Building a geothermal formation model using microtremor array measurement

A comprehensive understanding of the internal structure and building a geomechanical formation model plays an important role in developing and utilizing geothermal resources. Formation models help in identifying the channel and cycling modes of the heat flow. Due to the urban sprawl and development, constructing a formation model of geothermal resources based on data from traditional geophysical methods is challenging. The Microtremor survey method was adopted to obtain critical information in Jimo, which is famous for rare seawater geothermal resources in China. Three microtremor survey lines were deployed to identify subsurface structures up to 2 km into the ground. Dispersion curves of Rayleigh waves with frequencies from 0.4 Hz to 10 Hz were extracted using the spatial auto-correlation method. An empirical equation was adopted to obtain the apparent S-wave velocity of each survey point, and plot the apparent S-wave velocity sections. The obtained sections reveal the development of two interacting faults. They form a channel for the heat-flow cycle. Two conceptual models were established to depict the formation and cycling modes of seawater geothermal resources in Jimo, based on the results and analysis. The proposed model will help verify the geothermal system and scientifically guide the development of unique geothermal resources . Moreover, the developed model verified that the microtremor survey method is effective and dependable for identifying fracture zones and strata.

A Microtremor Survey to Identify Seismic Vulnerability Around Banda Aceh Using HVSR Analysis

Banda Aceh can be categorized as an earthquake-prone city because of the existence of two active segments namely Seulimeum and Aceh. Both segments are considered to provide great potential damage in the future. In this article, we conduct a microtremor survey in the Peukan Bada, sub-part of Banda Aceh city, to learn the vulnerability level and support disaster mitigation plan. A total of 20 sites were measured with a seismometer to record the seismic waveform. The waveform was recorded in 45 minutes with a sampling rate of 100 sps and has analyzed using the horizontal-vertical spectrum ratio (HVSR). The results obtained are the dominant parameters, such as the period with a range of 0 – 0.5s, frequency with a range of 0 – 6 Hz, seismicity vulnerability index with a range of 0.1 – 0.5. The result was relevant to the geological conditions of Peukan Bada that dominated by alluvial rocks and mud sediments. The level of vulnerability (Kg > 1.0) obtained is quite high and proportional to the soil type that can amplify the seismic waveform. The results obtained are expected to be a supporting study of disaster mitigation and understand the geological conditions of Banda Aceh in terms of seismic vulnerability.Abstrak: Banda Aceh dapat dikategorikan sebagai kota rawan gempa karena adanya dua segmen aktif yaitu Seulimeum dan Aceh. Kedua segmen tersebut bisa memberikan potensi kerusakan yang besar di masa mendatang. Pada tulisan ini, kami melakukan survei mikrotremor di Kecamatan Peukan Bada, salah satu sub-wilayah kota Banda Aceh, untuk mempelajari tingkat kerentanan dan mendukung rencana mitigasi bencana. Sebanyak 20 lokasi diukur dengan seismometer untuk merekam bentuk gelombang seismik. Gelombang direkam selama 45 menit dengan jumlah sampel 100 sps dan dianalisis menggunakan horizontal-vertical spectrum ratio (HVSR). Hasil yang diperoleh adalah parameter yang dominan yaitu periode dengan rentang 0 – 0,5s, frekuensi dengan range 0 - 6 Hz, indeks kerentanan kegempaan dengan rentang 0,1 – 0,5. Hasil tersebut relevan dengan kondisi geologi Peukan Bada yang didominasi oleh batuan aluvial dan endapan lumpur. Tingkat kerentanan (Kg > 1,0) yang diperoleh cukup tinggi dan sebanding dengan jenis tanah yang dapat memperbesar gelombang seismik. Hasil yang diperoleh diharapkan dapat menjadi pendukung kajian mitigasi bencana dan memahami kondisi geologi Banda Aceh dari segi kerentanan seismik.

An Integrated Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Node for the Microtremor Survey Method

The microtremor survey method (MSM) has the potential to be an important geophysical method for identifying the strata velocity structure and detecting the buried fault structures. However, the existing microtremor exploration equipment has been unable to satisfy the requirements of the MSM, which suffers from low data accuracy, long measurement time, and blind acquisition. In this study, we combined a 2 Hz moving coil geophone with advanced acquisition systems to develop a new integrated energy-efficient wireless sensor node for microtremor exploration. A high-precision AD chip and noise matching technology are used to develop a low-noise design for the sensor node. Dynamic frequency selection technology (DFS) and dynamic power management technology (DPM) are used to design an energy-efficient mode. The data quality monitoring system solves the closed technical flaws between the acquisition systems and the control center via 4G wireless monitoring technologies. According to the results of a series of in situ tests and field measurements, the noise level of the system was 0.7 μV@500 Hz with 0 dB attenuation and 220 mW power consumption of the system in the autonomous data acquisition mode. Therefore, it provides substantial support for the effective data acquisition over long measurement durations in microtremor exploration processes. The applicability of the system is evaluated using field data, according to which the integrated energy-efficient wireless sensor node is convenient and effective for MSM.