scholarly journals Passive seismic recording of cryoseisms in Adventdalen, Svalbard

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-302
Author(s):  
Rowan Romeyn ◽  
Alfred Hanssen ◽  
Bent Ole Ruud ◽  
Helene Meling Stemland ◽  
Tor Arne Johansen

Abstract. A series of transient seismic events were discovered in passive seismic recordings from 2-D geophone arrays deployed at a frost polygon site in Adventdalen, Svalbard. These events contain a high proportion of surface wave energy and produce high-quality dispersion images using an apparent offset re-sorting and inter-trace delay minimisation technique to locate the seismic source, followed by cross-correlation beamforming dispersion imaging. The dispersion images are highly analogous to surface wave studies of pavements and display a complex multimodal dispersion pattern. Supported by theoretical modelling based on a highly simplified arrangement of horizontal layers, we infer that a ∼3.5–4.5 m thick, stiff, high-velocity layer overlies a ∼30 m thick layer that is significantly softer and slower at our study site. Based on previous studies we link the upper layer with syngenetic ground ice formed in aeolian sediments, while the underlying layer is linked to epigenetic permafrost in marine-deltaic sediments containing unfrozen saline pore water. Comparing events from spring and autumn indicates that temporal variation can be resolved via passive seismic monitoring. The transient seismic events that we record occur during periods of rapidly changing air temperature. This correlation, along with the spatial clustering along the elevated river terrace in a known frost polygon, ice-wedge area and the high proportion of surface wave energy, constitutes the primary evidence for us to interpret these events as frost quakes, a class of cryoseism. In this study we have proved the concept of passive seismic monitoring of permafrost in Adventdalen, Svalbard.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowan Romeyn ◽  
Alfred Hanssen ◽  
Bent Ole Ruud ◽  
Helene Meling Stemland ◽  
Tor Arne Johansen

Abstract. A series of transient seismic events were discovered in passive seismic recordings from 2D geophone arrays deployed at a frost polygon site in Adventdalen, Svalbard. These events contain a high proportion of surface wave energy and produce high-quality dispersion images through an innovative source localisation approach, based on apparent offset resorting and inter-trace delay minimisation, followed by cross-correlation beamforming dispersion imaging. The dispersion images are highly analogous to surface wave studies of pavements and display a complex multimodal dispersion pattern. Supported by theoretical modelling based on a highly simplified arrangement of horizontal layers, we infer that a ~ 3.5–4.5 m thick, stiff, high-velocity layer overlies a ~ 30 m thick layer that is significantly softer and slower at our study site. Based on previous studies we link the upper layer with syngenetic ground-ice formed in aeolian sediments, while the underlying layer is linked to epigenetic permafrost in marine-deltaic sediments containing unfrozen saline pore water. Comparing events from spring and autumn shows that temporal variation can be resolved via passive seismic monitoring. The transient seismic events that we record occur during periods of rapidly changing air temperature. This correlation along with the spatial clustering along the elevated river terrace in a known frost polygon, ice-wedge area and the high proportion of surface wave energy constitutes the primary evidence for us to interpret these events as frost quakes, a class of cryoseism. In this study we have proved the concept of passive seismic monitoring of permafrost in Adventdalen, Svalbard.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Goertz-Allmann ◽  
D. Kühn ◽  
K. Iranpour ◽  
M. Jordan ◽  
Benjamin Udo Emmel ◽  
...  

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. V115-V128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Wu ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Baojun Yang

To remove surface waves from seismic records while preserving other seismic events of interest, we introduced a transform and a filter based on recent developments in image processing. The transform can be seen as a weighted Radon transform, in particular along linear trajectories. The weights in the transform are data dependent and designed to introduce large amplitude differences between surface waves and other events such that surface waves could be separated by a simple amplitude threshold. This is a key property of the filter and distinguishes this approach from others, such as conventional ones that use information on moveout ranges to apply a mask in the transform domain. Initial experiments with synthetic records and field data have demonstrated that, with the appropriate parameters, the proposed trace transform filter performs better both in terms of surface wave attenuation and reflected signal preservation than the conventional methods. Further experiments on larger data sets are needed to fully assess the method.


Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-84
Author(s):  
Chunying Yang ◽  
Wenchuang Wang

Irregular acquisition geometry causes discontinuities in the appearance of surface wave events, and a large offset causes seismic records to appear as aliased surface waves. The conventional method of sampling data affects the accuracy of the dispersion spectrum and reduces the resolution of surface waves. At the same time, ”mode kissing” of the low-velocity layer and inhomogeneous scatterers requires a high-resolution method for calculating surface wave dispersion. This study tested the use of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm in 3D multichannel and aliased wavefield separation. Azimuthal MUSIC is a useful method to estimate the phase velocity spectrum of aliased surface wave data, and it represent the dispersion spectra of low-velocity and inhomogeneous models. The results of this study demonstrate that mode-kissing affects dispersion imaging, and inhomogeneous scatterers change the direction of surface-wave propagation. Surface waves generated from the new propagation directions are also dispersive. The scattered surface wave has a new dispersion pattern different to that of the entire record. Diagonal loading was introduced to improve the robustness of azimuthal MUSIC, and numerical experiments demonstrate the resultant effectiveness of imaging aliasing surface waves. A phase-matched filter was applied to the results of azimuthal MUSIC, and phase iterations were unwrapped in a fast and stable manner. Aliased surface waves and body waves were separated during this process. Overall, field data demonstrate that azimuthal MUSIC and phase-matched filters can successfully separate aliased surface waves.


2021 ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
E. E. Razumov ◽  
◽  
S. M. Prostov ◽  
G. D. Rukavishnikov ◽  
S. N. Mulev ◽  
...  

The main directions of development of seismic monitoring systems in underground mineral mining are analyzed. The expediency of passive registration of natural seismic activity is proved, which provides prediction of geodynamic phenomena by locating the centers of seismic events and determining their energy level. The methods of active seismic monitoring (seismic tomography, cross-borehole survey, recording of seismic signal from a rock-breaking tool) are technically more difficult to implement. The promising methods for processing seismic information are geolocation, neural network technology, cluster analysis, and integration with numerical stress–strain analysis of and changes in acoustic properties of rock mass. The configuration of the platform developed at VNIMI and the GITS seismic monitoring system, which includes from 6 to 12 three-component seismic sensors installed permanently in wells or on pedestals, is described. The detailed layouts of seismic sensors at recording points and in gateways in extraction panels are presented. The main technical characteristics of GITS are given: the signal frequency range is 0.1–1000 Hz, the minimum recorded signal level is 0.01 mV. The main test data of GITS in Komsomolskaya mine of Vorkutaugol are described: the average annual levels of seismic activity and energy of seismic events are found to be relatively stable; the relationship between seismic event with the maximum total energy and the alternating increment in the relative criterion is defined, and the local increase in the average energy of a single event in time from the moment the main roof caving is identified. Aimed to substantiate the regional and local prediction criteria of probability of geodynamic events caused by confining pressure, VNIMI implements integrated research in mines in different regions.


Author(s):  
Anastasiya Fomochkina ◽  
Boris Bukchin

We consider the source of an earthquake in an approximation of instant point shift dislocation. Such a source is given by its depth, the focal mechanism determined by three angles (strike, dip, and slip), and the seismic moment characterizing the earthquake intensity. We determine the source depth and focal mechanism by a systematic exploration of 4D parametric space, and seismic moment - by solving the problem of minimization of the misfit between observed and calculated surface wave spectra for every combination of all other parameters. As is well known, the focal mechanism cannot be uniquely determined from the surface wave’s amplitude spectra only. We used P-wave first arrival polarities to select the optimal solution. Ana-lyzing the surface wave spectra at shorter periods, we describe the source in an approximation of the stress glut second moments. Using these moments we determine integral estimates of the geometry, the duration of the seismic source, and rupture propagation. The results of the application of this technique for two Alaska earthquakes that occurred in 2018 (with Mw7.9 in January and with Mw7.1 in November) are presented. The possibility of the fault plane identification, which based on the obtained estimates of the focal mechanisms and second mo-ments, is analyzed for both events. Bilateral model of the source is constructed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela de los Angeles Gonzalez de Lucio ◽  
Claudia Finger ◽  
Erik Saenger

<p>The Ruhr district meets the necessary elements to carry out geothermal projects due to its geothermal potential and demand, as it is a densely populated industrial area. Currently, there are projects for direct use, whereas projects for electricity generation are planned. The latter, due to greater depths, reservoir enhancement techniques are required in some cases. This may increase the associated seismic risk which should be elaborated in detail.</p><p>With available data, a three-dimensional geological and structural model was created. The shallower parts have been widely studied and documented by mining activity in the Ruhr region during the last century.  Below a depth of 1 km, data are scarce, and uncertainties increase. The full elastic wavefield emitted by a realistic seismic source has been simulated using a finite differences scheme and the derived geological model. The elastic properties were estimated with well data. The source has common characteristics of real seismic events in the area.</p><p>The wave propagation simulations let us analyze the seismic response with different sources and velocities models. Three cases are considered, two seismic events with distinct depths based on real events. The third case is based on the proposed location of a deep geothermal project.</p><p>Especially for the case with the deeper source, the areas with relatively high amplitudes of displacement correlated with structural features of the model. Applying the imaging condition of maximum energy density allows us to define zones with a potentially increased seismic risk that should be monitored more closely.</p>


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