than S-wave. This however does not mean that the issue of S-wave arrival time is not taken at all. As the process of manual picking is time-consuming, methods of automatic detection are recommended (these however may be less accurate). In this paper four recently developed methods estimating S-wave arrival are compared: the method operating on empirical mode decomposition and Teager-Kaiser operator [2], the modification of STA/LTA algorithm [3], the method using a nearest neighbour-based approach [4] and the algorithm operating on characteristic of signals' second moments. The methods will be also compared to wellknown algorithm based on the autoregressive model [5]. The algorithms will be tested in terms of their S-wave arrival identification accuracy on real data originating from International Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) database.

Sources of Error and the Statistical Formulation of M S: m b Seismic Event Screening Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, D. N.; Patton, H. J.; Taylor, S. R.; Bonner, J. L.; Selby, N. D.

2014-03-01

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a global ban on nuclear explosions, is currently in a ratification phase. Under the CTBT, an International Monitoring System (IMS) of seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasonic and radionuclide sensors is operational, and the data from the IMS is analysed by the International Data Centre (IDC). The IDC provides CTBT signatories basic seismic event parameters and a screening analysis indicating whether an event exhibits explosion characteristics (for example, shallow depth). An important component of the screening analysis is a statistical test of the null hypothesis H 0: explosion characteristics using empirical measurements of seismic energy (magnitudes). The established magnitude used for event size is the body-wave magnitude (denoted m b) computed from the initial segment of a seismic waveform. IDC screening analysis is applied to events with m b greater than 3.5. The Rayleigh wave magnitude (denoted M S) is a measure of later arriving surface wave energy. Magnitudes are measurements of seismic energy that include adjustments (physical correction model) for path and distance effects between event and station. Relative to m b, earthquakes generally have a larger M S magnitude than explosions. This article proposes a hypothesis test (screening analysis) using M S and m b that expressly accounts for physical correction model inadequacy in the standard error of the test statistic. With this hypothesis test formulation, the 2009 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea announced nuclear weapon test fails to reject the null hypothesis H 0: explosion characteristics.

Forward and adjoint spectral-element simulations of seismic wave propagation using hardware accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peter, Daniel; Videau, Brice; Pouget, Kevin; Komatitsch, Dimitri

2015-04-01

Improving the resolution of tomographic images is crucial to answer important questions on the nature of Earth's subsurface structure and internal processes. Seismic tomography is the most prominent approach where seismic signals from ground-motion records are used to infer physical properties of internal structures such as compressional- and shear-wave speeds, anisotropy and attenuation. Recent advances in regional- and global-scale seismic inversions move towards full-waveform inversions which require accurate simulations of seismic wave propagation in complex 3D media, providing access to the full 3D seismic wavefields. However, these numerical simulations are computationally very expensive and need high-performance computing (HPC) facilities for further improving the current state of knowledge. During recent years, many-core architectures such as graphics processing units (GPUs) have been added to available large HPC systems. Such GPU-accelerated computing together with advances in multi-core central processing units (CPUs) can greatly accelerate scientific applications. There are mainly two possible choices of language support for GPU cards, the CUDA programming environment and OpenCL language standard. CUDA software development targets NVIDIA graphic cards while OpenCL was adopted mainly by AMD graphic cards. In order to employ such hardware accelerators for seismic wave propagation simulations, we incorporated a code generation tool BOAST into an existing spectral-element code package SPECFEM3D_GLOBE. This allows us to use meta-programming of computational kernels and generate optimized source code for both CUDA and OpenCL languages, running simulations on either CUDA or OpenCL hardware accelerators. We show here applications of forward and adjoint seismic wave propagation on CUDA/OpenCL GPUs, validating results and comparing performances for different simulations and hardware usages.

Features of Radiation and Propagation of Seismic Waves in the Northern Caucasus: Manifestations in Regional Coda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kromskii, S. D.; Pavlenko, O. V.; Gabsatarova, I. P.

2018-03-01

Based on the Anapa (ANN) seismic station records of 40 earthquakes ( M W > 3.9) that occurred within 300 km of the station since 2002 up to the present time, the source parameters and quality factor of the Earth's crust ( Q( f)) and upper mantle are estimated for the S-waves in the 1-8 Hz frequency band. The regional coda analysis techniques which allow separating the effects associated with seismic source (source effects) and with the propagation path of seismic waves (path effects) are employed. The Q-factor estimates are obtained in the form Q( f) = 90 × f 0.7 for the epicentral distances r < 120 km and in the form Q( f) = 90 × f1.0 for r > 120 km. The established Q( f) and source parameters are close to the estimates for Central Japan, which is probably due to the similar tectonic structure of the regions. The shapes of the source parameters are found to be independent of the magnitude of the earthquakes in the magnitude range 3.9-5.6; however, the radiation of the high-frequency components ( f > 4-5 Hz) is enhanced with the depth of the source (down to h 60 km). The estimates Q( f) of the quality factor determined from the records by the Sochi, Anapa, and Kislovodsk seismic stations allowed a more accurate determination of the seismic moments and magnitudes of the Caucasian earthquakes. The studies will be continued for obtaining the Q( f) estimates, geometrical spreading functions, and frequency-dependent amplification of seismic waves in the Earth's crust in the other regions of the Northern Caucasus.

Using 3D Simulation of Elastic Wave Propagation in Laplace Domain for Electromagnetic-Seismic Inverse Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, P.; Newman, G. A.

2010-12-01

Quantitative imaging of the subsurface objects is essential part of modern geophysical technology important in oil and gas exploration and wide-range engineering applications. A significant advancement in developing a robust, high resolution imaging technology is concerned with using the different geophysical measurements (gravity, EM and seismic) sense the subsurface structure. A joint image of the subsurface geophysical attributes (velocity, electrical conductivity and density) requires the consistent treatment of the different geophysical data (electromagnetic and seismic) due to their differing physical nature - diffusive and attenuated propagation of electromagnetic energy and nonlinear, multiple scattering wave propagation of seismic energy. Recent progress has been reported in the solution of this problem by reducing the complexity of seismic wave field. Works formed by Shin and Cha (2009 and 2008) suggests that low-pass filtering the seismic trace via Laplace-Fourier transformation can be an effective approach for obtaining seismic data that has similar spatial resolution to EM data. The effect of Laplace- Fourier transformation on the low-pass filtered trace changes the modeling of the seismic wave field from multi-wave propagation to diffusion. The key benefit of transformation is that diffusive wave-field inversion works well for both data sets seismic (Shin and Cha, 2008) and electromagnetic (Commer and Newman 2008, Newman et al., 2010). Moreover the different data sets can also be matched for similar and consistent resolution. Finally, the low pass seismic image is also an excellent choice for a starting model when analyzing the entire seismic waveform to recover the high spatial frequency components of the seismic image; its reflectivity (Shin and Cha, 2009). Without a good starting model full waveform seismic imaging and migration can encounter serious difficulties. To produce seismic wave fields consistent for joint imaging in the Laplace

P- and S-wave Receiver Function Imaging with Scattering Kernels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, S. M.; Schmandt, B.

2017-12-01

Full waveform inversion provides a flexible approach to the seismic parameter estimation problem and can account for the full physics of wave propagation using numeric simulations. However, this approach requires significant computational resources due to the demanding nature of solving the forward and adjoint problems. This issue is particularly acute for temporary passive-source seismic experiments (e.g. PASSCAL) that have traditionally relied on teleseismic earthquakes as sources resulting in a global scale forward problem. Various approximation strategies have been proposed to reduce the computational burden such as hybrid methods that embed a heterogeneous regional scale model in a 1D global model. In this study, we focus specifically on the problem of scattered wave imaging (migration) using both P- and S-wave receiver function data. The proposed method relies on body-wave scattering kernels that are derived from the adjoint data sensitivity kernels which are typically used for full waveform inversion. The forward problem is approximated using ray theory yielding a computationally efficient imaging algorithm that can resolve dipping and discontinuous velocity interfaces in 3D. From the imaging perspective, this approach is closely related to elastic reverse time migration. An energy stable finite-difference method is used to simulate elastic wave propagation in a 2D hypothetical subduction zone model. The resulting synthetic P- and S-wave receiver function datasets are used to validate the imaging method. The kernel images are compared with those generated by the Generalized Radon Transform (GRT) and Common Conversion Point stacking (CCP) methods. These results demonstrate the potential of the kernel imaging approach to constrain lithospheric structure in complex geologic environments with sufficiently dense recordings of teleseismic data. This is demonstrated using a receiver function dataset from the Central California Seismic Experiment which shows several

Attenuation in the Upper Mantle Beneath the Northern Apennines (Italy) from Teleseismic P- and S-Wave Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucente, F. P.; Piccinini, D.; Dibona, M.; Levin, V.; Park, J.

2007-12-01

We present preliminary results for seismic attenuation in the mantle beneath the Italian region. We estimate P- and S-wave spectral ratios from teleseisms recorded at the temporary broadband seismic network deployed during the RETREAT (Retreating-TRrench, Extension, and Accretion Tectonics) project. We examine body-wave attenuation variation across the northern part of the Apennines mountain belt, which represents the accretionary wedge exposed during recent episodes of the subduction process in Italy. The data recorded during the three-year seismic campaign were analyzed using an ad hoc semi-automated procedure based on the cross-correlation analysis of a single phase across all the stations for each event. The seismic phases analyzed (P, S, SKS) display different patterns of seismic attenuation. Furthermore, we observe systematic variations in the distribution of the attenuation values as function of both the azimuth and the incidence angle of the seismic rays. Relatively high attenuation values are found on the Tyrrhenian side by seismic rays coming from the SW for both P- and S-phases. For NE-approaching rays the pattern of high attenuation values varies considerably, depending on the seismic phases: for P-waves it grossly corresponds to the mountain belt, while for S-waves it extends over almost the whole study area. By correlating attenuation estimates and the velocity structure from the existing tomographic models, we can make some inferences on the thermal state of the sublithospheric mantle, and on the physical properties of the tectonic elements which constitute the subduction system in the region. From the analysis of the P-phases we can clearly distinguish three main areas with different attenuation values, corresponding to the back-arc mantle (high attenuation), to the slab (low attenuation) and to the retro-slab mantle (high attenuation). The correspondence between the identified elements of the subduction system and the S- waves attenuation is not

Seismic velocity structure of the crust and shallow mantle of the Central and Eastern United States by seismic surface wave imaging

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pollitz, Fred; Mooney, Walter D.

2016-01-01

Seismic surface waves from the Transportable Array of EarthScope's USArray are used to estimate phase velocity structure of 18 to 125 s Rayleigh waves, then inverted to obtain three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure of the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) down to ∼200 km. The obtained lithosphere structure confirms previously imaged CEUS features, e.g., the low seismic-velocity signature of the Cambrian Reelfoot Rift and the very low velocity at >150 km depth below an Eocene volcanic center in northwestern Virginia. New features include high-velocity mantle stretching from the Archean Superior Craton well into the Proterozoic terranes and deep low-velocity zones in central Texas (associated with the late Cretaceous Travis and Uvalde volcanic fields) and beneath the South Georgia Rift (which contains Jurassic basalts). Hot spot tracks may be associated with several imaged low-velocity zones, particularly those close to the former rifted Laurentia margin.

Making the most of CZ seismics: Improving shallow critical zone characterization using surface-wave analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasquet, S.; Wang, W.; Holbrook, W. S.; Bodet, L.; Carr, B.; Flinchum, B. A.

2017-12-01

Estimating porosity and saturation in the shallow subsurface over large lateral scales is vitally important for understanding the development and evolution of the Critical Zone (CZ). Because elastic properties (P- and S-wave velocities) are particularly sensitive to porosity and saturation, seismic methods (in combination with petrophysical models) are effective tools for mapping CZ architecture and processes. While many studies employ P-wave refraction methods, fewer use the surface waves that are typically also recorded in those same surveys. Here we show the value of exploiting surface waves to extract supplementary shear-wave velocity (Vs) information in the CZ. We use a new, user-friendly, open-source MATLAB-based package (SWIP) to invert surface-wave data and estimate lateral variations of Vs in the CZ. Results from synthetics show that this approach enables the resolution of physical property variations in the upper 10-15 m below the surface with lateral scales of about 5 m - a vast improvement compared to P-wave tomography alone. A field example at a Yellowstone hydrothermal system also demonstrates the benefits of including Vs in the petrophysical models to estimate not only porosity but also saturation, thus highlighting subsurface gas pathways. In light of these results, we strongly suggest that surface-wave analysis should become a standard approach in CZ seismic surveys.

Seismic Attenuation in the African LLSVP Estimated from PcS Phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, C.; Grand, S.

2017-12-01

Seismic tomography has shown that the lowermost mantle beneath the south central Pacific and southern Africa are marked by broad regions with 3% slower shear velocity than normal. The structures have come to be known as large-low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVPs). The cause of the seismic anomalies associated with the LLSVPs is of great interest to geophysicists as they are related to the chemical, thermal, and dynamic structure of the mantle. Some have interpreted the heterogeneity in the LLSVPs to be caused by purely thermal effects while others believe the LLSVPs are chemically distinct from normal mantle. Seismic velocity variations alone cannot distinguish the thermal from chemical interpretations. Anelastic structure, however, can help discriminate among models of the LLSVPs as intrinsic attenuation is much more sensitive to temperature than to chemical variations. In this study, we use PcS seismic waves, from an earthquake located in the Scotia Arc, recorded by 50 broadband seismometers deployed in Southern Africa during the Kaapvaal experiment (1997-1999) to estimate Q in the African LLSVP. With increasing epicentral distances, the upward leg PcS waves in lower mantle sweep from normal mantle into the African LLSVP. We divided the PcS data into a group that sampled the LLSVP and another group that passed through normal lower mantle. We determined Δt* between these two groups by stacking spectra and using the spectral ratio method. The waves passing through the LLSVP are noticeably more attenuated than those outside. Taking Q values outside the LLSVP from different published 1D Q models (e.g. PREM [Dziewonski and Anderson, 1981]; QLM9 [Lawrence and Wysession, 2006a]; QHR12 [Hwang and Ritsema, 2011]), we estimate the corresponding average shear wave Q in the African LLSVP to be 127, 115, and 118, far lower than any published average Earth Q models for the lower mantle. Using a range of activation energies (E*), from 200 - 500 kJ/mol (Matas and Bukowinski

Shallow seismic structure of Kunlun fault zone in northern Tibetan Plateau, China: Implications for the 2001 M s8.1 Kunlun earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, Chun-Yong; Mooney, W.D.; Ding, Z.; Yang, J.; Yao, Z.; Lou, H.

2009-01-01

The shallow seismic velocity structure of the Kunlun fault zone (KLFZ) was jointly deduced from seismic refraction profiling and the records of trapped waves that were excited by five explosions. The data were collected after the 2001 Kunlun M s8.1 earthquake in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Seismic phases for the in-line record sections (26 records up to a distance of 15 km) along the fault zone were analysed, and 1-D P- and S-wave velocity models of shallow crust within the fault zone were determined by using the seismic refraction method. Sixteen seismic stations were deployed along the off-line profile perpendicular to the fault zone. Fault-zone trapped waves appear clearly on the record sections, which were simulated with a 3-D finite difference algorithm. Quantitative analysis of the correlation coefficients of the synthetic and observed trapped waveforms indicates that the Kunlun fault-zone width is 300 m, and S-wave quality factor Q within the fault zone is 15. Significantly, S-wave velocities within the fault zone are reduced by 30-45 per cent from surrounding rocks to a depth of at least 1-2 km, while P-wave velocities are reduced by 7-20 per cent. A fault-zone with such P- and S-low velocities is an indication of high fluid pressure because Vs is affected more than Vp. The low-velocity and low-Q zone in the KLFZ model is the effect of multiple ruptures along the fault trace of the 2001 M s8.1 Kunlun earthquake. ?? 2009 The Authors Journal compilation ?? 2009 RAS.

Topography Estimation of the Core Mantle Boundary with ScS Reverberations and Diffraction Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hein, B. E.; Nakata, N.

2017-12-01

In this study, we use the propagation of global seismic waves to study the Core Mantle Boundary (CMB). We focus on the use of S-wave reflections at the CMB (ScS reverberations) and outer-core diffracted waves. It is difficult imaging the CMB with the ScS wave because the complexity of the structure in the near surface ( 50 km); the complex structure degrades the signal-to-noise ratio of of the ScS. To avoid estimating the structure in the crust, we rely on the concept of seismic interferometry to extract wave propagation through mantle, but not through the crust. Our approach is compute the deconvolution between the ScS (and its reverberation) and direct S waves generated by intermediate to deep earthquakes (>50 km depth). Through this deconvolution, we have the ability to filter out the direct S wave and retrieve the wave field propagating from only the hypocenter to the outer core, but not between the hypocenter to the receiver. After the deconvolution, we can isolate the CMB reflected waves from the complicated wave phenomena because of the near-surface structure. Utilizing intermediate and deep earthquakes is key since we can suppress the near-surface effect from the surface to the hypocenter of the earthquakes. The variation of such waves (e.g., travel-time perturbation and/or wavefield decorrelation) at different receivers and earthquakes provides the information of the topography of the CMB. In order to get a more detailed image of the topography of the CMB we use diffracted seismic waves such as Pdiff , Sdiff, and P'P'. By using two intermediate to deep earthquakes on a great circle path with a station we can extract the wave propagation between the two earthquakes to simplify the waveform, similar to how it is preformed using the ScS wave. We generate more illumination of the CMB by using diffracted waves rather than only using ScS reverberations. The accurate topography of CMB obtained by these deconvolution analyses may provide new insight of the

Mapping the Moho with seismic surface waves: Sensitivity, resolution, and recommended inversion strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebedev, Sergei; Adam, Joanne; Meier, Thomas

2013-04-01

first-step results used as reference. We illustrate this strategy with an application to data from the Kaapvaal Craton. Prior information on crustal and mantle structure reduces the trade-offs and thus enables resolving the Moho depth with noisier data; such information should be sought and used whenever available (as has been done, explicitly or implicitly, in many previous studies). Joint analysis or inversion of surface-wave and other data (receiver functions, topography, gravity) can reduce uncertainties further and facilitate Moho mapping. Alone or as a part of multi-disciplinary datasets, surface-wave data offer unique sensitivity to the crustal and upper-mantle structure and are becoming increasingly important in the seismic imaging of the crust and the Moho. Reference Lebedev, S., J. Adam, T. Meier. Mapping the Moho with seismic surface waves: A review, resolution analysis, and recommended inversion strategies. Tectonophysics, "Moho" special issue, 10.1016/j.tecto.2012.12.030, 2013.

The Propagation of Seismic Waves in the Presence of Strong Elastic Property Contrasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleh, R.; Jeyaraj, R.; Milkereit, B.; Liu, Q.; Valley, B.

2012-12-01

In an active underground mine there are many seismic activities taking place, such as seismic noises, blasts, tremors and microseismic events. In between the activities, the microseismic events are mainly used for monitoring purposes. The frequency content of microseismic events can be up to few KHz, which can result in wavelengths on the order of a few meters in hard rock environment. In an underground mine, considering the presence of both small wavelength and strong elastic contrasts, the simulation of seismic wave propagation is a challenge. With the recent availability of detailed 3D rock property models of mines, in addition to the development of efficient numerical techniques (such as Spectral Element Method (SEM)), and parallel computation facilities, a solution for such a problem is achievable. Most seismic wave scattering studies focus on large scales (>1 km) and weak elastic contrasts (velocity perturbations less than 10%). However, scattering in the presence of small-scale heterogeneities and large elastic contrasts is an area of ongoing research. In a mine environment, the presence of strong contrast discontinuities such as massive ore bodies, tunnels and infrastructure lead to discontinuities of displacement and/or stress tensor components, and have significant impact on the propagation of seismic waves. In order to obtain an accurate image of wave propagation in such a complex media, it is necessary to consider the presence of these discontinuities in numerical models. In this study, the effects of such a contrast are illustrated with 2D/3D modeling and compared with real broadband 3-component seismic data. The real broadband 3-component seismic data will be obtained in one of the Canadian underground mines in Ontario. One of the possible scenarios investigated in this study that may explain the observed complexity in seismic wavefield pattern in hard rock environments is the effect of near field displacements rather than far field. Considering the

Analysis of seismic waves crossing the Santa Clara Valley using the three-component MUSIQUE array algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hobiger, Manuel; Cornou, Cécile; Bard, Pierre-Yves; Le Bihan, Nicolas; Imperatori, Walter

2016-10-01

We introduce the MUSIQUE algorithm and apply it to seismic wavefield recordings in California. The algorithm is designed to analyse seismic signals recorded by arrays of three-component seismic sensors. It is based on the MUSIC and the quaternion-MUSIC algorithms. In a first step, the MUSIC algorithm is applied in order to estimate the backazimuth and velocity of incident seismic waves and to discriminate between Love and possible Rayleigh waves. In a second step, the polarization parameters of possible Rayleigh waves are analysed using quaternion-MUSIC, distinguishing retrograde and prograde Rayleigh waves and determining their ellipticity. In this study, we apply the MUSIQUE algorithm to seismic wavefield recordings of the San Jose Dense Seismic Array. This array has been installed in 1999 in the Evergreen Basin, a sedimentary basin in the Eastern Santa Clara Valley. The analysis includes 22 regional earthquakes with epicentres between 40 and 600 km distant from the array and covering different backazimuths with respect to the array. The azimuthal distribution and the energy partition of the different surface wave types are analysed. Love waves dominate the wavefield for the vast majority of the events. For close events in the north, the wavefield is dominated by the first harmonic mode of Love waves, for farther events, the fundamental mode dominates. The energy distribution is different for earthquakes occurring northwest and southeast of the array. In both cases, the waves crossing the array are mostly arriving from the respective hemicycle. However, scattered Love waves arriving from the south can be seen for all earthquakes. Combining the information of all events, it is possible to retrieve the Love wave dispersion curves of the fundamental and the first harmonic mode. The particle motion of the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves is retrograde and for the first harmonic mode, it is prograde. For both modes, we can also retrieve dispersion and ellipticity

Global Seismic Event Detection Using Surface Waves: 15 Possible Antarctic Glacial Sliding Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, X.; Shearer, P. M.; Walker, K. T.; Fricker, H. A.

2008-12-01

To identify overlooked or anomalous seismic events not listed in standard catalogs, we have developed an algorithm to detect and locate global seismic events using intermediate-period (35-70s) surface waves. We apply our method to continuous vertical-component seismograms from the global seismic networks as archived in the IRIS UV FARM database from 1997 to 2007. We first bandpass filter the seismograms, apply automatic gain control, and compute envelope functions. We then examine 1654 target event locations defined at 5 degree intervals and stack the seismogram envelopes along the predicted Rayleigh-wave travel times. The resulting function has spatial and temporal peaks that indicate possible seismic events. We visually check these peaks using a graphical user interface to eliminate artifacts and assign an overall reliability grade (A, B or C) to the new events. We detect 78% of events in the Global Centroid Moment Tensor (CMT) catalog. However, we also find 840 new events not listed in the PDE, ISC and REB catalogs. Many of these new events were previously identified by Ekstrom (2006) using a different Rayleigh-wave detection scheme. Most of these new events are located along oceanic ridges and transform faults. Some new events can be associated with volcanic eruptions such as the 2000 Miyakejima sequence near Japan and others with apparent glacial sliding events in Greenland (Ekstrom et al., 2003). We focus our attention on 15 events detected from near the Antarctic coastline and relocate them using a cross-correlation approach. The events occur in 3 groups which are well-separated from areas of cataloged earthquake activity. We speculate that these are iceberg calving and/or glacial sliding events, and hope to test this by inverting for their source mechanisms and examining remote sensing data from their source regions.

Retrieving both phase and amplitude information of Green's functions by ambient seismic wave field cross-correlation: A case study with a limestone mine induced seismic event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwak, S.; Song, S. G.; Kim, G.; Shin, J. S.

2015-12-01

Recently many seismologists have paid attention to ambient seismic field, which is no more referred as noise and called as Earth's hum, but as useful signal to understand subsurface seismic velocity structure. It has also been demonstrated that empirical Green's functions can be constructed by retrieving both phase and amplitude information from ambient seismic field (Prieto and Beroza 2008). The constructed empirical Green's functions can be used to predict strong ground motions after focal depth and double-couple mechanism corrections (Denolle et al. 2013). They do not require detailed subsurface velocity model and intensive computation for ground motion simulation. In this study, we investigate the capability of predicting long period surface waves by the ambient seismic wave field with a seismic event of Mw 4.0, which occurred with a limestone mine collapse in South Korea on January 31, 2015. This limestone-mine event provides an excellent opportunity to test the efficiency of the ambient seismic wave field in retrieving both phase and amplitude information of Green's functions due to the single force mechanism of the collapse event. In other words, both focal depth and double-couple mechanism corrections are not required for this event. A broadband seismic station, which is about 5.4 km away from the mine event, is selected as a source station. Then surface waves retrieved from the ambient seismic wave field cross-correlation are compared with those generated by the event. Our preliminary results show some potential of the ambient seismic wave field in retrieving both phase and amplitude of Green's functions from a single force impulse source at the Earth's surface. More comprehensive analysis by increasing the time length of stacking may improve the results in further studies. We also aim to investigate the efficiency of retrieving the full empirical Green's functions with the 2007 Mw 4.6 Odaesan earthquake, which is one of the strongest earthquakes occurred

Local amplification of seismic waves from the Denali earthquake and damaging seiches in Lake Union, Seattle, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barberopoulou, A.; Qamar, A.; Pratt, T.L.; Creager, K.C.; Steele, W.P.

2004-01-01

The Mw7.9 Denali, Alaska earthquake of 3 November, 2002, caused minor damage to at least 20 houseboats in Seattle, Washington by initiating water waves in Lake Union. These water waves were likely initiated during the large amplitude seismic surface waves from this earthquake. Maps of spectral amplification recorded during the Denali earthquake on the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) strong-motion instruments show substantially increased shear and surface wave amplitudes coincident with the Seattle sedimentary basin. Because Lake Union is situated on the Seattle basin, the size of the water waves may have been increased by local amplification of the seismic waves by the basin. Complete hazard assessments require understanding the causes of these water waves during future earthquakes. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.

Calculation of Seismic Waves from Explosions with Tectonic Stresses and Topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevens, J. L.; O'Brien, M.

2017-12-01

We investigate the effects of explosion depth, tectonic stresses and topography on seismic waves from underground nuclear explosions. We perform three-dimensional nonlinear calculations of an explosion at several depths in the topography of the North Korean test site. We also perform a large number of two-dimensional axisymmetric calculations of explosions at depths from 150 to 1000 meters in four earth structures, with compressive and tensile tectonic stresses and with no tectonic stresses. We use the representation theorem to propagate the results of these calculations and calculate seismic waves at regional and teleseismic distances. We find that P-waves are not strongly affected by any of these effects because the initial downgoing P-wave is unaffected by interaction with the free surface. Surface waves, however, are strongly affected by all of these effects. There is an optimal depth at which surface waves are maximized at the base of a mountain and at or slightly below normal containment depth. At deeper depths, increasing overburden pressure reduces the surface waves. At shallower depths, interaction with the free surface reduces the surface waves. For explosions inside a mountain, displacement of the sides of the mountain reduces surface waves. Compressive prestress reduces surface waves substantially, while tensile prestress increases surface waves. The North Korean explosions appear to be at an optimal depth, in a region of extension, and beneath a mountain, all of which increase surface wave amplitudes.

High-resolution surface wave tomography of the European crust and uppermost mantle from ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yang; Stehly, Laurent; Paul, Anne; AlpArray Working Group

2018-05-01

Taking advantage of the large number of seismic stations installed in Europe, in particular in the greater Alpine region with the AlpArray experiment, we derive a new high-resolution 3-D shear-wave velocity model of the European crust and uppermost mantle from ambient noise tomography. The correlation of up to four years of continuous vertical-component seismic recordings from 1293 broadband stations (10° W-35° E, 30° N-75° N) provides Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion data in the period band 5-150 s at more than 0.8 million virtual source-receiver pairs. Two-dimensional Rayleigh wave group velocity maps are estimated using adaptive parameterization to accommodate the strong heterogeneity of path coverage. A probabilistic 3-D shear-wave velocity model, including probability densities for the depth of layer boundaries and S-wave velocity values, is obtained by non-linear Bayesian inversion. A weighted average of the probabilistic model is then used as starting model for the linear inversion step, providing the final Vs model. The resulting S-wave velocity model and Moho depth are validated by comparison with previous geophysical studies. Although surface-wave tomography is weakly sensitive to layer boundaries, vertical cross-sections through our Vs model and the associated probability of presence of interfaces display striking similarities with reference controlled-source (CSS) and receiver-function sections across the Alpine belt. Our model even provides new structural information such as a ˜8 km Moho jump along the CSS ECORS-CROP profile that was not imaged by reflection data due to poor penetration across a heterogeneous upper crust. Our probabilistic and final shear wave velocity models have the potential to become new reference models of the European crust, both for crustal structure probing and geophysical studies including waveform modeling or full waveform inversion.

Attenuation of seismic waves in rocks saturated with multiphase fluids: theory and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tisato, N.; Quintal, B.; Chapman, S.; Podladchikov, Y.; Burg, J. P.

2016-12-01

Albeit seismic tomography could provide a detailed image of subsurface fluid distribution, the interpretation of the tomographic signals is often controversial and fails in providing a conclusive map of the subsurface saturation. However, tomographic information is important because the upward migration of multiphase fluids through the crust of the Earth can cause hazardous events such as eruptions, explosions, soil-pollution and earthquakes. In addition, multiphase fluids, such as hydrocarbons, represent important resources for economy. Seismic tomography can be improved considering complex elastic moduli and the attenuation of seismic waves (1/Q) that quantifies the energy lost by propagating elastic waves. In particular, a significant portion of the energy carried by the propagating wave is dissipated in saturated media by the wave-induced-fluid-flow (WIFF) and the wave-induced-gas-exsolution-dissolution (WIGED) mechanism. The latter describes how a propagating wave modifies the thermodynamic equilibrium between different fluid phases causing exsolution and dissolution of gas bubbles in the liquid, which in turn causes a significant frequency-dependent 1/Q and moduli dispersion. The WIGED theory was initially postulated for bubbly magmas but was only recently demonstrated and extended to bubbly water. We report the theory and laboratory experiments that have been performed to confirm the WIGED theory. In particular, we present i) attenuation measurements performed by means of the Broad Band Attenuation Vessel on porous media saturated with water and different gases, and ii) numerical experiments validating the laboratory observations. Then, we extend the theory to fluids and pressure-temperature conditions which are typical of phreatomagmatic and hydrocarbon domains and we compare the propagation of seismic waves in bubble-free and bubble-bearing subsurface domains. This work etends the knowledge of attenuation in rocks saturated with multiphase fluid and

Groundwater exploration in a Quaternary sediment body by shear-wave reflection seismics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pirrung, M.; Polom, U.; Krawczyk, C. M.

2008-12-01

The detailed investigation of a shallow aquifer structure is the prerequisite for choosing a proper well location for groundwater exploration drilling for human drinking water supply and subsequent managing of the aquifer system. In the case of shallow aquifers of some 10 m in depth, this task is still a challenge for high-resolution geophysical methods, especially in populated areas. In areas of paved surfaces, shallow shear-wave reflection seismics is advantageous compared to conventional P-wave seismic methods. The sediment body of the Alfbach valley within the Vulkaneifel region in Germany, partly covered by the village Gillenfeld, was estimated to have a maximum thickness of nearly 60 m. It lies on top of a complicated basement structure, constituted by an incorporated lava flow near the basement. For the positioning of new well locations, a combination of a SH-wave land streamer receiver system and a small, wheelbarrow-mounted SH-wave source was used for the seismic investigations. This equipment can be easily applied also in residential areas without notable trouble for the inhabitants. The results of the 2.5D profiling show a clear image of the sediment body down to the bedrock with high resolution. Along a 1 km seismic profile, the sediment thickness varies between 20 to more than 60 m in the centre of the valley. The reflection behaviour from the bedrock surface corroborates the hypothesis of a basement structure with distinct topography, including strong dipping events from the flanks of the valley and strong diffractions from subsurface discontinuities. The reflection seismic imaging leads to an estimation of the former shape of the valley and a reconstruction of the flow conditions at the beginning of the sedimentation process.

Methods and apparatus for use in detecting seismic waves in a borehole

DOEpatents

West, Phillip B.; Fincke, James R.; Reed, Teddy R.

2006-05-23

The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting seismic waves propagating through a subterranean formation surrounding a borehole. In a first embodiment, a sensor module uses the rotation of bogey wheels to extend and retract a sensor package for selective contact and magnetic coupling to casing lining the borehole. In a second embodiment, a sensor module is magnetically coupled to the casing wall during its travel and dragged therealong while maintaining contact therewith. In a third embodiment, a sensor module is interfaced with the borehole environment to detect seismic waves using coupling through liquid in the borehole. Two or more of the above embodiments may be combined within a single sensor array to provide a resulting seismic survey combining the optimum of the outputs of each embodiment into a single data set.

A Numerical and Theoretical Study of Seismic Wave Diffraction in Complex Geologic Structure

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-04-14

element methods for analyzing linear and nonlinear seismic effects in the surficial geologies relevant to several Air Force missions. The second...exact solution evaluated here indicates that edge-diffracted seismic wave fields calculated by discrete numerical methods probably exhibits significant...study is to demonstrate and validate some discrete numerical methods essential for analyzing linear and nonlinear seismic effects in the surficial

Comparison of Earthquake Damage Patterns and Shallow-Depth Vs Structure Across the Napa Valley, Inferred From Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and Multichannel Analysis of Love Waves (MALW) Modeling of Basin-Wide Seismic Profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, J. H.; Catchings, R.; Strayer, L. M.; Goldman, M.; Criley, C.; Sickler, R. R.; Boatwright, J.

2017-12-01

We conducted an active-source seismic investigation across the Napa Valley (Napa Valley Seismic Investigation-16) in September of 2016 consisting of two basin-wide seismic profiles; one profile was 20 km long and N-S-trending (338°), and the other 15 km long and E-W-trending (80°) (see Catchings et al., 2017). Data from the NVSI-16 seismic investigation were recorded using a total of 666 vertical- and horizontal-component seismographs, spaced 100 m apart on both seismic profiles. Seismic sources were generated by a total of 36 buried explosions spaced 1 km apart. The two seismic profiles intersected in downtown Napa, where a large number of buildings were red-tagged by the City following the 24 August 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa earthquake. From the recorded Rayleigh and Love waves, we developed 2-Dimensional S-wave velocity models to depths of about 0.5 km using the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method. Our MASW (Rayleigh) and MALW (Love) models show two prominent low-velocity (Vs = 350 to 1300 m/s) sub-basins that were also previously identified from gravity studies (Langenheim et al., 2010). These basins trend N-W and also coincide with the locations of more than 1500 red- and yellow-tagged buildings within the City of Napa that were tagged after the 2014 South Napa earthquake. The observed correlation between low-Vs, deep basins, and the red-and yellow-tagged buildings in Napa suggests similar large-scale seismic investigations can be performed. These correlations provide insights into the likely locations of significant structural damage resulting from future earthquakes that occur adjacent to or within sedimentary basins.

Estimating the hydraulic parameters of a confined aquifer based on the response of groundwater levels to seismic Rayleigh waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiaolong; Xiang, Yang; Shi, Zheming

2018-05-01

Groundwater flow models implemented to manage regional water resources require aquifer hydraulic parameters. Traditional methods for obtaining these parameters include laboratory experiments, field tests and model inversions, and each are potentially hindered by their unique limitations. Here, we propose a methodology for estimating hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficients using the spectral characteristics of the coseismic groundwater-level oscillations and seismic Rayleigh waves. The results from Well X10 are consistent with the variations and spectral characteristics of the water-level oscillations and seismic waves and present an estimated hydraulic conductivity of approximately 1 × 10-3 m s-1 and storativity of 15 × 10-6. The proposed methodology for estimating hydraulic parameters in confined aquifers is a practical and novel approach for groundwater management and seismic precursor anomaly analyses.

Crustal seismic anisotropy: A localized perspective from surface waves at the Ruby Mountains Core Complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilgus, J. T.; Schmandt, B.; Jiang, C.

2017-12-01

The relative importance of potential controls on crustal seismic anisotropy, such as deformational fabrics in polycrystalline crustal rocks and the contemporary state of stress, remain poorly constrained. Recent regional western US lithospheric seismic anisotropy studies have concluded that the distribution of strain in the lower crust is diffuse throughout the Basin and Range (BR) and that deformation in the crust and mantle are largely uncoupled. To further contribute to our understanding of crustal anisotropy we are conducting a detailed local study of seismic anisotropy within the BR using surface waves at the Ruby Mountain Core Complex (RMCC), located in northeast Nevada. The RMCC is one of many distinctive uplifts within the North American cordillera called metamorphic core complexes which consist of rocks exhumed from middle to lower crustal depths adjacent to mylonitic shear zones. The RMCC records exhumation depths up to 30 km indicating an anomalously high degree of extension relative to the BR average. This exhumation, the geologic setting of the RMCC, and the availability of dense broadband data from the Transportable Array (TA) and the Ruby Mountain Seismic Experiment (RMSE) coalesce to form an ideal opportunity to characterize seismic anisotropy as a function of depth beneath RMCC and evaluate the degree to which anisotropy deviates from regional scale properties of the BR. Preliminary azimuthal anisotropy results using Rayleigh waves reveal clear anisotropic signals at periods between 5-40 s, and demonstrate significant rotations of fast orientations relative to prior regional scale results. Moving forward we will focus on quantification of depth-dependent radial anisotropy from inversion of Rayleigh and Love waves. These results will be relevant to identification of the deep crustal distribution of strain associated with RMCC formation and may aid interpretation of controls on crustal anisotropy in other regions.

Dynamic response analysis of surrounding rock under the continuous blasting seismic wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, P. F.; Zong, Q.; Xu, Y.; Fu, J.

2017-10-01

The blasting vibration that is caused by blasting excavation will generate a certain degree of negative effect on the stability of surrounding rock in underground engineering. A dynamic response analysis of surrounding rock under the continuous blasting seismic wave is carried out to optimize blasting parameters and guide underground engineering construction. Based on the theory of wavelet analysis, the reconstructed signals of each layer of different frequency bands are obtained by db8 wavelet decomposition. The difference of dynamic response of the continuous blasting seismic wave at a certain point caused by different blasting sources is discussed. The signal in the frequency band of natural frequency of the surrounding rock shows a certain degree of amplification effect deduced from the dynamic response characteristics of the surrounding rock under the influence of continuous blasting seismic wave. Continuous blasting operations in a fixed space will lead to the change of internal structure of the surrounding rock. It may result in the decline of natural frequency of the whole surrounding rock and it is also harmful for the stability of the surrounding rock.

Site response, shallow shear-wave velocity, and wave propagation at the San Jose, California, dense seismic array

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hartzell, S.; Carver, D.; Williams, R.A.; Harmsen, S.; Zerva, A.

2003-01-01

Ground-motion records from a 52-element dense seismic array near San Jose, California, are analyzed to obtain site response, shallow shear-wave velocity, and plane-wave propagation characteristics. The array, located on the eastern side of the Santa Clara Valley south of the San Francisco Bay, is sited over the Evergreen basin, a 7-km-deep depression with Miocene and younger deposits. Site response values below 4 Hz are up to a factor of 2 greater when larger, regional records are included in the analysis, due to strong surface-wave development within the Santa Clara Valley. The pattern of site amplification is the same, however, with local or regional events. Site amplification increases away from the eastern edge of the Santa Clara Valley, reaching a maximum over the western edge of the Evergreen basin, where the pre-Cenozoic basement shallows rapidly. Amplification then decreases further to the west. This pattern may be caused by lower shallow shear-wave velocities and thicker Quaternary deposits further from the edge of the Santa Clara Valley and generation/trapping of surface waves above the shallowing basement of the western Evergreen basin. Shear-wave velocities from the inversion of site response spectra based on smaller, local earthquakes compare well with those obtained independently from our seismic reflection/refraction measurements. Velocities from the inversion of site spectra that include larger, regional records do not compare well with these measurements. A mix of local and regional events, however, is appropriate for determination of site response to be used in seismic hazard evaluation, since large damaging events would excite both body and surface waves with a wide range in ray parameters. Frequency-wavenumber, plane-wave analysis is used to determine the backazimuth and apparent velocity of coherent phases at the array. Conventional, high-resolution, and multiple signal characterization f-k power spectra and stacked slowness power spectra are

Using Co-located Rotational and Translational Ground-Motion Sensors to Characterize Seismic Scattering in the P-Wave Coda

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartrand, J.; Abbott, R. E.

2017-12-01

We present data and analysis of a seismic data collect at the site of a historical underground nuclear explosion at Yucca Flat, a sedimentary basin on the Nevada National Security Site, USA. The data presented here consist of active-source, six degree-of-freedom seismic signals. The translational signals were collected with a Nanometrics Trillium Compact Posthole seismometer and the rotational signals were collected with an ATA Proto-SMHD, a prototype rotational ground motion sensor. The source for the experiment was the Seismic Hammer (a 13,000 kg weight-drop), deployed on two-kilometer, orthogonal arms centered on the site of the nuclear explosion. By leveraging the fact that compressional waves have no rotational component, we generated a map of subsurface scattering and compared the results to known subsurface features. To determine scattering intensity, signals were cut to include only the P-wave and its coda. The ratio of the time-domain signal magnitudes of angular velocity and translational acceleration were sectioned into three time windows within the coda and averaged within each window. Preliminary results indicate an increased rotation/translation ratio in the vicinity of the explosion-generated chimney, suggesting mode conversion of P-wave energy to S-wave energy at that location. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Ocean Wave-to-Ice Energy Transfer Determined from Seafloor Pressure and Ice Shelf Seismic Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Z.; Bromirski, P. D.; Gerstoft, P.; Stephen, R. A.; Wiens, D.; Aster, R. C.; Nyblade, A.

2017-12-01

Ice shelves play an important role in buttressing land ice from reaching the sea, thus restraining the rate of sea level rise. Long-period gravity wave impacts excite vibrations in ice shelves that may trigger tabular iceberg calving and/or ice shelf collapse events. Three kinds of seismic plate waves were continuously observed by broadband seismic arrays on the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS) and on the Pine Island Glacier (PIG) ice shelf: (1) flexural-gravity waves, (2) flexural waves, and (3) extensional Lamb waves, suggesting that all West Antarctic ice shelves are subjected to similar gravity wave excitation. Ocean gravity wave heights were estimated from pressure perturbations recorded by an ocean bottom differential pressure gauge at the RIS front, water depth 741 m, about 8 km north of an on-ice seismic station that is 2 km from the shelf front. Combining the plate wave spectrum, the frequency-dependent energy transmission and reflection at the ice-water interface were determined. In addition, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the RIS are estimated from the plate wave motions, and compared with the widely used values. Quantifying these ice shelf parameters from observations will improve modeling of ice shelf response to ocean forcing, and ice shelf evolution.

Instant Variations in Velocity and Attenuation of Seismic Waves in a Friable Medium Under a Vibrational Dynamic Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geza, N.; Yushin, V.

2007-12-01

Instant variations of the velocities and attenuation of seismic waves in a friable medium subjected to dynamic loading have been studied by new experimental techniques using a powerful seismic vibrator. The half-space below the operating vibrator baseplate was scanned by high-frequency elastic waves, and the recorded fluctuations were exposed to a stroboscopic analysis. It was found that the variations of seismic velocities and attenuation are synchronous with the external vibrational load but have phase shift from it. Instant variations of the seismic waves parameters depend on the magnitude and absolute value of deformation, which generally result in decreasing of the elastic-wave velocities. New experimental techniques have a high sensitivity to the dynamic disturbance in the medium and allow one to detect a weak seismic boundaries. The relaxation process after dynamic vibrational loading were investigated and the results of research are presented.

Identification of ground motion features for high-tech facility under far field seismic waves using wavelet packet transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shieh-Kung; Loh, Chin-Hsiung; Chen, Chin-Tsun

2016-04-01

Seismic records collected from earthquake with large magnitude and far distance may contain long period seismic waves which have small amplitude but with dominant period up to 10 sec. For a general situation, the long period seismic waves will not endanger the safety of the structural system or cause any uncomfortable for human activity. On the contrary, for those far distant earthquakes, this type of seismic waves may cause a glitch or, furthermore, breakdown to some important equipments/facilities (such as the high-precision facilities in high-tech Fab) and eventually damage the interests of company if the amplitude becomes significant. The previous study showed that the ground motion features such as time-variant dominant frequencies extracted using moving window singular spectrum analysis (MWSSA) and amplitude characteristics of long-period waves identified from slope change of ground motion Arias Intensity can efficiently indicate the damage severity to the high-precision facilities. However, embedding a large hankel matrix to extract long period seismic waves make the MWSSA become a time-consumed process. In this study, the seismic ground motion data collected from broadband seismometer network located in Taiwan were used (with epicenter distance over 1000 km). To monitor the significant long-period waves, the low frequency components of these seismic ground motion data are extracted using wavelet packet transform (WPT) to obtain wavelet coefficients and the wavelet entropy of coefficients are used to identify the amplitude characteristics of long-period waves. The proposed method is a timesaving process compared to MWSSA and can be easily implemented for real-time detection. Comparison and discussion on this method among these different seismic events and the damage severity to the high-precision facilities in high-tech Fab is made.

Amplification of seismic waves by the Seattle basin, Washington State

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pratt, T.L.; Brocher, T.M.; Weaver, C.S.; Creager, K.C.; Snelson, C.M.; Crosson, R.S.; Miller, K.C.; Trehu, A.M.

2003-01-01

Recordings of the 1999 Mw 7.6 Chi-Chi (Taiwan) earthquake, two local earthquakes, and five blasts show seismic-wave amplification over a large sedimentary basin in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. For weak ground motions from the Chi-Chi earthquake, the Seattle basin amplified 0.2- to 0.8-Hz waves by factors of 8 to 16 relative to bedrock sites west of the basin. The amplification and peak frequency change during the Chi-Chi coda: the initial S-wave arrivals (0-30 sec) had maximum amplifications of 12 at 0.5-0.8 Hz, whereas later arrivals (35-65 sec) reached amplifications of 16 at 0.3-0.5 Hz. Analysis of local events in the 1.0- to 10.0-Hz frequency range show fourfold amplifications for 1.0-Hz weak ground motion over the Seattle basin. Amplifications decrease as frequencies increase above 1.0 Hz, with frequencies above 7 Hz showing lower amplitudes over the basin than at bedrock sites. Modeling shows that resonance in low-impedance deposits forming the upper 550 m of the basin beneath our profile could cause most of the observed amplification, and the larger amplification at later arrival times suggests surface waves also play a substantial role. These results emphasize the importance of shallow deposits in determining ground motions over large basins.

Effect of strong elastic contrasts on the propagation of seismic wave in hard-rock environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleh, R.; Zheng, L.; Liu, Q.; Milkereit, B.

2013-12-01

Understanding the propagation of seismic waves in a presence of strong elastic contrasts, such as topography, tunnels and ore-bodies is still a challenge. Safety in mining is a major concern and seismic monitoring is the main tool here. For engineering purposes, amplitudes (peak particle velocity/acceleration) and travel times of seismic events (mostly blasts or microseismic events) are critical parameters that have to be determined at various locations in a mine. These parameters are useful in preparing risk maps or to better understand the process of spatial and temporal stress distributions in a mine. Simple constant velocity models used for monitoring studies in mining, cannot explain the observed complexities in scattered seismic waves. In hard-rock environments modeling of elastic seismic wavefield require detailed 3D petrophysical, infrastructure and topographical data to simulate the propagation of seismic wave with a frequencies up to few kilohertz. With the development of efficient numerical techniques, and parallel computation facilities, a solution for such a problem is achievable. In this study, the effects of strong elastic contrasts such as ore-bodies, rough topography and tunnels will be illustrated using 3D modeling method. The main tools here are finite difference code (SOFI3D)[1] that has been benchmarked for engineering studies, and spectral element code (SPECFEM) [2], which was, developed for global seismology problems. The modeling results show locally enhanced peak particle velocity due to presence of strong elastic contrast and topography in models. [1] Bohlen, T. Parallel 3-D viscoelastic finite difference seismic modeling. Computers & Geosciences 28 (2002) 887-899 [2] Komatitsch, D., and J. Tromp, Introduction to the spectral-element method for 3-D seismic wave propagation, Geophys. J. Int., 139, 806-822, 1999.

Damping and Amplification of Seismic Waves in Gas-Charged Magma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neuberg, J. W.; Lensky, N. G.

2001-12-01

Low-frequency seismic signals are generated at the interface betweeen a solid medium and a magmatic melt. The existence of gas bubbles in the magma introduces a damping mechanism which depends mainly on the gas volume fraction and on the viscosity of the melt. However, in case of a sudden unloading (e.g. by lava dome failure) a decompressional wave propagates through the magma which becomes now supersaturated. Diffusion of gas into the bubbles leads to an exponential bubble growth which is in general frequency dependent. Such a system can be represented by a negative bulk viscosity which results in a net amplification rather than damping of the decompressional wave. Furthermore, the effects of a harmonically varying pressure on the supersaturated melt is explored, as it is caused by seismic tremor and prolongued conduit resonance.

A test of a mechanical multi-impact shear-wave seismic source

USGS Publications Warehouse

Worley, David M.; Odum, Jack K.; Williams, Robert A.; Stephenson, William J.

2001-01-01

We modified two gasoline-engine-powered earth tampers, commonly used as compressional-(P) wave seismic energy sources for shallow reflection studies, for use as shear(S)-wave energy sources. This new configuration, termed ?Hacker? (horizontal Wacker?), is evaluated as an alternative to the manual sledgehammer typically used in conjunction with a large timber held down by the front wheels of a vehicle. The Hacker maximizes the use of existing equipment by a quick changeover of bolt-on accessories as opposed to the handling of a separate source, and is intended to improve the depth of penetration of S-wave data by stacking hundreds of impacts over a two to three minute period. Records were made with a variety of configurations involving up to two Hackers simultaneously then compared to a reference record made with a sledgehammer. Preliminary results indicate moderate success by the higher amplitude S-waves recorded with the Hacker as compared to the hammer method. False triggers generated by the backswing of the Hacker add unwanted noise and we are currently working to modify the device to eliminate this effect. Correlation noise caused by insufficient randomness of the Hacker impact sequence is also a significant noise problem that we hope to reduce by improving the coupling of the Hacker to the timber so that the operator has more control over the impact sequence.

The Effects of Heterogeneities on Seismic Wave Propagation in the Climax Stock

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hagan Webb, C., Snelson, C. M., White, R., Emmitt, R., Barker, D., Abbott, R., Bonal, N.

2011-12-01

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty requires the ability to detect low-yield (less than 150kton) nuclear events. This kind of monitoring can only be done seismically on a regional scale (within 2000km). At this level, it is difficult to distinguish between low-yield nuclear events and non-nuclear events of similar magnitude. In order to confidently identify a nuclear event, a more detailed understanding of nuclear seismic sources is needed. In particular, it is important to know the effects of local geology on the seismic signal. This study focuses on P-wave velocity in heterogeneous granitoid. The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is currently performingmore » low-yield tests with chemical explosives at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The exact test site was chosen to be in the Climax Stock, a cretaceous granodiorite and quartz-monzonite pluton located in Area 15 of the NNSS. It has been used in the past for the Hard Hat and Pile Driver nuclear tests, which provided legacy data that can be used to simulate wave propagation. The Climax Stock was originally chosen as the site of the SPE partly because of its assumed homogeneity. It has since been discovered that the area of the stock where the SPE tests are being performed contains a perched water table. In addition, the stock is known to contain an extensive network of faults, joints, and fractures, but the exact effect of these structural features on seismic wave velocity is not fully understood. The SPE tests are designed to seismically capture the explosion phenomena from the near- to the far-field transition of the seismic waveform. In the first SPE experiment, 100kg of chemical explosives were set off at a depth of 55m. The blast was recorded with an array of sensors and diagnostics, including accelerometers, geophones, rotational sensors, short-period and broadband seismic sensors, Continuous Reflectometry for Radius vs. Time Experiment, Time of Arrival, Velocity of Detonation, and infrasound

Understanding the seismic wave propagation inside and around an underground cavity from a 3D numerical survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esterhazy, Sofi; Schneider, Felix; Perugia, Ilaria; Bokelmann, Götz

2017-04-01

Motivated by the need to detect an underground cavity within the procedure of an On-Site-Inspection (OSI) of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), which might be caused by a nuclear explosion/weapon testing, we aim to provide a basic numerical study of the wave propagation around and inside such an underground cavity. One method to investigate the geophysical properties of an underground cavity allowed by the Comprehensive Nuclear-test Ban Treaty is referred to as "resonance seismometry" - a resonance method that uses passive or active seismic techniques, relying on seismic cavity vibrations. This method is in fact not yet entirely determined by the Treaty and so far, there are only very few experimental examples that have been suitably documented to build a proper scientific groundwork. This motivates to investigate this problem on a purely numerical level and to simulate these events based on recent advances in numerical modeling of wave propagation problems. Our numerical study includes the full elastic wave field in three dimensions. We consider the effects from an incoming plane wave as well as point source located in the surrounding of the cavity at the surface. While the former can be considered as passive source like a tele-seismic earthquake, the latter represents a man-made explosion or a viborseis as used for/in active seismic techniques. Further we want to demonstrate the specific characteristics of the scattered wave field from a P-waves and S-wave separately. For our simulations in 3D we use the discontinuous Galerkin Spectral Element Code SPEED developed by MOX (The Laboratory for Modeling and Scientific Computing, Department of Mathematics) and DICA (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) at the Politecnico di Milano. The computations are carried out on the Vienna Scientific Cluster (VSC). The accurate numerical modeling can facilitate the development of proper analysis techniques to detect the remnants of an

Importance of double-pole CFS-PML for broad-band seismic wave simulation and optimal parameters selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Haike; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Jie; Chen, Xiaofei

2017-05-01

The perfectly matched layer (PML) is an efficient absorbing technique for numerical wave simulation. The complex frequency-shifted PML (CFS-PML) introduces two additional parameters in the stretching function to make the absorption frequency dependent. This can help to suppress converted evanescent waves from near grazing incident waves, but does not efficiently absorb low-frequency waves below the cut-off frequency. To absorb both the evanescent wave and the low-frequency wave, the double-pole CFS-PML having two poles in the coordinate stretching function was developed in computational electromagnetism. Several studies have investigated the performance of the double-pole CFS-PML for seismic wave simulations in the case of a narrowband seismic wavelet and did not find significant difference comparing to the CFS-PML. Another difficulty to apply the double-pole CFS-PML for real problems is that a practical strategy to set optimal parameter values has not been established. In this work, we study the performance of the double-pole CFS-PML for broad-band seismic wave simulation. We find that when the maximum to minimum frequency ratio is larger than 16, the CFS-PML will either fail to suppress the converted evanescent waves for grazing incident waves, or produce visible low-frequency reflection, depending on the value of α. In contrast, the double-pole CFS-PML can simultaneously suppress the converted evanescent waves and avoid low-frequency reflections with proper parameter values. We analyse the different roles of the double-pole CFS-PML parameters and propose optimal selections of these parameters. Numerical tests show that the double-pole CFS-PML with the optimal parameters can generate satisfactory results for broad-band seismic wave simulations.

Seismic Anisotropy from Surface Refraction Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilhelm, J.; Hrdá, J.; Klíma, K.; Lokajícek, T.; Pros, Z.

2003-04-01

The contribution deals with the methods of determining P and S wave velocities in the shallow refraction seismics. The comparison of a P-wave anisotropy from samples and field surface measurement is performed. The laboratory measurement of the P-wave velocity is realized as omni directional ultrasound measurement on oriented spherical samples (diameter 5 cm) under a hydrostatic pressure up to 400 MPa. The field measurement is based on the processing of at least one pair of reversed time-distance curves of refracted waves. Different velocity calculation techniques are involved including tomographic approach from the surface. It is shown that field seismic measurement can reflect internal rock fabric (lineation, mineral anisotropy) as well as effects connected with the fracturing and weathering. The elastic constants derived from laboratory measurements exhibit transversal isotropy. For the estimation of anisotropy influence we perform ray-tracing by the software package ANRAY (Consortium Seismic Waves in Complex 3-D Structures). The use of P and S wave anisotropy measurement to determine hard rock hydro-geological collector (water resource) is presented. In a relatively homogeneous lutaceous sedimentary medium we identified a transversally isotropic layer which exhibits increased value of permeability (transmisivity). The seismic measurement is realized by three component geophones with both vertical and shear seismic sources. VLF and resistivity profiling accompany the filed survey.

Monitoring glacier surface seismicity in time and space using Rayleigh waves

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mikesell, T. D.; Van Wijk, K.; Haney, Matthew M.; Bradford, J.H.; Marshall, Hans P.; Harper, J. T.

2012-01-01

Sliding glaciers and brittle ice failure generate seismic body and surface wave energy characteristic to the source mechanism. Here we analyze continuous seismic recordings from an array of nine short-period passive seismometers located on Bench Glacier, Alaska (USA) (61.033°N, 145.687°W). We focus on the arrival-time and amplitude information of the dominant Rayleigh wave phase. Over a 46-hour period we detect thousands of events using a cross-correlation based event identification method. Travel-time inversion of a subset of events (7% of the total) defines an active crevasse, propagating more than 200 meters in three hours. From the Rayleigh wave amplitudes, we estimate the amount of volumetric opening along the crevasse as well as an average bulk attenuation (  = 42) for the ice in this part of the glacier. With the remaining icequake signals we establish a diurnal periodicity in seismicity, indicating that surface run-off and subglacial water pressure changes likely control the triggering of these surface events. Furthermore, we find that these events are too weak (i.e., too noisy) to locate individually. However, stacking individual events increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the waveforms, implying that these periodic sources are effectively stationary during the recording period.

Detection of sinkholes or anomalies using full seismic wave fields.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-04-01

This research presents an application of two-dimensional (2-D) time-domain waveform tomography for detection of embedded sinkholes and anomalies. The measured seismic surface wave fields were inverted using a full waveform inversion (FWI) technique, ...

Rayleigh wave tomography of the British Isles from ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolson, Heather; Curtis, Andrew; Baptie, Brian

2014-08-01

We present the first Rayleigh wave group speed maps of the British Isles constructed from ambient seismic noise. The maps also constitute the first surface wave tomography study of the crust under the British Isles at a relatively high resolution. We computed interferometric, interstation Rayleigh waves from vertical component records of ambient seismic noise recorded on 63 broad-band and short-period stations across the UK and Ireland. Group velocity measurements were made from the resulting surface wave dispersion curves between 5 and 25 s using a multiple phase-matched filter method. Uncertainties in the group velocities were computed by calculating the standard deviation of four dispersion curves constructed by stacking a random selection of daily cross-correlations. Where an uncertainty could not be obtained for a ray path using this method, we estimated it as a function of the interreceiver distance. Group velocity maps were computed for 5-25-s period using the Fast Marching forward solution of the eikonal equation and iterative, linearized inversion. At short and intermediate periods, the maps show remarkable agreement with the major geological features of the British Isles including: terrane boundaries in Scotland; regions of late Palaeozoic basement uplift; areas of exposed late Proterozoic/early Palaeozoic rocks in southwest Scotland, northern England and northwest Wales and, sedimentary basins formed during the Mesozoic such as the Irish Sea Basin, the Chester Basin, the Worcester Graben and the Wessex Basin. The maps also show a consistent low-velocity anomaly in the region of the Midlands Platform, a Proterozoic crustal block in the English Midlands. At longer periods, which are sensitive velocities in the lower crustal/upper mantle, the maps suggest that the depth of Moho beneath the British Isles decreases towards the north and west. Areas of fast velocity in the lower crust also coincide with areas thought to be associated with underplating of the

Upper crustal structure of the North Anatolian Fault Zone from ambient seismic noise Rayleigh and Love wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, George; Rost, Sebastian; Houseman, Gregory; Hillers, Gregor

2017-04-01

By utilising short period surface waves present in the noise field, we can construct images of shallow structure in the Earth's upper crust: a region that is usually poorly resolved in earthquake tomography. Here, we use data from a dense seismic array (Dense Array for Northern Anatolia - DANA) deployed across the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the region of the 1999 magnitude 7.6 Izmit earthquake in western Turkey. The NAFZ is a major strike-slip system that extends ˜1200 km across northern Turkey and continues to pose a high level of seismic hazard, in particular to the mega-city of Istanbul. We obtain maps of group velocity variation using surface wave tomography applied to short period (1- 6 s) Rayleigh and Love waves to construct high-resolution images of the upper 5 km of a 70 km x 35 km region centred on the eastern end of the fault segment that ruptured in the 1999 Izmit earthquake. The average Rayleigh wave group velocities in the region vary between 1.8 km/s at 1.5 s period, to 2.2 km/s at 6 s period. The NAFZ bifurcates into northern and southern strands in this region; both are active but only the northern strand moved in the 1999 event. The signatures of both the northern and southern branches of the NAFZ are clearly associated with strong gradients in surface wave group velocity. To the north of the NAFZ, we observe low Rayleigh wave group velocities ( 1.2 km/s) associated with the unconsolidated sediments of the Adapazari basin, and blocks of weathered terrigenous clastic sediments. To the south of the northern branch of the NAFZ, we detect high velocities ( 2.5 km/s) associated with a shallow crystalline basement, in particular a block of metamorphosed schists and marbles that bound the northern branch of the NAFZ.

Upper mantle seismic anisotropy beneath Northern Peru from shear wave splitting analysis.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franca, G. S.; Condori, C.; Tavera, H.; Eakin, C. M.; Beck, S. L.

2017-12-01

Beneath much of Peru lies the largest region of flat-slab subduction in the world today. The origins and dynamics of the Peruvian flat-slab however remain elusive, particularly in the north away from the Nazca Ridge. Studies of seismic anisotropy can potentially provide us with insight into the dynamics of recent and past deformational processes in the upper mantle. In this study, we conduct shear wave splitting to investigate seismic anisotropy across the northern extent of the Peruvian flat-slab for the first time. For the analysis, we used arrivals of SKS, SKKS and PKS phases from teleseismic events (88° > Δ < 150°) recorded at 30 broadband seismic stations from the Peruvian permanent and portable seismic networks, and international networks (CTBTO and RSBR-Brazil). The preliminary results reveal a complex anisotropy pattern with variations along strike. In the northernmost region, the average delay times range between 1.0 s and 1.2 s, with fast directions predominantly ENE-WSW oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to the trench, parallel with subduction of the Nazca plate. Meanwhile towards the central region of Peru, the predominant fast direction changes to SE-NW oblique with the trench, but consistent with the pattern seen previously over the southern extent of the flat-slab by Eakin et al. (2013, 2015). These characteristics suggest a fundamental difference between the anisotropic structures, and therefore underlying mantle processes, beneath the northern and central portions of the Peruvian flat-slab.

Transdimensional inversion of scattered body waves for 1D S-wave velocity structure - Application to the Tengchong volcanic area, Southwestern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Mengkui; Zhang, Shuangxi; Bodin, Thomas; Lin, Xu; Wu, Tengfei

2018-06-01

Inversion of receiver functions is commonly used to recover the S-wave velocity structure beneath seismic stations. Traditional approaches are based on deconvolved waveforms, where the horizontal component of P-wave seismograms is deconvolved by the vertical component. Deconvolution of noisy seismograms is a numerically unstable process that needs to be stabilized by regularization parameters. This biases noise statistics, making it difficult to estimate uncertainties in observed receiver functions for Bayesian inference. This study proposes a method to directly invert observed radial waveforms and to better account for data noise in a Bayesian formulation. We illustrate its feasibility with two synthetic tests having different types of noises added to seismograms. Then, a real site application is performed to obtain the 1-D S-wave velocity structure beneath a seismic station located in the Tengchong volcanic area, Southwestern China. Surface wave dispersion measurements spanning periods from 8 to 65 s are jointly inverted with P waveforms. The results show a complex S-wave velocity structure, as two low velocity zones are observed in the crust and uppermost mantle, suggesting the existence of magma chambers, or zones of partial melt. The upper magma chambers may be the heart source that cause the thermal activity on the surface.

Investigating Deep-Marine Sediment Waves in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Using 3D Seismic Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Z.; Gani, M. R.

2016-12-01

Deep-water depositional elements have been studied for decades using outcrop, flume tank, sidescan sonar, and seismic data. Even though they have been well recognized by researchers, the improvements in the quality of 3D seismic data with increasingly larger dimension allow detailed analysis of deep-water depositional elements with new insights. This study focuses on the deep-marine sediment waves in the northern Gulf of Mexico. By interpreting a 3D seismic dataset covering 635 km2 at Mississippi Canyon and Viosca Knoll areas, large sediment waves, generated by sediment gravity flows, were mapped and analyzed with various seismic attributes. A succession of sediment waves, approximately 100 m in thickness, is observed on the marine slope that tapers out at the toe of the slope. The individual sediment wave exhibits up to 500 m in wavelength and up to 20 m in height. The wave crests oriented northeast-southwest are broadly aligned parallel to the regional slope-strike, indicating their sediment gravity flow origin. The crestlines are straight or slightly sinuous, with sinuosity increasing downslope. Their anti-dune patterns likely imply the presence of supercritical flows. The sediment waves have a retrogradational stacking pattern. Seismic amplitude maps of each sediment wave revealed that after depositing the majority of sheet-like sands on the upper slope, sediment gravity flows started to form large sediment waves on the lower slope. The steep and narrow upcurrent flanks of the sediment waves always display higher amplitudes than the gentle and wide downcurrent flanks, indicating that the sands were likely preferentially trapped along the upcurrent flanks, whereas the muds spread along the downcurrent flanks. The formation of sediment waves likely requires a moderate sand-mud ratio, as suggested by these observations: (1) absence of sediment waves on the upper slope where the sands were mainly deposited as unconfined sheets with a high sand-mud ratio; (2

Time-dependent recovery of microcrack damage and seismic wave speeds in deformed limestone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brantut, Nicolas

2015-12-01

Limestone samples were deformed up to 5% inelastic axial strain at an effective confining pressure Peff=50 MPa in the cataclastic flow regime and subsequently maintained under constant static stress conditions (either isostatic of triaxial) for extended periods of time while elastic wave speeds and permeability were continuously monitored. During deformation, both seismic wave speeds and permeability decrease with increasing strain, due to the growth of subvertical microcracks and inelastic porosity reduction. During the static hold period under water-saturated conditions, the seismic wave speeds recovered gradually, typically by around 5% (relative to their initial value) after 2 days, while permeability remained constant. The recovery in wave speed increases with increasing confining pressure but decreases with increasing applied differential stress. The recovery is markedly lower when the samples are saturated with an inert fluid as opposed to water. The evolution in wave speed is interpreted quantitatively in terms of microcrack density, which shows that the post-deformation recovery is associated with a decrease in effective microcrack length, typically of the order to 10% after 2 days. The proposed mechanism for the observed damage recovery is microcrack closure due to a combination of backsliding on wing cracks driven by time-dependent friction and closure due to pressure solution at contacts between propping particles or asperities and microcrack walls. The recovery rates observed in the experiments, and the proposed underlying mechanisms, are compatible with seismological observations of seismic wave speed recovery along faults following earthquakes.

Global-scale Joint Body and Surface Wave Tomography with Vertical Transverse Isotropy for Seismic Monitoring Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simmons, Nathan; Myers, Steve

2017-04-01

We continue to develop more advanced models of Earth's global seismic structure with specific focus on improving predictive capabilities for future seismic events. Our most recent version of the model combines high-quality P and S wave body wave travel times and surface-wave group and phase velocities into a joint (simultaneous) inversion process to tomographically image Earth's crust and mantle. The new model adds anisotropy (known as vertical transverse isotropy) to the model, which is necessitated by the addition of surface waves to the tomographic data set. Like previous versions of the model the new model consists of 59 surfaces and 1.6 million model nodes from the surface to the core-mantle boundary, overlaying a 1-D outer and inner core model. The model architecture is aspherical and we directly incorporate Earth's expected hydrostatic shape (ellipticity and mantle stretching). We also explicitly honor surface undulations including the Moho, several internal crustal units, and the upper mantle transition zone undulations as predicated by previous studies. The explicit Earth model design allows for accurate travel time computation using our unique 3-D ray tracing algorithms, capable of 3-D ray tracing more than 20 distinct seismic phases including crustal, regional, teleseismic, and core phases. Thus, we can now incorporate certain secondary (and sometimes exotic) phases into source location determination and other analyses. New work on model uncertainty quantification assesses the error covariance of the model, which when completed will enable calculation of path-specific estimates of uncertainty for travel times computed using our previous model (LLNL-G3D-JPS) which is available to the monitoring and broader research community and we encourage external evaluation and validation. This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Seismic velocities in fractured rocks: An experimental verification of Hudson`s theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peacock, S.; McCann, C.; Sothcott, J.

1994-01-01

Flow of fluids in many hydrocarbon reservoirs aquifers is enhanced by the presence of cracks and fractures. These cracks could be detected by their effects on propagation of compressional and shear waves through the reservoir: several theories, including Hudson`s, claim to predict the seismic effects of cracks. Although Hudson`s theory has already been used to calculate crack densities from seismic survey`s, the predictions of the theory have not yet been tested experimentally on rocks containing a known crack distribution. This paper describes an experimental verification of the theory. The rock used, Carrara marble, was chosen for its uniformity and lowmore » porosity, so that the effect of cracks would not be obscured by other influences. Cracks were induced by loading of laboratory specimens. Velocities of compressional and shear waves were measured by ultrasound at 0.85 MHz in dry and water-saturated specimens at high and low effective pressures.The cracks were then counted in polished sections of the specimens. In ``dry`` specimens with both dry and saturated cracks, Hudson`s theory overpredicted observed crack densities by a constant amount that is attributed to the observed value being systematically underestimated. The theory made poor predictions for fully saturated specimens. Shear-wave splitting, caused by anisotropy due to both crystal and crack alignment, was observed. Cracks were seen to follow grain boundaries rather than the direction of maximum compression due to loading. The results demonstrate that Hudson`s theory may be used in some cases to determine crack and fracture densities from compressional- and shear-wave velocity data.« less

Research on Influencing Factors and Generalized Power of Synthetic Artificial Seismic Wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Yanpei

2018-05-01

Start your abstract here… In this paper, according to the trigonometric series method, the author adopts different envelope functions and the acceleration design spectrum in Seismic Code For Urban Bridge Design to simulate the seismic acceleration time history which meets the engineering accuracy requirements by modifying and iterating the initial wave. Spectral analysis is carried out to find out the the distribution law of the changing frequencies of the energy of seismic time history and to determine the main factors that affect the acceleration amplitude spectrum and energy spectrum density. The generalized power formula of seismic time history is derived from the discrete energy integral formula and the author studied the changing characteristics of generalized power of the seismic time history under different envelop functions. Examples are analyzed to illustrate that generalized power can measure the seismic performance of bridges.

Lithospheric-Mantle Structure of the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa, Derived From Thermodynamically Self-Consistent Modelling of Seismic Surface-Wave and S-wave Receiver Function, Heat-flow, Elevation, Xenolith and Magnetotelluric Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muller, M. R.; Fullea, J.; Jones, A. G.; Adam, J.; Lebedev, S.; Piana Agostinetti, N.

2012-12-01

Results from recent geophysical and mantle-xenolith geochemistry studies of the Kaapvaal Craton appear, at times, to provide disparate views of the physical, chemical and thermal structure of the lithosphere. Models from our recent SAMTEX magnetotelluric (MT) surveys across the Kaapvaal Craton indicate a resistive, 220-240 km thick lithosphere for the central core of the craton. One published S-wave receiver function (SRF) study and other surface-wave studies suggest a thinner lithosphere characterised by a ~160 km thick high-velocity "lid" underlain by a low-velocity zone (LVZ) of between 65-150 km in thickness. Other seismic studies suggest that the (high-velocity) lithosphere is thicker, in excess of 220 km. Mantle xenolith pressure-temperature arrays from Mesozoic kimberlites require that the base of the "thermal" lithosphere (i.e., the depth above which a conductive geotherm is maintained) is at least 220 km deep, to account for mantle geotherms in the range 35-38 mWm-2. Richly diamondiferous kimberlites across the Kaapvaal Craton require a lithospheric thickness substantially greater than 160 km - the depth of the top of the diamond stability field. In this paper we use the recently developed LitMod software code to derive, thermodynamically consistently, a range of 1-D seismic velocity, density, electrical resistivity and temperature models from layered geochemical models of the lithosphere based on mantle xenolith compositions. In our work, the "petrological" lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (pLAB) (i.e., the top of the fertile asthenospheric-mantle) and the "thermal" LAB (tLAB as defined above) are coincident. Lithospheric-mantle models are found simultaneously satisfying all geophysical observables: new surface-wave dispersion data, published SRFs, MT responses, surface elevation and heat-flow. Our results show: 1. All lithospheric-mantle models are characterised by a seismic LVZ with a minimum velocity at the depth of the petrological/thermal LAB. The

Seismic, satellite, and site observations of internal solitary waves in the NE South China Sea.

PubMed

Tang, Qunshu; Wang, Caixia; Wang, Dongxiao; Pawlowicz, Rich

2014-06-20

Internal solitary waves (ISWs) in the NE South China Sea (SCS) are tidally generated at the Luzon Strait. Their propagation, evolution, and dissipation processes involve numerous issues still poorly understood. Here, a novel method of seismic oceanography capable of capturing oceanic finescale structures is used to study ISWs in the slope region of the NE SCS. Near-simultaneous observations of two ISWs were acquired using seismic and satellite imaging, and water column measurements. The vertical and horizontal length scales of the seismic observed ISWs are around 50 m and 1-2 km, respectively. Wave phase speeds calculated from seismic observations, satellite images, and water column data are consistent with each other. Observed waveforms and vertical velocities also correspond well with those estimated using KdV theory. These results suggest that the seismic method, a new option to oceanographers, can be further applied to resolve other important issues related to ISWs.

Regional seismic-wave propagation from the M5.8 23 August 2011, Mineral, Virginia, earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pollitz, Fred; Mooney, Walter D.

2015-01-01

The M5.8 23 August 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake was felt over nearly the entire eastern United States and was recorded by a wide array of seismic broadband instruments. The earthquake occurred ~200 km southeast of the boundary between two distinct geologic belts, the Piedmont and Blue Ridge terranes to the southeast and the Valley and Ridge Province to the northwest. At a dominant period of 3 s, coherent postcritical P-wave (i.e., direct longitudinal waves trapped in the crustal waveguide) arrivals persist to a much greater distance for propagation paths toward the northwest quadrant than toward other directions; this is probably related to the relatively high crustal thickness beneath and west of the Appalachian Mountains. The seismic surface-wave arrivals comprise two distinct classes: those with weakly dispersed Rayleigh waves and those with strongly dispersed Rayleigh waves. We attribute the character of Rayleigh wave arrivals in the first class to wave propagation through a predominantly crystalline crust (Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont terranes) with a relatively thin veneer of sedimentary rock, whereas the temporal extent of the Rayleigh wave arrivals in the second class are well explained as the effect of the thick sedimentary cover of the Valley and Ridge Province and adjacent Appalachian Plateau province to its northwest. Broadband surface-wave ground velocity is amplified along both north-northwest and northeast azimuths from the Mineral, Virginia, source. The former may arise from lateral focusing effects arising from locally thick sedimentary cover in the Appalachian Basin, and the latter may result from directivity effects due to a northeast rupture propagation along the finite fault plane.

High frequency measurement of P- and S-wave velocities on crystalline rock massif surface - methodology of measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilhelm, Jan; Slavík, Lubomír

2014-05-01

For the purpose of non-destructive monitoring of rock properties in the underground excavation it is possible to perform repeated high-accuracy P- and S-wave velocity measurements. This contribution deals with preliminary results gained during the preparation of micro-seismic long-term monitoring system. The field velocity measurements were made by pulse-transmission technique directly on the rock outcrop (granite) in Bedrichov gallery (northern Bohemia). The gallery at the experimental site was excavated using TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) and it is used for drinking water supply, which is conveyed in a pipe. The stable measuring system and its automatic operation lead to the use of piezoceramic transducers both as a seismic source and as a receiver. The length of measuring base at gallery wall was from 0.5 to 3 meters. Different transducer coupling possibilities were tested namely with regard of repeatability of velocity determination. The arrangement of measuring system on the surface of the rock massif causes better sensitivity of S-transducers for P-wave measurement compared with the P-transducers. Similarly P-transducers were found more suitable for S-wave velocity determination then P-transducers. The frequency dependent attenuation of fresh rock massif results in limited frequency content of registered seismic signals. It was found that at the distance between the seismic source and receiver from 0.5 m the frequency components above 40 kHz are significantly attenuated. Therefore for the excitation of seismic wave 100 kHz transducers are most suitable. The limited frequency range should be also taken into account for the shape of electric impulse used for exciting of piezoceramic transducer. The spike pulse generates broad-band seismic signal, short in the time domain. However its energy after low-pass filtration in the rock is significantly lower than the energy of seismic signal generated by square wave pulse. Acknowledgments: This work was partially

Rayleigh Wave Group Velocity Distributions for East Asia from Ambient Seismic Noise Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witek, M.; van der Lee, S.; Kang, T. S.; Chang, S. J.; Ning, S.; Ning, J.

2014-12-01

We have collected continuous vertical-component broadband data from 1109 seismic stations in regional networks across China, Korea, and Japan for the year 2011 to perform the largest surface wave tomography study in the region. Using this data set, we have measured over half a million Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion curves from 1-year stacks of station-pair ambient seismic noise cross-correlations. Quality control is performed by measuring the coherency of the positive and negative lag time sides of the cross-correlations. If the coherency is below an empirically determined threshold, the dispersion curve is measured on the side of the highest SNR. Otherwise, the positive and negative sides of the cross-correlation are averaged before dispersion curve measurement. Group velocity measurements for which the SNR was less than 10 are discarded. The Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion curves are regionalized on a tessellated spherical shell grid in the period range 10 to 50 s to produce maps of Rayleigh wave group velocity distributions. Preliminary maps at 10 seconds period match well with geologic features at the surface. In particular, we observe low group velocities in the Songliao, Bohai Bay, Sichuan, Ordos, Tarim, and Junggar Basins in China, and the Ulleung and Yamato Basins in the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Higher group velocities are observed in regions with less sediment cover. At periods around 30 s, we observe group velocity decreases going from east to west in China, representing an overall trend of crustal thickening due to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The Ordos and Sichuan blocks show higher group velocities relative to the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, possibly reflecting low temperatures in these cratons.

Deriving micro- to macro-scale seismic velocities from ice-core c axis orientations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerch, Johanna; Diez, Anja; Weikusat, Ilka; Eisen, Olaf

2018-05-01

One of the great challenges in glaciology is the ability to estimate the bulk ice anisotropy in ice sheets and glaciers, which is needed to improve our understanding of ice-sheet dynamics. We investigate the effect of crystal anisotropy on seismic velocities in glacier ice and revisit the framework which is based on fabric eigenvalues to derive approximate seismic velocities by exploiting the assumed symmetry. In contrast to previous studies, we calculate the seismic velocities using the exact c axis angles describing the orientations of the crystal ensemble in an ice-core sample. We apply this approach to fabric data sets from an alpine and a polar ice core. Our results provide a quantitative evaluation of the earlier approximative eigenvalue framework. For near-vertical incidence our results differ by up to 135 m s-1 for P-wave and 200 m s-1 for S-wave velocity compared to the earlier framework (estimated 1 % difference in average P-wave velocity at the bedrock for the short alpine ice core). We quantify the influence of shear-wave splitting at the bedrock as 45 m s-1 for the alpine ice core and 59 m s-1 for the polar ice core. At non-vertical incidence we obtain differences of up to 185 m s-1 for P-wave and 280 m s-1 for S-wave velocities. Additionally, our findings highlight the variation in seismic velocity at non-vertical incidence as a function of the horizontal azimuth of the seismic plane, which can be significant for non-symmetric orientation distributions and results in a strong azimuth-dependent shear-wave splitting of max. 281 m s-1 at some depths. For a given incidence angle and depth we estimated changes in phase velocity of almost 200 m s-1 for P wave and more than 200 m s-1 for S wave and shear-wave splitting under a rotating seismic plane. We assess for the first time the change in seismic anisotropy that can be expected on a short spatial (vertical) scale in a glacier due to strong variability in crystal-orientation fabric (±50 m s-1 per 10 cm

3-component beamforming analysis of ambient seismic noise field for Love and Rayleigh wave source directions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juretzek, Carina; Hadziioannou, Céline

2014-05-01

Our knowledge about common and different origins of Love and Rayleigh waves observed in the microseism band of the ambient seismic noise field is still limited, including the understanding of source locations and source mechanisms. Multi-component array methods are suitable to address this issue. In this work we use a 3-component beamforming algorithm to obtain source directions and polarization states of the ambient seismic noise field within the primary and secondary microseism bands recorded at the Gräfenberg array in southern Germany. The method allows to distinguish between different polarized waves present in the seismic noise field and estimates Love and Rayleigh wave source directions and their seasonal variations using one year of array data. We find mainly coinciding directions for the strongest acting sources of both wave types at the primary microseism and different source directions at the secondary microseism.

Duration of Tsunami Generation Longer than Duration of Seismic Wave Generation in the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujihara, S.; Korenaga, M.; Kawaji, K.; Akiyama, S.

2013-12-01

We try to compare and evaluate the nature of tsunami generation and seismic wave generation in occurrence of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (hereafter, called as TOH11), in terms of two type of moment rate functions, inferred from finite source imaging of tsunami waveforms and seismic waveforms. Since 1970's, the nature of "tsunami earthquakes" has been discussed in many researches (e.g. Kanamori, 1972; Kanamori and Kikuchi, 1993; Kikuchi and Kanamori, 1995; Ide et al., 1993; Satake, 1994) mostly based on analysis of seismic waveform data , in terms of the "slow" nature of tsunami earthquakes (e.g., the 1992 Nicaragura earthquake). Although TOH11 is not necessarily understood as a tsunami earthquake, TOH11 is one of historical earthquakes that simultaneously generated large seismic waves and tsunami. Also, TOH11 is one of earthquakes which was observed both by seismic observation network and tsunami observation network around the Japanese islands. Therefore, for the purpose of analyzing the nature of tsunami generation, we try to utilize tsunami waveform data as much as possible. In our previous studies of TOH11 (Fujihara et al., 2012a; Fujihara et al., 2012b), we inverted tsunami waveforms at GPS wave gauges of NOWPHAS to image the spatio-temporal slip distribution. The "temporal" nature of our tsunami source model is generally consistent with the other tsunami source models (e.g., Satake et al, 2013). For seismic waveform inversion based on 1-D structure, here we inverted broadband seismograms at GSN stations based on the teleseismic body-wave inversion scheme (Kikuchi and Kanamori, 2003). Also, for seismic waveform inversion considering the inhomogeneous internal structure, we inverted strong motion seismograms at K-NET and KiK-net stations, based on 3-D Green's functions (Fujihara et al., 2013a; Fujihara et al., 2013b). The gross "temporal" nature of our seismic source models are generally consistent with the other seismic source models (e.g., Yoshida et al

Seismic, satellite, and site observations of internal solitary waves in the NE South China Sea

PubMed Central

Tang, Qunshu; Wang, Caixia; Wang, Dongxiao; Pawlowicz, Rich

2014-01-01

Internal solitary waves (ISWs) in the NE South China Sea (SCS) are tidally generated at the Luzon Strait. Their propagation, evolution, and dissipation processes involve numerous issues still poorly understood. Here, a novel method of seismic oceanography capable of capturing oceanic finescale structures is used to study ISWs in the slope region of the NE SCS. Near-simultaneous observations of two ISWs were acquired using seismic and satellite imaging, and water column measurements. The vertical and horizontal length scales of the seismic observed ISWs are around 50 m and 1–2 km, respectively. Wave phase speeds calculated from seismic observations, satellite images, and water column data are consistent with each other. Observed waveforms and vertical velocities also correspond well with those estimated using KdV theory. These results suggest that the seismic method, a new option to oceanographers, can be further applied to resolve other important issues related to ISWs. PMID:24948180

Seismic shear waves as Foucault pendulum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snieder, Roel; Sens-Schönfelder, Christoph; Ruigrok, Elmer; Shiomi, Katsuhiko

2016-03-01

Earth's rotation causes splitting of normal modes. Wave fronts and rays are, however, not affected by Earth's rotation, as we show theoretically and with observations made with USArray. We derive that the Coriolis force causes a small transverse component for P waves and a small longitudinal component for S waves. More importantly, Earth's rotation leads to a slow rotation of the transverse polarization of S waves; during the propagation of S waves the particle motion behaves just like a Foucault pendulum. The polarization plane of shear waves counteracts Earth's rotation and rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. The rotation rate is independent of the wave frequency and is purely geometric, like the Berry phase. Using the polarization of ScS and ScS2 waves, we show that the Foucault-like rotation of the S wave polarization can be observed. This can affect the determination of source mechanisms and the interpretation of observed SKS splitting.

Multiple attenuation to reflection seismic data using Radon filter and Wave Equation Multiple Rejection (WEMR) method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Erlangga, Mokhammad Puput

Separation between signal and noise, incoherent or coherent, is important in seismic data processing. Although we have processed the seismic data, the coherent noise is still mixing with the primary signal. Multiple reflections are a kind of coherent noise. In this research, we processed seismic data to attenuate multiple reflections in the both synthetic and real seismic data of Mentawai. There are several methods to attenuate multiple reflection, one of them is Radon filter method that discriminates between primary reflection and multiple reflection in the τ-p domain based on move out difference between primary reflection and multiple reflection. However, inmore » case where the move out difference is too small, the Radon filter method is not enough to attenuate the multiple reflections. The Radon filter also produces the artifacts on the gathers data. Except the Radon filter method, we also use the Wave Equation Multiple Elimination (WEMR) method to attenuate the long period multiple reflection. The WEMR method can attenuate the long period multiple reflection based on wave equation inversion. Refer to the inversion of wave equation and the magnitude of the seismic wave amplitude that observed on the free surface, we get the water bottom reflectivity which is used to eliminate the multiple reflections. The WEMR method does not depend on the move out difference to attenuate the long period multiple reflection. Therefore, the WEMR method can be applied to the seismic data which has small move out difference as the Mentawai seismic data. The small move out difference on the Mentawai seismic data is caused by the restrictiveness of far offset, which is only 705 meter. We compared the real free multiple stacking data after processing with Radon filter and WEMR process. The conclusion is the WEMR method can more attenuate the long period multiple reflection than the Radon filter method on the real (Mentawai) seismic data.« less

P- and S-wave models and statistical characterization of scatterers at the Solfatara Volcano using active seismic data from RICEN experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serra, Marcello; Festa, Gaetano; Roux, Philippe; Vandemeulebrouck, Jean; Gresse, Marceau; Zollo, Aldo

2017-04-01

RICEN (Repeated and InduCed Earthquakes and Noise) is an active and passive experiment organized at the Solfatara volcano, in the framework of the European project MEDSUV. It was aimed to reveal and track the variations in the elastic properties of the medium at small scale through repeated observations over time. It covered an area of 90m x 115m by a regular grid of 240 receivers and 100 shotpoints at the center of the volcano. A Vibroseis truck was used as seismic source . We cross-correlated the seismograms by the source time function to obtain the Green's functions filtered in the frequency band excited by the source. To estimate the phase and the group velocities of the Rayleigh-waves we used the coherence of the signal along the seismic sections. In subgrids of 40m x 40m we realigned the waveforms or their envelope in different frequency bands, to maximize the amplitude of the stack function, the phase or the group velocities being those speeds proving this maximum. We jointly inverted the dispersion curves to obtain a locally layered 1-D medium in term of S-waves. Finally the collection of all the models provides us with a 3-D image of the investigated area. The S-wave velocity decreases toward the "Fangaia", due to the water saturation of the medium, as confirmed by geoelectric results. Since the Solfatara is a strongly heterogeneous medium, it is not possible to localize the velocity anomalies at different scales and a description of the medium through statistical parameters, such as the mean free path (MFP) and the transport mean free path (TMFP) was provided. The MFP was recovered from the ratio between coherent and incoherent intensities of the surface waves measured in different frequency bands. It decreases with frequency from about 40m at 8.5 Hz to 10m at 21.5 Hz, this behavior being typical of volcanic areas. The TMFP was measured fitting the decay of the coda of the energy at different distances. As expected it is larger than the MFP and strongly

Time-Lapse Monitoring with 4D Seismic Coda Waves in Active, Passive and Ambient Noise Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lumley, D. E.; Kamei, R.; Saygin, E.; Shragge, J. C.

2017-12-01

The Earth's subsurface is continuously changing, due to temporal variations in fluid flow, stress, temperature, geomechanics and geochemistry, for example. These physical changes occur at broad tectonic and earthquake scales, and also at very detailed near-surface and reservoir scales. Changes in the physical states of the earth cause time-varying changes in the physical properties of rocks and fluids, which can be monitored with natural or manmade seismic waves. Time-lapse (4D) seismic monitoring is important for applications related to natural and induced seismicity, hydrocarbon and groundwater reservoir depletion, CO2 sequestration etc. An exciting new research area involves moving beyond traditional methods in order to use the full complex time-lapse scattered wavefield (4D coda waves) for both manmade active-source 3D/4D seismic data, and also to use continuous recordings of natural-source passive seismic data, especially (micro) earthquakes and ocean ambient noise. This research involves full wave-equation approaches including waveform inversion (FWI), interferometry, Large N sensor arrays, "big data" information theory, and high performance supercomputing (HPC). I will present high-level concepts and recent data results that are quite spectacular and highly encouraging.

Seismic anisotropies of the Songshugou peridotites (Qinling orogen, central China) and their seismic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yi; Jung, Haemyeong; Song, Shuguang

2018-01-01

Though extensively studied, the roles of olivine crystal preferred orientations (CPOs or fabrics) in affecting the seismic anisotropies in the Earth's upper mantle are rather complicated and still not fully known. In this study, we attempted to address this issue by analyzing the seismic anisotropies [e.g., P-wave anisotropy (AVp), S-wave polarization anisotropy (AVs), radial anisotropy (ξ), and Rayleigh wave anisotropy (G)] of the Songshugou peridotites (dunite dominated) in the Qinling orogen in central China, based on our previously reported olivine CPOs. The seismic anisotropy patterns of olivine aggregates in our studied samples are well consistent with the prediction for their olivine CPO types; and the magnitude of seismic anisotropies shows a striking positive correlation with equilibrium pressure and temperature (P-T) conditions. Significant reductions of seismic anisotropies (AVp, max. AVs, and G) are observed in porphyroclastic dunite compared to coarse- and fine-grained dunites, as the results of olivine CPO transition (from A-/D-type in coarse-grained dunite, through AG-type-like in porphyroclastic dunite, to B-type-like in fine-grained dunite) and strength variation (weakening: A-/D-type → AG-type-like; strengthening: AG-type-like → B-type-like) during dynamic recrystallization. The transition of olivine CPOs from A-/D-type to B-/AG-type-like in the forearc mantle may weaken the seismic anisotropies and deviate the fast velocity direction and the fast S-wave polarization direction from trench-perpendicular to trench-oblique direction with the cooling and aging of forearc mantle. Depending on the size and distribution of the peridotite body such as the Songshugou peridotites, B- and AG-type-like olivine CPOs can be an additional (despite minor) local contributor to the orogen-parallel fast velocity direction and fast shear-wave polarization direction in the orogenic crust such as in the Songshugou area in Qinling orogen.

Elastic parabolic equation solutions for oceanic T-wave generation and propagation from deep seismic sources.

PubMed

Frank, Scott D; Collis, Jon M; Odom, Robert I

2015-06-01

Oceanic T-waves are earthquake signals that originate when elastic waves interact with the fluid-elastic interface at the ocean bottom and are converted to acoustic waves in the ocean. These waves propagate long distances in the Sound Fixing and Ranging (SOFAR) channel and tend to be the largest observed arrivals from seismic events. Thus, an understanding of their generation is important for event detection, localization, and source-type discrimination. Recently benchmarked seismic self-starting fields are used to generate elastic parabolic equation solutions that demonstrate generation and propagation of oceanic T-waves in range-dependent underwater acoustic environments. Both downward sloping and abyssal ocean range-dependent environments are considered, and results demonstrate conversion of elastic waves into water-borne oceanic T-waves. Examples demonstrating long-range broadband T-wave propagation in range-dependent environments are shown. These results confirm that elastic parabolic equation solutions are valuable for characterization of the relationships between T-wave propagation and variations in range-dependent bathymetry or elastic material parameters, as well as for modeling T-wave receptions at hydrophone arrays or coastal receiving stations.

Eliminating time dispersion from seismic wave modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koene, Erik F. M.; Robertsson, Johan O. A.; Broggini, Filippo; Andersson, Fredrik

2018-04-01

We derive an expression for the error introduced by the second-order accurate temporal finite-difference (FD) operator, as present in the FD, pseudospectral and spectral element methods for seismic wave modeling applied to time-invariant media. The `time-dispersion' error speeds up the signal as a function of frequency and time step only. Time dispersion is thus independent of the propagation path, medium or spatial modeling error. We derive two transforms to either add or remove time dispersion from synthetic seismograms after a simulation. The transforms are compared to previous related work and demonstrated on wave modeling in acoustic as well as elastic media. In addition, an application to imaging is shown. The transforms enable accurate computation of synthetic seismograms at reduced cost, benefitting modeling applications in both exploration and global seismology.

Surface and downhole shear wave seismic methods for thick soil site investigations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hunter, J.A.; Benjumea, B.; Harris, J.B.; Miller, R.D.; Pullan, S.E.; Burns, R.A.; Good, R.L.

2002-01-01

Shear wave velocity-depth information is required for predicting the ground motion response to earthquakes in areas where significant soil cover exists over firm bedrock. Rather than estimating this critical parameter, it can be reliably measured using a suite of surface (non-invasive) and downhole (invasive) seismic methods. Shear wave velocities from surface measurements can be obtained using SH refraction techniques. Array lengths as large as 1000 m and depth of penetration to 250 m have been achieved in some areas. High resolution shear wave reflection techniques utilizing the common midpoint method can delineate the overburden-bedrock surface as well as reflecting boundaries within the overburden. Reflection data can also be used to obtain direct estimates of fundamental site periods from shear wave reflections without the requirement of measuring average shear wave velocity and total thickness of unconsolidated overburden above the bedrock surface. Accurate measurements of vertical shear wave velocities can be obtained using a seismic cone penetrometer in soft sediments, or with a well-locked geophone array in a borehole. Examples from thick soil sites in Canada demonstrate the type of shear wave velocity information that can be obtained with these geophysical techniques, and show how these data can be used to provide a first look at predicted ground motion response for thick soil sites. ?? 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Estimation of seismic velocity in the subducting crust of the Pacific slab beneath Hokkaido, northern Japan by using guided waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shiina, T.; Nakajima, J.; Toyokuni, G.; Kita, S.; Matsuzawa, T.

2014-12-01

A subducting crust contains a large amount of water as a form of hydrous minerals (e.g., Hacker et al., 2003), and the crust plays important roles for water transportation and seismogenesis in subduction zones at intermediate depths (e.g., Kirby et al., 1996; Iwamori, 2007). Therefore, the investigation of seismic structure in the crust is important to understand ongoing physical processes with subduction of oceanic lithosphere. A guided wave which propagates in the subducting crust is recorded in seismograms at Hokkaido, northern Japan (Shiina et al., 2014). Here, we estimated P- and S-wave velocity in the crust with guided waves, and obtained P-wave velocity of 6.6-7.3 km/s and S-wave velocity of 3.6-4.2 km/s at depths of 50-90 km. Moreover, Vp/Vs ratio in the crust is calculated to be 1.80-1.85 in that depth range. The obtained P-wave velocity about 6.6km/s at depths of 50-70 km is consistent with those estimated in Tohoku, northeast Japan (Shiina et al., 2013), and this the P-wave velocity is lower than those expected from models of subducting crustal compositions, such as metamorphosed MORB model (Hacker et al., 2003). In contrast, at greater depths (>80 km), the P-wave velocity marks higher velocity than the case of NE Japan and the velocity is roughly comparable to those of the MORB model. The obtained S-wave velocity distribution also shows characteristics similar to P waves. This regional variation may be caused by a small variation in thermal regime of the Pacific slab beneath the two regions as a result of the normal subduction in Tohoku and oblique subduction in Hokkaido. In addition, the effect of seismic anisotropy in the subducting crust would not be ruled out because rays used in the analysis in Hokkaido propagate mostly in the trench-parallel direction, while those in Tohoku are sufficiently criss-crossed.

Subduction factory 1. Theoretical mineralogy, densities, seismic wave speeds, and H2O contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hacker, Bradley R.; Abers, Geoffrey A.; Peacock, Simon M.

2003-01-01

We present a new compilation of physical properties of minerals relevant to subduction zones and new phase diagrams for mid-ocean ridge basalt, lherzolite, depleted lherzolite, harzburgite, and serpentinite. We use these data to calculate H2O content, density and seismic wave speeds of subduction zone rocks. These calculations provide a new basis for evaluating the subduction factory, including (1) the presence of hydrous phases and the distribution of H2O within a subduction zone; (2) the densification of the subducting slab and resultant effects on measured gravity and slab shape; and (3) the variations in seismic wave speeds resulting from thermal and metamorphic processes at depth. In considering specific examples, we find that for ocean basins worldwide the lower oceanic crust is partially hydrated (<1.3 wt % H2O), and the uppermost mantle ranges from unhydrated to ˜20% serpentinized (˜2.4 wt % H2O). Anhydrous eclogite cannot be distinguished from harzburgite on the basis of wave speeds, but its ˜6% greater density may render it detectable through gravity measurements. Subducted hydrous crust in cold slabs can persist to several gigapascals at seismic velocities that are several percent slower than the surrounding mantle. Seismic velocities and VP/VS ratios indicate that mantle wedges locally reach 60-80% hydration.

Seismic waves in 3-D: from mantle asymmetries to reliable seismic hazard assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panza, Giuliano F.; Romanelli, Fabio

2014-10-01

A global cross-section of the Earth parallel to the tectonic equator (TE) path, the great circle representing the equator of net lithosphere rotation, shows a difference in shear wave velocities between the western and eastern flanks of the three major oceanic rift basins. The low-velocity layer in the upper asthenosphere, at a depth range of 120 to 200 km, is assumed to represent the decoupling between the lithosphere and the underlying mantle. Along the TE-perturbed (TE-pert) path, a ubiquitous LVZ, about 1,000-km-wide and 100-km-thick, occurs in the asthenosphere. The existence of the TE-pert is a necessary prerequisite for the existence of a continuous global flow within the Earth. Ground-shaking scenarios were constructed using a scenario-based method for seismic hazard analysis (NDSHA), using realistic and duly validated synthetic time series, and generating a data bank of several thousands of seismograms that account for source, propagation, and site effects. Accordingly, with basic self-organized criticality concepts, NDSHA permits the integration of available information provided by the most updated seismological, geological, geophysical, and geotechnical databases for the site of interest, as well as advanced physical modeling techniques, to provide a reliable and robust background for the development of a design basis for cultural heritage and civil infrastructures. Estimates of seismic hazard obtained using the NDSHA and standard probabilistic approaches are compared for the Italian territory, and a case-study is discussed. In order to enable a reliable estimation of the ground motion response to an earthquake, three-dimensional velocity models have to be considered, resulting in a new, very efficient, analytical procedure for computing the broadband seismic wave-field in a 3-D anelastic Earth model.

Spectral-Element Seismic Wave Propagation Codes for both Forward Modeling in Complex Media and Adjoint Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, J. A.; Peter, D. B.; Tromp, J.; Komatitsch, D.; Lefebvre, M. P.

2015-12-01

We present both SPECFEM3D_Cartesian and SPECFEM3D_GLOBE open-source codes, representing high-performance numerical wave solvers simulating seismic wave propagation for local-, regional-, and global-scale application. These codes are suitable for both forward propagation in complex media and tomographic imaging. Both solvers compute highly accurate seismic wave fields using the continuous Galerkin spectral-element method on unstructured meshes. Lateral variations in compressional- and shear-wave speeds, density, as well as 3D attenuation Q models, topography and fluid-solid coupling are all readily included in both codes. For global simulations, effects due to rotation, ellipticity, the oceans, 3D crustal models, and self-gravitation are additionally included. Both packages provide forward and adjoint functionality suitable for adjoint tomography on high-performance computing architectures. We highlight the most recent release of the global version which includes improved performance, simultaneous MPI runs, OpenCL and CUDA support via an automatic source-to-source transformation library (BOAST), parallel I/O readers and writers for databases using ADIOS and seismograms using the recently developed Adaptable Seismic Data Format (ASDF) with built-in provenance. This makes our spectral-element solvers current state-of-the-art, open-source community codes for high-performance seismic wave propagation on arbitrarily complex 3D models. Together with these solvers, we provide full-waveform inversion tools to image the Earth's interior at unprecedented resolution.

Strong S-wave attenuation and actively degassing magma beneath Taal volcano, Philippines, inferred from source location analysis using high-frequency seismic amplitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumagai, H.; Lacson, R. _Jr., Jr.; Maeda, Y.; Figueroa, M. S., II; Yamashina, T.

2014-12-01

Taal volcano, Philippines, is one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes given its history of explosive eruptions and its close proximity to populated areas. A key feature of these eruptions is that the eruption vents were not limited to Main Crater but occurred on the flanks of Volcano Island. This complex eruption history and the fact that thousands of people inhabit the island, which has been declared a permanent danger zone, together imply an enormous potential for disasters. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) constantly monitors Taal, and international collaborations have conducted seismic, geodetic, electromagnetic, and geochemical studies to investigate the volcano's magma system. Realtime broadband seismic, GPS, and magnetic networks were deployed in 2010 to improve monitoring capabilities and to better understand the volcano. The seismic network has recorded volcano-tectonic (VT) events beneath Volcano Island. We located these VT events based on high-frequency seismic amplitudes, and found that some events showed considerable discrepancies between the amplitude source locations and hypocenters determined by using onset arrival times. Our analysis of the source location discrepancies points to the existence of a region of strong S-wave attenuation near the ground surface beneath the east flank of Volcano Island. This region is beneath the active fumarolic area and above sources of pressure contributing inflation and deflation, and it coincides with a region of high electrical conductivity. The high-attenuation region matches that inferred from an active-seismic survey conducted at Taal in 1993. Our results, synthesized with previous results, suggest that this region represents actively degassing magma near the surface, and imply a high risk of future eruptions on the east flank of Volcano Island.

Seismically observed seiching in the Panama Canal

USGS Publications Warehouse

McNamara, D.E.; Ringler, A.T.; Hutt, C.R.; Gee, L.S.

2011-01-01

A large portion of the seismic noise spectrum is dominated by water wave energy coupled into the solid Earth. Distinct mechanisms of water wave induced ground motions are distinguished by their spectral content. For example, cultural noise is generally <1 s period, microseisms dominate the seismic spectrum from periods of 2 to 20 s, and the Earth's "hum" is in the range of 50 to 600 s. We show that in a large lake in the Panama Canal there is an additional source of long-period noise generated by standing water waves, seiches, induced by disturbances such as passing ships and wind pressure. We compare seismic waveforms to water level records and relate these observations to changes in local tilt and gravity due to an oscillating seiche. The methods and observations discussed in this paper provide a first step toward quantifying the impact of water inundation as recorded by seismometers. This type of quantified understanding of water inundation will help in future estimates of similar phenomena such as the seismic observations of tsunami impact. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Spatial Variation of Diapycnal Diffusivity Estimated From Seismic Imaging of Internal Wave Field, Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dickinson, Alex; White, N. J.; Caulfield, C. P.

2017-12-01

Bright reflections are observed within the upper 1,000 m of the water column along a seismic reflection profile that traverses the northern margin of the Gulf of Mexico. Independent hydrographic calibration demonstrates that these reflections are primarily caused by temperature changes associated with different water masses that are entrained into the Gulf along the Loop Current. The internal wave field is analyzed by automatically tracking 1,171 reflections, each of which is greater than 2 km in length. Power spectra of the horizontal gradient of isopycnal displacement, ϕξx, are calculated from these tracked reflections. At low horizontal wave numbers (kx<10-2 cpm), ϕξx∝kx-0.2±0.6, in agreement with hydrographic observations of the internal wave field. The turbulent spectral subrange is rarely observed. Diapycnal diffusivity, K, is estimated from the observed internal wave spectral subrange of each tracked reflection using a fine-scale parametrization of turbulent mixing. Calculated values of K vary between 10-8 and 10-4 m2 s-1 with a mean value of K˜4×10-6 m2 s-1. The spatial distribution of turbulent mixing shows that K˜10-7 m2 s-1 away from the shelf edge in the upper 300 m where stratification is strong. Mixing is enhanced by up to 4 orders of magnitude adjacent to the shoaling bathymetry of the continental slope. This overall pattern matches that determined by analyzing nearby suites of CTD casts. However, the range of values recovered by spectral analysis of the seismic image is greater as a consequence of significantly better horizontal resolution.

The vertical propagation of disturbances triggered by seismic waves of the 11 March 2011 M9.0 Tohoku earthquake over Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J. Y.; Chen, C. H.; Sun, Y. Y.; Chen, C. H.; Tsai, H. F.; Yen, H. Y.; Chum, J.; Lastovicka, J.; Yang, Q. S.; Chen, W. S.; Wen, S.

2016-02-01

In this paper, concurrent/colocated measurements of seismometers, infrasonic systems, magnetometers, HF-CW (high frequency-continuous wave) Doppler sounding systems, and GPS receivers are employed to detect disturbances triggered by seismic waves of the 11 March 2011 M9.0 Tohoku earthquake. No time delay between colocated infrasonic (i.e., super long acoustic) waves and seismic waves indicates that the triggered acoustic and/or gravity waves in the atmosphere (or seismo-traveling atmospheric disturbances, STADs) near the Earth's surface can be immediately activated by vertical ground motions. The circle method is used to find the origin and compute the observed horizontal traveling speed of the triggered infrasonic waves. The speed of about 3.3 km/s computed from the arrival time versus the epicentral distance suggests that the infrasonic waves (i.e., STADs) are mainly induced by the Rayleigh waves. The agreements in the travel time at various heights between the observation and theoretical calculation suggest that the STADs triggered by the vertical motion of ground surface caused by the Tohoku earthquake traveled vertically from the ground to the ionosphere with speed of the sound in the atmosphere over Taiwan.

Assessment of dynamic material properties of intact rocks using seismic wave attenuation: an experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanniarachchi, W. A. M.; Ranjith, P. G.; Perera, M. S. A.; Rathnaweera, T. D.; Lyu, Q.; Mahanta, B.

2017-10-01

The mechanical properties of any substance are essential facts to understand its behaviour and make the maximum use of the particular substance. Rocks are indeed an important substance, as they are of significant use in the energy industry, specifically for fossil fuels and geothermal energy. Attenuation of seismic waves is a non-destructive technique to investigate mechanical properties of reservoir rocks under different conditions. The attenuation characteristics of five different rock types, siltstone, shale, Australian sandstone, Indian sandstone and granite, were investigated in the laboratory using ultrasonic and acoustic emission instruments in a frequency range of 0.1-1 MHz. The pulse transmission technique and spectral ratios were used to calculate the attenuation coefficient (α) and quality factor (Q) values for the five selected rock types for both primary (P) and secondary (S) waves, relative to the reference steel sample. For all the rock types, the attenuation coefficient was linearly proportional to the frequency of both the P and S waves. Interestingly, the attenuation coefficient of granite is more than 22% higher than that of siltstone, sandstone and shale for both P and S waves. The P and S wave velocities were calculated based on their recorded travel time, and these velocities were then used to calculate the dynamic mechanical properties including elastic modulus (E), bulk modulus (K), shear modulus (µ) and Poisson's ratio (ν). The P and S wave velocities for the selected rock types varied in the ranges of 2.43-4.61 km s-1 and 1.43-2.41 km h-1, respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that the P wave velocity was always greater than the S wave velocity, and this confirmed the first arrival of P waves to the sensor. According to the experimental results, the dynamic E value is generally higher than the static E value obtained by unconfined compressive strength tests.

How seismic waves can be used to understand and constrain landslide dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mangeney, A.; Favreau, P.; Moretti, L.; Lucas, A.; Le Friant, A.; Bouchut, F.

2010-12-01

Gravitational instabilities such as debris flows, landslide or avalanches play a key role in erosion processes on the Earth’s surface and represent one of the major natural hazard threatening life and property in mountainous, volcanic, seismic and coastal areas. Despite the great amount of experimental, numerical and field studies, the understanding of landslide dynamics is still an open question. In particular, there is no consensus to explain the high mobility of natural avalanches. Field measurements relevant to the dynamics of natural landslides are scarce. This is due to their unpredictability and destructive power and prevents detailed investigation of the mechanical properties of the flowing material. Recent studies have shown that the seismic signal generated by landslides provides a unique way to detect gravitational instabilities and to get information on their dynamics and geometrical characteristics. In particular, Favreau et al. [2009] show that simulation of landslides and generated seismic waves reproduce the main features of the recorded low frequency seismic signal, making it possible to discriminate between possible alternative scenarios for flow dynamics and to provide first estimates of the rheological parameters. We propose here to go further in this direction by investigating the following key questions: What is the effect of the topography and of the landslide volume on the generated seismic signal? What is the sensitivity of the generated seismic signal to the mechanical behavior of the landslide? At what distance and frequency is the point source approximation correct? To address these issues, numerical simulation of two well constrained landslides has been performed: the 2.5 Mm3 Thurwieser landslide that occurred in Italy in 2004 and the 60 Mm3 Boxing Day debris avalanche that occurred in Montserrat in 1997 during the volcanic eruption. For both landslides, simulation shows the major role of topography curvature on the generated seismic

Air-ground interface: Surface waves, surface impedance and acoustic-to-seismic coupling coefficient

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daigle, Gilles; Embleton, Tony

1990-01-01

In atmospheric acoustics, the subject of surface waves has been an area of discussion for many years. The existence of an acoustic surface wave is now well established theoretically. The mathematical solution for spherical wave propagation above an impedance boundary includes the possibility of a contribution that possesses all the standard properties for a surface wave. Surface waves exist when the surface is sufficiently porous, relative to its acoustical resistance, that it can influence the airborne particle velocity near the surface and reduce the phase velocity of sound waves in air at the surface. This traps some of the sound energy in the air to remain near the surface as it propagates. Above porous grounds, the existence of surface waves has eluded direct experimental confirmation (pulse experiments have failed to show a separate arrival expected from the reduced phase speed) and indirect evidence for its existence has appeared contradictory. The experimental evidence for the existence of an acoustical surface wave above porous boundaries is reviewed. Recent measurements including pulse experiments are also described. A few years ago the acoustic impedance of a grass-covered surface was measured in the frequency range 30 to 300 Hz. Here, further measurements on the same site are discussed. These measurements include core samples, a shallow refractive survey to determine the seismic velocities, and measurements of the acoustic-to-seismic coupling coefficient.

Seismic signature of crustal magma and fluid from deep seismic sounding data across Tengchong volcanic area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Z. M.; Zhang, Z. Z.; Wang, C. Y.; Klemperer, S. L.

2012-04-01

The weakened lithosphere around eastern syntax of Tibet plateau has been revealed by the Average Pn and Sn velocities, the 3D upper mantle velocity variations of P wave and S wave, and the iimaging results of magnetotelluric data. Tengchong volcanic area is neighboring to core of eastern syntax and famous for its springs, volcanic-geothermal activities and remarkable seismicity in mainland China. To probe the deep environment for the Tengchong volcanic-geothermal activity a deep seismic sounding (DSS) project was carried out across the this area in 1999. In this paper the seismic signature of crustal magma and fluid is explored from the DSS data with the seismic attribute fusion (SAF) technique, hence four possible positions for magma generation together with some locations for porous and fractured fluid beneath the Tengchong volcanic area were disclosed from the final fusion image of multi seismic attributes. The adopted attributes include the Vp, Vs and Vp/Vs results derived from a new inversion method based on the No-Ray-Tomography technique, and the migrated instantaneous attributes of central frequency, bandwidth and high frequency energy of pressure wave. Moreover, the back-projected ones which are mainly consisted by the attenuation factor Qp , the delay-time of shear wave splitting, and the amplitude ratio between S wave and P wave + S wave were also considered in this fusion process. Our fusion image indicates such a mechanism for the surface springs: a large amount of heat and the fluid released by the crystallization of magma were transmitted upward into the fluid-filled rock, and the fluid upwells along some pipeline since the high pressure in deep, thus the widespread springs of Tengchong volcanic area were developed. Moreover, the fusion image, regional volcanic and geothermal activities, and the seismicity suggest that the main risk of volcanic eruption was concentrated to the south of Tengchong city, especially around the shot point (SP) Tuantian

The use of multiwavelets for uncertainty estimation in seismic surface wave dispersion.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poppeliers, Christian

This report describes a new single-station analysis method to estimate the dispersion and uncer- tainty of seismic surface waves using the multiwavelet transform. Typically, when estimating the dispersion of a surface wave using only a single seismic station, the seismogram is decomposed into a series of narrow-band realizations using a bank of narrow-band filters. By then enveloping and normalizing the filtered seismograms and identifying the maximum power as a function of frequency, the group velocity can be estimated if the source-receiver distance is known. However, using the filter bank method, there is no robust way to estimate uncertainty. In thismore » report, I in- troduce a new method of estimating the group velocity that includes an estimate of uncertainty. The method is similar to the conventional filter bank method, but uses a class of functions, called Slepian wavelets, to compute a series of wavelet transforms of the data. Each wavelet transform is mathematically similar to a filter bank, however, the time-frequency tradeoff is optimized. By taking multiple wavelet transforms, I form a population of dispersion estimates from which stan- dard statistical methods can be used to estimate uncertainty. I demonstrate the utility of this new method by applying it to synthetic data as well as ambient-noise surface-wave cross-correlelograms recorded by the University of Nevada Seismic Network.« less

Measurement of near-surface seismic compressional wave velocities using refraction tomography at a proposed construction site on the Presidio of Monterey, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Powers, Michael H.; Burton, Bethany L.

2012-01-01

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is determining the feasibility of constructing a new barracks building on the U.S. Army Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, California. Due to the presence of an endangered orchid in the proposed area, invasive techniques such as exploratory drill holes are prohibited. To aid in determining the feasibility, budget, and design of this building, a compressional-wave seismic refraction survey was proposed by the U.S. Geological Survey as an alternative means of investigating the depth to competent bedrock. Two sub-parallel profiles were acquired along an existing foot path and a fence line to minimize impacts on the endangered flora. The compressional-wave seismic refraction tomography data for both profiles indicate that no competent rock classified as non-rippable or marginally rippable exists within the top 30 feet beneath the ground surface.

New methods for engineering site characterization using reflection and surface wave seismic survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaiprakaikeow, Susit

This study presents two new seismic testing methods for engineering application, a new shallow seismic reflection method and Time Filtered Analysis of Surface Waves (TFASW). Both methods are described in this dissertation. The new shallow seismic reflection was developed to measure reflection at a single point using two to four receivers, assuming homogeneous, horizontal layering. It uses one or more shakers driven by a swept sine function as a source, and the cross-correlation technique to identify wave arrivals. The phase difference between the source forcing function and the ground motion due to the dynamic response of the shaker-ground interface was corrected by using a reference geophone. Attenuated high frequency energy was also recovered using the whitening in frequency domain. The new shallow seismic reflection testing was performed at the crest of Porcupine Dam in Paradise, Utah. The testing used two horizontal Vibroseis sources and four receivers for spacings between 6 and 300 ft. Unfortunately, the results showed no clear evidence of the reflectors despite correction of the magnitude and phase of the signals. However, an improvement in the shape of the cross-correlations was noticed after the corrections. The results showed distinct primary lobes in the corrected cross-correlated signals up to 150 ft offset. More consistent maximum peaks were observed in the corrected waveforms. TFASW is a new surface (Rayleigh) wave method to determine the shear wave velocity profile at a site. It is a time domain method as opposed to the Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) method, which is a frequency domain method. This method uses digital filtering to optimize bandwidth used to determine the dispersion curve. Results from testings at three different sites in Utah indicated good agreement with the dispersion curves measured using both TFASW and SASW methods. The advantage of TFASW method is that the dispersion curves had less scatter at long wavelengths as a

Induced Seismicity in Greeley, CO: The Effects of Pore Pressure on Seismic Wave Character

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogolub, K. R.; Holmes, R.; Sheehan, A. F.; Brown, M. R. M.

2017-12-01

Since 2013, a series of injection-induced earthquakes has occurred near Greeley, Colorado including a Mw 3.2 event in June 2014. With induced seismicity on the rise, it is important to understand injection-induced earthquakes to improve mitigation efforts. In this research, we analyzed seismograms from a local seismic network to see if there are any notable differences in seismic waveform as a result of changes in pore pressure from wastewater injection. Catalogued earthquake events from January-June 2017 that were clearly visible on 4 or more stations in the network were used as template events in a subspace detector. Since the template events were constructed using seismograms from a single event, the subspace detector operated similarly to a matched filter and detections had very similar waveforms to the template event. Having these detections ultimately helped us identify similar earthquakes, which gave us better located events for comparison. These detections were then examined and located using a 1D local velocity model. While many of these detections were already catalogued events, we also identified >20 new events by using this detector. Any two events that were matched by the detector, collocated within the error ellipses of both events and at least a month apart temporally were classified as "event pairs". One challenge of this method is that most of the collocated earthquakes occurred in a very narrow time window, which indicates that the events have a tendency to cluster both spatially and temporally. However, we were able to examine an event pair that fit our spatial proximity criteria, and were several months apart (March 3, 2017 and May 8, 2017). We present an examination of propagation velocity and frequency content for these two events specifically to assess if transient changes in pore pressure had any observable influence on these characteristics. Our preliminary results indicate a slight difference in lag time between P wave and S wave arrivals

Seismicity and structure of Akutan and Makushin Volcanoes, Alaska, using joint body and surface wave tomography

DOE PAGES

Syracuse, E. M.; Maceira, M.; Zhang, H.; ...

2015-02-18

Joint inversions of seismic data recover models that simultaneously fit multiple constraints while playing upon the strengths of each data type. Here, we jointly invert 14 years of local earthquake body wave arrival times from the Alaska Volcano Observatory catalog and Rayleigh wave dispersion curves based upon ambient noise measurements for local V p, V s, and hypocentral locations at Akutan and Makushin Volcanoes using a new joint inversion algorithm.The velocity structure and relocated seismicity of both volcanoes are significantly more complex than many other volcanoes studied using similar techniques. Seismicity is distributed among several areas beneath or beyond themore » flanks of both volcanoes, illuminating a variety of volcanic and tectonic features. The velocity structures of the two volcanoes are exemplified by the presence of narrow high-V p features in the near surface, indicating likely current or remnant pathways of magma to the surface. A single broad low-V p region beneath each volcano is slightly offset from each summit and centered at approximately 7 km depth, indicating a potential magma chamber, where magma is stored over longer time periods. Differing recovery capabilities of the Vp and Vs datasets indicate that the results of these types of joint inversions must be interpreted carefully.« less

Method Apparatus And System For Detecting Seismic Waves In A Borehole

DOEpatents

West, Phillip B.; Sumstine, Roger L.

2006-03-14

A method, apparatus and system for detecting seismic waves. A sensing apparatus is deployed within a bore hole and may include a source magnet for inducing a magnetic field within a casing of the borehole. An electrical coil is disposed within the magnetic field to sense a change in the magnetic field due to a displacement of the casing. The electrical coil is configured to remain substantially stationary relative to the well bore and its casing along a specified axis such that displacement of the casing induces a change within the magnetic field which may then be sensed by the electrical coil. Additional electrical coils may be similarly utilized to detect changes in the same or other associated magnetic fields along other specified axes. The additional sensor coils may be oriented substantially orthogonally relative to one another so as to detect seismic waves along multiple orthogonal axes in three dimensional space.

Towards a quantification of ocean wave heights off the west coast of Ireland using land based seismic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donne, S.; Bean, C. J.; Lokmer, I.; Lambkin, K.; Creamer, C.

2012-12-01

Ocean gravity waves are driven by atmospheric pressure systems. Their interactions with one another and reflection off coastlines generate pressure changes at the sea floor. These pressure fluctuations are the cause of continuous background seismic noise known as microseisms. The levels of microseism activity vary as a function of the sea state and increase during periods of intensive ocean wave activity. In 2011 a seismic network was deployed along the west coast of Ireland to continuously record microseisms generated in the Atlantic Ocean, as part of the Wave Observation (WaveObs) project based in University College Dublin. This project aims to determine the characteristics of the causative ocean gravity waves through calibration of the microseism data with ocean buoy data. In initial tests we are using a Backpropagation Feed-forward Artificial Neural Network (BP ANN) to establish the underlying relationships between microseisms and ocean waves. ANNs were originally inspired by studies of the mammalian brain and nervous system and are designed to learn by example. If successful these tools could then be used to estimate ocean wave heights and wave periods using a land-based seismic network and complement current wave observations being made offshore by marine buoys. Preliminary ANN results are promising with the network successfully able to reconstruct trends in ocean wave heights and periods. Microseisms can provide significant information about oceanic processes. With a deeper understanding of how these processes work there is potential for 1) locating and tracking the evolution of the largest waves in the Atlantic and 2) reconstructing the wave climate off the west coast of Ireland using legacy seismic data on a longer time scale than is currently available using marine based observations.

Toward 2D Seismic Wavefield Monitoring: Seismic Gradiometry for Long-Period Seismogram and Short-Period Seismogram Envelope applied to the Hi-net Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maeda, T.; Nishida, K.; Takagi, R.; Obara, K.

2015-12-01

The high-sensitive seismograph network Japan (Hi-net) operated by National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) has about 800 stations with average separation of 20 km. We can observe long-period seismic wave propagation as a 2D wavefield with station separations shorter than wavelength. In contrast, short-period waves are quite incoherent at stations, however, their envelope shapes resemble at neighbor stations. Therefore, we may be able to extract seismic wave energy propagation by seismogram envelope analysis. We attempted to characterize seismic waveform at long-period and its envelope at short-period as 2D wavefield by applying seismic gradiometry. We applied the seismic gradiometry to a synthetic long-period (20-50s) dataset prepared by numerical simulation in realistic 3D medium at the Hi-net station layout. Wave amplitude and its spatial derivatives are estimated by using data at nearby stations. The slowness vector, the radiation pattern and the geometrical spreading are extracted from estimated velocity, displacement and its spatial derivatives. For short-periods at shorter than 1 s, seismogram envelope shows temporal and spatial broadening through scattering by medium heterogeneity. It is expected that envelope shape may be coherent among nearby stations. Based on this idea, we applied the same method to the time-integration of seismogram envelope to estimate its spatial derivatives. Together with seismogram envelope, we succeeded in estimating the slowness vector from the seismogram envelope as well as long-period waveforms by synthetic test, without using phase information. Our preliminarily results show that the seismic gradiometry suits the Hi-net to extract wave propagation characteristics both at long and short periods. This method is appealing that it can estimate waves at homogeneous grid to monitor seismic wave as a wavefield. It is promising to obtain phase velocity variation from direct waves, and to grasp wave

Computational Modeling of Seismic Wave Propagation Velocity-Saturation Effects in Porous Rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deeks, J.; Lumley, D. E.

2011-12-01

Compressional and shear velocities of seismic waves propagating in porous rocks vary as a function of the fluid mixture and its distribution in pore space. Although it has been possible to place theoretical upper and lower bounds on the velocity variation with fluid saturation, predicting the actual velocity response of a given rock with fluid type and saturation remains an unsolved problem. In particular, we are interested in predicting the velocity-saturation response to various mixtures of fluids with pressure and temperature, as a function of the spatial distribution of the fluid mixture and the seismic wavelength. This effect is often termed "patchy saturation' in the rock physics community. The ability to accurately predict seismic velocities for various fluid mixtures and spatial distributions in the pore space of a rock is useful for fluid detection, hydrocarbon exploration and recovery, CO2 sequestration and monitoring of many subsurface fluid-flow processes. We create digital rock models with various fluid mixtures, saturations and spatial distributions. We use finite difference modeling to propagate elastic waves of varying frequency content through these digital rock and fluid models to simulate a given lab or field experiment. The resulting waveforms can be analyzed to determine seismic traveltimes, velocities, amplitudes, attenuation and other wave phenomena for variable rock models of fluid saturation and spatial fluid distribution, and variable wavefield spectral content. We show that we can reproduce most of the published effects of velocity-saturation variation, including validating the Voigt and Reuss theoretical bounds, as well as the Hill "patchy saturation" curve. We also reproduce what has been previously identified as Biot dispersion, but in fact in our models is often seen to be wave multi-pathing and broadband spectral effects. Furthermore, we find that in addition to the dominant seismic wavelength and average fluid patch size, the

Working towards a numerical solver for seismic wave propagation in unsaturated porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boxberg, Marc S.; Friederich, Wolfgang

2017-04-01

Modeling the propagation of seismic waves in porous media gets more and more popular in the seismological community. However, it is still a challenging task in the field of computational seismology. Nevertheless, it is important to account for the fluid content of, e.g., reservoir rocks or soils, and the interaction between the fluid and the rock or between different immiscible fluids to accurately describe seismic wave propagation through such porous media. Often, numerical models are based on the elastic wave equation and some might include artificially introduced attenuation. This simplifies the computation, because it only approximates the physics behind that problem. However, the results are also simplified and could miss phenomena and lack accuracy in some applications. We present a numerical solver for wave propagation in porous media saturated by two immiscible fluids. It is based on Biot's theory of poroelasticity and accounts for macroscopic flow that occurs on the same scale as the wavelength of the seismic waves. Fluid flow is described by a Darcy type flow law and interactions between the fluids by means of capillary pressure curve models. In addition, consistent boundary conditions on interfaces between poroelastic media and elastic or acoustic media are derived from this poroelastic theory itself. The poroelastic solver is integrated into the larger software package NEXD that uses the nodal discontinuous Galerkin method to solve wave equations in 1D, 2D, and 3D on a mesh of linear (1D), triangular (2D), or tetrahedral (3D) elements. Triangular and tetrahedral elements have great advantages as soon as the model has a complex structure, like it is often the case for geologic models. We illustrate the capabilities of the codes by numerical examples. This work can be applied to various scientific questions in, e.g., exploration and monitoring of hydrocarbon or geothermal reservoirs as well as CO2 storage sites.

Non-periodic homogenization of 3-D elastic media for the seismic wave equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cupillard, Paul; Capdeville, Yann

2018-05-01

Because seismic waves have a limited frequency spectrum, the velocity structure of the Earth that can be extracted from seismic records has a limited resolution. As a consequence, one obtains smooth images from waveform inversion, although the Earth holds discontinuities and small scales of various natures. Within the last decade, the non-periodic homogenization method shed light on how seismic waves interact with small geological heterogeneities and `see' upscaled properties. This theory enables us to compute long-wave equivalent density and elastic coefficients of any media, with no constraint on the size, the shape and the contrast of the heterogeneities. In particular, the homogenization leads to the apparent, structure-induced anisotropy. In this paper, we implement this method in 3-D and show 3-D tests for the very first time. The non-periodic homogenization relies on an asymptotic expansion of the displacement and the stress involved in the elastic wave equation. Limiting ourselves to the order 0, we show that the practical computation of an upscaled elastic tensor basically requires (i) to solve an elastostatic problem and (ii) to low-pass filter the strain and the stress associated with the obtained solution. The elastostatic problem consists in finding the displacements due to local unit strains acting in all directions within the medium to upscale. This is solved using a parallel, highly optimized finite-element code. As for the filtering, we rely on the finite-element quadrature to perform the convolution in the space domain. We end up with an efficient numerical tool that we apply on various 3-D models to test the accuracy and the benefit of the homogenization. In the case of a finely layered model, our method agrees with results derived from Backus. In a more challenging model composed by a million of small cubes, waveforms computed in the homogenized medium fit reference waveforms very well. Both direct phases and complex diffracted waves are

Shear wave velocity, seismic attenuation, and thermal structure of the continental upper mantle

USGS Publications Warehouse

Artemieva, I.M.; Billien, M.; Leveque, J.-J.; Mooney, W.D.

2004-01-01

Seismic velocity and attenuation anomalies in the mantle are commonly interpreted in terms of temperature variations on the basis of laboratory studies of elastic and anelastic properties of rocks. In order to evaluate the relative contributions of thermal and non-thermal effects on anomalies of attenuation of seismic shear waves, QS-1, and seismic velocity, VS, we compare global maps of the thermal structure of the continental upper mantle with global QS-1 and Vs maps as determined from Rayleigh waves at periods between 40 and 150 S. We limit the comparison to three continental mantle depths (50, 100 and 150 km), where model resolution is relatively high. The available data set does not indicate that, at a global scale, seismic anomalies in the upper mantle are controlled solely by temperature variations. Continental maps have correlation coefficients of <0.56 between VS and T and of <0.47 between QS and T at any depth. Such low correlation coefficients can partially be attributed to modelling arrefacts; however, they also suggest that not all of the VS and QS anomalies in the continental upper mantle can be explained by T variations. Global maps show that, by the sign of the anomaly, VS and QS usually inversely correlate with lithospheric temperatures: most cratonic regions show high VS and QS and low T, while most active regions have seismic and thermal anomalies of the opposite sign. The strongest inverse correlation is found at a depth of 100 km, where the attenuation model is best resolved. Significantly, at this depth, the contours of near-zero QS anomalies approximately correspond to the 1000 ??C isotherm, in agreement with laboratory measurements that show a pronounced increase in seismic attenuation in upper mantle rocks at 1000-1100 ??C. East-west profiles of VS, QS and T where continental data coverage is best (50??N latitude for North America and 60??N latitude for Eurasia) further demonstrate that temperature plays a dominant, but non-unique, role in

Advanced seismic imaging of overdeepened alpine valleys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burschil, Thomas; Buness, Hermann; Tanner, David; Gabriel, Gerald; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.

2017-04-01

Major European alpine valleys and basins are densely populated areas with infrastructure of international importance. To protect the environment by, e.g., geohazard assessment or groundwater estimation, understanding of the geological structure of these valleys is essential. The shape and deposits of a valley can clarify its genesis and allows a prediction of behaviour in future glaciations. The term "overdeepened" refers to valleys and basins, in which pressurized melt-water under the glacier erodes the valley below the fluvial level. Most overdeepened valleys or basins were thus refilled during the ice melt or remain in the form of lakes. The ICDP-project Drilling Overdeepened Alpine Valleys (DOVE) intends to correlate the sedimentary succession from boreholes between valleys in the entire alpine range. Hereby, seismic exploration is essential to predict the most promising well path and drilling site. In a first step, this DFG-funded project investigates the benefit of multi-component techniques for seismic imaging. At two test sites, the Tannwald Basin and the Lienz Basin, the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics acquired P-wave reflection profiles to gain structural and facies information. Built on the P-wave information, several S-wave reflection profiles were acquired in the pure SH-wave domain as well as 6-C reflection profiles using a horizontal S-wave source in inline and crossline excitation and 3-C receivers. Five P-wave sections reveal the structure of the Tannwald Basin, which is a distal branch basin of the Rhine Glacier. Strong reflections mark the base of the basin, which has a maximum depth of 240 metres. Internal structures and facies vary strongly and spatially, but allow a seismic facies characterization. We distinguish lacustrine, glacio-fluvial, and deltaic deposits, which make up the fill of the Tannwald Basin. Elements of the SH-wave and 6-C seismic imaging correlate with major structures in the P-wave image, but vary in detail. Based on

The Gassmann-Burgers Model to Simulate Seismic Waves at the Earth Crust And Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carcione, José M.; Poletto, Flavio; Farina, Biancamaria; Craglietto, Aronne

2017-03-01

The upper part of the crust shows generally brittle behaviour while deeper zones, including the mantle, may present ductile behaviour, depending on the pressure-temperature conditions; moreover, some parts are melted. Seismic waves can be used to detect these conditions on the basis of reflection and transmission events. Basically, from the elastic-plastic point of view the seismic properties (seismic velocity and density) depend on effective pressure and temperature. Confining and pore pressures have opposite effects on these properties, such that very small effective pressures (the presence of overpressured fluids) may substantially decrease the P- and S-wave velocities, mainly the latter, by opening of cracks and weakening of grain contacts. Similarly, high temperatures induce the same effect by partial melting. To model these effects, we consider a poro-viscoelastic model based on Gassmann equations and Burgers mechanical model to represent the properties of the rock frame and describe ductility in which deformation takes place by shear plastic flow. The Burgers elements allow us to model the effects of seismic attenuation, velocity dispersion and steady-state creep flow, respectively. The stiffness components of the brittle and ductile media depend on stress and temperature through the shear viscosity, which is obtained by the Arrhenius equation and the octahedral stress criterion. Effective pressure effects are taken into account in the dry-rock moduli using exponential functions whose parameters are obtained by fitting experimental data as a function of confining pressure. Since fluid effects are important, the density and bulk modulus of the saturating fluids (water and steam) are modeled using the equations provided by the NIST website, including supercritical behaviour. The theory allows us to obtain the phase velocity and quality factor as a function of depth and geological pressure and temperature as well as time frequency. We then obtain the PS and SH

Observation of Infrasonic/Acoustic/Seismic Waves Induced by Hypersonic Reentry of Hayabusa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, M.-Y.; Ishihara, Y.; Hiramatsu, Y.; Furumoto, M.; Fujita, K.

2012-05-01

Observation of infrasonic/acoustic/seismic waves induced by hypersonic reentry of HAYABUSA was carried out on June 13, 2010. Results by 3-sites arrayed observation will be shown in detail by comparison with multiple-sites optical observation.

Seismic interferometry of railroad induced ground motions: body and surface wave imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quiros, Diego A.; Brown, Larry D.; Kim, Doyeon

2016-04-01

Seismic interferometry applied to 120 hr of railroad traffic recorded by an array of vertical component seismographs along a railway within the Rio Grande rift has recovered surface and body waves characteristic of the geology beneath the railway. Linear and hyperbolic arrivals are retrieved that agree with surface (Rayleigh), direct and reflected P waves observed by nearby conventional seismic surveys. Train-generated Rayleigh waves span a range of frequencies significantly higher than those recovered from typical ambient noise interferometry studies. Direct P-wave arrivals have apparent velocities appropriate for the shallow geology of the survey area. Significant reflected P-wave energy is also present at relatively large offsets. A common midpoint stack produces a reflection image consistent with nearby conventional reflection data. We suggest that for sources at the free surface (e.g. trains) increasing the aperture of the array to record wide angle reflections, in addition to longer recording intervals, might allow the recovery of deeper geological structure from railroad traffic. Frequency-wavenumber analyses of these recordings indicate that the train source is symmetrical (i.e. approaching and receding) and that deeper refracted energy is present although not evident in the time-offset domain. These results confirm that train-generated vibrations represent a practical source of high-resolution subsurface information, with particular relevance to geotechnical and environmental applications.

Near surface structure of the North Anatolian Fault Zone near 30°E from Rayleigh and Love wave tomography using ambient seismic noise.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, G.; Rost, S.; Houseman, G. A.; Hillers, G.

2017-12-01

By utilising short period surface waves present in the noise field, we can construct images of shallow structure in the Earth's upper crust: a depth-range that is usually poorly resolved in earthquake tomography. Here, we use data from a dense seismic array (Dense Array for Northern Anatolia - DANA) deployed across the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the source region of the 1999 magnitude 7.6 Izmit earthquake in western Turkey. The NAFZ is a major strike-slip system that extends 1200 km across northern Turkey and continues to pose a high level of seismic hazard, in particular to the mega-city of Istanbul. We obtain maps of group velocity variation using surface wave tomography applied to short period (1- 6 s) Rayleigh and Love waves to construct high-resolution images of SV and SH-wave velocity in the upper 5 km of a 70 km x 35 km region centred on the eastern end of the fault segment that ruptured in the 1999 Izmit earthquake. The average Rayleigh wave group velocities in the region vary between 1.8 km/s at 1.5 s period, to 2.2 km/s at 6 s period. The NAFZ bifurcates into northern and southern strands in this region; both are active but only the northern strand ruptured in the 1999 event. The signatures of both the northern and southern branches of the NAFZ are clearly associated with strong gradients in seismic velocity that also denote the boundaries of major tectonic units. This observation implies that the fault zone exploits the pre-existing structure of the Intra-Pontide suture zone. To the north of the NAFZ, we observe low S-wave velocities ( 2.0 km/s) associated with the unconsolidated sediments of the Adapazari basin, and blocks of weathered terrigenous clastic sediments. To the south of the northern branch of the NAFZ in the Armutlu block, we detect higher velocities ( 2.9 km/s) associated with a shallow crystalline basement, in particular a block of metamorphosed schists and marbles that bound the northern branch of the NAFZ.

Gas hydrate concentration estimated from P- and S-wave velocities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carcione, J. M.; Gei, D.

2003-04-01

We estimate the concentration of gas hydrate at the Mallik 2L-38 research site, Mackenzie Delta, Canada, using P- and S-wave velocities obtained from well logging and vertical seismic profiles (VSP). The theoretical velocities are obtained from a poro-viscoelastic model based on a Biot-type approach. It considers the existence of two solids (grains and gas hydrate) and a fluid mixture and is based on the assumption that hydrate fills the pore space and shows interconnection. The moduli of the matrix formed by gas hydrate are obtained from the percolation model described by Leclaire et al., (1994). An empirical mixing law introduced by Brie et al., (1995) provides the effective bulk modulus of the fluid phase, giving Wood's modulus at low frequency and Voigt's modulus at high frequencies. The dry-rock moduli are estimated from the VSP profile where the rock is assumed to be fully saturated with water, and the quality factors are obtained from the velocity dispersion observed between the sonic and VSP velocities. Attenuation is described by using a constant-Q model for the dry rock moduli. The amount of dissipation is estimated from the difference between the seismic velocities and the sonic-log velocities. We estimate the amount of gas hydrate by fitting the sonic-log and seismic velocities to the theoretical velocities, using the concentration of gas hydrate as fitting parameter. We obtain hydrate concentrations up to 75 %, average values of 43 and 47 % from the VSP P- and S-wave velocities, respectively, and 47 and 42 % from the sonic-log P- and S-wave velocities, respectively. These averages are computed from 897 to 1110 m, excluding the zones where there is no gas hydrate. We found that modeling attenuation is important to obtain reliable results. largeReferences} begin{description} Brie, A., Pampuri, F., Marsala A.F., Meazza O., 1995, Shear Sonic Interpretation in Gas-Bearing Sands, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, 1995. Carcione, J

Seismic anisotropy across the east African plateau from shear wave splitting analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagley, B. C.; Nyblade, A.; Mulibo, G.; Tugume, F.

2011-12-01

Previous studies of the east African plateau reveal complicated patterns of seismic anisotropy that are not easily explained by a single mechanism. The pattern is defined by rift-parallel fast directions for stations within or near Cenozoic rift valleys, and near-null results in Precambrian terrains away from the rift. Data from 65 temporary Africa Array stations deployed between 2007 and 2011 are being used to make new shear wave splitting measurements. The stations span the east African plateau and cover both the eastern and western branches of the east African rift system, as well as unrifted Proterozoic and Archean terrains in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. Through analysis of shear wave splitting we will better constrain the distribution of seismic anisotropy, and and from it gain new insight into the tectonic evolution of east Africa.

Seismic surface-wave prospecting methods for sinkhole hazard assessment along the Dead Sea shoreline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ezersky, M.; Bodet, L.; Al-Zoubi, A.; Camerlynck, C.; Dhemaied, A.; Galibert, P.-Y.; Keydar, S.

2012-04-01

waves generation and picking issues in shear-wave refraction seismic methods. As an alternative, indirect estimation of Vs can then be proposed thanks to surface-wave dispersion measurements and inversion, an emerging seismic prospecting method for near-surface engineering and environment applications. Surface-wave prospecting methods have thus been proposed to address the sinkholes development processes along the Dead Sea shorelines. Two approaches have been used: (1) Vs mapping has been performed to discriminate soft and hard zones within salt layers, after calibration of inverted Vs near boreholes. Preliminarily, soft zones, associated with karstified salt, were characterized by Vs values lower than 1000 m/s, whereas hard zones presented values greater than 1400 m/s (will be specified during following studies); (2) roll along acquisition and dispersion stacking has been performed to achieve multi-modal dispersion measurements along linear profiles. Inverted pseudo-2D Vs sections presented low Vs anomalies in the vicinity of existing sinkholes and made it possible to detect loose sediment associated with potential sinkholes occurrences. Acknowledgements This publication was made possible through support provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and MERC Program under terms of Award No M27-050.

Is Seismically Determined Q an Intrinsic Material Property?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langston, C. A.

2003-12-01

The seismic quality factor, Q, has a well-defined physical meaning as an intrinsic material property associated with a visco-elastic or a non-linear stress-strain constitutive relation for a material. Measurement of Q from seismic waves, however, involves interpreting seismic wave amplitude and phase as deviations from some ideal elastic wave propagation model. Thus, assumptions in the elastic wave propagation model become the basis for attributing anelastic properties to the earth continuum. Scientifically, the resulting Q model derived from seismic data is no more than a hypothesis that needs to be verified by other independent experiments concerning the continuum constitutive law and through careful examination of the truth of the assumptions in the wave propagation model. A case in point concerns the anelasticity of Mississippi embayment sediments in the central U.S. that has important implications for evaluation of earthquake strong ground motions. Previous body wave analyses using converted Sp phases have suggested that Qs is ~30 in the sediments based on simple ray theory assumptions. However, detailed modeling of 1D heterogeneity in the sediments shows that Qs cannot be resolved by the Sp data. An independent experiment concerning the amplitude decay of surface waves propagating in the sediments shows that Qs must be generally greater than 80 but is also subject to scattering attenuation. Apparent Q effects seen in direct P and S waves can also be produced by wave tunneling mechanisms in relatively simple 1D heterogeneity. Heterogeneity is a general geophysical attribute of the earth as shown by many high-resolution data sets and should be used as the first litmus test on assumptions made in seismic Q studies before a Q model can be interpreted as an intrinsic material property.

Seismic properties of Leg 195 serpentinites and their geophysical implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Courtier, Anna M.; Hart, David J.; Christensen, Nikolas I.; Shinohara, Masanao; Salisbury, Matthew H.; Richter, Carl

2006-01-01

Knowledge of seismic velocities is necessary to constrain the lithologies encountered in seismic studies. We measured the seismic velocities, both compressional and shear wave, of clasts recovered during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 195 from a serpentine mud volcano, the South Chamorro Seamount. The compressional wave velocities of these clasts vary from a lower value of 5.5 km/s to an upper value of 6.1 km/s at a confining stress of 200 MPa. The shear wave velocities vary from a lower value of 2.8 km/s to an upper value of 3.3 km/s at a confining stress of 200 MPa. The densities of the samples vary from 2548 to 2701 kg/m3. These velocities and densities are representative of the highly serpentinized harzburgite and dunite mineralogy of the clasts. Velocities from a seismic study of the Izu-Bonin forearc wedge were used to calculate the degree of serpentinization in the forearc wedge. The seismic velocities of the forearc wedge are higher than the velocities of the clasts recovered from the South Chamorro Seamount, suggesting that the clasts are more serpentinized than the forearc wedge.

Characterization of the Vajont landslide (North-Eastern Italy) by means of reflection and surface wave seismics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petronio, Lorenzo; Boaga, Jacopo; Cassiani, Giorgio

2016-05-01

The mechanisms of the disastrous Vajont rockslide (North-Eastern Italy, October 9, 1963) have been studied in great detail over the past five decades. Nevertheless, the reconstruction of the rockslide dynamics still presents several uncertainties, including those related to the accurate estimation of the actual landslide mass. This work presents the results of a geophysical characterization of the Vajont landslide body in terms of material properties and buried geometry. Both aspects add new information to the existing dataset and will help a better understanding of the rockslide failure mechanisms and dynamics. In addition, some general considerations concerning the intricacies of landslide characterization can be drawn, with due attention to potential pitfalls. The employed techniques are: (i) high resolution P-wave reflection, (ii) high resolution SH-wave reflection, (iii) controlled source surface wave analysis. We adopted as a seismic source a vibrator both for P waves and SH waves, using vertical and horizontal geophones respectively. For the surface wave seismic survey we used a heavy drop-weight source and low frequency receivers. Despite the high noise level caused by the fractured conditions of the large rock body, a common situation in landslide studies, we managed to achieve a satisfying imaging quality of the landslide structure thanks to the large number of active channels, the short receiver interval and the test of appropriate seismic sources. The joint use of different seismic techniques help focus the investigation on the rock mass mechanical properties. Results are in good agreement with the available borehole data, the geological sections and the mechanical properties of the rockmass estimated by other studies. In general the proposed approach is likely to be applicable successfully to similar situations where scattering and other noise sources are a typical bottleneck to geophysical data acquisition on landslide bodies.

Detection of sinkholes or anomalies using full seismic wave fields : phase II.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-08-01

A new 2-D Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) software code was developed to characterize layering and anomalies beneath the ground surface using seismic testing. The software is capable of assessing the shear and compression wave velocities (Vs and Vp) fo...

Assessment of dynamic material properties of intact rocks using seismic wave attenuation: an experimental study.

PubMed

Wanniarachchi, W A M; Ranjith, P G; Perera, M S A; Rathnaweera, T D; Lyu, Q; Mahanta, B

2017-10-01

The mechanical properties of any substance are essential facts to understand its behaviour and make the maximum use of the particular substance. Rocks are indeed an important substance, as they are of significant use in the energy industry, specifically for fossil fuels and geothermal energy. Attenuation of seismic waves is a non-destructive technique to investigate mechanical properties of reservoir rocks under different conditions. The attenuation characteristics of five different rock types, siltstone, shale, Australian sandstone, Indian sandstone and granite, were investigated in the laboratory using ultrasonic and acoustic emission instruments in a frequency range of 0.1-1 MHz. The pulse transmission technique and spectral ratios were used to calculate the attenuation coefficient ( α ) and quality factor ( Q ) values for the five selected rock types for both primary ( P ) and secondary ( S ) waves, relative to the reference steel sample. For all the rock types, the attenuation coefficient was linearly proportional to the frequency of both the P and S waves. Interestingly, the attenuation coefficient of granite is more than 22% higher than that of siltstone, sandstone and shale for both P and S waves. The P and S wave velocities were calculated based on their recorded travel time, and these velocities were then used to calculate the dynamic mechanical properties including elastic modulus ( E ), bulk modulus ( K ), shear modulus ( µ ) and Poisson's ratio ( ν ). The P and S wave velocities for the selected rock types varied in the ranges of 2.43-4.61 km s -1 and 1.43-2.41 km h -1 , respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that the P wave velocity was always greater than the S wave velocity, and this confirmed the first arrival of P waves to the sensor. According to the experimental results, the dynamic E value is generally higher than the static E value obtained by unconfined compressive strength tests.

Mobile seismic exploration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dräbenstedt, A., E-mail: a.draebenstedt@polytec.de, E-mail: rembe@iei.tu-clausthal.de, E-mail: ulrich.polom@liag-hannover.de; Seyfried, V.; Cao, X.

2016-06-28

Laser-Doppler-Vibrometry (LDV) is an established technique to measure vibrations in technical systems with picometer vibration-amplitude resolution. Especially good sensitivity and resolution can be achieved at an infrared wavelength of 1550 nm. High-resolution vibration measurements are possible over more than 100 m distance. This advancement of the LDV technique enables new applications. The detection of seismic waves is an application which has not been investigated so far because seismic waves outside laboratory scales are usually analyzed at low frequencies between approximately 1 Hz and 250 Hz and require velocity resolutions in the range below 1 nm/s/√Hz. Thermal displacements and air turbulence have critical influences to LDVmore » measurements at this low-frequency range leading to noise levels of several 100 nm/√Hz. Commonly seismic waves are measured with highly sensitive inertial sensors (geophones or Micro Electro-Mechanical Sensors (MEMS)). Approaching a laser geophone based on LDV technique is the topic of this paper. We have assembled an actively vibration-isolated optical table in a minivan which provides a hole in its underbody. The laser-beam of an infrared LDV assembled on the optical table impinges the ground below the car through the hole. A reference geophone has detected remaining vibrations on the table. We present the results from the first successful experimental demonstration of contactless detection of seismic waves from a movable vehicle with a LDV as laser geophone.« less

Characterizing seismic noise in the 2-20 Hz band at a gravitational wave observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coward, D.; Turner, J.; Blair, D.; Galybin, K.

2005-04-01

We present a study of seismic noise, using an array of seismic sensors, at the Australian International Gravitational Observatory. We show that despite excellent attenuation of 2-20 Hz seismic waves from the soil properties of the site, which is confirmed by a specific experiment, there are important technical issues associated with local sources of vibration originating from within the laboratory buildings. In particular, we identify vibrations from air-filtration equipment propagating throughout the site. We find significant building resonances in the 2-13 Hz band and identify seismic noise originating from regional mine blasts hundreds of kilometers distant. All these noise sources increase the performance requirements on vibration isolation in the 2-20 Hz frequency band.

Seismic wave velocity of rocks in the Oman ophiolite: constraints for petrological structure of oceanic crust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, S.; Ishikawa, M.; Shibata, S.; Akizuki, R.; Arima, M.; Tatsumi, Y.; Arai, S.

2010-12-01

Evaluation of rock velocities and comparison with velocity profiles defined by seismic refraction experiments are a crucial approach for understanding the petrological structure of the crust. In this study, we calculated the seismic wave velocities of various types of rocks from the Oman ophiolite in order to constrain a petrological structure of the oceanic crust. Christensen & Smewing (1981, JGR) have reported experimental elastic velocities of rocks from the Oman ophiolite under oceanic crust-mantle conditions (6-430 MPa). However, in their relatively low-pressure experiments, internal pore-spaces might affect the velocity and resulted in lower values than the intrinsic velocity of sample. In this study we calculated the velocities of samples based on their modal proportions and chemical compositions of mineral constituents. Our calculated velocities represent the ‘pore-space-free’ intrinsic velocities of the sample. We calculated seismic velocities of rocks from the Oman ophiolite including pillow lavas, dolerites, plagiogranites, gabbros and peridotites at high-pressure-temperature conditions with an Excel macro (Hacker & Avers 2004, G-cubed). The minerals used for calculations for pillow lavas, dolerites and plagiogranites were Qtz, Pl, Prh, Pmp, Chl, Ep, Act, Hbl, Cpx and Mag. Pl, Hbl, Cpx, Opx and Ol were used for the calculations for gabbros and peridotites. Assuming thermal gradient of 20° C/km and pressure gradient of 25 MPa/km, the velocities were calculated in the ranges from the atmospheric pressure (0° C) to 200 MPa (160° C). The calculation yielded P-wave velocities (Vp) of 6.5-6.7 km/s for the pillow lavas, 6.6-6.8 km/s for the dolerites, 6.1-6.3 km/s for the plagiogranites, 6.9-7.5 km/s for the gabbros and 8.1-8.2 km/s for the peridotites. On the other hand, experimental results reported by Christensen & Smewing (1981, JGR) were 4.5-5.9 km/s for the pillow lavas, 5.5-6.3 km/s for the dolerites, 6.1-6.3 km/s for the plagiogranites, 6

The thin section rock physics: Modeling and measurement of seismic wave velocity on the slice of carbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wardaya, P. D.; Noh, K. A. B. M.; Yusoff, W. I. B. W.; Ridha, S.; Nurhandoko, B. E. B.

2014-09-01

This paper discusses a new approach for investigating the seismic wave velocity of rock, specifically carbonates, as affected by their pore structures. While the conventional routine of seismic velocity measurement highly depends on the extensive laboratory experiment, the proposed approach utilizes the digital rock physics view which lies on the numerical experiment. Thus, instead of using core sample, we use the thin section image of carbonate rock to measure the effective seismic wave velocity when travelling on it. In the numerical experiment, thin section images act as the medium on which wave propagation will be simulated. For the modeling, an advanced technique based on artificial neural network was employed for building the velocity and density profile, replacing image's RGB pixel value with the seismic velocity and density of each rock constituent. Then, ultrasonic wave was simulated to propagate in the thin section image by using finite difference time domain method, based on assumption of an acoustic-isotropic medium. Effective velocities were drawn from the recorded signal and being compared to the velocity modeling from Wyllie time average model and Kuster-Toksoz rock physics model. To perform the modeling, image analysis routines were undertaken for quantifying the pore aspect ratio that is assumed to represent the rocks pore structure. In addition, porosity and mineral fraction required for velocity modeling were also quantified by using integrated neural network and image analysis technique. It was found that the Kuster-Toksoz gives the closer prediction to the measured velocity as compared to the Wyllie time average model. We also conclude that Wyllie time average that does not incorporate the pore structure parameter deviates significantly for samples having more than 40% porosity. Utilizing this approach we found a good agreement between numerical experiment and theoretically derived rock physics model for estimating the effective seismic wave

Earthquake mechanisms from linear-programming inversion of seismic-wave amplitude ratios

USGS Publications Warehouse

Julian, B.R.; Foulger, G.R.

1996-01-01

The amplitudes of radiated seismic waves contain far more information about earthquake source mechanisms than do first-motion polarities, but amplitudes are severely distorted by the effects of heterogeneity in the Earth. This distortion can be reduced greatly by using the ratios of amplitudes of appropriately chosen seismic phases, rather than simple amplitudes, but existing methods for inverting amplitude ratios are severely nonlinear and require computationally intensive searching methods to ensure that solutions are globally optimal. Searching methods are particularly costly if general (moment tensor) mechanisms are allowed. Efficient linear-programming methods, which do not suffer from these problems, have previously been applied to inverting polarities and wave amplitudes. We extend these methods to amplitude ratios, in which formulation on inequality constraint for an amplitude ratio takes the same mathematical form as a polarity observation. Three-component digital data for an earthquake at the Hengill-Grensdalur geothermal area in southwestern Iceland illustrate the power of the method. Polarities of P, SH, and SV waves, unusually well distributed on the focal sphere, cannot distinguish between diverse mechanisms, including a double couple. Amplitude ratios, on the other hand, clearly rule out the double-couple solution and require a large explosive isotropic component.

Modeling acoustic wave propagation in the Southern Ocean to estimate the acoustic impact of seismic surveys on marine mammals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breitzke, M.; Bohlen, T.

2007-12-01

According to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, adopted 1991, seismic surveys in the Southern Ocean south of 60°S are exclusively dedicated to academic research. The seismic surveys conducted by the Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany during the last 20 years focussed on two areas: The Wedell Sea (60°W - 0°W) and the Amundsen/Bellinghausen Sea (120°W - 60°W). Histograms of the Julian days and water depths covered by these surveys indicate that maximum activities occurred in January and February, and most lines were collected either in shallow waters of 400 - 500 m depth or in deep waters of 2500 - 4500 m depth. To assess the potential risk of future seismic research on marine mammal populations an acoustic wave propagation modeling study is conducted for the Wedell and the Amundsen/ Bellinghausen Sea. A 2.5D finite-difference code is used. It allows to simulate the spherical amplitude decay of point sources correctly, considers P- and S-wave velocities at the sea floor and provides snapshots of the wavefield at any spatial and temporal resolution. As source signals notional signatures of GI-, G- and Bolt guns, computed by the NUCLEUS software (PGS) are used. Based on CTD measurements, sediment core samplings and sediment echosounder recordings two horizontally-layered, range-independent generic models are established for the Wedell and the Amundsen/Bellinghausen Sea, one for shallow (500 m) and one for deep water (3000 m). They indicate that the vertical structure of the water masses is characterized by a 100 m thick, cold, low sound velocity layer (~1440 - 1450 m/s), centered in 100 m depth. In the austral summer it is overlain by a warmer, 50 m thick surface layer with slightly higher sound velocities (~1447 - 1453 m/s). Beneath the low-velocity layer sound velocities increase rapidly to ~1450 - 1460 m/s in 200 m depth, and smoothly to ~1530 m/s in 4700 m depth. The sea floor is mainly

Local strong slow S-wave anomalies at western edge of Pacific LLSVP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obayashi, M.; Niu, F.; Yoshimitsu, J.

2017-12-01

Seismic tomography studies have revealed two broad slow shear-wave speed anomalies regions beneath the Pacific and Africa called as LLSVPs (Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces). There are geographic correlations between the LLSVPs and hotspots, and the LLSVPs could probably play an important role for convection throughout the mantle and thermal structure and evolution of the earth. The LLSVPs have been considered to be heterogeneous in composition since the boundaries between the normal mantle are sharp. To investigate the details of the sharp LLSVP edge we measure ScS-S and SKS-S differential traveltimes in the hypocentral distance of about 60°-90° using Japanese and Chinese seismic networks. We used 25events for the Chinese network and 16 events for Japanese network that occurred in Tonga-Kermadec region and obtained 3750 event-station pairs of ScS-S and 1500 pairs of SKS-S differential travel times. We found anomalously large (more than 5 sec) ScS-S travel times accompanying normal SKS-S travel times, suggesting local strong slow region in the vicinity of the ScS bounce points (red circles in Figure 1). Such ScS bounce points locate to the northeast of New Guinea Island extending over 20 degrees in NE-SW direction. However below New Guinea Island, both ScS-S and SKS-S travel times are normal (green circles in Figure 1), indicating abrupt end of the local strong slow anomalies. We inverted the ScS-S and SKS-S differential traveltimes for lowermost mantle S-wave speed structure, assuming isotropic mantle. The result shows very strong slow anomalies of more than 5% at western edge of Pacific LLSVP that extend vertically not more than 200 km from the core mantle boundary.

Signal extraction and wave field separation in tunnel seismic prediction by independent component analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yue, Y.; Jiang, T.; Zhou, Q.

2017-12-01

In order to ensure the rationality and the safety of tunnel excavation, the advanced geological prediction has been become an indispensable step in tunneling. However, the extraction of signal and the separation of P and S waves directly influence the accuracy of geological prediction. Generally, the raw data collected in TSP system is low quality because of the numerous disturb factors in tunnel projects, such as the power interference and machine vibration interference. It's difficult for traditional method (band-pass filtering) to remove interference effectively as well as bring little loss to signal. The power interference, machine vibration interference and the signal are original variables and x, y, z component as observation signals, each component of the representation is a linear combination of the original variables, which satisfy applicable conditions of independent component analysis (ICA). We perform finite-difference simulations of elastic wave propagation to synthetic a tunnel seismic reflection record. The method of ICA was adopted to process the three-component data, and the results show that extract the estimates of signal and the signals are highly correlated (the coefficient correlation is up to more than 0.93). In addition, the estimates of interference that separated from ICA and the interference signals are also highly correlated, and the coefficient correlation is up to more than 0.99. Thus, simulation results showed that the ICA is an ideal method for extracting high quality data from mixed signals. For the separation of P and S waves, the conventional separation techniques are based on physical characteristics of wave propagation, which require knowledge of the near-surface P and S waves velocities and density. Whereas the ICA approach is entirely based on statistical differences between P and S waves, and the statistical technique does not require a priori information. The concrete results of the wave field separation will be presented in

Seismic gradiometry using ambient seismic noise in an anisotropic Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Ridder, S. A. L.; Curtis, A.

2017-05-01

We introduce a wavefield gradiometry technique to estimate both isotropic and anisotropic local medium characteristics from short recordings of seismic signals by inverting a wave equation. The method exploits the information in the spatial gradients of a seismic wavefield that are calculated using dense deployments of seismic arrays. The application of the method uses the surface wave energy in the ambient seismic field. To estimate isotropic and anisotropic medium properties we invert an elliptically anisotropic wave equation. The spatial derivatives of the recorded wavefield are evaluated by calculating finite differences over nearby recordings, which introduces a systematic anisotropic error. A two-step approach corrects this error: finite difference stencils are first calibrated, then the output of the wave-equation inversion is corrected using the linearized impulse response to the inverted velocity anomaly. We test the procedure on ambient seismic noise recorded in a large and dense ocean bottom cable array installed over Ekofisk field. The estimated azimuthal anisotropy forms a circular geometry around the production-induced subsidence bowl. This conforms with results from studies employing controlled sources, and with interferometry correlating long records of seismic noise. Yet in this example, the results were obtained using only a few minutes of ambient seismic noise.

Constraint on the magma sources in Luzon Island Philippines by using P and S wave local seismic tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nghia, N. C.; Huang, B. S.; Chen, P. F.

2017-12-01

The subduction of South China Sea beneath the Luzon Island has caused a complex setting of seismicity and magmatism because of the proposed ridge subduction and slab tearing. To constrain the validity of slab tearing induced by ridge subduction and their effect, we performed a P and S wave seismic tomography travel time inversion using LOTOS code. The dataset has been retrieved from International Seismological Centre from 1960 to 2008. A 1D velocity inverted by using VELEST with a Vp/Vs ratio of 1.74 is used as the starting input velocity for tomographic inversion. Total of 20905 P readings and 8126 S readings from 2355 earthquakes events were used to invert for velocity structure beneath Luzon Island. The horizontal tomographic results show low-velocity, high Vp/Vs regions at the shallow depth less than 50 km which are interpreted as the magmatic chambers of the volcanic system in Luzon. At the suspected region of slab tearing at 16oN to 18oN, two sources of magma have been indentified: slab window magma at shallow depth (< 50 km) and magma induced by mantle wedge partial melting from higher depth. This slab melting may have changed the composition of magmatic to become more silicic with high viscosity, which explains the volcanic gap in this region. At the region of 14oN to 15oN, large magma chambers under active volcanos are identified which explain the active volcanism in this region. Contrast to the region of slab tearing, in this region, the magma chambers are fed by only magma from partial melting of mantle wedge from the depth higher than 100 km. These observations are consistent with previous work on the slab tearing of South China Sea and the activities of volcanism in the Luzon Island.

Statistical characterization of Earth’s heterogeneities from seismic scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Y.; Wu, R.

2009-12-01

The distortion of a teleseismic wavefront carries information about the heterogeneities through which the wave propagates and it is manifestited as logarithmic amplitude (logA) and phase fluctuations of the direct P wave recorded by a seismic network. By cross correlating the fluctuations (e.g., logA-logA or phase-phase), we obtain coherence functions, which depend on spatial lags between stations and incident angles between the incident waves. We have mathematically related the depth-dependent heterogeneity spectrum to the observable coherence functions using seismic scattering theory. We will show that our method has sharp depth resolution. Using the HiNet seismic network data in Japan, we have inverted power spectra for two depth ranges, ~0-120km and below ~120km depth. The coherence functions formed by different groups of stations or by different groups of earthquakes at different back azimuths are similar. This demonstrates that the method is statistically stable and the inhomogeneities are statistically stationary. In both depth intervals, the trend of the spectral amplitude decays from large scale to small scale in a power-law fashion with exceptions at ~50km for the logA data. Due to the spatial spacing of the seismometers, only information from length scale 15km to 200km is inverted. However our scattering method provides new information on small to intermediate scales that are comparable to scales of the recycled materials and thus is complimentary to the global seismic tomography which reveals mainly large-scale heterogeneities on the order of ~1000km. The small-scale heterogeneities revealed here are not likely of pure thermal origin. Therefore, the length scale and strength of heterogeneities as a function of depth may provide important constraints in mechanical mixing of various components in the mantle convection.

On vertical seismic profile processing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tariel, P.; Michon, D.

1984-10-01

From the wealth of information which can be deduced from VSP, the information most directly comparable to well logs is considered: P-wave and S-wave interval velocity, acoustic impedance, and the velocity ratio ..gamma.. = V /SUB s/ /V /SUB p/ . This information not only allows better interpretation of surface seismic sections but also improves processing. For these results to be usable a number of precautions must be taken during acquisition and processing; the sampling in depth should be chosen in such a way that aliasing phenomena do not unnecessarily limit the spectra during the separation of upwards and downwardsmore » travelling waves. True amplitudes should be respected and checked by recording of signatures, and the interference of upwards and downwards travelling waves should be taken into account for the picking of first arrivals. The different steps in processing and the combination of results in the interpretation of surface seismic results are described with actual records.« less

Assessment of dynamic material properties of intact rocks using seismic wave attenuation: an experimental study

PubMed Central

Wanniarachchi, W. A. M.; Perera, M. S. A.; Rathnaweera, T. D.; Lyu, Q.; Mahanta, B.

2017-01-01

The mechanical properties of any substance are essential facts to understand its behaviour and make the maximum use of the particular substance. Rocks are indeed an important substance, as they are of significant use in the energy industry, specifically for fossil fuels and geothermal energy. Attenuation of seismic waves is a non-destructive technique to investigate mechanical properties of reservoir rocks under different conditions. The attenuation characteristics of five different rock types, siltstone, shale, Australian sandstone, Indian sandstone and granite, were investigated in the laboratory using ultrasonic and acoustic emission instruments in a frequency range of 0.1–1 MHz. The pulse transmission technique and spectral ratios were used to calculate the attenuation coefficient (α) and quality factor (Q) values for the five selected rock types for both primary (P) and secondary (S) waves, relative to the reference steel sample. For all the rock types, the attenuation coefficient was linearly proportional to the frequency of both the P and S waves. Interestingly, the attenuation coefficient of granite is more than 22% higher than that of siltstone, sandstone and shale for both P and S waves. The P and S wave velocities were calculated based on their recorded travel time, and these velocities were then used to calculate the dynamic mechanical properties including elastic modulus (E), bulk modulus (K), shear modulus (µ) and Poisson's ratio (ν). The P and S wave velocities for the selected rock types varied in the ranges of 2.43–4.61 km s−1 and 1.43–2.41 km h−1, respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that the P wave velocity was always greater than the S wave velocity, and this confirmed the first arrival of P waves to the sensor. According to the experimental results, the dynamic E value is generally higher than the static E value obtained by unconfined compressive strength tests. PMID:29134090

Finite-frequency wave propagation through outer rise fault zones and seismic measurements of upper mantle hydration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Miller, Nathaniel; Lizarralde, Daniel

2016-01-01

Effects of serpentine-filled fault zones on seismic wave propagation in the upper mantle at the outer rise of subduction zones are evaluated using acoustic wave propagation models. Modeled wave speeds depend on azimuth, with slowest speeds in the fault-normal direction. Propagation is fastest along faults, but, for fault widths on the order of the seismic wavelength, apparent wave speeds in this direction depend on frequency. For the 5–12 Hz Pn arrivals used in tomographic studies, joint-parallel wavefronts are slowed by joints. This delay can account for the slowing seen in tomographic images of the outer rise upper mantle. At the Middle America Trench, confining serpentine to fault zones, as opposed to a uniform distribution, reduces estimates of bulk upper mantle hydration from ~3.5 wt % to as low as 0.33 wt % H2O.

Investigation of Seismic Waves from Non-Natural Sources: A Case Study for Building Collapse and Surface Explosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houng, S.; Hong, T.

2013-12-01

The nature and excitation mechanism of incidents or non-natural events have been widely investigated using seismological techniques. With introduction of dense seismic networks, small-sized non-natural events such as building collapse and chemical explosions are well recorded. Two representative non-natural seismic sources are investigated. A 5-story building in South Korea, Sampoong department store, was collapsed in June 25, 1995, causing casualty of 1445. This accident is known to be the second deadliest non-terror-related building collapse in the world. The event was well recorded by a local station in ~ 9 km away. P and S waves were recorded weak, while monotonic Rayleigh waves were observed well. The origin time is determined using surface-wave arrival time. The magnitude of event is determined to be 1.2, which coincides with a theoretical estimate based on the mass and volume of building. Synthetic waveforms are modeled for various combinations of velocity structures and source time functions, which allow us to constrain the process of building collapse. It appears that the building was collapsed once within a couple of seconds. We also investigate a M2.1 chemical explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas on April 18, 2013. It was reported that more than one hundred people were dead or injured by the explosion. Seismic waveforms for nearby stations are collected from Incorporated Research Institution of Seismology (IRIS). The event was well recorded at stations in ~500 km away from the source. Strong acoustic signals were observed at stations in a certain great-circle direction. This observation suggests preferential propagation of acoustic waves depending on atmospheric environment. Waveform cross-correlation, spectral analysis and waveform modeling are applied to understand the source physics. We discuss the nature of source and source excitation mechanism.

Multichannel analysis of surface-waves and integration of downhole acoustic televiewer imaging, ultrasonic Vs and Vp, and vertical seismic profiling in an NEHRP-standard classification, South of Concordia, Kansas, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raef, Abdelmoneam; Gad, Sabreen; Tucker-Kulesza, Stacey

2015-10-01

Seismic site characteristics, as pertaining to earthquake hazard reduction, are a function of the subsurface elastic moduli and the geologic structures. This study explores how multiscale (surface, downhole, and laboratory) datasets can be utilized to improve "constrained" average Vs30 (shear-wave velocity to a 30-meter depth). We integrate borehole, surface and laboratory measurements for a seismic site classification based on the standards of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP). The seismic shear-wave velocity (Vs30) was derived from a geophysical inversion workflow that utilized multichannel analysis of surface-waves (MASW) and downhole acoustic televiewer imaging (DATI). P-wave and S-wave velocities, based on laboratory measurements of arrival times of ultrasonic-frequency signals, supported the workflow by enabling us to calculate Poisson's ratio, which was incorporated in building an initial model for the geophysical inversion of MASW. Extraction of core samples from two boreholes provided lithology and thickness calibration of the amplitudes of the acoustic televiewer imaging for each layer. The MASW inversion, for calculating Vs sections, was constrained with both ultrasonic laboratory measurements (from first arrivals of Vs and Vp waveforms at simulated in situ overburden stress conditions) and the downhole acoustic televiewer (DATV) amplitude logs. The Vs30 calculations enabled categorizing the studied site as NEHRP-class "C" - very dense soil and soft rock. Unlike shallow fractured carbonates in the studied area, S-wave and P-wave velocities at ultrasonic frequency for the deeper intact shale core-samples from two boreholes were in better agreement with the corresponding velocities from both a zero-offset vertical seismic profiling (VSP) and inversion of Rayleigh-wave velocity dispersion curves.

Determination of Rayleigh wave ellipticity across the Earthscope Transportable Array using single-station and array-based processing of ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Workman, Eli; Lin, Fan-Chi; Koper, Keith D.

2017-01-01

We present a single station method for the determination of Rayleigh wave ellipticity, or Rayleigh wave horizontal to vertical amplitude ratio (H/V) using Frequency Dependent Polarization Analysis (FDPA). This procedure uses singular value decomposition of 3-by-3 spectral covariance matrices over 1-hr time windows to determine properties of the ambient seismic noise field such as particle motion and dominant wave-type. In FPDA, if the noise is mostly dominated by a primary singular value and the phase difference is roughly 90° between the major horizontal axis and the vertical axis of the corresponding singular vector, we infer that Rayleigh waves are dominant and measure an H/V ratio for that hour and frequency bin. We perform this analysis for all available data from the Earthscope Transportable Array between 2004 and 2014. We compare the observed Rayleigh wave H/V ratios with those previously measured by multicomponent, multistation noise cross-correlation (NCC), as well as classical noise spectrum H/V ratio analysis (NSHV). At 8 s the results from all three methods agree, suggesting that the ambient seismic noise field is Rayleigh wave dominated. Between 10 and 30 s, while the general pattern agrees well, the results from FDPA and NSHV are persistently slightly higher (˜2 per cent) and significantly higher (>20 per cent), respectively, than results from the array-based NCC. This is likely caused by contamination from other wave types (i.e. Love waves, body waves, and tilt noise) in the single station methods, but it could also reflect a small, persistent error in NCC. Additionally, we find that the single station method has difficulty retrieving robust Rayleigh wave H/V ratios within major sedimentary basins, such as the Williston Basin and Mississippi Embayment, where the noise field is likely dominated by reverberating Love waves and tilt noise.

P-wave and surface wave survey for permafrost analysis in alpine regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godio, A.; Socco, L. V.; Garofalo, F.; Arato, A.; Théodule, A.

2012-04-01

of seismic data involved the tomographic interpretation of traveltime P-wave first arrivals by considering the continuous refraction of the ray-paths. Several surface-wave dispersion curves were extracted in f-k domain along the seismic line and then inverted through a laterally constrained inversion algorithm to obtain a pseudo-2D section of S-wave velocity. Georadar investigation (about 2 km of georadar lines in the first site) confirmed the presence both of fine and coarse sediments in the uppermost layer; the seismic data allowed the moraines to be characterized down to 20-25 meters of depth. At the elevation of 2700 m asl, we observed a general decrease of the P-wave traveltimes collected in November, when the near surface layer was in frozen condition, respect to the data acquired in June. The frozen layer is responsible of the inversion of P-wave velocity with depth; the higher velocity layer (frozen) cannot be detected in the tomographic interpretation of refraction tomographic of the P-wave arrivals. Compressional wave velocity ranges from 700 m/s on the uppermost part, to 2000-2500 m/s in the internal part of the sediments reaching values higher than 5000 m/s at depth about 20 m. The analysis of surface wave permitted to estimate a slight increase from summer to winter of the S-wave velocity, in the depth range between 0 to 5 m.

A novel EBSD-based finite-element wave propagation model for investigating seismic anisotropy: Application to Finero Peridotite, Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Northern Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Xin; Frehner, Marcel; Kunze, Karsten; Zappone, Alba

2014-10-01

A novel electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) -based finite-element (FE) wave propagation simulation is presented and applied to investigate seismic anisotropy of peridotite samples. The FE model simulates the dynamic propagation of seismic waves along any chosen direction through representative 2D EBSD sections. The numerical model allows separation of the effects of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) and shape preferred orientation (SPO). The obtained seismic velocities with respect to specimen orientation are compared with Voigt-Reuss-Hill estimates and with laboratory measurements. The results of these three independent methods testify that CPO is the dominant factor controlling seismic anisotropy. Fracture fillings and minor minerals like hornblende only influence the seismic anisotropy if their volume proportion is sufficiently large (up to 23%). The SPO influence is minor compared to the other factors. The presented FE model is discussed with regard to its potential in simulating seismic wave propagation using EBSD data representing natural rock petrofabrics.

Seismic wave velocity of hydrate-bearing fine-grained sediments sampled from the Ulleung basin in East Sea, Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H.; Kwon, T.; Cho, G.

2012-12-01

Synthesizing gas hydrate in a fine-grained natural seabed sediment sample, mainly composed of silty-to-clayey soils, has been hardly attempted due to the low permeability. It has been known that hydrate loci in pore spaces and heterogeneity of hydrate growth in core-scale play a critical role in determining physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments. In the presented study, we attempted to identify the effect of hydrate growth morphology on seismic velocities in natural fine-grained sediments sampled from the Ulleung Basin in East Sea. We synthesized CO2 hydrate in clayey silt sediments in an instrumented oedometric cell and measured seismic velocities during hydrate formation and loading processes. Herein, we present the experiment results on P-wave and S-wave velocities of gas hydrate-bearing fine-grained sediments. It is found that the geophysical properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediments are governed by hydrate saturation and effective stress as well as morphological feature of hydrate formation in sediments.

Seismic anisotropy along the Cyprean arc and northeast Mediterranean Sea inferred from shear wave splitting analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yolsal-Çevikbilen, Seda

2014-08-01

The Cyprean arc is considered to be a convergent boundary in the Eastern Mediterranean where the African plate is being subducted beneath the Anatolian plate. Mapping the lateral variations of seismic anisotropy parameters can provide essential hints to mantle dynamics and flow patterns in relation to the geometry and style of deformation developed under different pressure, temperature conditions around the subducting African lithosphere. In this study, seismic anisotropy parameters, fast polarization directions (ϕ) and delay times (δt) beneath the Cyprean arc and NE Mediterranean Sea are inferred from the shear wave splitting analysis performed on core-mantle refracted teleseismic shear waves (SKS phases). Earthquake data used in the present work are extracted from the continuous recordings of 8 broad-band seismic stations located in the study region for a time period during 1999 and 2012. The overall results exhibits clear evidences of mantle anisotropy with relatively uniform NE-SW aligned fast polarization directions. No abrupt changes in fast polarization directions (ϕ) are observed. However, near the Dead Sea Transform Fault, ϕ values tend to rotate from NE-SW to N-S and NW-SE in accordance with Pn anisotropy observations. Delay times (δt) vary between 0.61 s ± 0.10 s and 1.90 s ± 0.13 s. The range of delay times are generally consistent with those observed in the mantle rather than implying a crustal anisotropy. A predominant pattern of NNE-SSW fast polarization directions that is coherent with earlier SKS splitting measurements observed beneath north, central and East Anatolia suggests a SW directed asthenospheric flow caused by slab rollback process along the Hellenic and Cyprean arcs. Furthermore, apparent splitting parameters did not exhibit any significant directional dependence which may imply possibility of the presence of anisotropic models with two-layer anisotropy or dipping axis of symmetry beneath the northeast Mediterranean Sea and

Multiple seismic reflectors in Earth’s lowermost mantle

PubMed Central

Shang, Xuefeng; Shim, Sang-Heon; de Hoop, Maarten; van der Hilst, Robert

2014-01-01

The modern view of Earth’s lowermost mantle considers a D″ region of enhanced (seismologically inferred) heterogeneity bounded by the core–mantle boundary and an interface some 150–300 km above it, with the latter often attributed to the postperovskite phase transition (in MgSiO3). Seismic exploration of Earth’s deep interior suggests, however, that this view needs modification. So-called ScS and SKKS waves, which probe the lowermost mantle from above and below, respectively, reveal multiple reflectors beneath Central America and East Asia, two areas known for subduction of oceanic plates deep into Earth’s mantle. This observation is inconsistent with expectations from a thermal response of a single isochemical postperovskite transition, but some of the newly observed structures can be explained with postperovskite transitions in differentiated slab materials. Our results imply that the lowermost mantle is more complex than hitherto thought and that interfaces and compositional heterogeneity occur beyond the D″ region sensu stricto. PMID:24550266

Imaging Ruptured Lithosphere Beneath the Arabian Peninsula Using S-wave Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, S. E.; Rodgers, A. J.; Schwartz, S. Y.; Al-Amri, A. M.

2006-12-01

The lithospheric thickness beneath the Arabian Peninsula has important implications for understanding the tectonic processes associated with continental rifting along the Red Sea. However, estimates of the lithospheric thickness are limited by the lack of high-resolution seismic observations sampling the lithosphere- asthenosphere boundary (LAB). The S-wave receiver function technique allows point determinations of Moho and LAB depths by identifying S-to-P conversions from these discontinuities beneath individual seismic stations. This method is superior to P-wave receiver functions for identifying the LAB because P-to-S multiple reverberations from shallower discontinuities (such as the Moho) often mask the direct conversion from the LAB while S-to-P boundary conversions arrive earlier than the direct S phase and all multiples arrive later. We interpret crustal and lithospheric structure across the entire Arabian Peninsula from S-wave receiver functions computed at 29 stations from four different seismic networks. Generally, both the Moho and the LAB are shallowest near the Red Sea and become deeper towards the Arabian interior. Near the coast, the Moho increases from about 12 to 35 km, with a few exceptions showing a deeper Moho beneath stations that are situated on higher topography in the Asir Province. The crustal thickening continues until an average depth of about 40-45 km is reached over both the central Arabian Shield and Platform. The LAB near the coast is at a depth of about 50 km, increases rapidly, and reaches an average maximum depth of about 120 km beneath the Arabian Shield. At the Shield-Platform boundary, a distinct step is observed in the lithospheric thickness where the LAB depth increases to about 160 km. This step may reflect remnant lithospheric thickening associated with the Shield's accretion onto the Platform and has an important role in guiding asthenospheric flow beneath the eastern margin of the Red Sea. This work was performed in part

Extraction of body waves from seismic ambient noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Eun Mi; Kang, Tae Seob; Kim, Tae Sung

2014-05-01

Ambient noise cross-correlation is used in seismology to obtain the part of the surface waves and applied to the theoretical researches and various experiments. Obtaining the part of body waves from the ambient noise correlation is difficult to recognize because of the feature decreasing body waves along the travel path. However, the travel times of body waves detected from temporal and spacial events occurrence involve uncertainty of the epicenter and accompany temporal-spacial restriction. On the other hand, ambient noise is always occurred and is obtained at the all stations. So it can be applied to research of the internal earth when the case of extracting the body waves using the cross-correlation is possible. This study shows that body waves can be observed by analyzing the ambient noise recorded seismic data in South Korea. Using 42 broad-band three components stations located on the South Korea. The data removed the mean and trend are filtered high-frequency band(0.5-2Hz). The noise correlations were calculated for all combinations of radial, transverse and veltical components, which required rotation of the horizontal components for each station pair according to the azimuth at each station of the great-circle between the two stations. Removing the part of broad-band signals effected by occurring event, the part of standard deviations more than three times are removed. And it applied spectral whitening to reduce effects of the surface waves. After data processing, all ambient noise signals are cross-correlated and temporal stacked. We found the signals propagating from one station to another station, this signals can be interpreted as the body waves distinguished surface travel-time in high-frequency band.From this analysis, we can extract the body waves using ambient noise cross correlation of continuous data at the stations.

Regional seismic wavefield computation on a 3-D heterogeneous Earth model by means of coupled traveling wave synthesis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pollitz, F.F.

2002-01-01

I present a new algorithm for calculating seismic wave propagation through a three-dimensional heterogeneous medium using the framework of mode coupling theory originally developed to perform very low frequency (f < ???0.01-0.05 Hz) seismic wavefield computation. It is a Greens function approach for multiple scattering within a defined volume and employs a truncated traveling wave basis set using the locked mode approximation. Interactions between incident and scattered wavefields are prescribed by mode coupling theory and account for the coupling among surface waves, body waves, and evanescent waves. The described algorithm is, in principle, applicable to global and regional wave propagation problems, but I focus on higher frequency (typically f ??????0.25 Hz) applications at regional and local distances where the locked mode approximation is best utilized and which involve wavefields strongly shaped by propagation through a highly heterogeneous crust. Synthetic examples are shown for P-SV-wave propagation through a semi-ellipsoidal basin and SH-wave propagation through a fault zone.

High-Resolution Seismic Reflection Imaging of the Reelfoot Fault, New Madrid, Missouri

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosandich, B.; Harris, J. B.; Woolery, E. W.

2017-12-01

Earthquakes in the Lower Mississippi Valley are mainly concentrated in the New Madrid Seismic Zone and are associated with reactivated faults of the Reelfoot Rift. Determining the relationship between the seismogenic faults (in crystalline basement rocks) and deformation at the Earth's surface and in the shallow subsurface has remained an active research topic for decades. An integrated seismic data set, including compressional (P-) wave and shear (S-) wave seismic reflection profiles, was collected in New Madrid, Missouri, across the "New Madrid" segment of the Reelfoot Fault, whose most significant rupture produced the M 7.5, February 7, 1812, New Madrid earthquake. The seismic reflection profiles (215 m long) were centered on the updip projection of the fault, which is associated with a surface drainage feature (Des Cyprie Slough) located at the base of a prominent east-facing escarpment. The seismic reflection profiles were collected using 48-channel (P-wave) and 24-channel (S-wave) towable landsteamer acquisition equipment. Seismic energy was generated by five vertical impacts of a 1.8-kg sledgehammer on a small aluminum plate for the P-wave data and five horizontal impacts of the sledgehammer on a 10-kg steel I-beam for the S-wave data. Interpretation of the profiles shows a west-dipping reverse fault (Reelfoot Fault) that propagates upward from Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (>500 m deep) to near-surface Quaternary sediments (<10 m deep). The hanging wall of the fault is anticlinally folded, a structural setting almost identical to that imaged on the Kentucky Bend and Reelfoot Lake segments (of the Reelfoot Fault) to the south.

3D P and S Wave Velocity Structure and Tremor Locations in the Parkfield Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, X.; Thurber, C. H.; Shelly, D. R.; Bennington, N. L.; Cochran, E. S.; Harrington, R. M.

2014-12-01

We have assembled a new dataset to refine the 3D seismic velocity model in the Parkfield region. The S arrivals from 184 earthquakes recorded by the Parkfield Experiment to Record MIcroseismicity and Tremor array (PERMIT) during 2010-2011 were picked by a new S wave picker, which is based on machine learning. 74 blasts have been assigned to four quarries, whose locations were identified with Google Earth. About 1000 P and S wave arrivals from these blasts at permanent seismic network were also incorporated. Low frequency earthquakes (LFEs) occurring within non-volcanic tremor (NVT) are valuable for improving the precision of NVT location and the seismic velocity model at greater depths. Based on previous work (Shelley and Hardebeck, 2010), waveforms of hundreds of LFEs in same family were stacked to improve signal qualify. In a previous study (McClement et al., 2013), stacked traces of more than 30 LFE families at the Parkfileld Array Seismic Observatory (PASO) have been picked. We expanded our work to include LFEs recorded by the PERMIT array. The time-frequency Phase Weight Stacking (tf-PWS) method was introduced to improve the stack quality, as direct stacking does not produce clear S-wave arrivals on the PERMIT stations. This technique uses the coherence of the instantaneous phase among the stacked signals to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the stack. We found that it is extremely effective for picking LFE arrivals (Thurber et al., 2014). More than 500 P and about 1000 S arrivals from 58 LFE families were picked at the PERMIT and PASO arrays. Since the depths of LFEs are much deeper than earthquakes, we are able to extend model resolution to lower crustal depths. Both P and S wave velocity structure have been obtained with the tomoDD method. The result suggests that there is a low velocity zone (LVZ) in the lower crust and the location of the LVZ is consistent with the high conductivity zone beneath the southern segment of the Rinconada fault that

Shear-wave velocity-based probabilistic and deterministic assessment of seismic soil liquefaction potential

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kayen, R.; Moss, R.E.S.; Thompson, E.M.; Seed, R.B.; Cetin, K.O.; Der Kiureghian, A.; Tanaka, Y.; Tokimatsu, K.

2013-01-01

Shear-wave velocity (Vs) offers a means to determine the seismic resistance of soil to liquefaction by a fundamental soil property. This paper presents the results of an 11-year international project to gather new Vs site data and develop probabilistic correlations for seismic soil liquefaction occurrence. Toward that objective, shear-wave velocity test sites were identified, and measurements made for 301 new liquefaction field case histories in China, Japan, Taiwan, Greece, and the United States over a decade. The majority of these new case histories reoccupy those previously investigated by penetration testing. These new data are combined with previously published case histories to build a global catalog of 422 case histories of Vs liquefaction performance. Bayesian regression and structural reliability methods facilitate a probabilistic treatment of the Vs catalog for performance-based engineering applications. Where possible, uncertainties of the variables comprising both the seismic demand and the soil capacity were estimated and included in the analysis, resulting in greatly reduced overall model uncertainty relative to previous studies. The presented data set and probabilistic analysis also help resolve the ancillary issues of adjustment for soil fines content and magnitude scaling factors.

Seismic Wave Velocity in Earth's Shallow Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrakis, C.; Eaton, D. W.

2008-12-01

Studies of the outer core indicate that it is composed of liquid Fe and Ni alloyed with a ~10% fraction of light elements such as O, S or Si. Recently, unusual features, such as sediment accumulation, immiscible fluid layers or stagnant convection, have been predicted in the shallow core region. Secular cooling and compositional buoyancy drive vigorous convection that sustains the geodynamo, although critical details of light-element composition and thermal regime remain uncertain. Seismic velocity models can provide important constraints on the light element composition, however global reference models, such as Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM), IASP91 and AK135 vary significantly in the 200 km below the core-mantle boundary. Past studies of the outermost core velocity structure have been hampered by traveltime uncertainties due to lowermost mantle heterogeneities. The recently published Empirical Transfer Function (ETF) method has been shown to reduce the uncertainty using a waveform stacking approach to improve global observations of SmKS teleseismic waves. Here, we apply the ETF method to achieve a precise top-of-core velocity measurement of 8.05 ± 0.03 km/s. This new model accords well with PREM. Since PREM is based on the adiabatic form of the Adams-Williamson equation, it assumes a well mixed (i.e. homogeneous) composition. This result suggests a lack of heterogeneity in the outermost core due to layering or stagnant convection.

Improving seismic crustal models in the Corinth Gulf, Greece and estimating source depth using PL-waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vackář, Jiří; Zahradník, Jiří

2013-04-01

A recent shallow earthquake in the Corinth Gulf, Greece (Mw 5.3, January 18, 2010; Sokos et al., Tectonophysics 2012) generated unusual long-period waves (periods > 5 seconds), well recorded at several near-regional stations between the P - and S-wave arrival. The 5-second period, being significantly longer than the source duration, indicates a structural effect. The wave is similar to PL-wave or Pnl-wave, but with shorter periods and observed in much closer distances (ranging from 30 to 200 km). For theoretical description of the observed wave, structural model is required. No existing regional crustal model generates that wave, so we need to find another model, better in terms of the PL-wave existence and strength. We find such models by full waveform inversion using the subset of stations with strong PL-wave. The Discrete Wavenumber method (Bouchon, 1981; Coutant 1989) is used for forward problem and the Neighborhood Algorithm (Sambridge, 1999) for stochastic search (more details in poster by V. Plicka and J. Zahradník). We obtain a suite of models well fitting synthetic seismograms and use some of these models to evaluate dependence of the studied waves on receiver distance and azimuth as well as dependence on source depth. We compare real and synthetic dispersion curves (derived from synthetic seismograms) as an independent validation of found model and discuss limitations of using dispersion curves for these cases. We also relocated the event in the new model. Then we calculate the wavefield by two other methods: modal summation and ray theory to better understand the nature of the PL-wave. Finally, we discuss agreement of found models with published crustal models in the region. The full waveform inversion for structural parameters seems to be powerful tool for improving seismic source modeling in cases we do not have accurate structure model of studied area. We also show that the PL-wave strength has a potential to precise the earthquake depth

Seismic anisotropy of the crystalline crust: What does it tell us?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rabbel, Wolfgang; Mooney, Walter D.

1996-01-01

The study of the directional dependence of seismic velocities (seismic anisotropy) promises more refined insight into mineral composition and physical properties of the crystalline crust than conventional deep seismic refraction or reflection profiles providing average values of P-and S-wave velocities. The alignment of specific minerals by ductile rock deformation, for instance, causes specific types of seismic anisotropy which can be identified by appropriate field measurements.Vice versa, the determination of anisotropy can help to discriminate between different rock candidates in the deep crust. Seismic field measurements at the Continental Deep Drilling Site (KTB, S Germany) are shown as an example that anisotropy has to be considered in crustal studies. At the KTB, the dependence of seismic velocity on the direction of wave propagation in situ was found to be compatible with the texture, composition and fracture density of drilled crustal rocks.

Shear-wave velocity of marine sediments offshore Taiwan using ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yu-Tse; Lin, Jing-Yi; Kuo-Chen, Hao; Yeh, Yi-Chin; Cheng, Win-Bin

2017-04-01

Seismic ambient noise technology has many advantages over the traditional two-station method. The most important one is that noise is happening all the time and it can be widely and evenly distributed. Thus, the Green's Function of any station pair can be obtained through the data cross-correlation process. Many related studies have been performed to estimate the velocity structures based on the inland area. Only a few studies were reported for the marine area due to the relatively shorter recording time of ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) deployment and the high cost of the marine experiment. However, the understanding about the shear-wave velocity (Vs) of the marine sediments is very crucial for the hazard assessment related to submarine landslides, particularly with the growing of submarine resources exploration. In this study, we applied the ambient noise technique to four OBS seismic networks located offshore Taiwan in the aim of getting more information about the noise sources and having the preliminary estimation for the Vs of the marine sediments. Two of the seismic networks were deployed in the NE part of Taiwan, near the Ryukyu subduction system, whereas the others were in the SW area, on the continental margin rich in gas hydrate. Generally, ambient seismic noise could be associated with wind, ocean waves, rock fracturing and anthropogenic activity. In the southwestern Taiwan, the cross-correlation function obtained from two seismic networks indicate similar direction, suggestion that the source from the south part of the network could be the origin of the noise. However, the two networks in the northeastern Taiwan show various source direction, which could be caused by the abrupt change of bathymetry or the volcanic degassing effect frequently observed by the marine geophysical method in the area. The Vs determined from the dispersion curve shows a relatively higher value for the networks in the Okinawa Trough (OT) off NE Taiwan than that in the

Seismic attenuation in the African LLSVP estimated from PcS phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chujie; Grand, Stephen P.

2018-05-01

Seismic tomography models have revealed two broad regions in the lowermost mantle marked by ∼3% slower shear velocity than normal beneath the south central Pacific and southern Africa. These two regions are known as large-low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVP). There is debate over whether the LLSVPs can be explained by purely thermal variations or whether they must be chemically distinct from normal mantle. Elastic properties alone, have been unable to distinguish the thermal from chemical interpretations. Anelastic structure, however, can help discriminate among models of the LLSVPs since intrinsic attenuation is more sensitive to temperature than to chemical variations. Here we estimate Qμ (the shear wave quality factor) in the African LLSVP using PcS waves generated from a Scotia Arc earthquake, recorded by broadband seismometers deployed in Southern Africa during the Kaapvaal experiment. The upward leg of the PcS waves sweeps from normal mantle into the African LLSVP across the array. We use the spectral ratio (SR) and instantaneous frequency matching (IFM) techniques to measure the differential attenuation (Δt*) between waves sampling the African LLSVP and the waves that sample normal lower mantle. Using both methods for estimating Δt* we find that PcS waves sampling the LLSVP are more attenuated than the waves that miss the LLSVP yielding a Δt* difference of more than 1 s. Using the Δt* measurements we estimate the average Qμ in the LLSVP to be about 110. Using a range of activation enthalpy (H*) estimates, we find an average temperature anomaly within the LLSVP ranging from +250 to +800 K. Our estimated temperature anomaly range overlaps previous isochemical geodynamic studies that explain the LLSVP as a purely thermal structure although the large uncertainties cannot rule out chemical variations as well.

Machine Learning Seismic Wave Discrimination: Application to Earthquake Early Warning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zefeng; Meier, Men-Andrin; Hauksson, Egill; Zhan, Zhongwen; Andrews, Jennifer

2018-05-01

Performance of earthquake early warning systems suffers from false alerts caused by local impulsive noise from natural or anthropogenic sources. To mitigate this problem, we train a generative adversarial network (GAN) to learn the characteristics of first-arrival earthquake P waves, using 300,000 waveforms recorded in southern California and Japan. We apply the GAN critic as an automatic feature extractor and train a Random Forest classifier with about 700,000 earthquake and noise waveforms. We show that the discriminator can recognize 99.2% of the earthquake P waves and 98.4% of the noise signals. This state-of-the-art performance is expected to reduce significantly the number of false triggers from local impulsive noise. Our study demonstrates that GANs can discover a compact and effective representation of seismic waves, which has the potential for wide applications in seismology.

Upper Mississippi embayment shallow seismic velocities measured in situ

USGS Publications Warehouse

Liu, Huaibao P.; Hu, Y.; Dorman, J.; Chang, T.-S.; Chiu, J.-M.

1997-01-01

Vertical seismic compressional- and shear-wave (P- and S-wave) profiles were collected from three shallow boreholes in sediment of the upper Mississippi embayment. The site of the 60-m hole at Shelby Forest, Tennessee, is on bluffs forming the eastern edge of the Mississippi alluvial plain. The bluffs are composed of Pleistocene loess, Pliocene-Pleistocene alluvial clay and sand deposits, and Tertiary deltaic-marine sediment. The 36-m hole at Marked Tree, Arkansas, and the 27-m hole at Risco, Missouri, are in Holocene Mississippi river floodplain sand, silt, and gravel deposits. At each site, impulsive P- and S-waves were generated by man-made sources at the surface while a three-component geophone was locked downhole at 0.91-m intervals. Consistent with their very similar geology, the two floodplain locations have nearly identical S-wave velocity (VS) profiles. The lowest VS values are about 130 m s-1, and the highest values are about 300 m s-1 at these sites. The shear-wave velocity profile at Shelby Forest is very similar within the Pleistocene loess (12m thick); in deeper, older material, VS exceeds 400 m s-1. At Marked Tree, and at Risco, the compressional-wave velocity (VP) values above the water table are as low as about 230 m s-1, and rise to about 1.9 km s-1 below the water table. At Shelby Forest, VP values in the unsaturated loess are as low as 302 m s-1. VP values below the water table are about 1.8 km s-1. For the two floodplain sites, the VP/VS ratio increases rapidly across the water table depth. For the Shelby Forest site, the largest increase in the VP/VS ratio occurs at ???20-m depth, the boundary between the Pliocene-Pleistocene clay and sand deposits and the Eocene shallow-marine clay and silt deposits. Until recently, seismic velocity data for the embayment basin came from earthquake studies, crustal-scale seismic refraction and reflection profiles, sonic logs, and from analysis of dispersed earthquake surface waves. Since 1991, seismic data

Seismic Tomography of the Sacramento -- San Joaquin River Delta: Joint P-wave/Gravity and Ambient Noise Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teel, Alexander C.

The Sacramento -- San Joaquin River Delta (SSJRD) is an area that has been identified as having high seismic hazard but has resolution gaps in the seismic velocity models of the area due to a scarcity of local seismic stations and earthquakes. I present new three-dimensional (3D) P-wave velocity (Vp) and S-wave velocity (Vs) models for the SSJRD which fill in the sampling gaps of previous studies. I have created a new 3D seismic velocity model for the SSJRD, addressing an identified need for higher resolution velocity models in the region, using a new joint gravity/body-wave tomography algorithm. I am able to fit gravity and arrival-time residuals jointly using an empirical density-velocity relationship to take advantage of existing gravity data in the region to help fill in the resolution gaps of previous velocity models in the area. I find that the method enhances the ability to resolve the relief of basin structure relative to seismic-only tomography at this location. I find the depth to the basement to be the greatest in the northwest portion of the SSJRD and that there is a plateau in the basement structure beneath the southeast portion of the SSJRD. From my findings I infer that the SSJRD may be prone to focusing effects and basin amplification of ground motion. A 3D, Vs model for the SSJRD and surrounding area was created using ambient noise tomography. The empirical Green's functions are in good agreement with published cross-correlations and match earthquake waveforms sharing similar paths. The group velocity and shear velocity maps are in good agreement with published regional scale models. The new model maps velocity values on a local scale and successfully recovers the basin structure beneath the Delta. From this Vs model I find the maximum depth of the basin to reach approximately 15 km with the Great Valley Ophiolite body rising to a depth of 10 km east of the SSJRD. We consider our basement-depth estimates from the Vp model to be more robust than

Quantitative analysis of seismic trapped waves in the rupture zone of the Landers, 1992, California earthquake: Evidence for a shallow trapping structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Z.; Ben-Zion, Y.; Michael, A. J.; Zhu, L.

2002-12-01

Waveform modeling of seismic fault zone (FZ) trapped waves has been claimed to provide a high resolution imaging of FZ structure at seismogenic depth. We analyze quantitatively a waveform data set generated by 238 Landers aftershocks recorded by a portable seismic array (Lee, 1999). The array consists of 33 three-component L-22 seismometers, 22 of which on a line crossing the surface rupture zone of the mainshock. A subset of 93 aftershocks were also recorded by the Southern California Seismic Network, while the other events were recorded only by the FZ array. We locate the latter subset of events with a "grid-search relocation method" using accurately picked P and S arrival times, a half-space velocity model, and back-azimuth adjustment to correct the effect of low velocity FZ material on phase arrivals. Next we determine the quality of FZ trapped wave generation from the ratio of trapped waves to S-wave energy for stations relatively close to and far from the FZ. Energy ratios exceeding 4, between 2 and 4, and less than 2, are assigned quality A, B, and C of trapped wave generation. We find that about 70% of nearby events with S-P time less than 2 sec, including many clearly off the fault, generate FZ trapped waves with quality A or B. This distribution is in marked contrast with previous claims that trapped waves at Landers are generated only by sources close to or inside the fault zone (Li et al., 1994, 2000). The existence of trapped waves due to sources outside the Landers rupture zone indicates that the generating structure is shallow, as demonstrated in recent 3D calculations of wave propagation in irregular FZ structures (Fohrmann et al., 2002). The time difference between the S arrivals and trapped wave group does not grow systematically with increasing source-receiver distance along the fault, in agreement with the above conclusion. The dispersion of trapped waves at Landers is rather weak, again suggesting a short propagation distance inside the low

Characteristics of seismic waves from Soviet peaceful nuclear explosions in salt

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adushkin, V.V.; Kaazik, P.B.; Kostyuchenko, V.N.

1995-04-01

The report is carried out by the Institute for Dynamics of the Geospheres, Russian Academy of Sciences under contract NB280344 with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California. The work includes investigation of seismic waves generation and propagation from Soviet peaceful underground nuclear explosions in salt based on the data from temporary and permanent seismic stations. The explosions were conducted at the sites Azgir and Vega within the territory of the Caspian depression of the Russian platform. The data used were obtained in the following conditions of conduction: epicentral distance range from 0 to 60 degrees, yields from 1 tomore » 65 kt and depths of burial from 160 to 1500 m.« less

New approach to detect seismic surface waves in 1Hz-sampled GPS time series

PubMed Central

Houlié, N.; Occhipinti, G.; Blanchard, T.; Shapiro, N.; Lognonné, P.; Murakami, M.

2011-01-01

Recently, co-seismic seismic source characterization based on GPS measurements has been completed in near- and far-field with remarkable results. However, the accuracy of the ground displacement measurement inferred from GPS phase residuals is still depending of the distribution of satellites in the sky. We test here a method, based on the double difference (DD) computations of Line of Sight (LOS), that allows detecting 3D co-seismic ground shaking. The DD method is a quasi-analytically free of most of intrinsic errors affecting GPS measurements. The seismic waves presented in this study produced DD amplitudes 4 and 7 times stronger than the background noise. The method is benchmarked using the GEONET GPS stations recording the Hokkaido Earthquake (2003 September 25th, Mw = 8.3). PMID:22355563

Constraints on seismic anisotropy beneath the Appalachian Mountains from Love-to-Rayleigh wave scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Servali, A.; Long, M. D.; Benoit, M.

2017-12-01

The eastern margin of North America has been affected by a series of mountain building and rifting events that have likely shaped the deep structure of the lithosphere. Observations of seismic anisotropy can provide insight into lithospheric deformation associated with these past tectonic events, as well as into present-day patterns of mantle flow beneath the passive margin. Previous work on SKS splitting beneath eastern North America has revealed fast splitting directions parallel to the strike of the Appalachian orogen in the central and southern Appalachians. A major challenge to the interpretation of SKS splitting measurements, however, is the lack of vertical resolution; isolating anisotropic structures at different depths is therefore difficult. Complementary constraints on the depth distribution of anisotropy can be provided by surface waves. In this study, we analyze the scattering of Love wave energy to Rayleigh waves, which is generated via sharp lateral gradients in anisotropic structure along the ray path. The scattered phases, known as quasi-Love (QL) waves, exhibit amplitude behavior that depend on the strength of the anisotropic contrast as well as the angle between the propagation azimuth and the anisotropic symmetry axis. We analyze data collected by the dense MAGIC seismic array across the central Appalachians. We examine teleseismic earthquakes of magnitude 6.7 and greater over a range of backazimuths, and isolate surface waves at periods between 100 and 500 seconds. We compare the data to synthetic seismograms generated by the Princeton Global ShakeMovie initiative to identify anomalous QL arrivals. We find evidence significant QL arrivals at MAGIC stations, with amplitudes depending on propagation azimuth and station location. Preliminary results are consistent with a sharp lateral gradient in seismic anisotropy across the Appalachian Mountains in the depth range between 100-200 km.

Refining the Tonga Slab Geometry Using Slab Phases of Seismic Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alongi, T.; Wei, S. S.; Blackman, D. K.

2017-12-01

Although the Tonga subducting slab geometry has been previously mapped by earthquake distribution, its detailed morphology is poorly constrained. The uncertainties of the slab surface relative to earthquakes can be translated into large errors in predicted temperature of hypocenters that is considered as a chief control of intermediate-depth seismicity. Seismic waves converted at the interface between the slab crust and the overlying mantle wedge can provide additional constraints on the location of the slab surface. A PS phase converted at the slab interface is observable in the horizontal components, whereas an SP converted phase can be seen in the vertical component. In this study, we analyze PS and SP phases in the seismic dataset of the 2009-2010 Ridge2000 Lau Spreading Center project, which consisted of 50 ocean bottom seismographs (OBSs) and 17 island-based seismic stations deployed in Fiji, Tonga, and the Lau Basin for about one year. More than 1,000 PS arrivals from local events were manually picked, predominantly with a 1-3 Hz filter. Next, the PS-P differential travel times will be inverted to determine improved depths of the slab surface relative to the local earthquakes and the receiving stations. The refined slab geometry will allow us to assess the thermal structure and dehydration reactions of the Tonga slab, lending further insight into the mechanisms of intermediate-depth seismicity.

The role of water in the recovery of microcrack damage, permeability and seismic wave speeds in limestone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brantut, N.

2015-12-01

Limestone samples were deformed up to 5% inelastic axial strain at an effective confining pressure P_{eff}=50 MPa, in the cataclastic flow regime, and subsequently maintained under constant static stress conditions for extended periods of time while elastic wave speeds and permeability were continously monitored. During deformation, both seismic wave speeds and permeability decrease with increasing strain, due to the growth of sub-vertical microcracks and inelastic porosity reduction. During the static hold period under water-satured conditions, the seismic wave speeds recovered gradually, typically by around 5% (relative to their initial value) after two days, while permeability remained constant. The recovery in wave speed increases with increasing confining pressure, but decreases with increasing applied differential stress. The recovery is markedly lower when the samples are saturated with an inert fluid as opposed to water. The evolution in wave speed is interpreted quantitatively in terms of microcrack density, which shows that the post-deformation recovery is associated with an decrease in effective microcrack length, typically of the order to 10% after two days. The proposed mechanism for the observed damage recovery is microcrack closure due to a combination of backsliding on wing cracks driven by time-dependent friction and closure due to pressure-solution at contacts between propping particles or asperities and microcrack walls. The recovery rates observed in the experiments, and the proposed underlying mechanisms, are compatible with seismological observations of seismic wave speed recovery along faults following earthquakes.

Investigation on the real-time prediction of ground motions using seismic records observed in deep boreholes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyakoshi, H.; Tsuno, S.

2013-12-01

The present method of the EEW system installed in the railway field of Japan predicts seismic ground motions based on the estimated earthquake information about epicentral distances and magnitudes using initial P-waves observed on the surface. In the case of local earthquakes beneath the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, however, a method to directly predict seismic ground motions using P-waves observed in deep boreholes could issue EEWs more simply and surely. Besides, a method to predict seismic ground motions, using S-waves observed in deep boreholes and S-wave velocity structures beneath seismic stations, could show planar distributions of ground motions for train operation control areas in the aftermath of earthquakes. This information is available to decide areas in which the emergency inspection of railway structures should be performed. To develop those two methods, we investigated relationships between peak amplitudes on the surface and those in deep boreholes, using seismic records of KiK-net stations in the Kanto Basin. In this study, we used earthquake accelerograms observed in boreholes whose depths are deeper than the top face of Pre-Neogene basement and those on the surface at 12 seismic stations of KiK-net. We selected 243 local earthquakes whose epicenters are located around the Kanto Region. Those JMA magnitudes are in the range from 4.5 to 7.0. We picked the on-set of P-waves and S-waves using a vertical component and two horizontal components, respectively. Peak amplitudes of P-waves and S-waves were obtained using vertical components and vector sums of two horizontal components, respectively. We estimated parameters which represent site amplification factors beneath seismic stations, using peak amplitudes of S-waves observed in the deep borehole and those on the surface, to minimize the residuals between calculations by the theoretical equation and observations. Correlation coefficients between calculations and observations are high values in the range

Seismic waves increase permeability.

PubMed

Elkhoury, Jean E; Brodsky, Emily E; Agnew, Duncan C

2006-06-29

Earthquakes have been observed to affect hydrological systems in a variety of ways--water well levels can change dramatically, streams can become fuller and spring discharges can increase at the time of earthquakes. Distant earthquakes may even increase the permeability in faults. Most of these hydrological observations can be explained by some form of permeability increase. Here we use the response of water well levels to solid Earth tides to measure permeability over a 20-year period. At the time of each of seven earthquakes in Southern California, we observe transient changes of up to 24 degrees in the phase of the water level response to the dilatational volumetric strain of the semidiurnal tidal components of wells at the Piñon Flat Observatory in Southern California. After the earthquakes, the phase gradually returns to the background value at a rate of less than 0.1 degrees per day. We use a model of axisymmetric flow driven by an imposed head oscillation through a single, laterally extensive, confined, homogeneous and isotropic aquifer to relate the phase response to aquifer properties. We interpret the changes in phase response as due to changes in permeability. At the time of the earthquakes, the permeability at the site increases by a factor as high as three. The permeability increase depends roughly linearly on the amplitude of seismic-wave peak ground velocity in the range of 0.21-2.1 cm s(-1). Such permeability increases are of interest to hydrologists and oil reservoir engineers as they affect fluid flow and might determine long-term evolution of hydrological and oil-bearing systems. They may also be interesting to seismologists, as the resulting pore pressure changes can affect earthquakes by changing normal stresses on faults.

Shear-wave splitting and moonquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimech, J. L.; Weber, R. C.; Savage, M. K.

2017-12-01

Shear-wave splitting is a powerful tool for measuring anisotropy in the Earth's crust and mantle, and is sensitive to geological features such as fluid filled cracks, thin alternating layers of rock with different elastic properties, and preferred mineral orientations caused by strain. Since a shear wave splitting measurement requires only a single 3-component seismic station, it has potential applications for future single-station planetary seismic missions, such as the InSight geophysical mission to Mars, as well as possible future missions to Europa and the Moon. Here we present a preliminary shear-wave splitting analysis of moonquakes detected by the Apollo Passive Seismic Experiment. Lunar seismic data suffers from several drawbacks compared to modern terrestrial data, including severe seismic scattering, low intrinsic attenuation, 10-bit data resolution, thermal spikes, and timing errors. Despite these drawbacks, we show that it is in principle possible to make a shear wave splitting measurement using the S-phase arrival of a relatively high-quality moonquake, as determined by several agreeing measurement criteria. Encouraged by this finding, we further extend our analysis to clusters of "deep moonquake" events by stacking multiple events from the same cluster together to further enhance the quality of the S-phase arrivals that the measurement is based on.

Earthquake triggering by seismic waves following the landers and hector mine earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gomberg, J.; Reasenberg, P.A.; Bodin, P.; Harris, R.A.

2001-01-01

The proximity and similarity of the 1992, magnitude 7.3 Landers and 1999, magnitude 7.1 Hector Mine earthquakes in California permit testing of earthquake triggering hypotheses not previously possible. The Hector Mine earthquake confirmed inferences that transient, oscillatory 'dynamic' deformations radiated as seismic waves can trigger seismicity rate increases, as proposed for the Landers earthquake1-6. Here we quantify the spatial and temporal patterns of the seismicity rate changes7. The seismicity rate increase was to the north for the Landers earthquake and primarily to the south for the Hector Mine earthquake. We suggest that rupture directivity results in elevated dynamic deformations north and south of the Landers and Hector Mine faults, respectively, as evident in the asymmetry of the recorded seismic velocity fields. Both dynamic and static stress changes seem important for triggering in the near field with dynamic stress changes dominating at greater distances. Peak seismic velocities recorded for each earthquake suggest the existence of, and place bounds on, dynamic triggering thresholds. These thresholds vary from a few tenths to a few MPa in most places, depend on local conditions, and exceed inferred static thresholds by more than an order of magnitude. At some sites, the onset of triggering was delayed until after the dynamic deformations subsided. Physical mechanisms consistent with all these observations may be similar to those that give rise to liquefaction or cyclic fatigue.

A Hybrid Seismic Inversion Method for V P/V S Ratio and Its Application to Gas Identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Qiang; Zhang, Hongbing; Han, Feilong; Xiao, Wei; Shang, Zuoping

2018-03-01

The ratio of compressional wave velocity to shear wave velocity (V P/V S ratio) has established itself as one of the most important parameters in identifying gas reservoirs. However, considering that seismic inversion process is highly non-linear and geological conditions encountered may be complex, a direct estimation of V P/V S ratio from pre-stack seismic data remains a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a hybrid seismic inversion method to estimate V P/V S ratio directly. In this method, post- and pre-stack inversions are combined in which the pre-stack inversion for V P/V S ratio is driven by the post-stack inversion results (i.e., V P and density). In particular, the V P/V S ratio is considered as a model parameter and is directly inverted from the pre-stack inversion based on the exact Zoeppritz equation. Moreover, anisotropic Markov random field is employed in order to regularise the inversion process as well as taking care of geological structures (boundaries) information. Aided by the proposed hybrid inversion strategy, the directional weighting coefficients incorporated in the anisotropic Markov random field neighbourhoods are quantitatively calculated by the anisotropic diffusion method. The synthetic test demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed inversion method. In particular, given low quality of the pre-stack data and high heterogeneity of the target layers in the field data, the proposed inversion method reveals the detailed model of V P/V S ratio that can successfully identify the gas-bearing zones.

Microstructures, composition, and seismic properties of the Ontong Java Plateau mantle root

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tommasi, Andréa.; Ishikawa, Akira

2014-11-01

To study how an impacting plume modifies the mantle lithosphere, we analyzed the microstructures and crystal preferred orientations (CPO) of 29 peridotites and 37 pyroxenites that sample the mantle root of the Ontong Java Plateau (OJP) from 60 to 120 km depth. The peridotites show a strong compositional variability, but homogeneous coarse granular to tabular microstructures, except for those equilibrated at the shallowest and deepest depths, which are porphyroclastic. All peridotites have clear olivine CPO, with dominant fiber-[010] patterns. Low intragranular misorientations and straight grain boundaries in olivine suggest that, above 100 km depth, annealing often followed deformation. Calculated density and P wave velocities of the peridotites decrease weakly with depth. S wave velocities decrease faster, resulting in increasing Vp/Vs ratio with depth. Calculated densities and seismic velocity profiles are consistent with those estimated for normal mantle compositions under a cold oceanic geotherm. Enrichment in pyroxenites may further increase seismic velocities. The calculated seismic properties cannot therefore explain the low S waves velocities predicted by Rayleigh wave tomography and ScS data in the mantle beneath the OJP. Calculated P and S waves anisotropy is variable (2-12%). It is higher on average in the deeper section of the lithosphere. Because olivine has dominantly [010]-fiber CPO patterns, if foliations are horizontal, vertically propagating S waves and Rayleigh waves will sample very weak anisotropy in the OJP mantle lithosphere. Moreover, if the orientation of the lineation changes with depth, the anisotropy-induced contrast in seismic properties might produce an intralithospheric reflector marking the stratification of the OJP mantle root.

Seismic imaging of Q structures by a trans-dimensional coda-wave analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Tsutomu

2017-04-01

Wave scattering and intrinsic attenuation are important processes to describe incoherent and complex wave trains of high frequency seismic wave (>1Hz). The multiple lapse time window analysis (MLTWA) has been used to estimate scattering and intrinsic Q values by assuming constant Q in a study area (e.g., Hoshiba 1993). This study generalizes this MLTWA to estimate lateral variations of Q values under the Bayesian framework in dimension variable space. Study area is partitioned into small areas by means of the Voronoi tessellation. Scattering and intrinsic Q in each small area are constant. We define a misfit function for spatiotemporal variations of wave energy as with the original MLTWA, and maximize the posterior probability with changing not only Q values but the number and spatial layout of the Voronoi cells. This maximization is conducted by means of the reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (rjMCMC) (Green 1995) since the number of unknown parameters (i.e., dimension of posterior probability) is variable. After a convergence to the maximum posterior, we estimate Q structures from the ensemble averages of MCMC samples around the maximum posterior probability. Synthetic tests showed stable reconstructions of input structures with reasonable error distributions. We applied this method for seismic waveform data recorded by ocean bottom seismograms at the outer-rise area off Tohoku, and estimated Q values at 4-8Hz, 8-16Hz and 16-32Hz. Intrinsic Q are nearly constant at all frequency bands, and scattering Q shows two distinct strong scattering regions at petit spot area and high seismicity area. These strong scattering are probably related to magma inclusions and fractured structure, respectively. Difference between these two areas becomes clear at high frequencies. It means that scale dependences of inhomogeneities or smaller scale inhomogeneity is important to discuss medium property and origins of structural variations. While the generalized MLTWA is based on

P and S Body Wave Tomography of the West Antarctic Rift System: Evidence for Recent Cenozoic Rifting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soto, D. R.; Nyblade, A.; Anandakrishnan, S.; Aster, R. C.; Wiens, D.; Huerta, A. D.; Winberry, J. P.; Wilson, T. J.

2017-12-01

Imaging the upper mantle of West Antarctica can provide valuable information about its deep structure, the source of subglacial volcanism, and the age of rifting in the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS). The WARS extends across West Antarctica and is characterized by low sub-ice sheet topography, with the deepest area being the Bentley Subglacial Trench. Seismic data from POLENET/ANET broadband seismic stations were used to obtain improved body wave images of the upper mantle. The data comes from 34 backbone stations, 13 temporary broadband stations deployed across the WARS from the Whitmore Mountains to Marie Byrd Land from January 2010 to January 2012, 10 stations deployed above the Byrd Subglacial Basin from January 2015 to January 2017, and 5 stations from the UKANET network deployed January 2016 to the present. Using multi-channel cross correlation of P and S body waves from teleseismic earthquakes, travel time residuals have been obtained from 360 events for the P-wave model and 263 events for the S-wave model. The VanDecar's method of linear inversion method has been used to develop a model of relative P and S wave velocity variations in the upper mantle. Preliminary P and S wave models show a low velocity anomaly 150 km beneath Marie Byrd Land and faster wave speeds across much of the WARS, except for beneath the Bentley Subglacial Trench, where a modest low wave speed region is imaged. These results are consistent with previously published tomographic models of West Antarctica.

Alternative Energy Sources in Seismic Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tün, Muammer; Pekkan, Emrah; Mutlu, Sunay; Ecevitoğlu, Berkan

2015-04-01

When the suitability of a settlement area is investigated, soil-amplification, liquefaction and fault-related hazards should be defined, and the associated risks should be clarified. For this reason, soil engineering parameters and subsurface geological structure of a new settlement area should be investigated. Especially, faults covered with quaternary alluvium; thicknesses, shear-wave velocities and geometry of subsurface sediments could lead to a soil amplification during an earthquake. Likewise, changes in shear-wave velocities along the basin are also very important. Geophysical methods can be used to determine the local soil properties. In this study, use of alternative seismic energy sources when implementing seismic reflection, seismic refraction and MASW methods in the residential areas of Eskisehir/Turkey, were discussed. Our home developed seismic energy source, EAPSG (Electrically-Fired-PS-Gun), capable to shoot 2x24 magnum shotgun cartridges at once to generate P and S waves; and our home developed WD-500 (500 kg Weight Drop) seismic energy source, mounted on a truck, were developed under a scientific research project of Anadolu University. We were able to reach up to penetration depths of 1200 m for EAPSG, and 800 m for WD-500 in our seismic reflection surveys. WD-500 seismic energy source was also used to perform MASW surveys, using 24-channel, 10 m apart, 4.5 Hz vertical geophone configuration. We were able to reach 100 m of penetration depth in MASW surveys.

Mapping the sources of the seismic wave field at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, using data recorded on multiple seismic Antennas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Almendros, J.; Chouet, B.; Dawson, P.; Huber, Caleb G.

2002-01-01

Seismic antennas constitute a powerful tool for the analysis of complex wave fields. Well-designed antennas can identify and separate components of a complex wave field based on their distinct propagation properties. The combination of several antennas provides the basis for a more complete understanding of volcanic wave fields, including an estimate of the location of each individual wave-field component identified simultaneously by at least two antennas. We used frequency-slowness analyses of data from three antennas to identify and locate the different components contributing to the wave fields recorded at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, in February 1997. The wave-field components identified are (1) a sustained background volcanic tremor in the form of body waves generated in a shallow hydrothermal system located below the northeastern edge of the Halemaumau pit crater; (2) surface waves generated along the path between this hydrothermal source and the antennas; (3) back-scattered surface wave energy from a shallow reflector located near the southeastern rim of Kilauea caldera; (4) evidence for diffracted wave components originating at the southeastern edge of Halemaumau; and (5) body waves reflecting the activation of a deeper tremor source between 02 hr 00 min and 16 hr 00 min Hawaii Standard Time on 11 February.

Improved surface-wave retrieval from ambient seismic noise by multi-dimensional deconvolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wapenaar, Kees; Ruigrok, Elmer; van der Neut, Joost; Draganov, Deyan

2011-01-01

The methodology of surface-wave retrieval from ambient seismic noise by crosscorrelation relies on the assumption that the noise field is equipartitioned. Deviations from equipartitioning degrade the accuracy of the retrieved surface-wave Green's function. A point-spread function, derived from the same ambient noise field, quantifies the smearing in space and time of the virtual source of the Green's function. By multidimensionally deconvolving the retrieved Green's function by the point-spread function, the virtual source becomes better focussed in space and time and hence the accuracy of the retrieved surface-wave Green's function may improve significantly. We illustrate this at the hand of a numerical example and discuss the advantages and limitations of this new methodology.

Microearthquake mechanism from wave amplitudes recorded by a close-to-surface seismic array at Ocnele Mari, Romania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jechumtálová, Z.; Šílený, J.; Trifu, C.-I.

2014-06-01

The resolution of event mechanism is investigated in terms of the unconstrained moment tensor (MT) source model and the shear-tensile crack (STC) source model representing a slip along the fault with an off-plane component. Data are simulated as recorded by the actual seismic array installed at Ocnele Mari (Romania), where sensors are placed in shallow boreholes. Noise is included as superimposed on synthetic data, and the analysis explores how the results are influenced (i) by data recorded by the complete seismic array compared to that provided by the subarray of surface sensors, (ii) by using three- or one-component sensors and (iii) by inverting P- and S-wave amplitudes versus P-wave amplitudes only. The orientation of the pure shear fracture component is resolved almost always well. On the other hand, the noise increase distorts the non-double-couple components (non-DC) of the MT unless a high-quality data set is available. The STC source model yields considerably less spurious non-shear fracture components. Incorporating recordings at deeper sensors in addition to those obtained from the surface ones allows for the processing of noisier data. Performance of the network equipped with three-component sensors is only slightly better than that with uniaxial sensors. Inverting both P- and S-wave amplitudes compared to the inversion of P-wave amplitudes only markedly improves the resolution of the orientation of the source mechanism. Comparison of the inversion results for the two alternative source models permits the assessment of the reliability of non-shear components retrieved. As example, the approach is investigated on three microseismic events occurred at Ocnele Mari, where both large and small non-DC components were found. The analysis confirms a tensile fracturing for two of these events, and a shear slip for the third.

Passive monitoring of a sea dike during a tidal cycle using sea waves as a seismic noise source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joubert, Anaëlle; Feuvre, Mathieu Le; Cote, Philippe

2018-05-01

Over the past decade, ambient seismic noise has been used successfully to monitor various geological objects with high accuracy. Recently, it has been shown that surface seismic waves propagating within a sea dike body can be retrieved from the cross-correlation of ambient seismic noise generated by sea waves. We use sea wave impacts to monitor the response of a sea dike during a tidal cycle using empirical Green's functions. These are obtained either by cross-correlation or deconvolution, from signals recorded by sensors installed linearly on the crest of a dike. Our analysis is based on delay and spectral amplitude measurements performed on reconstructed surface waves propagating along the array. We show that localized variations of velocity and attenuation are correlated with changes in water level as a probable consequence of water infiltration inside the structure. Sea dike monitoring is of critical importance for safety and economic reasons, as internal erosion is generally only detected at late stages by visual observations. The method proposed here may provide a solution for detecting structural weaknesses, monitoring progressive internal erosion, and delineating areas of interest for further geotechnical studies, in view to understanding the erosion mechanisms involved.

Coupling Hydrodynamic and Wave Propagation Codes for Modeling of Seismic Waves recorded at the SPE Test.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larmat, C. S.; Rougier, E.; Delorey, A.; Steedman, D. W.; Bradley, C. R.

2016-12-01

The goal of the Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is to bring empirical and theoretical advances to the problem of detection and identification of underground nuclear explosions. For this, the SPE program includes a strong modeling effort based on first principles calculations with the challenge to capture both the source and near-source processes and those taking place later in time as seismic waves propagate within complex 3D geologic environments. In this paper, we report on results of modeling that uses hydrodynamic simulation codes (Abaqus and CASH) coupled with a 3D full waveform propagation code, SPECFEM3D. For modeling the near source region, we employ a fully-coupled Euler-Lagrange (CEL) modeling capability with a new continuum-based visco-plastic fracture model for simulation of damage processes, called AZ_Frac. These capabilities produce high-fidelity models of various factors believed to be key in the generation of seismic waves: the explosion dynamics, a weak grout-filled borehole, the surrounding jointed rock, and damage creation and deformations happening around the source and the free surface. SPECFEM3D, based on the Spectral Element Method (SEM) is a direct numerical method for full wave modeling with mathematical accuracy. The coupling interface consists of a series of grid points of the SEM mesh situated inside of the hydrodynamic code's domain. Displacement time series at these points are computed using output data from CASH or Abaqus (by interpolation if needed) and fed into the time marching scheme of SPECFEM3D. We will present validation tests with the Sharpe's model and comparisons of waveforms modeled with Rg waves (2-8Hz) that were recorded up to 2 km for SPE. We especially show effects of the local topography, velocity structure and spallation. Our models predict smaller amplitudes of Rg waves for the first five SPE shots compared to pure elastic models such as Denny &Johnson (1991).

Upper mantle seismic structure beneath central East Antarctica from body wave tomography: Implications for the origin of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, Andrew J.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Wiens, Douglas A.; Hansen, Samantha E.; Kanao, Masaki; Shore, Patrick J.; Zhao, Dapeng

2013-04-01

The Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains (GSM), located near the center of East Antarctica, are the highest feature within the East Antarctic highlands and have been investigated seismically for the first time during the 2007/2008 International Polar Year by the Gamburtsev Mountains Seismic Experiment. Using data from a network of 26 broadband seismic stations and body wave tomography, the P and S wave velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath the GSM and adjacent regions has been examined. Tomographic images produced from teleseismic P and S phases reveal several large-scale, small amplitude anomalies (δVp = 1.0%, δVs = 2.0%) in the upper 250 km of the mantle. The lateral distributions of these large-scale anomalies are similar in both the P and S wave velocity models and resolution tests show that they are well resolved. Velocity anomalies indicate slower, thinner lithosphere beneath the likely Meso- or Neoproterozoic Polar Subglacial Basin and faster, thicker lithosphere beneath the likely Archean/Paleoproterozoic East Antarctic highlands. Within the region of faster, thicker lithosphere, a lower amplitude (δVp = 0.5%, δVs = 1.0%) slow to fast velocity pattern is observed beneath the western flank of the GSM, suggesting a suture between two lithospheric blocks possibly of similar age. These findings point to a Precambrian origin for the high topography of the GSM, corroborating other studies invoking a long-lived highland landscape in central East Antarctica, as opposed to uplift caused by Permian/Cretaceous rifting or Cenozoic magmatism. The longevity of the GSM makes them geologically unusual; however, plausible analogs exist, such as the 550 Ma Petermann Ranges in central Australia. Additional uplift may have occurred by the reactivation of pre-existing faults, for example, during the Carboniferous-Permian collision of Gondwana and Laurussia.

Toward the azimuthal characteristics of ionospheric and seismic effects of "Chelyabinsk" meteorite fall according to the data from coherent radar, GPS, and seismic networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berngardt, O. I.; Perevalova, N. P.; Dobrynina, A. A.; Kutelev, K. A.; Shestakov, N. V.; Bakhtiarov, V. F.; Kusonsky, O. A.; Zagretdinov, R. V.; Zherebtsov, G. A.

2015-12-01

We present the results of a study of the azimuthal characteristics of ionospheric and seismic effects of the meteorite `Chelyabinsk,' based on the data from the network of GPS receivers, coherent decameter radar EKB, and network of seismic stations, located near the meteorite fall trajectory. It is shown that 6-14 min after the bolide explosion, GPS network observed the cone-shaped wavefront of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) that is interpreted as a ballistic acoustic wave. The typical TIDs propagation velocity were observed 661 ± 256 m/s, which corresponds to the expected acoustic wave speed for 240 km height. Fourteen minutes after the bolide explosion, at distances of 200 km, we observed the emergence and propagation of a TID with annular wavefront that is interpreted as gravitational mode of internal atmospheric waves. The propagation velocity of this TID was 337 ± 89 m/s which corresponds to the propagation velocity of these waves in similar situations. At EKB radar, we observed TIDs in the sector of azimuthal angles close to the perpendicular to the meteorite trajectory. The observed TID velocity (400 m/s) and azimuthal properties correlate well with the model of ballistic wave propagating at 120-140 km altitude. It is shown that the azimuthal distribution of the amplitude of vertical seismic oscillations with periods 3-60 s can be described qualitatively by the model of vertical strike-slip rupture, propagating at 1 km/s along the meteorite fall trajectory to distance of about 40 km. These parameters correspond to the direction and velocity of propagation of the ballistic wave peak by the ground. It is shown that the model of ballistic wave caused by supersonic motion and burning of the meteorite in the upper atmosphere can satisfactorily explain the various azimuthal ionospheric effects, observed by the coherent decameter radar EKB, GPS receivers network, and the azimuthal characteristics of seismic waves at large distances.

Matrix Approach of Seismic Wave Imaging: Application to Erebus Volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blondel, T.; Chaput, J.; Derode, A.; Campillo, M.; Aubry, A.

2017-12-01

This work aims at extending to seismic imaging a matrix approach of wave propagation in heterogeneous media, previously developed in acoustics and optics. More specifically, we will apply this approach to the imaging of the Erebus volcano in Antarctica. Volcanoes are actually among the most challenging media to explore seismically in light of highly localized and abrupt variations in density and wave velocity, extreme topography, extensive fractures, and the presence of magma. In this strongly scattering regime, conventional imaging methods suffer from the multiple scattering of waves. Our approach experimentally relies on the measurement of a reflection matrix associated with an array of geophones located at the surface of the volcano. Although these sensors are purely passive, a set of Green's functions can be measured between all pairs of geophones from ice-quake coda cross-correlations (1-10 Hz) and forms the reflection matrix. A set of matrix operations can then be applied for imaging purposes. First, the reflection matrix is projected, at each time of flight, in the ballistic focal plane by applying adaptive focusing at emission and reception. It yields a response matrix associated with an array of virtual geophones located at the ballistic depth. This basis allows us to get rid of most of the multiple scattering contribution by applying a confocal filter to seismic data. Iterative time reversal is then applied to detect and image the strongest scatterers. Mathematically, it consists in performing a singular value decomposition of the reflection matrix. The presence of a potential target is assessed from a statistical analysis of the singular values, while the corresponding eigenvectors yield the corresponding target images. When stacked, the results obtained at each depth give a three-dimensional image of the volcano. While conventional imaging methods lead to a speckle image with no connection to the actual medium's reflectivity, our method enables to

Teaching hands-on geophysics: examples from the Rū seismic network in New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Wijk, Kasper; Simpson, Jonathan; Adam, Ludmila

2017-03-01

Education in physics and geosciences can be effectively illustrated by the analysis of earthquakes and the subsequent propagation of seismic waves in the Earth. Educational seismology has matured to a level where both the hard- and software are robust and user friendly. This has resulted in successful implementation of educational networks around the world. Seismic data recorded by students are of such quality that these can be used in classic earthquake location exercises, for example. But even ocean waves weakly coupled into the Earth’s crust can now be recorded on educational seismometers. These signals are not just noise, but form the basis of more recent developments in seismology, such as seismic interferometry, where seismic waves generated by ocean waves—instead of earthquakes—can be used to infer information about the Earth’s interior. Here, we introduce an earthquake location exercise and an analysis of ambient seismic noise, and present examples. Data are provided, and all needed software is freely available.

Strong seismic wave scattering beneath Kanto region derived from dense K-NET/KiK-net strong motion network and numerical simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takemura, S.; Yoshimoto, K.

2013-12-01

Observed seismograms, which consist of the high-frequency body waves through the low-velocity (LV) region at depth of 20-40 km beneath northwestern Chiba in Kanto, show strong peak delay and spindle shape of S waves. By analyzing dense seismic records from K-NET/KiK-net, such spindle-shape S waves are clearly observed in the frequency range of 1-8 Hz. In order to investigate a specific heterogeneous structure to generate such observations, we conduct 3-D finite-difference method (FDM) simulation using realistic heterogeneous models and compare the simulation results with dense strong motion array observations. Our 3-D simulation model is covering the zone 150 km by 64 km in horizontal directions and 75 km in vertical direction, which has been discretized with uniform grid size 0.05 km. We assume a layered background velocity structure, which includes basin structure, crust, mantle and subducting oceanic plate, base on the model proposed by Koketsu et al. (2008). In order to introduce the effect of seismic wave scattering, we assume a stochastic random velocity fluctuation in each layer. Random velocity fluctuations are characterized by exponential-type auto-correlation function (ACF) with correlation distance a = 3 km and rms value of fluctuation e = 0.05 in the upper crust, a = 3 km and e = 0.07 in the lower crust, a = 10 km and e = 0.02 in the mantle. In the subducting oceanic plate, we assume an anisotropic random velocity fluctuation characterized by exponential-type ACF with aH = 10 km in horizontal direction, aZ = 0.5 km in vertical direction and e = 0.02 (e.g., Furumura and Kennett, 2005). In addition, we assume a LV zone at northeastern part of Chiba with depth of 20-40 km (e.g., Matsubara et al., 2004). In the LV zone, random velocity fluctuation characterized by Gaussian-type ACF with a = 1 km and e = 0.07 is superposed on exponential-type ACF with a = 3 km and e = 0.07, in order to modulate the S-wave propagation in the dominant frequency range of

Love-to-Rayleigh Conversions and Seismic Anisotropy in Cascadia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rieger, Duayne Matthew

discern a clipping anisotropic axis would help gain insight into the mantle dynamics of regions such as Cascadia. Lateral gradients of seismic anisotropy in Earth's upper mantle induce coupling among Earth's spheroidal and toroidal normal modes. This coupling can manifest as observable surface-wave polarization anomalies resulting from Love to Rayleigh wave conversions. These Love to Rayleigh conversions are known in the literature as Quasi-Love (QL) waves (Park and Yu, 1992) and are sensitive to both the strike and the dip of an anisotropic symmetry axis. In this dissertation I investigate the phenomenology of QL surface-wave scattering, including its sensitivity to the type and orientation of seismic anisotropy. I then apply my findings to observations of QL wave scattering in Cascada in order to further constrain subslab mantle anisotropy in the region. First, I make initial observations and confirm the presence of QL scattering in Cascada and the western U.S. using data recorded on USArray. I then move on to develop an algorithm to model efficiently QL wave scattering in the presence of 3-dimensional anisotropic structure. Using this forward-modeling algorithm, I investigate the dependence of QL wave scattering on the type and orientation of seismic Anisotropy. I find that P and S anisotropies exhibit independent effects on scattering. Scattering due to S anisotropy is stronger than that due to P anisotropy for all orientations and dominates in the observed scattering pattern. Both the phase and amplitude of the QL wave is dependent on the orientation (strike and dip) of the symmetry axis relative to the incident propagation azimuth of the source-receiver great-circle path. Due to this, the orientation of the anisotropic symmetry axis provides a distinct signature which is observable in the variation of QL wave scattering with wave-propagation azimuth. Finally, using data recorded on USArray, I observe the variation in QL wave scattering with propagation azimuth. I

Real Time Seismic Prediction while Drilling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schilling, F. R.; Bohlen, T.; Edelmann, T.; Kassel, A.; Heim, A.; Gehring, M.; Lüth, S.; Giese, R.; Jaksch, K.; Rechlin, A.; Kopf, M.; Stahlmann, J.; Gattermann, J.; Bruns, B.

2009-12-01

Efficient and safe drilling is a prerequisite to enhance the mobility of people and goods, to improve the traffic as well as utility infrastructure of growing megacities, and to ensure the growing energy demand while building geothermal and in hydroelectric power plants. Construction within the underground is often building within the unknown. An enhanced risk potential for people and the underground building may arise if drilling enters fracture zones, karsts, brittle rocks, mixed solid and soft rocks, caves, or anthropogenic obstacles. Knowing about the material behavior ahead of the drilling allows reducing the risk during drilling and construction operation. In drilling operations direct observations from boreholes can be complemented with geophysical investigations. In this presentation we focus on “real time” seismic prediction while drilling which is seen as a prerequisite while using geophysical methods in modern drilling operations. In solid rocks P- and S-wave velocity, refraction and reflection as well as seismic wave attenuation can be used for the interpretation of structures ahead of the drilling. An Integrated Seismic Imaging System (ISIS) for exploration ahead of a construction is used, where a pneumatic hammer or a magnetostrictive vibration source generate repetitive signals behind the tunneling machine. Tube waves are generated which travel along the tunnel to the working face. There the tube waves are converted to mainly S- but also P-Waves which interact with the formation ahead of the heading face. The reflected or refracted waves travel back to the working front are converted back to tube waves and recorded using three-component geophones which are fit into the tips of anchor rods. In near real time, the ISIS software allows for an integrated 3D imaging and interpretation of the observed data, geological and geotechnical parameters. Fracture zones, heterogeneities, and variations in the rock properties can be revealed during the drilling

Redox-influenced seismic properties of upper-mantle olivine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cline, C. J., II; Faul, U. H.; David, E. C.; Berry, A. J.; Jackson, I.

2018-03-01

Lateral variations of seismic wave speeds and attenuation (dissipation of strain energy) in the Earth’s upper mantle have the potential to map key characteristics such as temperature, major-element composition, melt fraction and water content. The inversion of these data into meaningful representations of physical properties requires a robust understanding of the micromechanical processes that affect the propagation of seismic waves. Structurally bound water (hydroxyl) is believed to affect seismic properties but this has yet to be experimentally quantified. Here we present a comprehensive low-frequency forced-oscillation assessment of the seismic properties of olivine as a function of water content within the under-saturated regime that is relevant to the Earth’s interior. Our results demonstrate that wave speeds and attenuation are in fact strikingly insensitive to water content. Rather, the redox conditions imposed by the choice of metal sleeving, and the associated defect chemistry, appear to have a substantial influence on the seismic properties. These findings suggest that elevated water contents are not responsible for low-velocity or high-attenuation structures in the upper mantle. Instead, the high attenuation observed in hydrous and oxidized regions of the upper mantle (such as above subduction zones) may reflect the prevailing oxygen fugacity. In addition, these data provide no support for the hypothesis whereby a sharp lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary is explained by enhanced grain boundary sliding in the presence of water.

Fine crustal and uppermost mantle S-wave velocity structure beneath the Tengchong volcanic area inferred from receiver function and surface-wave dispersion: constraints on magma chamber distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Mengkui; Zhang, Shuangxi; Wu, Tengfei; Hua, Yujin; Zhang, Bo

2018-03-01

The Tengchong volcanic area is located in the southeastern margin of the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian Plates. It is one of the youngest intraplate volcano groups in mainland China. Imaging the S-wave velocity structure of the crustal and uppermost mantle beneath the Tengchong volcanic area is an important means of improving our understanding of its volcanic activity and seismicity. In this study, we analyze teleseismic data from nine broadband seismic stations in the Tengchong Earthquake Monitoring Network. We then image the crustal and uppermost mantle S-wave velocity structure by joint analysis of receiver functions and surface-wave dispersion. The results reveal widely distributed low-velocity zones. We find four possible magma chambers in the upper-to-middle crust and one in the uppermost mantle. The chamber in the uppermost mantle locates in the depth range from 55 to 70 km. The four magma chambers in the crust occur at different depths, ranging from the depth of 7 to 25 km in general. They may be the heat sources for the high geothermal activity at the surface. Based on the fine crustal and uppermost mantle S-wave velocity structure, we propose a model for the distribution of the magma chambers.

Near-surface compressional and shear wave speeds constrained by body-wave polarization analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Sunyoung; Ishii, Miaki

2018-06-01

A new technique to constrain near-surface seismic structure that relates body-wave polarization direction to the wave speed immediately beneath a seismic station is presented. The P-wave polarization direction is only sensitive to shear wave speed but not to compressional wave speed, while the S-wave polarization direction is sensitive to both wave speeds. The technique is applied to data from the High-Sensitivity Seismograph Network in Japan, and the results show that the wave speed estimates obtained from polarization analysis are compatible with those from borehole measurements. The lateral variations in wave speeds correlate with geological and physical features such as topography and volcanoes. The technique requires minimal computation resources, and can be used on any number of three-component teleseismic recordings, opening opportunities for non-invasive and inexpensive study of the shallowest (˜100 m) crustal structures.

Sub-crustal seismic activity beneath Klyuchevskoy Volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carr, M. J.; Droznina, S.; Levin, V. L.; Senyukov, S.

2013-12-01

Seismic activity is extremely vigorous beneath the Klyuchevskoy Volcanic Group (KVG). The unique aspect is the distribution in depth. In addition to upper-crustal seismicity, earthquakes take place at depths in excess of 20 km. Similar observations are known in other volcanic regions, however the KVG is unique in both the number of earthquakes and that they occur continuously. Most other instances of deep seismicity beneath volcanoes appear to be episodic or transient. Digital recording of seismic signals started at the KVG in early 2000s.The dense local network reliably locates earthquakes as small as ML~1. We selected records of 20 earthquakes located at depths over 20 km. Selection was based on the quality of the routine locations and the visual clarity of the records. Arrivals of P and S waves were re-picked, and hypocentral parameters re-established. Newl locations fell within the ranges outlined by historical seismicity, confirming the existence of two distinct seismically active regions. A shallower zone is at ~20 km depth, and all hypocenters are to the northeast of KVG, in a region between KVG and Shiveluch volcano. A deeper zone is at ~30 km, and all hypocenters cluster directly beneath the edifice of the Kyuchevskoy volcano. Examination of individual records shows that earthquakes in both zones are tectonic, with well-defined P and S waves - another distinction of the deep seismicity beneath KVG. While the upper seismic zone is unquestionably within the crust, the provenance of the deeper earthquakes is enigmatic. The crustal structure beneath KVG is highly complex, with no agreed-upon definition of the crust-mantle boundary. Rather, a range of values, from under 30 to over 40 km, exists in the literature. Similarly, a range of velocity structures has been reported. Teleseismic receiver functions (RFs) provide a way to position the earthquakes with respect to the crust-mantle boundary. We compare the differential travel times of S and P waves from deep

Improving the Monitoring, Verification, and Accounting of CO{sub 2} Sequestered in Geologic Systems with Multicomponent Seismic Technology and Rock Physics Modeling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alkan, Engin; DeAngelo, Michael; Hardage, Bob

2012-12-31

Research done in this study showed that P-SV seismic data provide better spatial resolution of geologic targets at our Appalachian Basin study area than do P-P data. This finding is important because the latter data (P-P) are the principal seismic data used to evaluate rock systems considered for CO{sub 2} sequestration. The increase in P-SV{sub 1} resolution over P-P resolution was particularly significant, with P-SV{sub 1} wavelengths being approximately 40-percent shorter than P-P wavelengths. CO{sub 2} sequestration projects across the Appalachian Basin should take advantage of the increased resolution provided by converted-shear seismic modes relative to P-wave seismic data. Inmore » addition to S-wave data providing better resolution of geologic targets, we found S-wave images described reservoir heterogeneities that P-P data could not see. Specifically, a channel-like anomaly was imaged in a key porous sandstone interval by P-SV{sub 1} data, and no indication of the feature existed in P-P data. If any stratigraphic unit is considered for CO{sub 2} storage purposes, it is important to know all heterogeneities internal to the unit to understand reservoir compartmentalization. We conclude it is essential that multicomponent seismic data be used to evaluate all potential reservoir targets whenever a CO{sub 2} storage effort is considered, particularly when sequestration efforts are initiated in the Appalachian Basin. Significant differences were observed between P-wave sequences and S- wave sequences in data windows corresponding to the Oriskany Sandstone, a popular unit considered for CO{sub 2} sequestration. This example demonstrates that S-wave sequences and facies often differ from P-wave sequences and facies and is a principle we have observed in every multicomponent seismic interpretation our research laboratory has done. As a result, we now emphasis elastic wavefield seismic stratigraphy in our reservoir characterization studies, which is a science

Finite-frequency sensitivity kernels for global seismic wave propagation based upon adjoint methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qinya; Tromp, Jeroen

2008-07-01

We determine adjoint equations and Fréchet kernels for global seismic wave propagation based upon a Lagrange multiplier method. We start from the equations of motion for a rotating, self-gravitating earth model initially in hydrostatic equilibrium, and derive the corresponding adjoint equations that involve motions on an earth model that rotates in the opposite direction. Variations in the misfit function χ then may be expressed as , where δlnm = δm/m denotes relative model perturbations in the volume V, δlnd denotes relative topographic variations on solid-solid or fluid-solid boundaries Σ, and ∇Σδlnd denotes surface gradients in relative topographic variations on fluid-solid boundaries ΣFS. The 3-D Fréchet kernel Km determines the sensitivity to model perturbations δlnm, and the 2-D kernels Kd and Kd determine the sensitivity to topographic variations δlnd. We demonstrate also how anelasticity may be incorporated within the framework of adjoint methods. Finite-frequency sensitivity kernels are calculated by simultaneously computing the adjoint wavefield forward in time and reconstructing the regular wavefield backward in time. Both the forward and adjoint simulations are based upon a spectral-element method. We apply the adjoint technique to generate finite-frequency traveltime kernels for global seismic phases (P, Pdiff, PKP, S, SKS, depth phases, surface-reflected phases, surface waves, etc.) in both 1-D and 3-D earth models. For 1-D models these adjoint-generated kernels generally agree well with results obtained from ray-based methods. However, adjoint methods do not have the same theoretical limitations as ray-based methods, and can produce sensitivity kernels for any given phase in any 3-D earth model. The Fréchet kernels presented in this paper illustrate the sensitivity of seismic observations to structural parameters and topography on internal discontinuities. These kernels form the basis of future 3-D tomographic inversions.

Seismic seiches

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGarr, Arthur; Gupta, Harsh K.

2011-01-01

Seismic seiche is a term first used by Kvale (1955) to discuss oscillations of lake levels in Norway and England caused by the Assam earthquake of August 15, 1950. This definition has since been generalized to apply to standing waves set up in closed, or partially closed, bodies of water including rivers, shipping channels, lakes, swimming pools and tanks due to the passage of seismic waves from an earthquake.

Effect of Velocity of Detonation of Explosives on Seismic Radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stroujkova, A. F.; Leidig, M.; Bonner, J. L.

2014-12-01

We studied seismic body wave generation from four fully contained explosions of approximately the same yields (68 kg of TNT equivalent) conducted in anisotropic granite in Barre, VT. The explosions were detonated using three types of explosives with different velocities of detonation (VOD): Black Powder (BP), Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil/Emulsion (ANFO), and Composition B (COMP B). The main objective of the experiment was to study differences in seismic wave generation among different types of explosives, and to determine the mechanism responsible for these differences. The explosives with slow burn rate (BP) produced lower P-wave amplitude and lower corner frequency, which resulted in lower seismic efficiency (0.35%) in comparison with high burn rate explosives (2.2% for ANFO and 3% for COMP B). The seismic efficiency estimates for ANFO and COMP B agree with previous studies for nuclear explosions in granite. The body wave radiation pattern is consistent with an isotropic explosion with an added azimuthal component caused by vertical tensile fractures oriented along pre-existing micro-fracturing in the granite, although the complexities in the P- and S-wave radiation patterns suggest that more than one fracture orientation could be responsible for their generation. High S/P amplitude ratios and low P-wave amplitudes suggest that a significant fraction of the BP source mechanism can be explained by opening of the tensile fractures as a result of the slow energy release.

Spectral modification of seismic waves propagating through solids exhibiting a resonance frequency: a 1-D coupled wave propagation-oscillation model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frehner, Marcel; Schmalholz, Stefan M.; Podladchikov, Yuri

2009-02-01

A 1-D model is presented that couples the microscale oscillations of non-wetting fluid blobs in a partially saturated poroelastic medium with the macroscale wave propagation through the elastic skeleton. The fluid oscillations are caused by surface tension forces that act as the restoring forces driving the oscillations. The oscillations are described mathematically with the equation for a linear oscillator and the wave propagation is described with the 1-D elastic wave equation. Coupling is done using Hamilton's variational principle for continuous systems. The resulting linear system of two partial differential equations is solved numerically with explicit finite differences. Numerical simulations are used to analyse the effect of solids exhibiting internal oscillations, and consequently a resonance frequency, on seismic waves propagating through such media. The phase velocity dispersion relation shows a higher phase velocity in the high-frequency limit and a lower phase velocity in the low-frequency limit. At the resonance frequency a singularity in the dispersion relation occurs. Seismic waves can initiate oscillations of the fluid by transferring energy from solid to fluid at the resonance frequency. Due to this transfer, the spectral amplitude of the solid particle velocity decreases at the resonance frequency. After initiation, the oscillatory movement of the fluid continuously transfers energy at the resonance frequency back to the solid. Therefore, the spectral amplitude of the solid particle velocity is increased at the resonance frequency. Once initiated, fluid oscillations decrease in amplitude with increasing time. Consequently, the spectral peak of the solid particle velocity at the resonance frequency decreases with time.

Controllable seismic source

DOEpatents

Gomez, Antonio; DeRego, Paul Jeffrey; Ferrell, Patrick Andrew; Thom, Robert Anthony; Trujillo, Joshua J.; Herridge, Brian

2015-09-29

An apparatus for generating seismic waves includes a housing, a strike surface within the housing, and a hammer movably disposed within the housing. An actuator induces a striking motion in the hammer such that the hammer impacts the strike surface as part of the striking motion. The actuator is selectively adjustable to change characteristics of the striking motion and characteristics of seismic waves generated by the impact. The hammer may be modified to change the physical characteristics of the hammer, thereby changing characteristics of seismic waves generated by the hammer. The hammer may be disposed within a removable shock cavity, and the apparatus may include two hammers and two shock cavities positioned symmetrically about a center of the apparatus.

Controllable seismic source

DOEpatents

Gomez, Antonio; DeRego, Paul Jeffrey; Ferrel, Patrick Andrew; Thom, Robert Anthony; Trujillo, Joshua J.; Herridge, Brian

2014-08-19

An apparatus for generating seismic waves includes a housing, a strike surface within the housing, and a hammer movably disposed within the housing. An actuator induces a striking motion in the hammer such that the hammer impacts the strike surface as part of the striking motion. The actuator is selectively adjustable to change characteristics of the striking motion and characteristics of seismic waves generated by the impact. The hammer may be modified to change the physical characteristics of the hammer, thereby changing characteristics of seismic waves generated by the hammer. The hammer may be disposed within a removable shock cavity, and the apparatus may include two hammers and two shock cavities positioned symmetrically about a center of the apparatus.

Derivation of site-specific relationships between hydraulic parameters and p-wave velocities based on hydraulic and seismic tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brauchler, R.; Doetsch, J.; Dietrich, P.

2012-01-10

In this study, hydraulic and seismic tomographic measurements were used to derive a site-specific relationship between the geophysical parameter p-wave velocity and the hydraulic parameters, diffusivity and specific storage. Our field study includes diffusivity tomograms derived from hydraulic travel time tomography, specific storage tomograms, derived from hydraulic attenuation tomography, and p-wave velocity tomograms, derived from seismic tomography. The tomographic inversion was performed in all three cases with the SIRT (Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique) algorithm, using a ray tracing technique with curved trajectories. The experimental set-up was designed such that the p-wave velocity tomogram overlaps the hydraulic tomograms by half. Themore » experiments were performed at a wellcharacterized sand and gravel aquifer, located in the Leine River valley near Göttingen, Germany. Access to the shallow subsurface was provided by direct-push technology. The high spatial resolution of hydraulic and seismic tomography was exploited to derive representative site-specific relationships between the hydraulic and geophysical parameters, based on the area where geophysical and hydraulic tests were performed. The transformation of the p-wave velocities into hydraulic properties was undertaken using a k-means cluster analysis. Results demonstrate that the combination of hydraulic and geophysical tomographic data is a promising approach to improve hydrogeophysical site characterization.« less

Seismic Window Selection and Misfit Measurements for Global Adjoint Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, W.; Bozdag, E.; Lefebvre, M.; Podhorszki, N.; Smith, J. A.; Tromp, J.

2013-12-01

Global Adjoint Tomography requires fast parallel processing of large datasets. After obtaing the preprocessed observed and synthetic seismograms, we use the open source software packages FLEXWIN (Maggi et al. 2007) to select time windows and MEASURE_ADJ to make measurements. These measurements define adjoint sources for data assimilation. Previous versions of these tools work on a pair of SAC files---observed and synthetic seismic data for the same component and station, and loop over all seismic records associated with one earthquake. Given the large number of stations and earthquakes, the frequent read and write operations create severe I/O bottlenecks on modern computing platforms. We present new versions of these tools utilizing a new seismic data format, namely the Adaptive Seismic Data Format(ASDF). This new format shows superior scalability for applications on high-performance computers and accommodates various types of data, including earthquake, industry and seismic interferometry datasets. ASDF also provides user-friendly APIs, which can be easily integrated into the adjoint tomography workflow and combined with other data processing tools. In addition to solving the I/O bottleneck, we are making several improvements to these tools. For example, FLEXWIN is tuned to select windows for different types of earthquakes. To capture their distinct features, we categorize earthquakes by their depths and frequency bands. Moreover, instead of only picking phases between the first P arrival and the surface-wave arrivals, our aim is to select and assimilate many other later prominent phases in adjoint tomography. For example, in the body-wave band (17 s - 60 s), we include SKS, sSKS and their multiple, while in the surface-wave band (60 s - 120 s) we incorporate major-arc surface waves.

Seismic waves in a self-gravitating planet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brazda, Katharina; de Hoop, Maarten V.; Hörmann, Günther

2013-04-01

The elastic-gravitational equations describe the propagation of seismic waves including the effect of self-gravitation. We rigorously derive and analyze this system of partial differential equations and boundary conditions for a general, uniformly rotating, elastic, but aspherical, inhomogeneous, and anisotropic, fluid-solid earth model, under minimal assumptions concerning the smoothness of material parameters and geometry. For this purpose we first establish a consistent mathematical formulation of the low regularity planetary model within the framework of nonlinear continuum mechanics. Using calculus of variations in a Sobolev space setting, we then show how the weak form of the linearized elastic-gravitational equations directly arises from Hamilton's principle of stationary action. Finally we prove existence and uniqueness of weak solutions by the method of energy estimates and discuss additional regularity properties.

On the possible effect of round-the-world surface seismic waves in the dynamics of repeated shocks after strong earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zotov, O. D.; Zavyalov, A. D.; Guglielmi, A. V.; Lavrov, I. P.

2018-01-01

Based on the observation data for hundreds of the main shocks and thousands of aftershocks, the existence of effect of round-the-world surface seismic waves is demonstrated (let us conditionally refer to them as a round-the-world seismic echo) and the manifestations of this effect in the dynamics of the repeated shocks of strong earthquakes are analyzed. At the same time, we by no means believe this effect has been fully proven. We only present a version of our own understanding of the physical causes of the observed phenomenon and analyze the regularities in its manifestation. The effect is that the surface waves excited in the Earth by the main shock make a full revolution around the Earth and excite a strong aftershock in the epicentral zone of the main shock. In our opinion, the physical nature of this phenomenon consists in the fact that the superposition leads to a concentration of wave energy when the convergent surface waves reach the epicentral zone (cumulative effect). The effect of the first seismic echo is most manifest. Thus, the present work supports our hypothesis of the activation of rock failure under the cumulative impact of an round-the-world seismic echo on the source area which is releasing ("cooling") after the main shock. The spatial regularities in the manifestations of this effect are established, and the independence of the probability of its occurrence on the main shock magnitude is revealed. The effect of a round-the-world seismic echo can be used to improve the reliability of the forecasts of strong aftershocks in determining the scenario for the seismic process developing in the epicentral zone of a strong earthquake that has taken place.

Applications of seismic spatial wavefield gradient and rotation data in exploration seismology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmelzbach, C.; Van Renterghem, C.; Sollberger, D.; Häusler, M.; Robertsson, J. O. A.

2017-12-01

Seismic spatial wavefield gradient and rotation data have the potential to open up new ways to address long-standing problems in land-seismic exploration such as identifying and separating P-, S-, and surface waves. Gradient-based acquisition and processing techniques could enable replacing large arrays of densely spaced receivers by sparse spatially-compact receiver layouts or even one single multicomponent station with dedicated instruments (e.g., rotational seismometers). Such approaches to maximize the information content of single-station recordings are also of significant interest for seismic measurements at sites with limited access such as boreholes, the sea bottom, and extraterrestrial seismology. Arrays of conventional three-component (3C) geophones enable measuring not only the particle velocity in three dimensions but also estimating their spatial gradients. Because the free-surface condition allows to express vertical derivatives in terms of horizontal derivatives, the full gradient tensor and, hence, curl and divergence of the wavefield can be computed. In total, three particle velocity components, three rotational components, and divergence, result seven-component (7C) seismic data. Combined particle velocity and gradient data can be used to isolate the incident P- or S-waves at the land surface or the sea bottom using filtering techniques based on the elastodynamic representation theorem. Alternatively, as only S-waves exhibit rotational motion, rotational measurements can directly be used to identify S-waves. We discuss the derivations of the gradient-based filters as well as their application to synthetic and field data, demonstrating that rotational data can be of particular interest to S-wave reflection and P-to-S-wave conversion imaging. The concept of array-derived gradient estimation can be extended to source arrays as well. Therefore, source arrays allow us to emulate rotational (curl) and dilatational (divergence) sources. Combined with 7C

Microtremor exploration for shallow S-wave velocity structure in Bandung Basin, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pramatadie, Andi Muhamad; Yamanaka, Hiroaki; Chimoto, Kosuke; Afnimar Collaboration; Koketsu, Kazuki; Sakaue, Minoru; Miyake, Hiroe; Sengara, I. Wayan; Sadisun, Imam A.

2017-05-01

We have conducted a microtremor survey for shallow S-wave velocity profiles to be used for seismic hazard evaluation in the Bandung Basin, Indonesia. In the survey, two arrays were deployed temporarily at each of 29 sites, by installing seven vertical sensors in triangular configurations with side lengths from 1 to 16 m. Records of vertical microtremors from each array were used to estimate Rayleigh wave phase velocity spectra using the spatial autocorrelation method, as well as the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio obtained at the centre of the arrays. Phase velocities at sites on the basin margin exhibit higher values than those obtained in the central part of the basin, in a frequency range of 7 to 30 Hz. The phase velocity data were used to deduce S-wave velocity profiles of shallow soil using a hybrid heuristic inversion method. We validated our inversion models by comparing observed horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios with ellipticities of the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves, calculated for the inversion models. The S-wave velocity profiles in the area can be characterised by two soft layers over a firm engineering basement that has an S-wave velocity of 500 m/s. The S-wave velocities of the two layers are 120 and 280 m/s on average. The distribution of the averaged S-wave velocity in the top 30 m clearly indicates low values in the eastern central part and high values in the edge of the basin. The amplification is large in the areas with low velocity layers. In addition, we have proposed an empirical relation between the amplification factor and the topographical slope in the area.

Crustal structure of northern Italy from the ellipticity of Rayleigh waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berbellini, Andrea; Morelli, Andrea; G. Ferreira, Ana M.

2017-04-01

Northern Italy is a diverse geological region, including the wide and thick Po Plain sedimentary basin, which is bounded by the Alps and the Apennines. The seismically slow shallow structure of the Po Plain is difficult to retrieve with classical seismic measurements such as surface wave dispersion, yet the detailed structure of the region greatly affects seismic wave propagation and hence seismic ground shaking. Here we invert Rayleigh wave ellipticity measurements in the period range 10-60 s for 95 stations in northern Italy using a fully non linear approach to constrain vertical vS,vP and density profiles of the crust beneath each station. The ellipticity of Rayleigh wave ground motion is primarily sensitive to shear-wave velocity beneath the recording station, which reduces along-path contamination effects. We use the 3D layering structure in MAMBo, a previous model based on a compilation of geological and geophysical information for the Po Plain and surrounding regions of northern Italy, and employ ellipticity data to constrain vS,vP and density within its layers. We show that ellipticity data from ballistic teleseismic wave trains alone constrain the crustal structure well. This leads to MAMBo-E, an updated seismic model of the region's crust that inherits information available from previous seismic prospection and geological studies, while fitting new seismic data well. MAMBo-E brings new insights into lateral heterogeneity in the region's subsurface. Compared to MAMBo, it shows overall faster seismic anomalies in the region's Quaternary, Pliocene and Oligo-Miocene layers and better delineates the seismic structures of the Po Plain at depth. Two low velocity regions are mapped in the Mesozoic layer in the western and eastern parts of the Plain, which seem to correspond to the Monferrato sedimentary basin and to the Ferrara-Romagna thrust system, respectively.

Seismic imaging beneath southwest Africa based on finite-frequency body wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Youssof, Mohammad; Yuan, Xiaohui; Tilmann, Frederik; Heit, Benjamin; Weber, Michael; Jokat, Wilfried; Geissler, Wolfram; Laske, Gabi

2016-04-01

We present a seismic model of southwest Africa from teleseismic tomographic inversion of the P- and S- wave data recorded by an amphibious temporary seismic network. The area of study is located at the intersection of the Walvis Ridge with the continental margin of northern Namibia, and extends into the Congo craton. Utilizing 3D finite-frequency sensitivity kernels, we invert traveltime residuals of the teleseismic body waves to image seismic structures in the upper mantle. To test the robustness of our tomographic imaging, we employed various resolution assessments that allow us to inspect the extent of smearing effects and to evaluate the optimum regularization weights (i.e., damping and smoothness). These tests include applying different (ir)regular parameterizations, classical checkerboard and anomaly tests and squeezing modeling. Furthermore, we performed different kinds of weighing schemes for the traveltime dataset. These schemes account for balancing between the picks data amount with their corresponding events directions. Our assessment procedure involves also a detailed investigation of the effect of the crustal correction on the final velocity image, which strongly influenced the image resolution for the mantle structures. Our model can resolve horizontal structures of 1° x 1° below the array down to 300-350 km depth. The resulting model is mainly dominated by the difference in the oceanic and continental mantle lithosphere beneath the study area, with second-order features related to their respective internal structures. The fast lithospheric keel of the Congo Craton reaches a depth of ~250 km. The orogenic Damara Belt and continental flood basalt areas are characterized by low velocity perturbations down to a depth of ~150 km, indicating a normal fertile mantle. High velocities in the oceanic lithosphere beneath the Walvis Ridge appear to show signatures of chemical depletion. A pronounced anomaly of fast velocity is imaged underneath continental NW

Evidence of Enhanced Subrosion in a Fault Zone and Characterization of Hazard Zones with Elastic Parameters derived from SH-wave reflection Seismics and VSP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadas, S. H.; Tanner, D. C.; Tschache, S.; Polom, U.; Krawczyk, C. M.

2017-12-01

Subrosion, the dissolution of soluble rocks, e.g., sulfate, salt, or carbonate, requires unsaturated water and fluid pathways that enable the water to flow through the subsurface and generate cavities. Over time, different structures can occur that depend on, e.g., rock solubility, flow rate, and overburden type. The two main structures are sinkholes and depressions. To analyze the link between faults, groundwater flow, and soluble rocks, and to determine parameters that are useful to characterize hazard zones, several shear-wave (SH) reflection seismic profiles were surveyed in Thuringia in Germany, where Permian sulfate rocks and salt subcrop close to the surface. From the analysis of the seismic sections we conclude that areas affected by tectonic deformation phases are prone to enhanced subrosion. The deformation of fault blocks leads to the generation of a damage zone with a dense fracture network. This increases the rock permeability and thus serves as a fluid pathway for, e.g., artesian-confined groundwater. The more complex the fault geometry and the more interaction between faults, the more fractures are generated, e.g., in a strike slip-fault zone. The faults also act as barriers for horizontal groundwater flow perpendicular to the fault surfaces and as conduits for groundwater flow along the fault strike. In addition, seismic velocity anomalies and attenuation of seismic waves are observed. Low velocities <200 m/s and high attenuation may indicate areas affected by subrosion. Other parameters that characterize the underground stability are the shear modulus and the Vp/Vs ratio. The data revealed zones of low shear modulus <100 MPa and high Vp/Vs ratio >2.5, which probably indicate unstable areas due to subrosion. Structural analysis of S-wave seismics is a valuable tool to detect near-surface faults in order to determine whether or not an area is prone to subrosion. The recognition of even small fault blocks can help to better understand the hydrodynamic

Time-lapse seismic study of levees in southern New Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ivanov, J.; Miller, R.D.; Stimac, N.; Ballard, R.F.; Dunbar, J. Joseph; Smullen, S. Steve

2006-01-01

The primary objective of this work was to measure changes in compressional- (Vp) and shear-wave (Vs) velocities in an earthen levee during a ponding experiment designed to simulate flood conditions on the Rio Grande in south New Mexico. Although similar to such experiment, performed an year earlier on the Rio Grande in south Texas, the levee seismic response results are different. This work was similar to previous Preliminary testing at three levee sites, all within a 1 km radius and each with unique physical, EM, and core characteristics, was completed and a single low-conductivity, highly fractured site was selected for investigation. Several different types of seismic data were recorded. Seismic data analysis techniques appraised included P-refraction tomography and Rayleigh surface-wave analysis using multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW). P-wave velocity change (decrease) was rapid and isolated to one section within the pool confines, which already had anomalously high velocity most likely related to burrowing animals modification of the levee structure. S-wave velocity change was gradual and could be observed along the whole width of the pond within and below the levee. The results within the levee sand core were consistent with the observations of sand S-wave velocity changed due to saturation. ?? 2005 Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

Surface Wave Tomography of South China Sea from Ambient Seismic Noise and Two-station Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, W.-T.; Gung, Y.-C.

2012-04-01

We have taken the cross-correlation of seismic ambient noise technique as well as the two-station method to analyze the velocity structure in the South China Sea region. The dataset used in this study includes broadband waveforms recorded at the Taiwan BATS (Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology), Japan OHP (Ocean Hemisphere Project), Malaysia and Vietnam seismic networks. We remove the instrument response from daily data and filter the waveform with various frequency bands according to the length of each station-pair. Then we apply the commonly used 1-bit normalization to minimize the effect of earthquakes, instrumental irregularities, and non-stationary noise sources near to the stations. With the derived daily cross correlation function (CCF), we are able to examine the timing quality for each station-pair. We then obtain the surface Rayleigh wave dispersion curves from the stacked CCF for each station-pair. To cover the longer period band in the dispersion curves, we adopt the two-station method to compute both the group and phase velocities of surface waves. A new surface wave tomography based on ambient seismic noise study and traditional two-station technique has been achieved in this study. Raypaths that travel through the Central basin present higher velocity, which is in agreement with the idea of thin crust. On the other hand, the slower velocity between Taiwan and Northern Luzon, Philippine is mainly due to a thick accretionary prism above the Manila trench.

Infrasound from thunder: A natural seismic source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Ting-L.; Langston, Charles A.

2007-07-01

A small array consisting of five three-component short-period surface seismometers, a three-component borehole seismometer, and five infrasound microphones was built to investigate thunder-induced ground motions. Data from two thunder events with similar N-wave waveforms but different horizontal slownesses are chosen as examples of data collected by the array. These impulsive acoustic waves excited P and S reverberations in the near surface that depend on both the incident wave horizontal slowness and the velocity structure in the upper 30 meters at the site. Although the depth of the borehole is relatively shallow compared to a seismic wave wavelength, velocity amplitude in the radial component decays as much as 63 percent with depth but vertical component amplitudes are unaffected consistent with air-coupled Rayleigh wave excitation. Naturally occurring thunder appears to be a useful seismic source to empirically determine site resonance characteristics for hazards assessments.

Seismic anisotropy of the crust and upper mantle in central Tibetan Plateau revealed by shear-wave splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, C.; Tian, X.; Xu, T.; Liang, X.; Chen, Y.; Teng, J.

2017-12-01

Seismic anisotropy that results from deformation of the materials in the Earth is essentially important for understanding the deformation styles at different depths. In the central Tibetan Plateau the shear wave splitting measurements of local S-wave, Pms and SKS phases were calculated applying the broadband seismic data of SANDWICH array, and the anisotropy features of the crust and upper mantle were displayed. SKS splitting results show that the study area is strongly anisotropic as a whole. The average splitting parameters are 65.2°/1.28 s, and there are 17 stations existing individual splitting results larger than 2.0 s. The southeastern part is weakly anisotropic with average splitting parameters 61.0°/0.64 s. Applying spatial coherence technique the optimal depth of the source of anisotropy is 130 160 km, located in the asthenosphere. The subducting Indian plate advancing in NE direction and rigid blocks such as Qaidam basin obstructing in the north cause NEE direction asthenospheric flow which produces the anisotropy. The weak anisotropy of southeastern part is corresponding to the low velocity anomalies in the upper mantle, which may be attributed to local upwelling of asthenosphere from the slab tearing region. The crust media also make contribution to the strong anisotropy. S-wave splitting results which reflect upper crust anisotropy show that the average parameters of three stations in western part are 60.4°/1.53 ms/km, and those of two stations in eastern part are 10.9°/4.64 ms/km. The principle compressive stress controlled by structures varies from NE in the west to nearly NS in the east. Under the assumption that the thickness of upper crust is 20 km, the delay time of upper crust is smaller than 0.1 s. Whole crust anisotropy is obtained by calculating receiver functions and fitting the variation of arrival times of Pms phases with the backazimuths. The fast directions are NE-EW direction with average value 76.4°, nearly consistent with SKS

Plateau subduction, intraslab seismicity, and the Denali (Alaska) volcanic gap

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chuang, Lindsay Yuling; Bostock, Michael; Wech, Aaron; Plourde, Alexandre

2018-01-01

Tectonic tremors in Alaska (USA) are associated with subduction of the Yakutat plateau, but their origins are unclear due to lack of depth constraints. We have processed tremor recordings to extract low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs), and generated a set of six LFE waveform templates via iterative network matched filtering and stacking. The timing of impulsive P (compressional) wave and S (shear) wave arrivals on template waveforms places LFEs at 40–58 km depth, near the upper envelope of intraslab seismicity and immediately updip of increased levels of intraslab seismicity. S waves at near-epicentral distances display polarities consistent with shear slip on the plate boundary. We compare characteristics of LFEs, seismicity, and tectonic structures in central Alaska with those in warm subduction zones, and propose a new model for the region’s unusual intraslab seismicity and the enigmatic Denali volcanic gap (i.e., an area of no volcanism where expected). We argue that fluids in the Yakutat plate are confined to its upper crust, and that shallow subduction leads to hydromechanical conditions at the slab interface in central Alaska akin to those in warm subduction zones where similar LFEs and tremor occur. These conditions lead to fluid expulsion at shallow depths, explaining strike-parallel alignment of tremor occurrence with the Denali volcanic gap. Moreover, the lack of double seismic zone and restriction of deep intraslab seismicity to a persistent low-velocity zone are simple consequences of anhydrous conditions prevailing in the lower crust and upper mantle of the Yakutat plate.

Seismic Oceanography in the Tyrrhenian Sea: Thermohaline Staircases, Eddies, and Internal Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buffett, G. G.; Krahmann, G.; Klaeschen, D.; Schroeder, K.; Sallarès, V.; Papenberg, C.; Ranero, C. R.; Zitellini, N.

2017-11-01

We use seismic oceanography to document and analyze oceanic thermohaline fine structure across the Tyrrhenian Sea. Multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection data were acquired during the MEDiterranean OCcidental survey in April-May 2010. We deployed along-track expendable bathythermograph probes simultaneous with MCS acquisition. At nearby locations we gathered conductivity-temperature-depth data. An autonomous glider survey added in situ measurements of oceanic properties. The seismic reflectivity clearly delineates thermohaline fine structure in the upper 2,000 m of the water column, indicating the interfaces between Atlantic Water/Winter Intermediate Water, Levantine Intermediate Water, and Tyrrhenian Deep Water. We observe the Northern Tyrrhenian Anticyclone, a near-surface mesoscale eddy, plus laterally and vertically extensive thermohaline staircases. Using MCS, we are able to fully image the anticyclone to a depth of 800 m and to confirm the horizontal continuity of the thermohaline staircases of more than 200 km. The staircases show the clearest step-like gradients in the center of the basin while they become more diffuse toward the periphery and bottom, where impedance gradients become too small to be detected by MCS. We quantify the internal wave field and find it to be weak in the region of the eddy and in the center of the staircases, while it is stronger near the coastlines. Our results indicate this is because of the influence of the boundary currents, which disrupt the formation of staircases by preventing diffusive convection. In the interior of the basin, the staircases are clearer and the internal wave field weaker, suggesting that other mixing processes such as double diffusion prevail.

The 2018 and 2020 Updates of the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petersen, M. D.

2017-12-01

During 2018 the USGS will update the 2014 National Seismic Hazard Models by incorporating new seismicity models, ground motion models, site factors, fault inputs, and by improving weights to ground motion models using empirical and other data. We will update the earthquake catalog for the U.S. and introduce new rate models. Additional fault data will be used to improve rate estimates on active faults. New ground motion models (GMMs) and site factors for Vs30 have been released by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) and we will consider these in assessing ground motions in craton and extended margin regions of the central and eastern U.S. The USGS will also include basin-depth terms for selected urban areas of the western United States to improve long-period shaking assessments using published depth estimates to 1.0 and 2.5 km/s shear wave velocities. We will produce hazard maps for input into the building codes that span a broad range of periods (0.1 to 5 s) and site classes (shear wave velocity from 2000 m/s to 200 m/s in the upper 30 m of the crust, Vs30). In the 2020 update we plan on including: a new national crustal model that defines basin depths required in the latest GMMs, new 3-D ground motion simulations for several urban areas, new magnitude-area equations, and new fault geodetic and geologic strain rate models. The USGS will also consider including new 3-D ground motion simulations for inclusion in these long-period maps. These new models are being evaluated and will be discussed at one or more regional and topical workshops held at the beginning of 2018.

Topographic Influence on Near-Surface Seismic Velocity in southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J. C.; Moon, S.; Meng, L.; Davis, P. M.

2016-12-01

Near-surface seismic velocity is commonly used to determine subsurface rock structure, properties, and ground-motion amplification. The spatial distribution of Vs30 (shear-wave seismic velocity in the top 30 m of Earth's crust) has been inferred based on the correlations of measured Vs30 with rock types and topographic slopes. Inference of Vs30 based on topographic slopes relies on the assumption that mechanically strong rocks tend to have steep slopes. The topographic slopes can thus be used to infer bedrock strength and seismic velocity. However, due to limited accessibility and logistical difficulties, there are few Vs30 measurements in sites of crystalline rocks that have measurable topographic variations. Thus, the variability of Vs30 with topographic slope for crystalline rocks has not been addressed systematically. In order to examine the local variabilities in near-surface seismic velocity in southern California, we measured the spatial distributions of near-surface seismic velocity at two sites: one in the San Gabriel Mountains (SGM) and one in the San Bernardino Mountains (SBM). Both sites are composed of predominantly crystalline rocks with topographic slopes that range from 0.2 to 0.5. We conducted seismic refraction surveys using sledgehammer-induced impacts on a steel plate along seismic lines that were oriented roughly N-S, 240 m in length with a spacing of 5 m, and with topographic variation including both a local hilltop and valley. Using first P-wave arrivals, we constructed a P-wave seismic tomography down to 50 m. Our results show that P-wave seismic velocity in the SGM site varies significantly within hillslopes and does not linearly correlate with slope, while P-wave seismic velocity in the SBM site shows little variation in the hillslope. In the SGM site, the Vs30 beneath the valley is 25% faster than the Vs30 beneath the hillslope. These results suggest that the local variability of seismic velocity depends on differences in sediment

Small-scale seismic inversion using surface waves extracted from noise cross correlation.

PubMed

Gouédard, Pierre; Roux, Philippe; Campillo, Michel

2008-03-01

Green's functions can be retrieved between receivers from the correlation of ambient seismic noise or with an appropriate set of randomly distributed sources. This principle is demonstrated in small-scale geophysics using noise sources generated by human steps during a 10-min walk in the alignment of a 14-m-long accelerometer line array. The time-domain correlation of the records yields two surface wave modes extracted from the Green's function between each pair of accelerometers. A frequency-wave-number Fourier analysis yields each mode contribution and their dispersion curve. These dispersion curves are then inverted to provide the one-dimensional shear velocity of the near surface.

Instrument Correction and Dynamic Site Profile Validation at the Central United States Seismic Observatory, New Madrid Seismic Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brengman, C.; Woolery, E. W.; Wang, Z.; Carpenter, S.

2016-12-01

The Central United States Seismic Observatory (CUSSO) is a vertical seismic array located in southwestern Kentucky within the New Madrid seismic zone. It is intended to describe the effects of local geology, including thick sediment overburden, on seismic-wave propagation, particularly strong-motion. The three-borehole array at CUSSO is composed of seismic sensors placed on the surface, and in the bedrock at various depths within the 585 m thick sediment overburden. The array's deep borehole provided a unique opportunity in the northern Mississippi embayment for the direct geological description and geophysical measurement of the complete late Cretaceous-Quaternary sediment column. A seven layer, intra-sediment velocity model is interpreted from the complex, inhomogeneous stratigraphy. The S- and P-wave sediment velocities range between 160 and 875 m/s and between 1000 and 2300 m/s, respectively, with bedrock velocities of 1452 and 3775 m/s, respectively. Cross-correlation and direct comparisons were used to filter out the instrument response and determine the instrument orientation, making CUSSO data ready for analysis, and making CUSSO a viable calibration site for other free-field sensors in the area. The corrected bedrock motions were numerically propagated through the CUSSO soil profile (transfer function) and compared, in terms of both peak acceleration and amplitude spectra, to the recorded surface observations. Initial observations reveal a complex spectral mix of amplification and de-amplification across the array, indicating the site effect in this deep sediment setting is not simply generated by the shallowest layers.

Petrophysical constraints on the seismic properties of the Kaapvaal craton mantle root

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baptiste, V.; Tommasi, A.

2014-01-01

We calculated the seismic properties of 47 mantle xenoliths from 9 kimberlitic pipes in the Kaapvaal craton based on their modal composition, the crystal-preferred orientations (CPO) of olivine, ortho- and clinopyroxene, and garnet, the Fe content of olivine, and the pressures and temperatures at which the rocks were equilibrated. These data allow constraining the variation of seismic anisotropy and velocities within the cratonic mantle. The fastest P and S2 wave propagation directions and the polarization of fast split shear waves (S1) are always subparallel to olivine [100] axes of maximum concentration, which marks the lineation (fossil flow direction). Seismic anisotropy is higher for high olivine contents and stronger CPO. Maximum P wave azimuthal anisotropy (AVp) ranges between 2.5 and 10.2% and the maximum S wave polarization anisotropy (AVs), between 2.7 and 8%. Changes in olivine CPO symmetry result in minor variations in the seismic anisotropy patterns, mainly in the apparent isotropy directions for shear wave splitting. Seismic properties averaged over 20 km-thick depth sections are, therefore, very homogeneous. Based on these data, we predict the anisotropy that would be measured by SKS, Rayleigh (SV) and Love (SH) waves for five endmember orientations of the foliation and lineation. Comparison to seismic anisotropy data from the Kaapvaal shows that the coherent fast directions, but low delay times imaged by SKS studies, and the low azimuthal anisotropy with with the horizontally polarized S waves (SH) faster than the vertically polarized S wave (SV) measured using surface waves are best explained by homogeneously dipping (45°) foliations and lineations in the cratonic mantle lithosphere. Laterally or vertically varying foliation and lineation orientations with a dominantly NW-SE trend might also explain the low measured anisotropies, but this model should also result in backazimuthal variability of the SKS splitting data, not reported in the

Seismic wavefield propagation in 2D anisotropic media: Ray theory versus wave-equation simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Chao-ying; Hu, Guang-yi; Zhang, Yan-teng; Li, Zhong-sheng

2014-05-01

Despite the ray theory that is based on the high frequency assumption of the elastic wave-equation, the ray theory and the wave-equation simulation methods should be mutually proof of each other and hence jointly developed, but in fact parallel independent progressively. For this reason, in this paper we try an alternative way to mutually verify and test the computational accuracy and the solution correctness of both the ray theory (the multistage irregular shortest-path method) and the wave-equation simulation method (both the staggered finite difference method and the pseudo-spectral method) in anisotropic VTI and TTI media. Through the analysis and comparison of wavefield snapshot, common source gather profile and synthetic seismogram, it is able not only to verify the accuracy and correctness of each of the methods at least for kinematic features, but also to thoroughly understand the kinematic and dynamic features of the wave propagation in anisotropic media. The results show that both the staggered finite difference method and the pseudo-spectral method are able to yield the same results even for complex anisotropic media (such as a fault model); the multistage irregular shortest-path method is capable of predicting similar kinematic features as the wave-equation simulation method does, which can be used to mutually test each other for methodology accuracy and solution correctness. In addition, with the aid of the ray tracing results, it is easy to identify the multi-phases (or multiples) in the wavefield snapshot, common source point gather seismic section and synthetic seismogram predicted by the wave-equation simulation method, which is a key issue for later seismic application.

Subduction beneath Laurentia modified the eastern North American cratonic edge: Evidence from P wave and S wave tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyce, A.; Bastow, I. D.; Darbyshire, F. A.; Ellwood, A. G.; Gilligan, A.; Levin, V.; Menke, W.

2016-07-01

The cratonic cores of the continents are remarkably stable and long-lived features. Their ability to resist destructive tectonic processes is associated with their thick (˜250 km), cold, chemically depleted, buoyant lithospheric keels that isolate the cratons from the convecting mantle. The formation mechanism and tectonic stability of cratonic keels remains under debate. To address this issue, we use P wave and S wave relative arrival-time tomography to constrain upper mantle structure beneath southeast Canada and the northeast USA, a region spanning three quarters of Earth's geological history. Our models show three distinct, broad zones: Seismic wave speeds increase systematically from the Phanerozoic coastal domains, through the Proterozoic Grenville Province, and to the Archean Superior craton in central Québec. We also recover the NW-SE trending track of the Great Meteor hot spot that crosscuts the major tectonic domains. The decrease in seismic wave speed from Archean to Proterozoic domains across the Grenville Front is consistent with predictions from models of two-stage keel formation, supporting the idea that keel growth may not have been restricted to Archean times. However, while crustal structure studies suggest that Archean Superior material underlies Grenvillian age rocks up to ˜300 km SE of the Grenville Front, our tomographic models show a near-vertical boundary in mantle wave speed directly beneath the Grenville Front. We interpret this as evidence for subduction-driven metasomatic enrichment of the Laurentian cratonic margin, prior to keel stabilization. Variable chemical depletion levels across Archean-Proterozoic boundaries worldwide may thus be better explained by metasomatic enrichment than inherently less depleted Proterozoic composition at formation.

Joint inversion of apparent resistivity and seismic surface and body wave data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garofalo, Flora; Sauvin, Guillaume; Valentina Socco, Laura; Lecomte, Isabelle

2013-04-01

A novel inversion algorithm has been implemented to jointly invert apparent resistivity curves from vertical electric soundings, surface wave dispersion curves, and P-wave travel times. The algorithm works in the case of laterally varying layered sites. Surface wave dispersion curves and P-wave travel times can be extracted from the same seismic dataset and apparent resistivity curves can be obtained from continuous vertical electric sounding acquisition. The inversion scheme is based on a series of local 1D layered models whose unknown parameters are thickness h, S-wave velocity Vs, P-wave velocity Vp, and Resistivity R of each layer. 1D models are linked to surface-wave dispersion curves and apparent resistivity curves through classical 1D forward modelling, while a 2D model is created by interpolating the 1D models and is linked to refracted P-wave hodograms. A priori information can be included in the inversion and a spatial regularization is introduced as a set of constraints between model parameters of adjacent models and layers. Both a priori information and regularization are weighted by covariance matrixes. We show the comparison of individual inversions and joint inversion for a synthetic dataset that presents smooth lateral variations. Performing individual inversions, the poor sensitivity to some model parameters leads to estimation errors up to 62.5 %, whereas for joint inversion the cooperation of different techniques reduces most of the model estimation errors below 5% with few exceptions up to 39 %, with an overall improvement. Even though the final model retrieved by joint inversion is internally consistent and more reliable, the analysis of the results evidences unacceptable values of Vp/Vs ratio for some layers, thus providing negative Poisson's ratio values. To further improve the inversion performances, an additional constraint is added imposing Poisson's ratio in the range 0-0.5. The final results are globally improved by the introduction of

Seismic body wave separation in volcano-tectonic activity inferred by the Convolutive Independent Component Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capuano, Paolo; De Lauro, Enza; De Martino, Salvatore; Falanga, Mariarosaria; Petrosino, Simona

2015-04-01

One of the main challenge in volcano-seismological literature is to locate and characterize the source of volcano/tectonic seismic activity. This passes through the identification at least of the onset of the main phases, i.e. the body waves. Many efforts have been made to solve the problem of a clear separation of P and S phases both from a theoretical point of view and developing numerical algorithms suitable for specific cases (see, e.g., Küperkoch et al., 2012). Recently, a robust automatic procedure has been implemented for extracting the prominent seismic waveforms from continuously recorded signals and thus allowing for picking the main phases. The intuitive notion of maximum non-gaussianity is achieved adopting techniques which involve higher-order statistics in frequency domain., i.e, the Convolutive Independent Component Analysis (CICA). This technique is successful in the case of the blind source separation of convolutive mixtures. In seismological framework, indeed, seismic signals are thought as the convolution of a source function with path, site and the instrument response. In addition, time-delayed versions of the same source exist, due to multipath propagation typically caused by reverberations from some obstacle. In this work, we focus on the Volcano Tectonic (VT) activity at Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy) during the 2006 ground uplift (Ciaramella et al., 2011). The activity was characterized approximately by 300 low-magnitude VT earthquakes (Md < 2; for the definition of duration magnitude, see Petrosino et al. 2008). Most of them were concentrated in distinct seismic sequences with hypocenters mainly clustered beneath the Solfatara-Accademia area, at depths ranging between 1 and 4 km b.s.l.. The obtained results show the clear separation of P and S phases: the technique not only allows the identification of the S-P time delay giving the timing of both phases but also provides the independent waveforms of the P and S phases. This is an enormous

Wave Dynamic Analysis of the Seismic Response of a Reinforced Concrete Building

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Astroza, Rodrigo; Saragoni, G. Rodolfo

2008-07-08

This paper evaluates the response of the seven-story instrumented building, Holiday Inn Hotel, during the 1994 Northridge earthquake through the wave propagation dynamic analysis. The building has been instrumented during other earthquakes, the most important of these was the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, where the building was located only 22 [km] from the epicenter and didn't showing structural damage. From the accelerograms analysis is detected the propagation of Rayleigh and soil waves in the building, where the first has a polarized particle motion on a vertical plane and the second has a coupled particle motion in the horizontal plane. Bothmore » waves impose their frequencies to the building response, whose fundamental frequency (1.4 [Hz] according to ambient vibration test) is less than the frequencies of the identified waves. Due to the impact that these observations have in the seismic design of buildings, as a first attempt, a simple method is proposed to estimate the drift produced by the propagation of a Rayleigh wave in buildings.« less

Crustal and uppermost mantle S-wave velocity below the East European Craton in northern Poland from the inversion of ambient-noise records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lepore, Simone; Polkowski, Marcin; Grad, Marek

2018-02-01

The P-wave velocities (V p) within the East European Craton in Poland are well known through several seismic experiments which permitted to build a high-resolution 3D model down to 60 km depth. However, these seismic data do not provide sufficient information about the S-wave velocities (V s). For this reason, this paper presents the values of lithospheric V s and P-wave-to-S-wave velocity ratios (V p/V s) calculated from the ambient noise recorded during 2014 at "13 BB star" seismic array (13 stations, 78 midpoints) located in northern Poland. The 3D V p model in the area of the array consists of six sedimentary layers having total thickness within 3-7 km and V p in the range 1.85.3 km/s, a three-layer crystalline crust of total thickness 40 km and V p within 6.15-7.15 km/s, and the uppermost mantle, where V p is about 8.25 km/s. The V s and V p/V s values are calculated by the inversion of the surface-wave dispersion curves extracted from the noise cross correlation between all the station pairs. Due to the strong velocity differences among the layers, several modes are recognized in the 0.021 Hz frequency band: therefore, multimodal Monte Carlo inversions are applied. The calculated V s and V p/V s values in the sedimentary cover range within 0.992.66 km/s and 1.751.97 as expected. In the upper crust, the V s value (3.48 ± 0.10 km/s) is very low compared to the starting value of 3.75 ± 0.10 km/s. Consequently, the V p/V s value is very large (1.81 ± 0.03). To explain that the calculated values are compared with the ones for other old cratonic areas.

Seismic Imaging of the West Napa Fault in Napa, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, M.; Catchings, R.; Chan, J. H.; Sickler, R. R.; Nevitt, J. M.; Criley, C.

2017-12-01

In October 2016, we acquired high-resolution P- and S-wave seismic data along a 120-m-long, SW-NE-trending profile in Napa, California. Our seismic survey was designed to image a strand of the West Napa Fault Zone (WNFZ), which ruptured during the 24 August 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa Earthquake. We separately acquired P- and S-wave data at every station using multiple hammer hits, which were edited and stacked into individual shot gathers in the lab. Each shot was co-located with and recorded by 118 P-wave (40-Hz) geophones, spaced at 1 m, and by 180 S-wave (4.5-Hz) geophones, spaced at 1 m. We developed both P- and S-wave tomographic velocity models, as well as Poisson's ratio and a Vp/Vs ratio models. We observed a well-defined zone of elevated Vp/Vs ratios below about 10 m depth, centered beneath the observed surface rupture. P-wave reflection images show that the fault forms a flower-structure in the upper few tens of meters. This method has been shown to delineate fault structures even in areas of rough terrain.

Toward continent-scale interferometric recovery of crustal body waves through ambient seismic noise from USArray

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labedz, C. R.

2015-12-01

Cross-correlation of the ambient seismic noise field is now widely applied for imaging and monitoring at many scales, and has been quite successful in retrieving surface wave information useful for estimating three-dimensional shear velocity structure, anisotropy, or wave amplification and attenuation. However, the use of this approach to retrieve crustal body waves has seen less widespread use. While some studies (e.g., Zhan et al. 2010, Poli et al. 2012) have successfully recovered phases over a few hundred kilometers on continental shields, crustal body waves are not yet seen routinely over longer distances and in more structurally complex regions. In this study, we investigate the recovery of crustal body waves in the continental USA using stacked cross-correlations. The data for correlation was gathered over three to five years of continuous recording on an east-to-west line of USArray stations spanning the northern USA. Specifically, we study four parameters to determine which combination of processing produces the most robust crustal body wave estimates in this geologic setting: 1) the role of the total amount of data; 2) the impact of different processes for selecting which correlation traces are to be used or discarded from the final stacks; 3) the recoverability of waves in different directional components of the data; and 4) the geographic region of data collection. We are able to recover short period crustal S-wave phases at as far as 1500 kilometer interstation distances, which will provide unique information for future tomography models.

Exploring hydrocarbon-bearing shale formations with multi-component seismic technology and evaluating direct shear modes produced by vertical-force sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alkan, Engin

It is essential to understand natural fracture systems embedded in shale-gas reservoirs and the stress fields that influence how induced fractures form in targeted shale units. Multicomponent seismic technology and elastic seismic stratigraphy allow geologic formations to be better images through analysis of different S-wave modes as well as the P-wave mode. Significant amounts of energy produced by P-wave sources radiate through the Earth as downgoing SV-wave energy. A vertical-force source is an effective source for direct SV radiation and provides a pure shear-wave mode (SV-SV) that should reveal crucial information about geologic surfaces located in anisotropic media. SV-SV shear wave modes should carry important information about petrophysical characteristics of hydrocarbon systems that cannot be obtained using other elastic-wave modes. Regardless of the difficulties of extracting good-quality SV-SV signal, direct shear waves as well as direct P and converted S energy should be accounted for in 3C seismic studies. Acquisition of full-azimuth seismic data and sampling data at small intervals over long offsets are required for detailed anisotropy analysis. If 3C3D data can be acquired with improved signal-to-noise ratio, more uniform illumination of targets, increased lateral resolution, more accurate amplitude attributes, and better multiple attenuation, such data will have strong interest by the industry. The objectives of this research are: (1) determine the feasibility of extracting direct SV-SV common-mid-point sections from 3-C seismic surveys, (2) improve the exploration for stratigraphic traps by developing systematic relationship between petrophysical properties and combinations of P and S wave modes, (3) create compelling examples illustrating how hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs in low-permeable rocks (particularly anisotropic shale formations) can be better characterized using different Swave modes (P-SV, SV-SV) in addition to the conventional P

Visualizing how Seismic Waves Propagate Across Seismic Arrays using the IRIS DMS Ground Motion Visualization (GMV) Products and Codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taber, J.; Bahavar, M.; Bravo, T. K.; Butler, R. F.; Kilb, D. L.; Trabant, C.; Woodward, R.; Ammon, C. J.

2011-12-01

Data from dense seismic arrays can be used to visualize the propagation of seismic waves, resulting in animations effective for teaching both general and advanced audiences. One of the first visualizations of this type was developed using Objective C code and EarthScope/USArray data, which was then modified and ported to the Matlab platform and has now been standardized and automated as an IRIS Data Management System (IRIS-DMS) data product. These iterative code developments and improvements were completed by C. Ammon, R. Woodward and M. Bahavar, respectively. Currently, an automated script creates Ground Motion Visualizations (GMVs) for all global earthquakes over magnitude 6 recorded by EarthScope's USArray Transportable Array (USArray TA) network. The USArray TA network is a rolling array of 400 broadband stations deployed on a uniform 70-km grid. These near real-time GMV visualizations are typically available for download within 4 hours or less of their occurrence (see: www.iris.edu/dms/products/usarraygmv/). The IRIS-DMS group has recently added a feature that allows users to highlight key elements within the GMVs, by providing an online tool for creating customized GMVs. This new interface allows users to select the stations, channels, and time window of interest, adjust the mapped areal extent of the view, and specify high and low pass filters. An online tutorial available from the IRIS Education and Public Outreach (IRIS-EPO) website, listed below, steps through a teaching sequence that can be used to explain the basic features of the GMVs. For example, they can be used to demonstrate simple concepts such as relative P, S and surface wave velocities and corresponding wavelengths for middle-school students, or more advanced concepts such as the influence of focal mechanism on waveforms, or how seismic waves converge at an earthquake's antipode. For those who desire a greater level of customization, including the ability to use the GMV framework with data

Shear wave modelling of high resolution OBS data in a gas hydrate environment in the Danube deep-sea fan, Black Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dannowski, A.; Bialas, J.; Zander, T.; Klaeschen, D.

2016-12-01

The Danube deep-sea fan, with his ancient channel-levee systems, hosts multiple bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs) observed in high-resolution reflection seismic data, indicating the occurrence of gas hydrates and free gas. To image the distribution of submarine gas hydrates and the occurrence of free gas in a channel-levee system, high-resolution 2D and 3D multichannel seismic reflection data were collected and fifteen ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) were deployed. The OBS data in particular reveal information about seismic P- and S-wave velocities of the subsurface. They record wave fields of a wide range of incidence angles. Both, P- and S-wave traveltime modelling cover a depth down to 1.5 km below the seafloor; thus, providing seismic velocity information far below the BSR. The seismic P-wave velocities increase with depth from 1600 m/s beneath the seafloor up to 2400 m/s at 1.5 km depth. The frequencies of the S-waves are much lower than the P-wave reflection signals. This is characteristic for shear waves in unconsolidated sediments where the S-wave attenuation is high. However, they travel much slower than P-waves and thus, show a higher resolution. The first S-wave appears at 0.7 s after the direct wave. Some of the S-phases can be traced up to 3.5 km in offset to the station. The seismic S-wave velocities increase from 240 m/s beneath the seafloor up to 1100 m/s at a depth of 1.5 km below the seafloor. From these observations, the P-to-S ratio can be derived. The P-to-S ratio might help to estimate the thickness of the zones with gas hydrates and free gas, while there will be a limited capability to constrain their concentrations.

Determination of Rayleigh wave ellipticity using single-station and array-based processing of ambient seismic noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Workman, Eli Joseph

We present a single-station method for the determination of Rayleigh wave ellipticity, or Rayleigh wave horizontal to vertical amplitude ratio (H/V) using Frequency Dependent Polarization Analysis (FDPA). This procedure uses singular value decomposition of 3-by-3 spectral covariance matrices over 1-hr time windows to determine properties of the ambient seismic noise field such as particle motion and dominant wave-type. In FPDA, if the noise is mostly dominated by a primary singular value and the phase difference is roughly 90° between the major horizontal axis and the vertical axis of the corresponding singular vector, we infer that Rayleigh waves are dominant and measure an H/V ratio for that hour and frequency bin. We perform this analysis for all available data from the Earthscope Transportable Array between 2004 and 2014. We compare the observed Rayleigh wave H/V ratios with those previously measured by multicomponent, multistation noise cross-correlation (NCC), as well as classical noise spectrum H/V ratio analysis (NSHV). At 8 sec the results from all three methods agree, suggesting that the ambient seismic noise field is Rayleigh wave dominated. Between 10 and 30 sec, while the general pattern agrees well, the results from FDPA and NSHV are persistently slightly higher ( 2%) and significantly higher (>20%), respectively, than results from the array-based NCC. This is likely caused by contamination from other wave types (i.e., Love waves, body waves, and tilt noise) in the single station methods, but it could also reflect a small, persistent error in NCC. Additionally, we find that the single station method has difficulty retrieving robust Rayleigh wave H/V ratios within major sedimentary basins, such as the Williston Basin and Mississippi Embayment, where the noise field is likely dominated by reverberating Love waves.

Hydrogeologic structure underlying a recharge pond delineated with shear-wave seismic reflection and cone penetrometer data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haines, S.S.; Pidlisecky, Adam; Knight, R.

2009-01-01

With the goal of improving the understanding of the subsurface structure beneath the Harkins Slough recharge pond in Pajaro Valley, California, USA, we have undertaken a multimodal approach to develop a robust velocity model to yield an accurate seismic reflection section. Our shear-wave reflection section helps us identify and map an important and previously unknown flow barrier at depth; it also helps us map other relevant structure within the surficial aquifer. Development of an accurate velocity model is essential for depth conversion and interpretation of the reflection section. We incorporate information provided by shear-wave seismic methods along with cone penetrometer testing and seismic cone penetrometer testing measurements. One velocity model is based on reflected and refracted arrivals and provides reliable velocity estimates for the full depth range of interest when anchored on interface depths determined from cone data and borehole drillers' logs. A second velocity model is based on seismic cone penetrometer testing data that provide higher-resolution ID velocity columns with error estimates within the depth range of the cone penetrometer testing. Comparison of the reflection/refraction model with the seismic cone penetrometer testing model also suggests that the mass of the cone truck can influence velocity with the equivalent effect of approximately one metre of extra overburden stress. Together, these velocity models and the depth-converted reflection section result in a better constrained hydrologic model of the subsurface and illustrate the pivotal role that cone data can provide in the reflection processing workflow. ?? 2009 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers.