Rainfall-Induced Variation of Seismic Waves Velocity in Soil and Implications for Soil Response: What the ARGONET (Cephalonia, Greece) Vertical Array Data Reveal

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-451
Author(s):  
Zafeiria Roumelioti ◽  
Fabrice Hollender ◽  
Philippe Guéguen

ABSTRACT We apply interferometry by deconvolution to compute the shear-wave velocity in shallow sediments (0–83.4 m) based on earthquake records from a vertical accelerometric array (ARGOstoli Network [ARGONET]) on Cephalonia Island, Greece. Analysis of the time variation of measured values reveals a cyclical pattern, which correlates negatively to rainfall and a soil moisture proxy. The pattern includes a sharp reduction in velocity at the beginning of rainy seasons and a gradual rise toward dry periods, the overall variation being around 20%–25% within the shallowest depth interval examined (0–5.6 m) and estimated to reach 40% within the top 2 m. The variation itself and its amplitude are verified by surface-wave dispersion analysis, using ambient vibration data. Synthetic standard spectral ratios suggest that this seasonal effect leaves an imprint on soil response, causing differences in the level of high-frequency ground motion between dry and rainy seasons, and this is verified by earthquake records. Furthermore, the near-surface velocity decrease due to soil saturation can be of the same order of magnitude as the nonlinear coseismic variation, masking the physical process of the nonlinear response of the site due to weak-to-strong-motion shaking. Thus, seasonal variations of seismic-wave velocities in shallow sediments may be important for a number of site-effect related topics, such as high-frequency ground-motion variability, soil anisotropy, kappa measurements, nonlinear site response, and so on.

1981 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1333-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Joyner ◽  
Richard E. Warrick ◽  
Thomas E. Fumal

abstract The effect of alluvium on strong ground motion can be seen by comparing two strong-motion records of the Coyote Lake, California, earthquake of 6 August 1979 (ML = 5.9). One record at a site on Franciscan bedrock had a peak horizontal acceleration of 0.13 g and a peak horizontal velocity of 10 cm/sec. The other, at a site 2 km distant on 180 meters of Quaternary alluvium overlying Franciscan, had values of 0.26 g and 32 cm/sec, amplifications by factors of 2 and 3. Horizontal motions computed at the alluvial site for a linear plane-layered model based on measured P and S velocities show reasonably good agreement in shape with the observed motions, but the observed peak amplitudes are greater by a factor of about 1.25 in acceleration and 1.8 in velocity. About 15 per cent of the discrepancy in acceleration and 20 per cent in velocity can be attributed to the difference in source distance; the remainder may represent focusing by refraction at a bedrock surface concave upward. There is no clear evidence of nonlinear soil response. Fourier spectral ratios between motions observed on bedrock and alluvium show good agreement with ratios predicted from the linear model. In particular, the observed frequency of the fundamental peak in the amplification spectrum agrees with the computed value, indicating that no significant nonlinearity occurs in the secant shear modulus. Computations show that nonlinear models are compatible with the data if values of the coefficient of dynamic shear strength in terms of vertical effective stress are in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 or greater. The data illustrate that site amplification may be less a matter of resonance involving reinforcing multiple reflections, and more the simple effect of the low near-surface velocity. Application of traditional seismological theory leads to the conclusion that the site amplification for peak horizontal velocity is approximately proportional to the reciprocal of the square root of the product of density and shear-wave velocity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-652
Author(s):  
Feng Liang ◽  
Zhihui Wang ◽  
Hailong Li ◽  
Kai Liu ◽  
Tao Wang

Urban geophysics ups the ante in the world of applied geophysics, which requires innovative thinking and seemingly off-the-wall approaches, if for no other reason than the settings. Ambient-noise-tomography (ANT) can play a pivotal role in yielding subsurfa2ce information in urban areas, which is capable of dealing with challenges related to these scenarios ( e.g., human activities and low signal-to-noise ratio). In this study, the ANT was conducted to investigate the near-surface shear-velocity structure in the surrounding area of the Baotu Spring Park in downtown Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Quiet clear Rayleigh waves have been obtained by the cross-correlation, which indicates that strong human activities, such as moving vehicles and municipal engineering constructions, can produce approximately isotropic distribution of noise sources for high-frequency signals. The direct surface-wave tomographic method with period-dependent ray-tracing was used to invert all surface-wave dispersion data in the period band 0.2-1.5 s simultaneously for 3D variations of shear-velocity (Vs) structure. Our results show a good correspondence to the geological features with thinner Quaternary sediments, the geological structural characteristic of the limestone surrounded by the igneous which has the highest velocity than that of the limestone in the study area, and several concealed faults of which specific location has been detected at depth. The results demonstrate that it is possible to successfully use ANT with high-frequency signal in an urban environment provided a detailed planning and execution is implemented.


1999 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 1214-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Cultrera ◽  
David M. Boore ◽  
William B. Joyner ◽  
Christopher M. Dietel

Abstract Ground-motion recording obtaineds at the Van Norman Complex from the 1994 Northridge, California, mainshock and its aftershocks constitute an excellent data set for the analysis of soil response as a function of ground-motion amplitude. We searched for nonlinear response by comparing the Fourier spectral ratios of two pairs of sites for ground motions of different levels, using data from permanent strong-motion recorders and from specially deployed portable instruments. We also compared the amplitude dependence of the observed ratios with the amplitude dependence of the theoretical ratios obtained from 1-D linear and 1-D equivalent-linear transfer functions, using recently published borehole velocity profiles at the sites to provide the low-strain material properties. One pair of sites was at the Jensen Filtration Plant (JFP); the other pair was the Rinaldi Receiving Station (RIN) and the Los Angeles Dam (LAD). Most of the analysis was concentrated on the motions at the Jensen sites. Portable seismometers were installed at the JFP to see if the motions inside the structures housing the strong-motion recorders differed from nearby free-field motions. We recorded seven small earthquakes and found that the high-frequency, low-amplitude motions in the administration building were about 0.3 of those outside the building. This means that the lack of high frequencies on the strong-motion recordings in the administration building relative to the generator building is not due solely to nonlinear soil effects. After taking into account the effects of the buildings, however, analysis of the suite of strong- and weak-motion recordings indicates that nonlinearity occurred at the JFP. As predicted by equivalent-linear analysis, the largest events (the mainshock and the 20 March 1994 aftershock) show a significant deamplification of the high-frequency motion relative to the weak motions from aftershocks occurring many months after the mainshock. The weak-motion aftershocks recorded within 12 hours of the mainshock, however, show a relative deamplification similar to that in the mainshock. The soil behavior may be a consequence of a pore pressure buildup during large-amplitude motion that was not dissipated until sometime later. The motions at (RIN) and (LAD) are from free-field sites. The comparison among spectral ratios of the mainshock, weak-motion coda waves of the mainshock, and an aftershock within ten minutes of the mainshock indicate that some nonlinearity occurred, presumably at (RIN) because it is the softer site. The spectral ratio for the mainshock is between that calculated for pure linear response and that calculated from the equivalent-linear method, using commonly used modulus reduction and damping ratio curves. In contrast to the Jensen sites, the ratio of motions soon after the high-amplitude portion of the mainshock differs from the ratio of the mainshock motions, indicating the mechanical properties of the soil returned to the low-strain values as the high-amplitude motion ended. This may indicate a type of nonlinear soil response different from that affecting motion at the Jensen administration building.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Morey ◽  
Nicolas Wienders ◽  
Dmitry Dukhovskoy ◽  
Mark Bourassa

Concurrent measurements by satellite tracked drifters of different hull and drogue configurations and coastal high-frequency radar reveal substantial differences in estimates of the near-surface velocity. These measurements are important for understanding and predicting material transport on the ocean surface as well as the vertical structure of the near-surface currents. These near-surface current observations were obtained during a field experiment in the northern Gulf of Mexico intended to test a new ultra-thin drifter design. During the experiment, thirty small cylindrical drifters with 5 cm height, twenty-eight similar drifters with 10 cm hull height, and fourteen drifters with 91 cm tall drogues centered at 100 cm depth were deployed within the footprint of coastal High-Frequency (HF) radar. Comparison of collocated velocity measurements reveals systematic differences in surface velocity estimates obtained from the different measurement techniques, as well as provides information on properties of the drifter behavior and near-surface shear. Results show that the HF radar velocity estimates had magnitudes significantly lower than the 5 cm and 10 cm drifter velocity of approximately 45% and 35%, respectively. The HF radar velocity magnitudes were similar to the drogued drifter velocity. Analysis of wave directional spectra measurements reveals that surface Stokes drift accounts for much of the velocity difference between the drogued drifters and the thin surface drifters except during times of wave breaking.


Author(s):  
V.A. Bulanov ◽  
I.V. Korskov ◽  
A.V. Storozhenko ◽  
S.N. Sosedko

Описано применение акустического зондирования для исследования акустических характеристик верхнего слоя моря с использованием широкополосных остронаправленных инвертированных излучателей,устанавливаемых на дно. В основу метода положен принцип регистрации обратного рассеяния и отраженияот поверхности моря акустических импульсов с различной частотой, позволяющий одновременно измерятьрассеяние и поглощение звука и нелинейный акустический параметр морской воды. Многочастотное зондирование позволяет реализовать акустическую спектроскопию пузырьков в приповерхностных слоях моря,проводить оценку газосодержания и получать данные о спектре поверхностного волнения при различных состояниях моря вплоть до штормовых. Применение остронаправленных высокочастотных пучков ультразвукапозволяет разделить информацию о планктоне и пузырьках и определить с высоким пространственным разрешением структуру пузырьковых облаков, образующихся при обрушении ветровых волн, и структуру планктонных сообществ. Участие планктона в волновом движении в толще морской воды позволяет определитьпараметры внутренних волн спектр и распределение по амплитудам в различное время.This paper represents the application of acoustic probingfor the investigation of acoustical properties of the upperlayer of the sea using broadband narrow-beam invertedtransducers that are mounted on the sea bottom. Thismethod is based on the principle of the recording of thebackscattering and reflections of acoustic pulses of differentfrequencies from the sea surface. That simultaneouslyallows measuring scattering and absorption of the soundand non-linear acoustic parameter of seawater. Multifrequencyprobing allows performing acoustic spectroscopy ofbubbles in the near-surface layer of the sea, estimating gascontent, and obtaining data on the spectrum of the surfacewaves in various states of the sea up to a storm. Utilizationof the high-frequency narrow ultrasound beams allows us toseparate the information about plankton and bubbles and todetermine the structure of bubble clouds, created during thebreaking of wind waves, along with the structure of planktoncommunities with high spatial resolution. The participationof plankton in the wave motion in the seawater columnallows determining parameters of internal waves, such asspectrum and distribution of amplitudes at different times.


Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Darvasi ◽  
Amotz Agnon

Abstract. Instrumental strong motion data are not common around the Dead Sea region. Therefore, calibrating a new attenuation equation is a considerable challenge. However, the Holy Land has a remarkable historical archive, attesting to numerous regional and local earthquakes. Combining the historical record with new seismic measurements will improve the regional equation. On 11 July 1927, a rupture, in the crust in proximity to the northern Dead Sea, generated a moderate 6.2 ML earthquake. Up to 500 people were killed, and extensive destruction was recorded, even as far as 150 km from the focus. We consider local near-surface properties, in particular, the shear-wave velocity, as an amplification factor. Where the shear-wave velocity is low, the seismic intensity far from the focus would likely be greater than expected from a standard attenuation curve. In this work, we used the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method to estimate seismic wave velocity at anomalous sites in Israel in order to calibrate a new attenuation equation for the Dead Sea region. Our new attenuation equation contains a term which quantifies only lithological effects, while factors such as building quality, foundation depth, topography, earthquake directivity, type of fault, etc. remain out of our scope. Nonetheless, about 60 % of the measured anomalous sites fit expectations; therefore, this new ground-motion prediction equation (GMPE) is statistically better than the old ones. From our local point of view, this is the first time that integration of the 1927 historical data and modern shear-wave velocity profile measurements improved the attenuation equation (sometimes referred to as the attenuation relation) for the Dead Sea region. In the wider context, regions of low-to-moderate seismicity should use macroseismic earthquake data, together with modern measurements, in order to better estimate the peak ground acceleration or the seismic intensities to be caused by future earthquakes. This integration will conceivably lead to a better mitigation of damage from future earthquakes and should improve maps of seismic hazard.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 2684
Author(s):  
Eldert Fokker ◽  
Elmer Ruigrok ◽  
Rhys Hawkins ◽  
Jeannot Trampert

Previous studies examining the relationship between the groundwater table and seismic velocities have been guided by empirical relationships only. Here, we develop a physics-based model relating fluctuations in groundwater table and pore pressure with seismic velocity variations through changes in effective stress. This model justifies the use of seismic velocity variations for monitoring of the pore pressure. Using a subset of the Groningen seismic network, near-surface velocity changes are estimated over a four-year period, using passive image interferometry. The same velocity changes are predicted by applying the newly derived theory to pressure-head recordings. It is demonstrated that the theory provides a close match of the observed seismic velocity changes.


2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 484-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn K. Shay ◽  
Jorge Martinez-Pedraja ◽  
Thomas M. Cook ◽  
Brian K. Haus ◽  
Robert H. Weisberg

Abstract A dual-station high-frequency Wellen Radar (WERA), transmitting at 16.045 MHz, was deployed along the west Florida shelf in phased array mode during the summer of 2003. A 33-day, continuous time series of radial and vector surface current fields was acquired starting on 23 August ending 25 September 2003. Over a 30-min sample interval, WERA mapped coastal ocean currents over an ≈40 km × 80 km footprint with a 1.2-km horizontal resolution. A total of 1628 snapshots of the vector surface currents was acquired, with only 70 samples (4.3%) missing from the vector time series. Comparisons to subsurface measurements from two moored acoustic Doppler current profilers revealed RMS differences of 1 to 5 cm s−1 for both radial and Cartesian current components. Regression analyses indicated slopes close to unity with small biases between surface and subsurface measurements at 4-m depth in the east–west (u) and north–south (υ) components, respectively. Vector correlation coefficients were 0.9 with complex phases of −3° and 5° at EC4 (20-m isobath) and NA2 (25-m isobath) moorings, respectively. Complex surface circulation patterns were observed that included tidal and wind-driven currents over the west Florida shelf. Tidal current amplitudes were 4 to 5 cm s−1 for the diurnal and semidiurnal constituents. Vertical structure of these tidal currents indicated that the semidiurnal components were predominantly barotropic whereas diurnal tidal currents had more of a baroclinic component. Tidal currents were removed from the observed current time series and were compared to the 10-m adjusted winds at a surface mooring. Based on these time series comparisons, regression slopes were 0.02 to 0.03 in the east–west and north–south directions, respectively. During Tropical Storm Henri’s passage on 5 September 2003, cyclonically rotating surface winds forced surface velocities of more than 35 cm s−1 as Henri made landfall north of Tampa Bay, Florida. These results suggest that the WERA measured the surface velocity well under weak to tropical storm wind conditions.


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