Mode misidentification in Rayleigh waves: Ellipticity as a cause and a cure

Geophysics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. EN17-EN28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Boaga ◽  
Giorgio Cassiani ◽  
Claudio L. Strobbia ◽  
Giulio Vignoli
Keyword(s):  
Rayleigh Wave ◽  
Dispersion Curve ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Near Surface

The surface wave method is a popular tool for geotechnical characterization because it supplies a cost-effective testing procedure capable of retrieving the shear wave velocity structure of the near-surface. Several acquisition and processing approaches have been developed to infer the Rayleigh wave dispersion curve which is then inverted. Typically, in active testing, single-component vertical receivers are used. In most cases, the inversion is carried out assuming that the experimental dispersion curve corresponds to a single mode, mostly the fundamental Rayleigh mode, unless clear evidence dictates the existence of a more complex response, e.g., in presence of low-velocity layers and inversely dispersive sites. A correct identification of the modes is essential to avoid serious errors. Here we consider the typical case of higher-mode misidentification known as “osculation” (“kissing”), where the energy peak shifts at low frequencies from the fundamental to the first higher mode. This jump occurs, with a continuous smooth transition, around a well-defined frequency where the two modes get very close to each other. Osculation happens generally in presence of strong velocity contrasts, typically with a fast bedrock underlying loose sediments. The practical limitations of the acquired active data affect the spectral and modal resolution, making it often impossible to identify the presence of two modes. In some cases, modes have a very close root and cannot be separated at the osculation point. In such cases, mode misidentification can create a large overestimation of the bedrock velocity and a large error on its depth. We examine the subsoil conditions that can generate this unwanted condition, and the common field acquisition procedures that can contribute to producing data having such deceptive Rayleigh dispersion characteristics. This mode misidentification depends strongly on the usual approach of measuring only the vertical component of ground motion, as the mode osculation is linked to the Rayleigh wave ellipticity polarization, and therefore we conclude that multicomponent data, using also horizontal receivers, can help discern the multimodal nature of surface waves. Finally, we introduce a priori detectors of subsoil conditions, based on passive microtremor measurements, that can act as warnings against the presence of mode osculation, and relate these detectors to the frequencies at which dispersion curves can be misidentified. Theoretical results are confirmed by real data acquisition tests.

Turning‐ray tomography

Geophysics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1917-1929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Stefani
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Initial Point ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Linear Inversion ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Velocity Inversion

Turning‐ray tomography is useful for estimating near‐surface velocity structure in areas where conventional refraction statics techniques fail because of poor data or lack of smooth refractor/velocity structure. This paper explores the accuracy and inherent smoothing of turning‐ray tomography in its capacity to estimate absolute near‐surface velocity and the statics times derived from these velocities, and the fidelity with which wavefields collapse to point diffractors when migrated through these estimated velocities. The method comprises nonlinear iterations of forward ray tracing through triangular cells linear in slowness squared, coupled with the LSQR linear inversion algorithm. It is applied to two synthetic finite‐ difference data sets of types that usually foil conventional refraction statics techniques. These models represent a complex hard‐rock overthrust structure with a low‐velocity zone and pinchouts, and a contemporaneous near‐shore marine trench filled with low‐ velocity unconsolidated deposits exhibiting no seismically apparent internal structure. In both cases velocities are estimated accurately to a depth of one‐ fifth the maximum offset, as are the associated statics times. Of equal importance, the velocities are sufficiently accurate to correctly focus synthetic wavefields back to their initial point sources, so migration/datuming applications can also use these velocities. The method is applied to a real data example from the Timbalier Trench in the Gulf of Mexico, which exhibits the same essential features as the marine trench synthetic model. The Timbalier velocity inversion is geologically reasonable and yields long and short wavelength statics that improve the CMP gathers and stack and that correctly align reflections to known well markers. Turning‐ray tomography estimates near‐surface velocities accurately enough for the three purposes of lithology interpretation, statics calculations, and wavefield focusing for shallow migration and datuming.

Crustal and upper mantle velocity structure of the Pannonian Region using Rayleigh wave ambient noise tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Máté Timkó ◽  
Lars Wiesenberg ◽  
Amr El-Sharkawy ◽  
Zoltán Wéber ◽  
Thomas Meier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rayleigh Wave ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Pannonian Basin ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
High Heat ◽  
Moho Depth ◽  
Ambient Noise Tomography ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Waveform Data

<p>The Pannonian Basin is located in Central-Europe surrounded by the Alpine, Carpathian, and Dinarides mountain ranges. This is a back-arc basin characterized by shallow Moho depth, updoming mantle and high heat flow. In this study, we present the results of the Rayleigh wave based ambient noise tomography to investigate the velocity structure of the Carpathian-Pannonian region. </p><p>For the ambient noise measurements, we collected the continuous waveform data from more than 1280 seismological stations from the broader Central-Eastern European region. This dataset embraces all the permanent and the temporary (AlpArray, PASSEQ, CBP, SCP) stations from the 9-degree radius of the Pannonian Basin which were operating between the time period between 2005 and 2018. All the possible vertical component noise cross-correlation functions were calculated and all phase velocity curves were determined in the 5-80 s period range using an automated measuring algorithm. </p><p>The collected dispersion measurements were then used to create tomographic images that are characterized by similar velocity anomalies in amplitude, pattern and location that are consistent with the well-known tectonic and geologic structure of the research area and are comparable to previous tomographic models published in the literature.</p>

Numerical modeling of refraction arrivals in complex areas

Geophysics ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Hill ◽  
P. C. Wuenschel
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Plane Wave ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Synthetic Seismograms ◽  
Weak Signal ◽  
Surface Complex ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Plane Wave Field

Use of refracted arrivals to delineate near‐surface complex structure can sometimes be difficult because of rapid lateral changes in the refraction event along the line of control. The interpreter must correlate over zones of interference and zones of weak signal. During correlation it is often difficult to stay on the correct cycle of the waveform. We present a method to model refracted arrivals numerically in an area where these problems occur. The computation combines plane‐wave field decomposition to calculate propagation in complex regions with a WKBJ method to calculate propagation in simple regions. To illustrate the method, we study a case where the near‐surface complex structure is caused by the presence of low‐velocity gaseous mud. The modeling produces synthetic seismograms showing the interference patterns and changes in intensity that are seen in real data. This modeling shows how correlations may be done over difficult areas, particularly where cycle skips can occur.

Seismic tomography studies of cover thickness and near-surface bedrock velocities

Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. U77-U84 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bergman ◽  
A. Tryggvason ◽  
C. Juhlin
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
General Situation ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Crystalline Bedrock ◽  
Cover Thickness

Reflection seismic imaging of the uppermost kilometer of crystalline bedrock is an important component in site surveys for locating potential storage sites for nuclear waste in Sweden. To obtain high-quality images, refraction statics are calculated using first-break traveltimes. These first-break picks may also be used to produce tomographic velocity images of the uppermost bedrock. In an earlier study, we presented a method applicable to data sets where the vast majority of shots are located in the bedrock below the glacial deposits, or cover, typical for northern latitudes. A by-product of this method was an estimate of the cover thickness from the receiver static that was introduced to sharpen the image. We now present a modified version of this method that is applicable for sources located in or on the cover, the general situation for nuclear waste site surveys. This modified methodalso solves for 3D velocity structure and static correctionssimultaneously in the inversion process. The static corrections can then be used to estimate the cover thickness. First, we test our tomography method on synthetic data withthe shot points in the bedrock below the cover. Next, we developa strategy for the case when the sources are within the cover. Themethod is then applied to field data from five crooked-line,high-resolution reflection seismic profiles ranging in lengthfrom 2 to [Formula: see text]. The crooked-line profiles make the study 2.5dimensional regarding bedrock velocities. The cover thicknessalong the profiles varies from 0 to [Formula: see text]. Estimated thickness ofthe cover agrees well with data from boreholes drilled near theprofiles. Low-velocity zones in the uppermost bedrock generallycorrelate with locations where reflections from the stackedsections project to the surface. Thus, the method is functional,both for imaging the uppermost bedrock velocities as well as for estimating the cover thickness.

Rayleigh wave particle motion and crustal structure

1969 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-346
Author(s):  
David M. Boore ◽  
M. Nafi Toksöz
Keyword(s):  
Phase Velocity ◽  
Rayleigh Wave ◽  
Crustal Structure ◽  
Particle Motion ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Earth Structures ◽  
Using Data

Abstract A feasibility study was made concerning the use of the ellipticity of the Rayleigh wave particle motion for determining earth structures. Variational parameters were computed empirically for both the ellipticity and phase velocity of Rayleigh waves in the period range T = 10-50 seconds. It was found that, in general, the ellipticity and phase velocity are about equally sensitive to structural perturbations, but that near-surface low-velocity sedimentary layers influence the ellipticity much more strongly than they do the phase velocity. Anelasticity has a minor effect on the ellipticity, whereas the presence of interfering waves can have a significant influence. A test of the independence between ellipticity and phase velocity indicated that in our period range ellipticity does contribute independent information, and thus provides an additional constraint toward uniqueness. Using data from LASA, both ellipticity and Rayleigh- and Love-wave phase velocities were measured and the results interpreted in terms of a crustal structure. The ellipticity data proved useful when combined with the phase velocity and some structures that fit the phase velocity data could be rejected on the basis of ellipticity.

P-wave velocity structure of the Earth's crust beneath Vancouver Island

1983 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 742-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. McMechan ◽  
George D. Spence
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Structure ◽  
General Structure ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Velocity Anomaly ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Refraction Data ◽  
Velocity Zone

Refraction data were recorded from three shot points out to a maximum distance of ~330 km as part of the 1980 Vancouver Island Seismic Project (VISP80). These vertical component data are partially reversed and so can be interpreted in terms of two-dimensional structures by iterative modeling of P-wave travel times and amplitudes. The structure of the upper crust is the best constrained part of the model. It consists, generally, of a gradually increasing velocity from ~5.3 km/s at the surface to ~6.4 km/s at 2 km depth to ~6.75 km/s at 15.5 km depth, where the velocity increases sharply to ~7 km/s. Below ~20 km depth, the model becomes speculative because the data provide only indirect constraints on velocities at these depths. An interpretation that fits the observed times and amplitudes has a low velocity zone in the lower crust and a Moho at 37 km depth. The only significant departure from this general structure is beneath the central part of Vancouver Island where the 15.5 km boundary in the model attains a depth of ~23 km, below which there appears to be a local high velocity anomaly.

Leaking modes in a crust with a surface layer

1971 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton M. Dainty
Keyword(s):  
Dispersion Curves ◽  
Source Depth ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Surface Source ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Explosive Source ◽  
Low Velocity Layer ◽  
Velocity Layer

abstract Dispersion curves, attenuation functions and excitation functions for an explosive source at depth for four different models of the crust are presented for the leaking modes P(+, −), P(−, +) and π1(−, +). One of the objectives of the calculations was to determine the effect of a surface, low-velocity layer on the dispersion curves and attenuation functions. For the mode P(+, −) (the fundamental leaking mode), the differences are slight, while more pronounced differences are found for the other modes. The variation of the excitation function with depth of the source has been studied. For the modes P(+, −), P(−, +) low frequencies are enhanced and high frequencies suppressed for one of the models as the source depth increases. According to this study, a source deep in the crust should be a more efficient exciter of the mode P(+, −) (the most commonly seen mode) than a near-surface source.

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