Full-waveform matching of VP and VS models from surface waves

2019 ◽  
Vol 218 (3) ◽  
pp. 1873-1891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farbod Khosro Anjom ◽  
Daniela Teodor ◽  
Cesare Comina ◽  
Romain Brossier ◽  
Jean Virieux ◽  
...  

SUMMARY The analysis of surface wave dispersion curves (DCs) is widely used for near-surface S-wave velocity (VS) reconstruction. However, a comprehensive characterization of the near-surface requires also the estimation of P-wave velocity (VP). We focus on the estimation of both VS and VP models from surface waves using a direct data transform approach. We estimate a relationship between the wavelength of the fundamental mode of surface waves and the investigation depth and we use it to directly transform the DCs into VS and VP models in laterally varying sites. We apply the workflow to a real data set acquired on a known test site. The accuracy of such reconstruction is validated by a waveform comparison between field data and synthetic data obtained by performing elastic numerical simulations on the estimated VP and VS models. The uncertainties on the estimated velocity models are also computed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 567-575
Author(s):  
Myrto Papadopoulou ◽  
Farbod Khosro Anjom ◽  
Mohammad Karim Karimpour ◽  
Valentina Laura Socco

Surface-wave (SW) tomography is a technique that has been widely used in the field of seismology. It can provide higher resolution relative to the classical multichannel SW processing and inversion schemes that are usually adopted for near-surface applications. Nevertheless, the method is rarely used in this context, mainly due to the long processing times needed to pick the dispersion curves as well as the inability of the two-station processing to discriminate between higher SW modes. To make it efficient and to retrieve pseudo-2D/3D S-wave velocity (VS) and P-wave velocity (VP) models in a fast and convenient way, we develop a fully data-driven two-station dispersion curve estimation, which achieves dense spatial coverage without the involvement of an operator. To handle higher SW modes, we apply a dedicated time-windowing algorithm to isolate and pick the different modes. A multimodal tomographic inversion is applied to estimate a VS model. The VS model is then converted to a VP model with the Poisson's ratio estimated through the wavelength-depth method. We apply the method to a 2D seismic exploration data set acquired at a mining site, where strong lateral heterogeneity is expected, and to a 3D pilot data set, recorded with state-of-the-art acquisition technology. We compare the results with the ones retrieved from classical multichannel analysis.


1962 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-388
Author(s):  
Eysteinn Tryggvason

ABSTRACT A number of Icelandic records of earthquakes originating in the Mid-Atlantic Seismic Belt between 52° and 70° N. lat. have been investigated. The surface waves on these records are chiefly in the period interval 3–10 sec, and are first mode Love-waves and Rayleigh-waves. The surface wave dispersion can be explained by a three-layered crustal structure as follows. A surface layer of S-wave velocity about 2.7 km/sec covering the whole region studied, a second layer of S-wave velocity about 3.6 km/sec covering Iceland and extending several hundred kilometers off the coasts and a third layer of S-wave velocity about 4.3 km/sec and P-wave velocity about 7.4 km/sec underlying the whole region. The thickness of the surface layer appears to be about 4 km on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of Iceland and in western Iceland, 3 km in central Iceland and 7 km northwest of Iceland. The second layer is apparently of similar thickness than the surface layer, while the third layer is thick; and the surface wave dispersion does not indicate any layer of higher wave velocity. This 7.4-layer is supposed to belong to the mantle, although its wave velocity is significantly lower than usually found in the upper mantle


Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. EN99-EN108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongbo Xu ◽  
T. Dylan Mikesell ◽  
Jianghai Xia ◽  
Feng Cheng

Passive-source seismic-noise-based surface-wave methods are now routinely used to investigate the near-surface geology in urban environments. These methods estimate the S-wave velocity of the near surface, and two methods that use linear recording arrays are seismic interferometry (SI) and refraction microtremor (ReMi). These two methods process noise data differently and thus can yield different estimates of the surface-wave dispersion, the data used to estimate the S-wave velocity. We have systematically compared these two methods using synthetic data with different noise source distributions. We arrange sensors in a linear survey grid, which is conveniently used in urban investigations (e.g., along roads). We find that both methods fail to correctly determine the low-frequency dispersion characteristics when outline noise sources become stronger than inline noise sources. We also identify an artifact in the ReMi method and theoretically explain the origin of this artifact. We determine that SI combined with array-based analysis of surface waves is the more accurate method to estimate surface-wave phase velocities because SI separates surface waves propagating in different directions. Finally, we find a solution to eliminate the ReMi artifact that involves the combination of SI and the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] transform, the array processing method that underlies the ReMi method.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 610-618
Author(s):  
Daniela Donno ◽  
Mohammad Sheryar Farooqui ◽  
Mostafa Khalil ◽  
David McCarthy ◽  
Didier Solyga ◽  
...  

The near surface in the Middle East, particularly in the Sultanate of Oman, is characterized by very shallow high-velocity carbonates and anhydrites interleaved by slow-velocity clastic layers, resulting in sharp velocity inversions in the first few hundred meters below the surface. In addition, the surface is characterized by features such as unconsolidated materials within dry riverbeds (known as “wadis”), small jebels, and sand dunes, which cause distortions in the underlying shallow and deeper seismic images. This work presents the building of a near-surface model by using multiwave inversion that jointly inverts information from P-wave first breaks and surface-wave dispersion curves. The use of surface waves in combination with first breaks captures the lateral and vertical velocity variations, especially in the shallowest parts of the near surface. This paper focuses on the analysis of two drawbacks of this technology: the picking of the input data information, which can be cumbersome and time consuming, and the limited penetration depth of surface waves at the typical frequencies of active data. To overcome these issues, an innovative workflow is proposed that combines the use of an unsupervised machine learning technique to guide the pick extraction phase and the reconstruction of ultra-low-frequency surface waves (0.5 to 1.5 Hz) through an interferometry process using information from natural and ambient noise. Deeper near-surface P- and S-wave velocity models can be obtained with multiwave inversion using these ultra-low frequencies. The integration of a near-surface model into the velocity model building workflow brings a major improvement in depth imaging from shallow to deep structures, as demonstrated on two data sets from the Sultanate of Oman.


1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1535-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Wright

Seismological experiments have been undertaken at a test site near Chalk River, Ontario that consists of crystalline rocks covered by glacial sediments. Near-surface P and S wave velocity and amplitude variations have been measured along profiles less than 2 km in length. The P and S wave velocities were generally in the range 4.5–5.6 and 2.9–3.2 km/s, respectively. These results are consistent with propagation through fractured gneiss and monzonite, which form the bulk of the rock body. The P wave velocity falls below 5.0 km/s in a region where there is a major fault and in an area of high electrical conductivity; such velocity minima are therefore associated with fracture systems. For some paths, the P and 5 wave velocities were in the ranges 6.2–6.6 and 3.7–4.1 km/s, respectively, showing the presence of thin sheets of gabbro. Temporal changes in P travel times of up to 1.4% over a 12 h period were observed where the sediment cover was thickest. The cause may be changes in the water table. The absence of polarized SH arrivals from specially designed shear wave sources indicates the inhomogeneity of the test site. A Q value of 243 ± 53 for P waves was derived over one relatively homogeneous profile of about 600 m length. P wave velocity minima measured between depths of 25 and 250 m in a borehole correlate well with the distribution of fractures inferred from optical examination of borehole cores, laboratory measurements of seismic velocities, and tube wave studies.


Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. U23-U34
Author(s):  
Raul Cova ◽  
David Henley ◽  
Kristopher A. Innanen

A near-surface velocity model is one of the typical products generated when computing static corrections, particularly in the processing of PP data. Critically refracted waves are the input usually needed for this process. In addition, for the converted PS mode, S-wave near-surface corrections must be applied at the receiver locations. In this case, however, critically refracted S-waves are difficult to identify when using P-wave energy sources. We use the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] representation of the converted-wave data to capture the intercept-time differences between receiver locations. These [Formula: see text]-differences are then used in the inversion of a near-surface S-wave velocity model. Our processing workflow provides not only a set of raypath-dependent S-wave static corrections, but also a velocity model that is based on those corrections. Our computed near-surface S-wave velocity model can be used for building migration velocity models or to initialize elastic full-waveform inversions. Our tests on synthetic and field data provided superior results to those obtained by using a surface-consistent solution.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. SQ59-SQ69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell Craig ◽  
Koichi Hayashi

Seismic surface wave methods are effective tools for estimating S-wave velocity in urban areas for near-surface site characterization and geologic hazard assessment. A surface wave survey can provide quantitative site-specific measurement of physical properties needed for the design of earthquake-resistant structures. We successfully used a combined active and passive seismic surface wave method to estimate the S-wave velocity in the upper 30 m at sites with a range of geologic conditions. At five of the six sites, multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and microtremor array method (MAM) methods were used. The MAM method could not be used at one site due to insufficient ambient noise. Data from the active method (MASW) contained higher frequencies that contributed to higher resolution of the near-surface zone, whereas passive data (MAM) contained lower frequencies that provided deeper penetration. Phase velocities from the two methods were in good agreement in the frequency range where they overlapped. Surface wave dispersion curves from the two methods were used to prepare an initial velocity model, and a nonlinear inversion was performed to obtain an improved velocity-depth profile. The use of a multimethod data set provided greater confidence in velocity measurements. The six sites of this study may be classified as belonging to two main groups based on S-wave velocities and geologic materials. Two sites are located in the East Bay Hills on Mesozoic bedrock, and four sites are located on Holocene sedimentary units. The highest [Formula: see text] was [Formula: see text] (class C), at a site with fractured and weathered bedrock exposed in a geotechnical trench at 1–2 m depth. The four sites on Holocene sedimentary units have [Formula: see text] values ranging from 207 to [Formula: see text] (class D).


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 1922-1934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam D. Toney ◽  
Robert E. Abbott ◽  
Leiph A. Preston ◽  
David G. Tang ◽  
Tori Finlay ◽  
...  

Abstract In preparation for the next phase of the Source Physics Experiments, we acquired an active‐source seismic dataset along two transects totaling more than 30 km in length at Yucca Flat, Nevada, on the Nevada National Security Site. Yucca Flat is a sedimentary basin which has hosted more than 650 underground nuclear tests (UGTs). The survey source was a novel 13,000 kg modified industrial pile driver. This weight drop source proved to be broadband and repeatable, richer in low frequencies (1–3 Hz) than traditional vibrator sources and capable of producing peak particle velocities similar to those produced by a 50 kg explosive charge. In this study, we performed a joint inversion of P‐wave refraction travel times and Rayleigh‐wave phase‐velocity dispersion curves for the P‐ and S‐wave velocity structure of Yucca Flat. Phase‐velocity surface‐wave dispersion measurements were obtained via the refraction microtremor method on 1 km arrays, with 80% overlap. Our P‐wave velocity models verify and expand the current understanding of Yucca Flat’s subsurface geometry and bulk properties such as depth to Paleozoic basement and shallow alluvium velocity. Areas of disagreement between this study and the current geologic model of Yucca Flat (derived from borehole studies) generally correlate with areas of widely spaced borehole control points. This provides an opportunity to update the existing model, which is used for modeling groundwater flow and radionuclide transport. Scattering caused by UGT‐related high‐contrast velocity anomalies substantially reduced the number and frequency bandwidth of usable dispersion picks. The S‐wave velocity models presented in this study agree with existing basin‐wide studies of Yucca Flat, but are compromised by diminished surface‐wave coherence as a product of this scattering. As nuclear nonproliferation monitoring moves from teleseismic to regional or even local distances, such high‐frequency (>5  Hz) scattering could prove challenging when attempting to discriminate events in areas of previous testing.


Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. R147-R161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaolun Liu ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Sherif M. Hanafy ◽  
Kai Lu ◽  
Gerard Schuster

Irregular topography can cause strong scattering and defocusing of propagating surface waves, so it is important to account for such effects when inverting surface waves for shallow S-wave velocity structures. We have developed a 3D surface-wave dispersion inversion method that takes into account the topographic effects modeled by a 3D spectral element solver. The objective function is the frequency summation of the squared wavenumber differences [Formula: see text] along each azimuthal angle of the fundamental mode or higher-order modes of Rayleigh waves in each shot gather. The wavenumbers [Formula: see text] associated with the dispersion curves are calculated using the data recorded along the irregular free surface. Numerical tests on synthetic and field data demonstrate that 3D topographic wave equation dispersion inversion (TWD) can accurately invert for the S-wave velocity model from surface-wave data recorded on irregular topography. Field data tests for data recorded across an Arizona fault demonstrate that, for this example, the 2D TWD model can be as accurate as the 3D tomographic model. This suggests that in some cases, the 2D TWD inversion is preferred over 3D TWD because of its significant reduction in computational costs. Compared to the 3D P-wave velocity tomogram, the 3D S-wave tomogram agrees much more closely with the geologic model taken from the trench log. The agreement with the trench log is even better when the [Formula: see text] tomogram is computed, which reveals a sharp change in velocity across the fault. The localized velocity anomaly in the [Formula: see text] tomogram is in very good agreement with the well log. Our results suggest that integrating the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] tomograms can sometimes give the most accurate estimates of the subsurface geology across normal faults.


Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. R197-R209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Bergamo ◽  
Laura Valentina Socco

Surficial formations composed of loose, dry granular materials constitute a challenging target for seismic characterization. They exhibit a peculiar seismic behavior, characterized by a nonlinear seismic velocity gradient with depth that follows a power-law relationship, which is a function of the effective stress. The P- and S-wave velocity profiles are then characterized by a power-law trend, and they can be defined by two power-law exponents [Formula: see text] and two power-law coefficients [Formula: see text]. In case of depth-independent Poisson’s ratio, the P-wave velocity profile can be defined using the [Formula: see text] power-law parameters and Poisson’s ratio. Because body wave investigation techniques (e.g., P-wave tomography) may perform ineffectively on such materials because of high attenuation, we addressed the potential of surface-wave method for a reliable seismic characterization of shallow formations of dry, uncompacted granular materials. We took into account the dependence of seismic wave velocity on effective pressure and performed a multimodal inversion of surface-wave data, which allowed the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] profiles to be retrieved. The method requires the selection of multimodal dispersion curve points referring to surface-wave frequency components traveling within the granular media formation and their inversion for the S-wave power-law parameters and Poisson’s ratio. We have tested our method on a synthetic dispersion curve and applied it to a real data set. In both cases, the surficial layer was made of loose dry sand. The test on the synthetic data set confirmed the reliability of the proposed procedure because the thickness and the [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] profiles of the sand layer were correctly estimated. For the real data, the outcomes were validated by other geophysical measurements conducted at the same site and they were in agreement with similar studies regarding loose sand formations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document