Spectral estimates of teleseismic P-wave attenuation to 15 Hz

1988 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 726-740
Author(s):  
Marianne C. Walck

Abstract NORESS recordings of nuclear explosions in central Asia (Δ = 38°) provide new spectral attenuation estimates for frequencies from about 3 to 15 Hz. Two path spectra, representing propagation losses from the Shagan River and Degelen test sites to southern Norway, are calculated using the double-averaging technique of Bache et al. (1985, 1986). Both paths exhibit less attenuation than previously documented for explosions recorded teleseismically at the UKAEA arrays over the 1- to 8-Hz frequency range. The Shagan and Degelen spectra have somewhat different decay rates, perhaps reflecting variations in average source properties. Since the NORESS data extend to higher frequencies than previously available for attenuation measurements, we compare the NORESS spectral data to published models derived from NORSAR data (1 to 8 Hz) for the same path. The Degelen-NORSAR model is compatible with the NORESS data to about 7 Hz, but from 7 to 15 Hz, it predicts higher spectral amplitudes than are observed Using a hybrid absorption band-constant t* formulation, new models are derived which fit both the Shagan River path spectrum (t0* = 0.6 sec, τm = 0.05 sec, (t1* = 0.07 sec) and the Degelen spectrum (t0* = 0.6 sec, τm = 0.05 sec, (t1* = 0.05 sec) from 3 to 15 Hz. The NORESS data support frequency-dependent t* in the 3- to 15-Hz frequency range. The results also demonstrate that extrapolation of attenuation models obtained from longer period data to shorter periods may not predict the correct spectral levels. Actual high-frequency measurements are needed in order to characterize attenuation behavior at high frequencies.

2020 ◽  
Vol 224 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-256
Author(s):  
Ehsan Moradian Bajestani ◽  
Anooshiravan Ansari ◽  
Ehsan Karkooti

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.


Geophysics ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Goldberg ◽  
B. Zinszner

We computed compressional‐wave velocity [Formula: see text] and attenuation [Formula: see text] from sonic log waveforms recorded in a cored, 30 m thick, dolostone reservoir; using cores from the same reservoir, laboratory measurements of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were also obtained. We used a resonant bar technique to measure extensional and shear‐wave velocities and attenuations in the laboratory, so that the same frequency range as used in sonic logging (5–25 kHz) was studied. Having the same frequency range avoids frequency‐dependent differences between the laboratory and in‐situ measurements. Compressional‐wave attenuations at 0 MPa confining pressure, calculated on 30 samples, gave average [Formula: see text] values of 17. Experimental and geometrical errors were estimated to be about 5 percent. Measurements at elevated effective pressures up to 30 MPa on selected dolostone samples in a homogeneous interval showed mean [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] to be approximately equal and consistently greater than 125. At effective stress of 20 MPa and at room temperature, the mean [Formula: see text] over the dolostone interval was 87, a minimum estimate for the approximate in‐situ conditions. We computed compressional‐wave attenuation from sonic log waveforms in the 12.5–25 kHz frequency band using the slope of the spectral ratio of waveforms recorded 0.914 m and 1.524 m from the source. Average [Formula: see text] over the interval was 13.5, and the mean error between this value and the 95 percent confidence interval of the slope was 15.9 percent. The laboratory measurements of [Formula: see text] under elevated pressure conditions were more than five times greater than the mean in‐situ values. This comparison shows that additional extrinsic losses in the log‐derived measurement of [Formula: see text], such as scattering from fine layers and vugs or mode conversion to shear energy dissipating radially from the borehole, dominate the apparent attenuation.


Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dane P. Blair

For the same volume of rock, I compare the attenuation obtained by seismic pulse transmission over the frequency range 1–150 kHz with that obtained by vibrational resonance techniques over the frequency range 1–50 kHz. The initial studies were performed on a rectangular block of medium‐grained granite which was large enough to permit the installation of a seismic pulse transmission array over a 1.8 m path length, yet small enough to permit whole‐body resonance. A Q of 82, for the P wave, was derived from the vibrational resonance results, whereas a Q of 15 was derived from the pulse transmission results. In light of models proposed for the viscoelastic, geometric, and elastic scattering attenuation mechanisms, the experimental results suggest that this large discrepancy in Q values is due to elastic scattering by grain clusters (rather than individual grains) within the granite. Scattering is significant in the high‐frequency pulse transmission tests, but is considered insignificant in the lower frequency resonance tests. Furthermore, this scattering is represented approximately by a constant-Q loss mechanism, which makes it difficult to separate unambiguously elastic scattering and viscoelastic losses. Subsequent studies performed on a large block of fine‐grained norite yield a resonance Q of 89 and a pulse Q of approximately 102 and suggest a negligible scattering loss for this material. The experimental results for the norite imply that the constant-Q theory of seismic pulse attenuation provides a reasonable description of wave attenuation in a dry, fine‐grained crystalline rock over the frequency range 1–150 kHz.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-63
Author(s):  
Aoshuang Ji ◽  
Tieyuan Zhu ◽  
Hector Marin-Moreno ◽  
Xiong Lei

Prior studies have shown an ambiguous relationship between gas hydrate saturation and seismic attenuation in different regions, but the effect of gas hydrate morphology on seismic attenuation of hydrate-bearing sediments was often overlooked. Here we combine seismic data with rock physics modeling to elucidate how gas hydrate saturation and morphology may control seismic attenuation. To extract P-wave attenuation, we process both the vertical seismic profile (VSP) data within a frequency range of 30 – 150 Hz and sonic logging data within 10 – 15 kHz from three wells in the south Hydrate Ridge, offshore of Oregon (USA), collected during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204 in 2000. We calculate P-wave attenuation using spectral matching and centroid frequency shift methods, and use Archie's relationship to derive gas hydrate saturation from the resistivity data above the bottom simulating reflection (BSR) at the same wells. To interpret observed seismic attenuation in terms of the effects of both gas hydrate saturation and morphology, we employ the Hydrate-Bearing Effective Sediment (HBES) rock physics model. By comparing the observed and model-predicted attenuation values, we infer that: (1) seismic attenuation appears to not be dominated by any single factor, instead, its variation is likely governed by both gas hydrate saturation and morphology; (2) the relationship between seismic attenuation and gas hydrate saturation varies with different hydrate morphologies; (3) the squirt flow, occurring at different compliances of adjacent pores driven by pressure gradients, may be responsible for the significantly large or small attenuation over a broad frequency range.


Geophysics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. EN117-EN127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Hyuk Kwon ◽  
Jonathan B. Ajo-Franklin

The accumulation of biopolymers in porous media, produced by stimulating either indigenous bacteria or artificially introduced microbes, readily blocks pore throats and can effectively reduce bulk permeability. Such a microbial clogging treatment can be used for selective plugging of permeable zones in reservoirs and is considered a potentially promising approach to enhance sweep efficiency for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). Monitoring in situ microbial growth, biopolymer formation, and permeability reduction in the reservoir is critical for successful application of this MEOR approach. We examined the feasibility of using seismic signatures (P-wave velocity and attenuation) for monitoring the in situ accumulation of insoluble biopolymers in unconsolidated sediments. Column experiments, which involved stimulating the sucrose metabolism of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and production of the biopolymer dextran, were performed while monitoring changes in permeability and seismic response using the ultrasonic pulse transmission method. We observed that L. mesenteroides produced a viscous biopolymer in sucrose-rich media. Accumulated dextran, occupying 4%–6% pore volume after [Formula: see text] days of growth, reduced permeability more than one order of magnitude. A negligible change in P-wave velocity was observed, indicating no or minimal change in compressive stiffness of the unconsolidated sediment during biopolymer formation. The amplitude of the P-wave signals decreased [Formula: see text] after [Formula: see text] days of biopolymer production; spectral ratio analysis in the 0.4–0.8-MHz band showed an approximate 30%–50% increase in P-wave attenuation ([Formula: see text]) due to biopolymer production. A flow-induced loss mechanism related to the combined grain/biopolymer structure appeared to be the most plausible mechanism for causing the observed increase in P-wave attenuation in the ultrasonic frequency range. Because permeability reduction is also closely linked to biopolymer volume, P-wave attenuation in the ultrasonic frequency range appears to be an effective indicator for monitoring in situ biopolymer accumulation and permeability reduction and could provide a useful proxy for regions with altered transport properties.


Geophysics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Ming Tang

A new technique for measuring elastic wave attenuation in the frequency range of 10–150 kHz consists of measuring low‐frequency waveforms using two cylindrical bars of the same material but of different lengths. The attenuation is obtained through two steps. In the first, the waveform measured within the shorter bar is propagated to the length of the longer bar, and the distortion of the waveform due to the dispersion effect of the cylindrical waveguide is compensated. The second step is the inversion for the attenuation or Q of the bar material by minimizing the difference between the waveform propagated from the shorter bar and the waveform measured within the longer bar. The waveform inversion is performed in the time domain, and the waveforms can be appropriately truncated to avoid multiple reflections due to the finite size of the (shorter) sample, allowing attenuation to be measured at long wavelengths or low frequencies. The frequency range in which this technique operates fills the gap between the resonant bar measurement (∼10 kHz) and ultrasonic measurement (∼100–1000 kHz). By using the technique, attenuation values in a PVC (a highly attenuative) material and in Sierra White granite were measured in the frequency range of 40–140 kHz. The obtained attenuation values for the two materials are found to be reliable and consistent.


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