Corner frequencies of P and S waves and models of earthquake sources

1973 ◽  
Vol 63 (6-1) ◽  
pp. 2091-2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Molnar ◽  
Brian E. Tucker ◽  
James N. Brune
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Earthquake Sources ◽  
Dislocation Models ◽  
San Fernando

Abstract P- and S-wave spectra of 144 aftershocks 12≦M≦412 of the February 9, 1971 San Fernando earthquake corroborate previous work showing that the corner frequencies for P waves in general are greater than those for S waves. This observation is consistent not only with models that treat earthquakes as volume sources, but also with physically reasonable dislocation models for which (1) the source is approximately equidimensional, (2) both the duration of slip at each point on the fault and the time for the ruptured area to develop are not long compared with the time for seismic waves to cross the ruptured area, and (3) much of the source radiates essentially simultaneously. There may be other physically reasonable dislocation models compatible with the observations. Savage's calculations indicate that models that involve propagating dislocations on long thin faults are not adequate for describing most moderate and small earthquakes studied.

Numerical simulation of azimuthal acoustic logging in a borehole penetrating a rock formation boundary

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. D283-D291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Liu ◽  
Wenxiao Qiao ◽  
Xiaohua Che ◽  
Xiaodong Ju ◽  
Junqiang Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Domain Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Angle Variation ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Acoustic Logging ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Rock Formation ◽  
Logging Tool ◽  
Difference Time

We have developed a new 3D acoustic logging tool (3DAC). To examine the azimuthal resolution of 3DAC, we have evaluated a 3D finite-difference time-domain model to simulate a case in which the borehole penetrated a rock formation boundary when the tool worked at the azimuthal-transmitting-azimuthal-receiving mode. The results indicated that there were two types of P-waves with different slowness in waveforms: the P-wave of the harder rock (P1) and the P-wave of the softer rock (P2). The P1-wave can be observed in each azimuthal receiver, but the P2-wave appears only in the azimuthal receivers toward the softer rock. When these two types of rock are both fast formations, two types of S-waves also exist, and they have better azimuthal sensitivity compared with P-waves. The S-wave of the harder rock (S1) appears only in receivers toward the harder rock, and the S-wave of the softer rock (S2) appears only in receivers toward the softer rock. A model was simulated in which the boundary between shale and sand penetrated the borehole but not the borehole axis. The P-wave of shale and the S-wave of sand are azimuthally sensitive to the azimuth angle variation of two formations. In addition, waveforms obtained from 3DAC working at the monopole-transmitting-azimuthal-receiving mode indicate that the corresponding P-waves and S-waves are azimuthally sensitive, too. Finally, we have developed a field example of 3DAC to support our simulation results: The azimuthal variation of the P-wave slowness was observed and can thus be used to reflect the azimuthal heterogeneity of formations.

Scalar reverse‐time depth migration of prestack elastic seismic data

Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 1519-1527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sun ◽  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Wave Source ◽  
Reflected Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Elastic Data

Reflected P‐to‐P and P‐to‐S converted seismic waves in a two‐component elastic common‐source gather generated with a P‐wave source in a two‐dimensional model can be imaged by two independent scalar reverse‐time depth migrations. The inputs to migration are pure P‐ and S‐waves that are extracted by divergence and curl calculations during (shallow) extrapolation of the elastic data recorded at the earth’s surface. For both P‐to‐P and P‐to‐S converted reflected waves, the imaging time at each point is the P‐wave traveltime from the source to that point. The extracted P‐wave is reverse‐time extrapolated and imaged with a P‐velocity model, using a finite difference solution of the scalar wave equation. The extracted S‐wave is reverse‐time extrapolated and imaged similarly, but with an S‐velocity model. Converted S‐wave data requires a polarity correction prior to migration to ensure constructive interference between data from adjacent sources. Synthetic examples show that the algorithm gives satisfactory results for laterally inhomogeneous models.

scholarly journals Estimation of radiated energy using the KiK-net downhole records—old method for modern data

2020 ◽  
Vol 221 (2) ◽  
pp. 1029-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroo Kanamori ◽  
Zachary E Ross ◽  
Luis Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Site Response ◽  
Source Model ◽  
Synthetic Seismograms ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Radiated Energy ◽  
Time Integral ◽  
Magnitude Range ◽  
Significant Difference

SUMMARY We use KiK-net (NIED) downhole records to estimate the radiated energy, ER, of 29 Japanese inland earthquakes with a magnitude range from Mw = 5.6 to 7.0. The method is based on the work of Gutenberg and Richter in which the time integral of S-wave ground-motion velocity-squared is measured as a basic metric of the radiated energy. Only stations within a distance of 100 km are used to minimize complex path and attenuation effects. Unlike the teleseismic method that uses mainly P waves, the use of S waves which carry more than 95 per cent of the radiated energy allows us to obtain robust results. We calibrate the method using synthetic seismograms to modernize and improve the Gutenberg–Richter method. We compute synthetic seismograms for a source model of each event with a given source function (i.e. known ER), the actual mechanism and the source-station geometry. Then, we compare the given ER with the computed energy metric to correct for the unknown effect of wave propagation and the mechanism. The use of downhole records minimizes the uncertainty resulting from the site response. Our results suggest that the currently available estimates of ER from teleseismic data are probably within a factor of 3, on average, of the absolute value. The scaled energy eR ( = ER/M0) is nearly constant at about 3 × 10−5 over a magnitude range from Mw = 5.6 to 7.0 with a slight increasing trend with Mw. We found no significant difference in eR between dip-slip and strike-slip events.

Robust Empirical Time–Frequency Relations for Seismic Spectral Amplitudes, Part 1: Application to Regional S Waves in Southeastern Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Safarshahi ◽  
Igor B. Morozov
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Transverse Component ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Frequency Independent

ABSTRACT Empirical models of geometrical-, Q-, t-star, and kappa-type attenuation of seismic waves and ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) are viewed as cases of a common empirical standard model describing variation of wave amplitudes with time and frequency. Compared with existing parametric and nonparametric approaches, several new features are included in this model: (1) flexible empirical parameterization with possible nonmonotonous time or distance dependencies; (2) joint inversion for time or distance and frequency dependencies, source spectra, site responses, kappas, and Q; (3) additional constraints removing spurious correlations of model parameters and data residuals with source–receiver distances and frequencies; (4) possible kappa terms for sources as well as for receivers; (5) orientation-independent horizontal- and three-component amplitudes; and (6) adaptive filtering to reduce noise effects. The approach is applied to local and regional S-wave amplitudes in southeastern Iran. Comparisons with previous studies show that conventional attenuation models often contain method-specific biases caused by limited parameterizations of frequency-independent amplitude decays and assumptions about the models, such as smoothness of amplitude variations. Without such assumptions, the frequency-independent spreading of S waves is much faster than inferred by conventional modeling. For example, transverse-component amplitudes decrease with travel time t as about t−1.8 at distances closer than 90 km and as t−2.5 beyond 115 km. The rapid amplitude decay at larger distances could be caused by scattering within the near surface. From about 90 to 115 km distances, the amplitude increases by a factor of about 3, which could be due to reflections from the Moho and within the crust. With more accurate geometrical-spreading and kappa models, the Q factor for the study area is frequency independent and exceeds 2000. The frequency-independent and Q-type attenuation for vertical-component and multicomponent amplitudes is somewhat weaker than for the horizontal components. These observations appear to be general and likely apply to other areas.

Crustal structures across the young and oblique North-eastern Gulf of Aden margin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Watremez ◽  
Sylvie Leroy ◽  
Elia d'Acremont ◽  
Stéphane Rouzo
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Gulf Of Aden ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Acoustic Basement ◽  
S Waves ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Lower Crustal

<p>The Gulf of Aden is a young and active oceanic basin, which separates the south-eastern margin of the Arabian Plate from the Somali Plate. The rifting leading to the formation of the north-eastern Gulf of Aden passive margin started ca. 34 Ma ago when the oceanic spreading in this area initiated at least 17.6 Ma ago. The opening direction (N26°E) is oblique to the mean orientation of the Gulf (N75°E), leading to a strong structural segmentation.</p><p>The Encens cruise (2006) allowed for the acquisition of a large seismic refraction dataset with profiles across (6 lines) and along (3 lines) the margin, between the Alula-Fartak and Socotra-Hadbeen fracture zones, which define a first order segment of the Gulf. P-wave velocity modelling already allowed us to image the crustal thinning and the structures, from continental to oceanic domains, along some of the profiles. A lower crustal intermediate body is observed in the Ashawq-Salalah segment, at the base of the transitional and oceanic crusts. The nature of this intermediate body is most probably mafic, linked to a post-rift thermal anomaly. The thin (1-2 km) sediment layer in the study area allows for a clear conversion of P-waves to S-waves at the top basement. Thus, most seismic refraction records show very clear S-wave arrivals.</p><p>In this study, we use both P-wave and S-wave arrivals to delineate the crustal structures and segmentation along and across the margin and add insight into the nature of the rocks below the acoustic basement. P-wave velocity modelling allows for the delineation of the structure variations across and along the margin. The velocity models are used as a base for the S-wave modelling, through the definition of Poisson’s ratios in the different areas of the models. Picking and modelling of S-wave arrivals allow us to identify two families of converted waves: (1) seismic waves converted at the basement interface on the way up, just before arriving to the OBS and (2) seismic waves converted at the basement on the way down, which travelled into the deep structures as S-waves. The first set of arrivals allows for the estimation the S-wave velocities (Poisson’s ratio) in the sediments, showing that the sediments in this area are unconsolidated and water saturated. The second set of arrivals gives us constraints on the S-wave velocities below the acoustic basement. This allows for an improved mapping of the transitional and oceanic domains and the confirmation of the mafic nature of the lower crustal intermediate body.</p>

A two‐layer stacking procedure to enhance converted waves

Geophysics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 997-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. N. Kennett
Keyword(s):  
Lower Layer ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Water Layer ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Receiver Array ◽  
Sea Bed ◽  
Layer Stacking

For marine seismic sources quite efficient conversion of P‐waves to S‐waves can occur at hard seafloors, e.g., carbonate horizons in tropical waters. The S‐waves are reflected back from structures at depth and are reconverted to P‐waves in the water before detection by the receiver array. Such PSSP reflections can carry useful information on the structure beneath the sea bed but are most significant at large offsets and so are not easily stacked with a conventional normal moveout (NMO) procedure based on a hyperbolic time trajectory. A two‐layer stacking procedure that separates the water layer from the region below the seafloor provides a very effective means of extracting the PSSP arrivals, but also works well for P‐waves. There is no direct analytic form for the stacking trajectories but they can be calculated quite efficiently numerically. A further advantage is that the stacking velocity for S‐waves in the lower layer can be interpreted directly in terms of S‐wave propagation, so that S‐wave interval velocities can be found. Stacking procedures based on such simple physical models are likely to be useful in other cases where attention needs to be focused on a particular aspect of the wavefield.

Thin-bed prestack spectral inversion

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. R49-R57 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Germán Rubino ◽  
Danilo Velis
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Amplitude Spectrum ◽  
Wavelet Spectrum ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Zero Offset

Prestack seismic data has been used in a new method to fully determine thin-bed properties, including the estimation of its thickness, P- and S-wave velocities, and density. The approach requires neither phase information nor normal-moveout (NMO) corrections, and assumes that the prestack seismic response of the thin layer can be isolated using an offset-dependent time window. We obtained the amplitude-versus-angle (AVA) response of the thin bed considering converted P-waves, S-waves, and all the associated multiples. We carried out the estimation of the thin-bed parameters in the frequency (amplitude spectrum) domain using simulated annealing. In contrast to using zero-offset data, the use of AVA data contributes to increase the robustness of this inverse problem under noisy conditions, as well as to significantly reduce its inherent nonuniqueness. To further reduce the nonuniqueness, and as a means to incorporate a priori geologic or geophysical information (e.g., well-log data), we imposed appropriate bounding constraints to the parameters of the media lying above and below the thin bed, which need not be known accurately. We tested the method by inverting noisy synthetic gathers corresponding to simple wedge models. In addition, we stochastically estimated the uncertainty of the solutions by inverting different data sets that share the same model parameters but are contaminated with different noise realizations. The results suggest that thin beds can be characterized fully with a moderate to high degree of confidence below tuning, even when using an approximate wavelet spectrum.

scholarly journals Converted‐wave seismic exploration: Applications

Geophysics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Stewart ◽  
James E. Gaiser ◽  
R. James Brown ◽  
Don C. Lawton
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Fracture Density ◽  
Converted Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Subsurface Fluid ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
Gas Bearing

Converted seismic waves (specifically, downgoing P‐waves that convert on reflection to upcoming S‐waves are increasingly being used to explore for subsurface targets. Rapid advancements in both land and marine multicomponent acquisition and processing techniques have led to numerous applications for P‐S surveys. Uses that have arisen include structural imaging (e.g., “seeing” through gas‐bearing sediments, improved fault definition, enhanced near‐surface resolution), lithologic estimation (e.g., sand versus shale content, porosity), anisotropy analysis (e.g., fracture density and orientation), subsurface fluid description, and reservoir monitoring. Further applications of P‐S data and analysis of other more complicated converted modes are developing.

scholarly journals Estimation of Geodynamic Properties using Seismic Techniques at a Steel Rolling Factory, Northwestern Gulf of Suez, Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1785-1794
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Gulf Of Suez ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Steel Rolling ◽  
P Wave Velocity

The objective of the current investigations is to estimate the dynamic geotechnical properties necessary for evaluating the conditions of the subsurface in order to make better decisions for economic and safe designs of the proposed structures at a Steel Rolling Factory, Ataqa Industrial Area, Northwestern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. To achieve this purpose, four seismic refraction profiles were conducted to measure the velocity of primary seismic waves (P-waves) and four profiles were conducted using Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) technique in the same locations of refraction profiles to measure the velocity of shear waves (S-waves). SeisImager/2D Software Package was used in the analysis of the measured data. Data processing and interpretation reflect that the subsurface section in the study area consists of two layers, the first layer is a thin surface layer ranges in thickness from 1 to 4 meters with P-wave velocity ranges from 924 m/s to 1247 m/s and S-wave velocity ranges from 530 m/s to 745 m/s. The second layer has a P-wave velocity ranges from 1277 m/s to 1573 m/s and the S-wave velocity ranges from 684 m/s to 853 m/s. Geotechnical parameters were calculated for both layers. Since elastic moduli such as Poisson’s ratio, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and bulk’s modulus were calculated. Competence scales such as material index, stress ratio, concentration index, and density gradient were calculated also. In addition, the ultimate and allowable bearing capacities

A site effect study in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico: Comparison of results from strong-motion and microtremor data

1992 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 642-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Gutierrez ◽  
Shri Krishna Singh
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Nonlinear Behavior ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Site Effect ◽  
Seismic Gap ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Data Set ◽  
S Waves ◽  
The City

Abstract The city of Acapulco is located near or above the mature seismic gap of Guerrero along the Mexican subduction zone. With the purpose of studying the character of strong ground motion on soft sites, four digital accelerographs have been installed in the city on such sites. These instruments have been in operation since 1988. Two additional instruments, part of the Guerrero Accelerograph Array, are located on hard sites in the area. One of these, VNTA, has been in operation since 1985 and the other, ACAN, since 1989. These stations have recorded several earthquakes. We use data from eight events (4.2 ≤ M ≤ 6.9) to study spectral amplification of seismic waves at the soft sites with respect to VNTA. The S waves are amplified by a factor of 6 to 25 at the soft sites in a fairly broad range of frequencies; both the amplification and the frequency band over which it occurs depend upon the site. Although the largest earthquake in our data set (M = 6.9) gave rise to a peak horizontal acceleration exceeding 0.3 g at one of the soft sites, no clear evidence of nonlinear behavior of the subsoil is found. Spectral amplifications of S-wave coda are very similar to those of S waves. We also measured microtremors at the strong-motion sites. The microtremor spectra were interpreted, using reasonable assumptions, to test the feasibility of this technique in reproducing the spectral amplifications observed during earthquakes. Our results show that only a rough estimate of site response can be obtained from this technique, at least in Acapulco; caution is warranted in its use elsewhere.

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