The effect of surficial sedimentary layers on continental surface waves

1958 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Oliver ◽  
Maurice Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Frequency Component ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Frequency Component ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Mode Propagation ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Short Period

Abstract Surface waves in the 1/2-second to 12-second period range, recorded at several stations in eastern North America from the eastern Tennessee shock of June 23, 1957, are the bases for several deductions concerning the effect of sedimentary layers on continental surface wave propagation. These are: (1) The velocities of surface waves of the fundamental Love and Rayleigh modes having periods less than about 10 seconds may be strongly affected by sedimentary layers of average thickness. The decrease in velocity accounts, at least in part, for the prolongation of surface-wave trains in this period range when sedimentary layers of appreciable thickness have been traversed. (2) Higher-mode propagation for both types of surface waves is a possible explanation for the velocities, frequencies, and amplitudes of the phase Sg at moderate epicentral distances, and of its long-distance counterpart the high-frequency component of Lg. The lower-frequency components of Lg have been explained previously by other aspects of normal-mode propagation in the crust. (3) Study of dispersion of short-period surface waves can result in fairly detailed knowledge of velocity-depth relation within the sedimentary column and may also reveal information on anisotropy. (4) The results of this study must bear heavily on studies of microseism propagation. As an example, the increase of microseismic activity along the entire east coast of the United States when a storm moves onto the continental shelf may be attributed to channeling of the waves in the deep sedimentary trough beneath the shelf.

Short-period seismic noise

1967 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-81
Author(s):  
E. J. Douze
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Rayleigh Waves ◽  
Seismic Noise ◽  
Body Waves ◽  
Deep Hole ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Hole Arrays

abstract This report consists of a summary of the studies conducted on the subject of short-period (6.0-0.3 sec period) noise over a period of approximately three years. Information from deep-hole and surface arrays was used in an attempt to determine the types of waves of which the noise is composed. The theoretical behavior of higher-mode Rayleigh waves and of body waves as measured by surface and deep-hole arrays is described. Both surface and body waves are shown to exist in the noise. Surface waves generally predominate at the longer periods (of the period range discussed) while body waves appear at the shorter periods at quiet sites. Not all the data could be interpreted to define the wave types present.

scholarly journals The effects of tectonic release on short-period P waves from NTS explosions

1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 819-842
Author(s):  
Thorne Lay ◽  
Terry C. Wallace ◽  
Don V. Helmberger
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Component ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
P Wave ◽  
High Frequency Component ◽  
Stress Regime ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Underground Nuclear Explosions ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Amplitude Pattern

Abstract The first cycle (ab amplitude) of teleseismic short-period P waves from underground nuclear explosions at Pahute Mesa (NTS) show a systematic azimuthal amplitude pattern that can possibly be explained by tectonic release. The amplitudes vary by a factor of three, with diminished amplitudes being recorded at azimuths around N25°E. This azimuthal pattern has a strong sin(2φ) component and is observed, to varying degrees, for 25 Pahute Mesa events, but not for events at other sites within the NTS. Events that are known to have large tectonic release have more pronounced sin(2φ) amplitude variations. A synthesis of long-period body and surface wave investigations of tectonic release for Pahute Mesa events shows that, in general, the nonisotropic radiation is equivalent to nearly vertical, right-lateral strike-slip faulting trending from N20°W to due north. Long-period P waves at upper mantle distances demonstrate that there is a significant high-frequency component to the tectonic release. Using the long-period constraints on orientation, moment, and frequency content of the tectonic release, the expected short-period P wave effects are predicted. For models in which the downgoing P wave from the explosion triggers tectonic release within a few kilometers below the shot point, a factor of 2.5 amplitude variation with azimuth is predicted for the short-period ab amplitudes, with the lowest amplitudes expected near N25°E. Rather subtle azimuthal variations in the waveforms are expected, particulary for downward propagating ruptures, which is consistent with the absence of strong variations in the data. The occurrence of the azimuthal pattern, albeit with varying strength, for all of the Pahute Mesa events suggests a tectonic release model in which the shatterzone surrounding the explosion cavity is extended preferentially downward by driving a distributed network of faults and joints underlying the Mesa several kilometers beneath the surface. In this model, all events could have a component of tectonic release which would reflect the regional stress regime, although there may be slight spatial and temporal variations in the tectonic release contribution. Some events may trigger slip on larger throughgoing faults as well. While it is shown that tectonic release can affect teleseismic short-period signals significantly, and may contribute to the Pahute Mesa amplitude pattern, other possible explanations are considered.

The October 6, 1974 Acapulco earthquake: An example of the importance of short-period surface waves in strong ground motion

1978 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1663-1677
Author(s):  
Stephen H. Hartzell ◽  
James N. Brune ◽  
Jorge Prince
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Epicentral Distance ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Body Waves ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Source Depth ◽  
Moment Estimate ◽  
Short Period

abstract The Acapulco earthquake of October 6, 1974 (mb = 5.0, Ms = 4.75) resulted in 0.5 g accelerations in Acapulco at an epicentral distance of about 35 km. Extrapolation of the peak acceleration to the source region gives a near source acceleration of at least 1.0 g. If the teleseismically estimated source depth of 51 km is assumed, the Acapulco accelerogram must be interpreted as composed of primarily body waves. This assumption yields a moment estimate of 3.3 ×1023 dyne-cm and a stress drop of 1.5 kbar. However, strong evidence indicates that the source depth is only about 1.0 km and that the record is composed mainly of high frequency (1.0 to 4.0 Hz) surface waves. The character of the record is that of a normally dispersed surface wave. The relatively simple form and high acceleration may be attributed to the high rigidity, crystalline rock types in the region. The three component record is fitted by summing the fundamental and first higher mode Rayleigh and Love waves using a model consisting of a single layer over a homogeneous half-space. The results are also checked using a direct wave-number integration program developed by Apsel and Luco. The moment estimate from the surface-wave synthetics is 2.0 ×1023 dyne-cm.

Surface-wave dispersion analysis in Mexico City

1995 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 1116-1126
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Chávez-García ◽  
Jaime Ramos-Martínez ◽  
Evangelina Romero-Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Rayleigh Waves ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Clay Layer ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Wave Trains ◽  
Refraction Data

Abstract In this article, we present an observational investigation of ground motion at Mexico City focused on surface waves. Our purpose is 2-fold; first, to understand incident ground motion during the great Michoacán earthquake of 19 September 1985, and second, to characterize surface waves propagating in the lake-bed zone. To this end we analyze the strong-motion records obtained at Mexico City for the large (MS = 8.1) earthquake of 19 September 1985. It is shown that, in the low-frequency range, we observe the Rayleigh fundamental mode in both the vertical and the radial components, and the Love fundamental mode in the transverse component at all the strong-motion stations. The vertical component also shows the first higher mode of Rayleigh waves. We use a very broadband record obtained at station CU for the smaller (MS = 6.7) earthquake of 14 May 1993 to verify that the dispersion computed from the model of Campillo et al. (1989) represents well the average surface-wave propagation between the coast and Mexico City in the 7- to 10-sec period range. We use this result to assign absolute times to the strong-motion records of the Michoacán event. This allowed us to identify additional wave trains that propagate laterally in directions other than great circle in the 3- to 5-sec period range. These wave trains are identified as Love waves. In a second analysis, we study a set of refraction data obtained during a small-scale (250 m) experiment on the virgin clay of the lake-bed zone. Phase-velocity dispersion curves for several modes of Rayleigh waves are identified in the refraction data and inverted to obtain an S-wave velocity profile. This profile is used as the uppermost layering in a 2D model of Mexico City valley. The results of numerical simulation show that surface waves generated by lateral finiteness of the clay layer suffer large dispersion and attenuation. We conclude that surface waves generated by the lateral heterogeneity of the upper-most stratigraphy very significantly affect ground motion near the edge of the valley, but their importance is negligible for distances larger than 1.5 km from the edge. Thus, locally generated surface waves propagating through the clay layer cannot explain late arrivals observed for the 1985 event. We suggest that the long duration of strong motion is due to the interaction between lateral propagation of waves guided by deep layers (1 to 4 km) and the surficial clay layer. This interaction is possible by the coincidence of the dominant frequency of the uppermost layers and the frequency of the deeply guided waves.

Multichannel analysis of surface waves

Geophysics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 800-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choon B. Park ◽  
Richard D. Miller ◽  
Jianghai Xia
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Dispersion Curve ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Frequency Component ◽  
Multichannel Recording ◽  
Phase Velocities ◽  
Ground Roll

The frequency‐dependent properties of Rayleigh‐type surface waves can be utilized for imaging and characterizing the shallow subsurface. Most surface‐wave analysis relies on the accurate calculation of phase velocities for the horizontally traveling fundamental‐mode Rayleigh wave acquired by stepping out a pair of receivers at intervals based on calculated ground roll wavelengths. Interference by coherent source‐generated noise inhibits the reliability of shear‐wave velocities determined through inversion of the whole wave field. Among these nonplanar, nonfundamental‐mode Rayleigh waves (noise) are body waves, scattered and nonsource‐generated surface waves, and higher‐mode surface waves. The degree to which each of these types of noise contaminates the dispersion curve and, ultimately, the inverted shear‐wave velocity profile is dependent on frequency as well as distance from the source. Multichannel recording permits effective identification and isolation of noise according to distinctive trace‐to‐trace coherency in arrival time and amplitude. An added advantage is the speed and redundancy of the measurement process. Decomposition of a multichannel record into a time variable‐frequency format, similar to an uncorrelated Vibroseis record, permits analysis and display of each frequency component in a unique and continuous format. Coherent noise contamination can then be examined and its effects appraised in both frequency and offset space. Separation of frequency components permits real‐time maximization of the S/N ratio during acquisition and subsequent processing steps. Linear separation of each ground roll frequency component allows calculation of phase velocities by simply measuring the linear slope of each frequency component. Breaks in coherent surface‐wave arrivals, observable on the decomposed record, can be compensated for during acquisition and processing. Multichannel recording permits single‐measurement surveying of a broad depth range, high levels of redundancy with a single field configuration, and the ability to adjust the offset, effectively reducing random or nonlinear noise introduced during recording. A multichannel shot gather decomposed into a swept‐frequency record allows the fast generation of an accurate dispersion curve. The accuracy of dispersion curves determined using this method is proven through field comparisons of the inverted shear‐wave velocity ([Formula: see text]) profile with a downhole [Formula: see text] profile.

Large Explosions at Sea

1971 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-247
Author(s):  
Goetz G. R. Buchbinder
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Small Amplitude ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
Surface Wave Magnitude ◽  
Underwater Explosions ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Difference

Two large unannounced events occurred at sea in aseismic areas in the Atlantic. Comparison of these with the announced event Chase III shows them to be explosions.Large explosions at sea may be recognized by the relatively small amplitude of long period surface waves with periods up to 10 s. Energy of longer periods is absent for events mb ≤ 5.5. The surface wave magnitudes for the events are at least 1.5 smaller at 10 s than those of underground explosions of equal mb, at 20 s they are at least 0.9 smaller. At longer periods the difference between body wave and surface wave magnitude is larger than 0.9 but larger explosions are needed to determine the separation. Underwater explosions on or near the continental shelf are very efficient in the generation of higher mode short period waves.

The effect of oceanic sediments on surface-wave propagation

1975 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 1531-1552
Author(s):  
Donald J. Weidner
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Rayleigh Waves ◽  
Propagation Path ◽  
Surface Wave Propagation ◽  
Oceanic Surface ◽  
Oceanic Sediments ◽  
Wave Phase Velocity ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Mid Atlantic Ridge

abstract Several characteristics of oceanic surface waves can be altered by the presence of low rigidity sediments along the propagation path. Love and Rayleigh waves from mid-Atlantic ridge earthquakes bear many effects of oceanic sediments. The general absence of these surface waves for periods shorter than about 15 sec can be attributed to either attenuation or scattering in thin sediments. Thin sediments also disperse short-period Love waves. Sediments whose thickness exceeds about 2 km are responsible for removing surface-wave energy with periods up to 40 sec. These sediments also alter the particle motion of Rayleigh waves and are responsible for a complicated dispersion relation. These thick sediments substantially reduce the surface-wave phase velocity at periods in excess of 100 sec.

Inversion of regional surface-wave spectra for source parameters of aftershocks from the Loma Prieta earthquake

1991 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 1726-1736
Author(s):  
Susan L. Beck ◽  
Howard J. Patton
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Focal Mechanism ◽  
Source Parameters ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Focal Mechanisms ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Short Period ◽  
First Motion

Abstract Surface waves recorded at regional distances are used to study the source parameters for three of the larger aftershocks of the 18 October 1989, Loma Prieta, California, earthquake. The short-period P-wave first-motion focal mechanisms indicate a complex aftershock sequence with a wide variety of mechanisms. Many of these events are too small for teleseismic body-wave analysis; therefore, the regional surface-waves provide important long-period information on the source parameters. Intermediate-period Rayleigh- and Love-wave spectra are inverted for the seismic moment tensor elements at a fixed depth and repeated for different depths to find the source depth that gives the best fit to the observed spectra. For the aftershock on 19 October at 10:14:35 (md = 4.2), we find a strike-slip focal mechanism with right lateral motion on a NW-trending vertical fault consistent with the mapped trace of the local faults. For the aftershock on 18 October at 10:22:04 (md = 4.4), the surface waves indicate a pure reverse fault with the nodal planes striking WNW. For the aftershock on 19 October at 09:53:50 (md = 4.4), the surface waves indicate a strike-slip focal mechanism with a NW-trending vertical nodal plane consistent with the local strike of the San Andreas fault. Differences between the surface-wave focal mechanisms and the short-period P-wave first-motion mechanisms are observed for the aftershocks analyzed. This discrepancy may reflect the real variations due to differences in the band width of the two observations. However, the differences may also be due to (1) errors in the first-motion mechanism due to incorrect near-source velocity structure and (2) errors in the surface-wave mechanisms due to inadequate propagation path corrections.

scholarly journals The Caucasus Territory Hot-Cold Spots Determination and Description Using 2D Surface Waves Tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Hossein Abrehdari ◽  
Jon K. Karapetyan ◽  
Habib Rahimi ◽  
Eduard Gyodakyan
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Plate Boundary ◽  
Plate Boundaries ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Linear Inversion ◽  
Period Range ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Caucasus Region ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Cold Spots

Abstract Many questions have been raised about the thermal-mechanical development of faults movement, passive margins based on the effects of plate-boundary interactions, lithospheric processes, and mantle activity, in addition to continental thinning and generally the heat beneath our feet. This study attempts to identify and describe the hot-cold spots deep inside the Earth by using the 2D tomography velocity images obtained from surface wave seismic interferometry and regional tectonic activities in different geological units of the Caucasus region continent-continent ongoing collisional-compressed edge of the Eurasian-Arabic plates. Furthermore, this study could be helpful in identifying and proper understanding of the location of hotspots as renewable energy resources (geothermal) in areas near tectonic plate boundaries, rocks, arcs, and sediment interactions. To conduct this, after the preliminary correction of the raw data, a generalized 2D linear inversion procedure has been applied to construct the surface wave tomography to generate group velocity maps in a period range of 5-70 seconds and grid spacing of 0.2º×0.5º. The digital records of 800 earthquakes (M≥4) have been collected over the Caucasus region and these signals, recorded during the period of 1999-2018, come from 45 three-component broadband and short-period digital stations.

Seismic imaging with focusing surface waves obtained from USArray noise correlation functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Tsarsitalidou ◽  
Pierre Boué ◽  
Gregor Hillers ◽  
Bruno Giammarinaro ◽  
Michel Campillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wave ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Correlation Functions ◽  
Focal Spot ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Noise Correlation ◽  
Period Range ◽  
S Period ◽  
The Impact

<div> <div> <div> <p>Dense seismic arrays are equivalent to medical ultrasound transducers in the sense that both “devices” allow the reconstruction of refocusing wave fields at near-field distances. In this work we explore the imaging potential of refocusing surface waves constructed from USArray noise correlation functions using sensors located between the US west coast and -90 degrees West. So-called focal spots---a term adopted from elastography---are constructed from the noise correlation amplitude field at zero lag time around the origin, i.e., each sensor in the array. Similar to the related SPAC method, properties of the Bessel-function-shaped focal spot are controlled by the local medium properties, which underpins the local imaging approach. Unlike USArray SPAC applications in the 5 – 40 s period range, however, we proceed in the spirit of elastographic local measurements and demonstrate the possibility to estimate properties of Rayleigh wave propagation between 80 – 300 s period using the vertical-vertical and vertical-radial focal spot components of the Green’s tensor. Clearly, the up to five-fold extension of the period range compared to noise- based USArray surface wave tomography studies are an intriguing asset of the approach that suggests a significantly increased depth resolution. In addition to demonstrating the general applicability of the focal spot method using dense array data, we address the biasing effects of less-than-ideal ambient wave field properties on our measurements. Impinging body wave energy and non- isotropic surface wave energy flux contribute to focal spot shapes and properties that are not compatible with the theoretical assumptions and used model functions and parametrizations. We show the space and period dependent distributions of these biasing components based on the focal spot representation in the wave number domain. Numerical and theoretical work discussed in an accompanying abstract is used to assess the impact on the dispersion measurements, and to test the effectiveness of filtering strategies for making improved estimates.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document