Rayleigh-Wave Amplitude Uncertainty across the Global Seismographic Network and Potential Implications for Global Tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam T. Ringler ◽  
Robert E. Anthony ◽  
Colleen A. Dalton ◽  
David C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Pair Correlation ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Path Coverage ◽  
Deep Earth Structure ◽  
Attenuation Models ◽  
S Period ◽  
Ray Path ◽  
Seismographic Network ◽  
Pair Amplitude

ABSTRACT The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a multiuse, globally distributed seismic network used by seismologists, to both characterize earthquakes and study the Earth’s interior. Most stations in the network have two collocated broadband seismometers, which enable network operators to identify potential metadata and sensor issues. In this study, we investigate the accuracy with which surface waves can be measured across the GSN, by comparing waveforms of vertical-component Rayleigh waves from Mw 6 and larger events between collocated sensor pairs. We calculate both the amplitude deviation and correlation coefficient between waveforms at sensor pairs. In total, we make measurements on over 670,000 event–station pairs from events that occurred from 1 January 2010 to 1 January 2020. We find that the average sensor-pair amplitude deviation, and, therefore, GSN calibration level, is, approximately, 4% in the 25–250 s period band. Although, we find little difference in sensor-pair amplitude deviations as a function of period across the entire network, the amount of useable data decreases rapidly as a function of increasing period. For instance, we determined that just over 12% of records at 250 s period provided useable recordings (e.g., sensor-pair amplitude deviations of less than 20% and sensor-pair correlation greater than 0.95). We then use these amplitude-estimate deviations to identify how data coverage and quality could be limiting our ability to invert for whole Earth 3D attenuation models. We find an increase in the variance of our attenuation models with increasing period. For example, our degree 12 attenuation inversion at 250 s period shows 32% more variance than our degree 12 attenuation model at 25 s. This indicates that discrepancies of deep-mantle tomography between studies could be the result of these large uncertainties. Because these high uncertainties arise from limited, high-quality observations of long-period (>100  s) surface waves, improving data quality at remote GSN sites could greatly improve ray-path coverage, and facilitate more accurate and higher resolution models of deep Earth structure.

Magnetic Field Variations in Alaska: Recording Space Weather Events on Seismic Stations in Alaska

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 2530-2540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam T. Ringler ◽  
Robert E. Anthony ◽  
David C. Wilson ◽  
Abram C. Claycomb ◽  
John Spritzer
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Seismic Stations ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
S Period ◽  
Magnetic Field Variations

ABSTRACT Seismometers are highly sensitive instruments to not only ground motion but also many other nonseismic noise sources (e.g., temperature, pressure, and magnetic field variations). We show that the Alaska component of the Transportable Array is particularly susceptible to recording magnetic storms and other space weather events because the sensors used in this network are unshielded and magnetic flux variations are stronger at higher latitudes. We also show that vertical-component seismic records across Alaska are directly recording magnetic field variations between 40 and 800 s period as opposed to actual ground motion during geomagnetic events with sensitivities ranging from 0.004 to 0.48  (m/s2)/T. These sensitivities were found on a day where the root mean square variation in the magnetic field was 225 nT. Using a method developed by Forbriger (2007, his section 3.1), we show that improving vertical seismic resolution of an unshielded sensor by as much as 10 dB in the 100–400 s period band using magnetic data from a collocated three-component magnetometer is possible. However, due to large spatial variations in Earth’s magnetic field, this methodology becomes increasingly ineffective as the distance between the seismometer and magnetometer increases (no more than 200 km separation). A potential solution to this issue may be to incorporate relatively low-cost magnetometers as an additional environmental data stream at high-latitude seismic stations. We demonstrate that the Bartington Mag-690 sensors currently deployed at Global Seismographic Network sites are not only acceptable for performing corrections to seismic data, but are also capable of recording many magnetic field signals with similar signal-to-noise ratios, in the 20–1000 s period band, as the observatory grade magnetometers operated by the U.S. Geological Survey Geomagnetism Program. This approach would densify magnetic field observations and could also contribute to space weather monitoring by supplementing highly calibrated magnetometers with additional sensors.

Rayleigh group velocity extraction from ambient seismic noise to map the south Eastern Cape Karoo region, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.J. Bezuidenhout ◽  
M. Doucouré ◽  
V. Wagener ◽  
M. de Wit ◽  
A. Mordret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Group Velocity ◽  
Seismic Noise ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Ambient Seismic Noise ◽  
Seismic Signals ◽  
The South ◽  
Velocity Anomaly ◽  
Rayleigh Surface Waves

Abstract The Karoo region of South Africa is an ideal laboratory to use ambient seismic signals to map the shallow subsurface, as it is a quiet and pristine environment with a geology that is relatively well known. Ambient seismic signals were continuously recorded for a ten week period between August and October 2015. The ambient seismic noise network consisted of two groups of 17 temporary, stand-alone seismic stations each. These were installed in the southeastern Cape Karoo region, near the town of Jansenville. Here we present data on the retrieval and coherency of Rayleigh surface waves extracted from the vertical component recordings. We reconstruct and show, for the first time in the southeastern Cape Karoo, estimates of Green's function from cross-correlating ambient noise data between stations pairs, which can be successfully used to image the subsurface. The stacked cross-correlations between all station pairs show clear arrivals of the Rayleigh surface waves. The group velocities of the Rayleigh waves in the 3 to 7 seconds period range were picked and inverted to compute the 2-D group velocity maps. The resulting 2-D group velocity maps at different periods resulted in a group velocity model from approximately 2 to 7 km depth, which shows a high velocity anomaly in the north of the study area, most likely imaging the denser, thick sedimentary basin of the Karoo (Carboniferous-Permian). To the south, the low velocity anomaly could correspond to the overlying Jurassic-Cretaceous sedimentary sequences of the younger Algoa Basin (Uitenhage Group).

scholarly journals Local and regional P-wave spectral attenuation model for Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 224 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-256
Author(s):  
Ehsan Moradian Bajestani ◽  
Anooshiravan Ansari ◽  
Ehsan Karkooti
Keyword(s):  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
P Wave ◽  
P Waves ◽  
Attenuation Model ◽  
Hypocentral Distance ◽  
Anelastic Attenuation ◽  
Curve Versus ◽  
Path Coverage ◽  
Spectral Attenuation

SUMMARY A robust frequency-dependent local and regional P-wave attenuation model is estimated for continental paths in the Iranian Plateau. In order to calculate the average attenuation parameters, 46 337 vertical-component waveforms related to 9267 earthquakes, which are recorded at the Iranian Seismological Center (IRSC) stations, have been selected in the distance range 10–1000 km. The majority of the event's magnitudes are less than 4.5. This collection of records provides high spatial ray path coverage. Results indicate that the shape of attenuation P-wave curve versus distance is not uniform and has three distinct sections with hinges at 90 and 175 km. A trilinear model for attenuation of P-wave amplitude in the frequency range 1–10 Hz is proposed in this study. Fourier spectral amplitudes are found to decay as R−1.2 (where R is hypocentral distance), corresponding to geometric spreading within 90 km from the source. There is a section from 90 to 175 km, where the attenuation is described as R0.8, and the attenuation is described well beyond 175 km by R−1.3. Moreover, the average quality factor for Pg and Pn waves (QPg and QPn), related to anelastic attenuation is obtained as Qpg= (54.2 ± 2.6)f(1.0096±0.07) and Qpn= (306.8 ± 7.4)f (0.51±0.05). There is a good agreement between the results of the model and observations. Also, the attenuation model shows compatibility with the recent regional studies. From the results it turns out that the amplitude of P waves attenuates more rapidly in comparison with the global models in local distances.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the horizontal component of Rayleigh waves in multimode analysis of surface waves

Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. EN1-EN11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsunori Ikeda ◽  
Toshifumi Matsuoka ◽  
Takeshi Tsuji ◽  
Toru Nakayama
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Rayleigh Waves ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Dispersion Curves ◽  
Horizontal Component ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Higher Modes ◽  
Explosive Source

In surface-wave analysis, S-wave velocity estimations can be improved by the use of higher modes of the surface waves. The vertical component of P-SV waves is commonly used to estimate multimode Rayleigh waves, although Rayleigh waves are also included in horizontal components of P-SV waves. To demonstrate the advantages of using the horizontal components of multimode Rayleigh waves, we investigated the characteristics of the horizontal and vertical components of Rayleigh waves. We conducted numerical modeling and field data analyses rather than a theoretical study for both components of Rayleigh waves. As a result of a simulation study, we found that the estimated higher modes have larger relative amplitudes in the vertical and horizontal components as the source depth increases. In particular, higher-order modes were observed in the horizontal component data for an explosive source located at a greater depth. Similar phenomena were observed in the field data acquired by using a dynamite source at 15-m depth. Sensitivity analyses of dispersion curves to S-wave velocity changes revealed that dispersion curves additionally estimated from the horizontal components can potentially improve S-wave velocity estimations. These results revealed that when the explosive source was buried at a greater depth, the horizontal components can complement Rayleigh waves estimated from the vertical components. Therefore, the combined use of the horizontal component data with the vertical component data would contribute to improving S-wave velocity estimations, especially in the case of buried explosive source signal.

Refraction of gravity waves by weak current gradients

2001 ◽  
Vol 442 ◽  
pp. 157-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRISTIAN B. DYSTHE
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Group Velocity ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Current Velocity ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Simple Formula ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Weak Current ◽  
The Waves

When deep water surface waves cross an area with variable current, refraction takes place. If the group velocity of the waves is much larger than the current velocity we show that the curvature of a ray, χ, is given by the simple formula χ = ζ/vg. Here ζ is the vertical component of the current vorticity and vg is the group velocity.

scholarly journals Long-period modelling of MEDNET waveforms for the December 13, 1990 Eastern Sicily earthquake

1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Giardini ◽  
B. Palombo ◽  
N. A. Pino
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Body Waves ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
S Period

The availability of broad-band digital data allow "the analysis" of the seismic signal in the low-noise frequency band for structural and seismic source studies, We model complete seismograms -surface and body waves - for the December 13, 1 990, Eastern Sicily earthquake, recorded at regional distances on the MEDNET stations AQU, BNI and KEG, The inversion for the moment tensor is carried out following two approaches: a) a model-independent stralegy to fit complete seismograms in the 100-130 s period range; b) the calibration of phase velocity curves along each path to fit surface waves in the 40-100 s range, Both methodologies yield stable and consistent results: the 1990 Eastern Sicily earthquake had a seismic moment of M/o = 37 x 1024 dyne.cm, corresponding lo magnitude values of mb = 5,5, Ms = 5,7, Mw = ML = 5.8. In a second stage, synthetic seismograms arc generated by full reflectivity in the 5-50 s period range, with a new code based on the "minors" integration. By modelling surface waves in the 30-50 s range and body waves to 5 s periods, we derive average velocity models for the Central and Eastern Mediterranean, and constrain the hypocenter of the 1990 Eastern Sicily earthquake to be in the 13-17 km depth range.

Vertical and horizontal components of the electric background field at the sea bottom

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. E1-E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endre Håland ◽  
Eirik G. Flekkøy ◽  
Knut Jørgen Måløy
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Ocean Surface ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Background Field ◽  
Shallow Sea ◽  
Observable Effect ◽  
Ocean Surface Waves ◽  
Sea Bottom ◽  
Theoretical Predictions

The natural E-field variations measured at the sea bottom, and the magnitude of the different field components compared in the light of the theory for induction caused by ocean surface waves. At shallow sea depths of 107–122 meters only the vertical component carries an observable effect of ocean waves, whereas the horizontal field is dominated by the larger magnetotelluric noise. This agrees well with theoretical predictions.

Attenuation and Basin Amplification Revealed by the Dense Ground Motions of the 12 July 2020 Ms 5.1 Tangshan, China, Earthquake

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Wang ◽  
Ruizhi Wen
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
North China ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Seismic Zone ◽  
Geometrical Spreading ◽  
Seismogenic Fault ◽  
Tangshan Earthquake ◽  
Moderate Earthquake

Abstract On 12 July 2020, an Ms 5.1 moderate earthquake occurred on the north segment of the Tangshan fault in North China, which was the seismogenic fault of the 1976 Ms 7.8 Tangshan earthquake and numerous small-to-moderate earthquakes in recent decades in the Tangshan seismic zone. The Ms 5.1 event was well-recorded by dense ground-motion observation stations, including the national strong-motion stations and seismic intensity stations. This many ground-motion recordings, obtained for such a moderate event in North China for the first time, provided a rare opportunity to investigate the attenuation and site effects on ground motion. The distance decay in the Tangshan seismic zone was first explored using the spectral amplitudes from the vertical component. The strong anelastic attenuation and weak geometrical spreading effects were clearly found. The hinged trilinear form may be more effective at describing the geometrical spreading. No geometrical spreading decay was visible at medium distances (60–100 km). Anomalous areas with extraordinary high amplitudes occurred in the spatial distribution of peak ground accelerations and peak ground velocities that we attribute to significant basin amplification effects, which was confirmed by the wideband and high amplifications on the standard spectral ratio and the later-arriving, long-period surface waves observed in waveforms in the Ninghe–Baodi area and south of Beijing. The basin-induced surface waves in the 2–5 s period were most prominent in the Ninghe–Baodi area. We further inferred that basin effects may be responsible for the high-intensity anomaly areas observed in the 1976 Ms 7.8 Tangshan earthquake.

Calculation of ground motion in a three-dimensional model of the 1966 Parkfield earthquake

1976 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-423
Author(s):  
N. A. Levy ◽  
A. K. Mal
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Elastic Half Space ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Waves ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Ground Displacements

abstract Near-field ground displacements are calculated from an earthquake source in a homogeneous, elastic half-space. An analytical formulation of the problem is presented that requires no physical approximations except at the source. A model of the source is constructed by retaining the essential kinematic character of the faulting process. A computer program is developed to calculate ground motion from an assumed model of the 1966 Parkfield, California earthquake. Favorable agreement is obtained between the theoretically computed ground displacements and those derived from the recorded accelerations. The relative contributions of the body waves and surface waves to the displacement field are examined. The results indicate that a significant portion of near-field motion may consist of surface waves, especially in the vertical component of the ground motion.

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>

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