A Bayesian approach for determining velocity and uncertainty estimates from seismic cone penetrometer testing or vertical seismic profiling data

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1061-1069
Author(s):  
Adam Pidlisecky ◽  
Seth S. Haines
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Model Uncertainty ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Cone Penetrometer ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Data Error ◽  
Cone Penetrometer Testing ◽  
Seismic Cone Penetrometer ◽  
Measurement Location ◽  
Ray Paths

Conventional processing methods for seismic cone penetrometer data present several shortcomings, most notably the absence of a robust velocity model uncertainty estimate. We propose a new seismic cone penetrometer testing (SCPT) data-processing approach that employs Bayesian methods to map measured data errors into quantitative estimates of model uncertainty. We first calculate travel-time differences for all permutations of seismic trace pairs. That is, we cross-correlate each trace at each measurement location with every trace at every other measurement location to determine travel-time differences that are not biased by the choice of any particular reference trace and to thoroughly characterize data error. We calculate a forward operator that accounts for the different ray paths for each measurement location, including refraction at layer boundaries. We then use a Bayesian inversion scheme to obtain the most likely slowness (the reciprocal of velocity) and a distribution of probable slowness values for each model layer. The result is a velocity model that is based on correct ray paths, with uncertainty bounds that are based on the data error.

scholarly journals Updates to the Regional Seismic Travel Time (RSTT) Model: 2. Path-dependent Travel-time Uncertainty

2021 ◽  
Vol 178 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-339
Author(s):  
Michael L. Begnaud ◽  
Dale N. Anderson ◽  
Stephen C. Myers ◽  
Brian Young ◽  
James R. Hipp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Random Effects Model ◽  
Location Error ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Time Uncertainty ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Event Location ◽  
Travel Time Uncertainty

AbstractThe regional seismic travel time (RSTT) model and software were developed to improve travel-time prediction accuracy by accounting for three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure. Travel-time uncertainty estimates are used in the process of associating seismic phases to events and to accurately calculate location uncertainty bounds (i.e. event location error ellipses). We improve on the current distance-dependent uncertainty parameterization for RSTT using a random effects model to estimate slowness (inverse velocity) uncertainty as a mean squared error for each model parameter. The random effects model separates the error between observed slowness and model predicted slowness into bias and random components. The path-specific travel-time uncertainty is calculated by integrating these mean squared errors along a seismic-phase ray path. We demonstrate that event location error ellipses computed for a 90% coverage ellipse metric (used by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization International Data Centre (IDC)), and using the path-specific travel-time uncertainty approach, are more representative (median 82.5% ellipse percentage) of true location error than error ellipses computed using distance-dependent travel-time uncertainties (median 70.1%). We also demonstrate measurable improvement in location uncertainties using the RSTT method compared to the current station correction approach used at the IDC (median 74.3% coverage ellipse).

An analysis of some local earthquake phases originating near the afar triple junction

1971 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 1061-1071
Author(s):  
R. C. Searle ◽  
P. Gouin
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Triple Junction ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Seismic Parameters ◽  
Local Earthquake ◽  
Ray Paths

abstract A study of Pn, Sn and Lg phases from 86 earthquakes which have occurred within 12.4° of WWSS station AAE is presented. Travel-time curves for each phase have been determined, and the corresponding seismic velocities have been deduced from them. Velocities of 7.95 km/sec and 4.29 km/sec were found for Pn and Sn respectively. Two different Lg velocities were found: 3.50 km/sec for ray paths between Uganda and Addis Ababa, and 3.73 km/sec for ray paths in the Red Sea and northern Ethiopia. The travel-time curves also allow an upper limit of 48 km to be placed on the crustal thickness under AAE. Regional variations in the efficiency of propagation of Sn and Lg are discussed. Efficient propagation of Lg from epicenters near the center of the Red Sea suggests that not all of the Red Sea floor is pure oceanic crust. Sn is not propagated across northern Afar, suggesting that a gap occurs in the lithosphere there, but it is propagated efficiently across much of southern Afar. Finally, the seismic parameters deduced here indicate the existence of a widespread region of high temperature, low velocity, low density upper-mantle material underlying the Afar triple junction and the surrounding regions.

A Workflow to Quantify Velocity Model Uncertainty

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Bell ◽  
R. Lorenzo ◽  
T. Martin ◽  
D. van der Berg ◽  
B.P. Caselitz
Keyword(s):  
Model Uncertainty ◽  
Velocity Model

scholarly journals A Fast Ray-tracing Method for Locating Mining-Induced Seismicity by Considering Underground Voids

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6763
Author(s):  
Pingan Peng ◽  
Yuanjian Jiang ◽  
Liguan Wang ◽  
Zhengxiang He ◽  
Siyu Tu
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Constant Velocity ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Location Accuracy ◽  
Ray Tracing Method ◽  
Mining Induced Seismicity ◽  
Tracing Method

The accurate localization of mining-induced seismicity is crucial to underground mines. However, the constant velocity model is used by traditional location methods without considering the great difference in wave velocity between rock mass and underground voids. In this paper, to improve the microseismicity location accuracy in mines, we present a fast ray-tracing method to calculate the ray path and travel time from source to receiver considering underground voids. First, we divide the microseismic monitoring area into two categories of mediums—voids and non-voids—using a flexible triangular patch to model the surface model of voids, which can accurately describe any complicated three-dimensional (3D) shape. Second, the nodes are divided into two categories. The first category of the nodes is the vertex of the model, and the second category of the nodes is arranged at a certain step length on each edge of the 3D surface model to improve the accuracy of ray tracing. Finally, the set of adjacent nodes of each node is calculated, and then we obtain the shortest travel time from the source to the receiver based on the Dijkstra algorithm. The performance of the proposed method is tested by numerical simulation. Results show that the proposed method is faster and more accurate than the traditional ray-tracing methods. Besides, the proposed ray-tracing method is applied to the microseismic source localization in the Huangtupo Copper and Zinc Mine. The location accuracy is significantly improved compared with the traditional method using the constant velocity model and the FMM-based location method.

scholarly journals Correlation based snapshot models of the archeomagnetic field

2020 ◽  
Vol 223 (1) ◽  
pp. 648-665
Author(s):  
S Mauerberger ◽  
M Schanner ◽  
M Korte ◽  
M Holschneider
Keyword(s):  
Model Uncertainty ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Field Vector ◽  
Parametric Approach ◽  
Full Field ◽  
The Past ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
Field Estimate

SUMMARY For the time stationary global geomagnetic field, a new modelling concept is presented. A Bayesian non-parametric approach provides realistic location dependent uncertainty estimates. Modelling related variabilities are dealt with systematically by making little subjective a priori assumptions. Rather than parametrizing the model by Gauss coefficients, a functional analytic approach is applied. The geomagnetic potential is assumed a Gaussian process to describe a distribution over functions. A priori correlations are given by an explicit kernel function with non-informative dipole contribution. A refined modelling strategy is proposed that accommodates non-linearities of archeomagnetic observables: First, a rough field estimate is obtained considering only sites that provide full field vector records. Subsequently, this estimate supports the linearization that incorporates the remaining incomplete records. The comparison of results for the archeomagnetic field over the past 1000 yr is in general agreement with previous models while improved model uncertainty estimates are provided.

scholarly journals Imaging of the Upper Mantle Beneath Southeast Asia: Constrained by Teleseismic P-Wave Tomography

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 2975
Author(s):  
Huiyan Shi ◽  
Tonglin Li ◽  
Rongzhe Zhang ◽  
Gongcheng Zhang ◽  
Hetian Yang
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
South China ◽  
High Velocity ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Deep Part ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Velocity Anomalies

It is of great significance to construct a three-dimensional underground velocity model for the study of geodynamics and tectonic evolution. Southeast Asia has attracted much attention due to its complex structural features. In this paper, we collected relative travel time residuals data for 394 stations distributed in Southeast Asia from 2006 to 2019, and 14,011 seismic events were obtained. Then, teleseismic tomography was applied by using relative travel time residuals data to invert the velocity where the fast marching method (FMM) and subspace method were used for every iteration. A novel 3D P-wave velocity model beneath Southeast Asia down to 720 km was obtained using this approach. The tomographic results suggest that the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, the Philippines, Sumatra, and Java, and the deep part of Borneo exhibit high velocity anomalies, while low velocity anomalies were found in the deep part of the South China Sea (SCS) basin and in the shallow part of Borneo and areas near the subduction zone. High velocity anomalies can be correlated to subduction plates and stable land masses, while low velocity anomalies can be correlated to island arcs and upwelling of mantle material caused by subduction plates. We found a southward subducting high velocity body in the Nansha Trough, which was presumed to be a remnant of the subduction of the Dangerous Grounds into Borneo. It is further inferred that the Nansha Trough and the Dangerous Grounds belong to the same tectonic unit. According to the tomographic images, a high velocity body is located in the deep underground of Indochina–Natuna Island–Borneo–Palawan, depth range from 240 km to 660 km. The location of the high velocity body is consistent with the distribution range of the ophiolite belt, so we speculate that the high velocity body is the remnant of thee Proto-South China Sea (PSCS) and Paleo-Tethys. This paper conjectures that the PSCS was the southern branch of Paleo-Tethys and the gateway between Paleo-Tethys and the Paleo-Pacific Ocean. Due to the squeeze of the Australian plate, PSCS closed from west to east in a scissor style, and was eventually extinct under Borneo.

scholarly journals Full waveform inversion of short-offset, band-limited seismic data inthe Alboran basin (SE Iberia)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clàudia Gras ◽  
Valentí Sallarès ◽  
Daniel Dagnino ◽  
C. Estela Jiménez ◽  
Adrià Meléndez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Full Waveform Inversion ◽  
Time Inversion ◽  
Full Waveform ◽  
Travel Time Tomography ◽  
Band Limited

Abstract. We present a high-resolution P-wave velocity model of the sedimentary cover and the uppermost basement until ~ 3 km depth obtained by full-waveform inversion of multichannel seismic data acquired with a 6 km-long streamer in the Alboran Sea (SE Iberia). The inherent non-linearity of the method, especially for short-offset, band-limited seismic data as this one, is circumvented by applying a data processing/modeling sequence consisting of three steps: (1) data re-datuming by back-propagation of the recorded seismograms to the seafloor; (2) joint refraction and reflection travel-time tomography combining the original and the re-datumed shot gathers; and (3) FWI of the original shot gathers using the model obtained by travel-time tomography as initial reference. The final velocity model shows a number of geological structures that cannot be identified in the travel-time tomography models or easily interpreted from seismic reflection images alone. A sharp strong velocity contrast accurately defines the geometry of the top of the basement. Several low-velocity zones that may correspond to the abrupt velocity change across steeply dipping normal faults are observed at the flanks of the basin. A 200–300 m thick, high-velocity layer embedded within lower velocity sediment may correspond to evaporites deposited during the Messinian crisis. The results confirm that the combination of data re-datuming and joint refraction and reflection travel-time inversion provides reference models that are accurate enough to apply full-waveform inversion to relatively short offset streamer data in deep water settings starting at field-data standard low frequency content of 6 Hz.

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