Earth Tides and H2 Venting in the Sao Francisco Basin, Brazil

Hydrogen gas seeping from Proterozoic basins worldwide is a potential non-carbon energy resource, and the vents are consequently receiving research attention. A curious feature of H2 venting in the Sao Francisco Basin in Brazil is that the venting displays a very regular daily cycle. It has been shown that atmospheric pressure tides could explain this cycle, but solid earth tides might be an alternative explanation. We show here that it is unlikely that solid earth tides are a dominant control because they have two equally strong peaks per day whereas the H2 venting has only one.

On the Influence of Diurnal and Subdiurnal Signals in the Normal Vector on Large Ring Laser Gyroscope Observations

The ring laser gyroscope (RLG) technique has been investigated for over 20 years as a potential complement to space geodetic techniques in measuring Earth rotation. However, RLGs are also sensitive to changes in their terrestrial orientation. Therefore in this paper, we review how the high-frequency band (i.e. signals shorter than 0.5 cycle per day) of the known phenomena causing site deformation contribute to the RLG observable, the Sagnac frequency. We study the impact of solid Earth tides, ocean tidal loading and non-tidal loading phenomena (atmospheric pressure loading and continental hydrosphere loading). Also, we evaluate the differences between available models of the phenomena and the importance of the Love numbers used in modeling the impact of solid Earth tides. Finally, we compare modeled variations in the instrument orientation with the ones observed with a tiltmeter. Our results prove that at the present accuracy of the RLG technique, solid Earth tides and ocean tidal loading effects have significant effect on RLG measurements, and continental hydrosphere loading can be actually neglected. Regarding the atmospheric loading model, its application might introduce some undesired signals. We also show that discrepancies arising from the use of different models can be neglected, and there is almost no impact arising from the use of different Love numbers. Finally, we discuss differences between data reduced with tiltmeter observations and these reduced with modeled signal, and potential causes of this discrepancies.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNIQUES FOR PREDICTING TIDAL EFFECTS BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS IN GHANA

Tidal forces as a result of attraction of external bodies (Sun, Moon and Stars) through gravity and are a source of noise in many geoscientific field observations. The solid earth tides cause deformation. This deformation results in displacement in geographic positions on the surface of the earth. The displacement due to tidal effects can result in deformation of engineering structures, loss of lives, and economic cost. Tidal forces also help in detecting other environmental and tectonic signals. This study quantifies the effects of solid earth tides on stationary survey controls in five regions of Ghana. The study is in two stages: firstly, the solid earth tides were estimated for each control by a geometric approach (combining Navier’s equation of motion and Love theories). Secondly, estimation using two artificial intelligence methods (Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) and Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network (ANN)). Based on statistical indices of Mean Square Error (MSE) and Correlation Coefficient (R), BPANN, and MARS models can be used as a realistic alternative technique in quantifying solid earth tides for the study area. The MSE and R (MSE; BPANN = 1.3249 × 10–04 and MSE; MARS = 2.2052 × 10–06; R; BPANN = –0.6067 and R; MARS 0.6570) values indicate that MARS outperforms BPANN in quantifying solid earth tides in the study area. BPANN and MARS can be used as an efficient tool for quantifying tidal values based on geographic positions for geodetic deformation studies within the study area.

Viscoelasticity of the lower mantle from forward modeling of normal modes and solid Earth tides

<p>Grain scale diffusive processes are involved in the rheology at convective timescales, but also at the transient timescales of seismic wave propagation, solid Earth tides and post-glacial rebound. Seismic and geodetic data can therefore potentially provide constraints on lower mantle properties such as grain size that are unconstrained otherwise. Current models of the transient viscosity of the lower mantle infer an absorption band of finite width in frequency. Seismic models predict a low frequency end to the absorption band at timescales corresponding to the longest normal modes of about an hour. By contrast, geodetic models infer the onset of an absorption band at these frequencies to cover anelastic deformation at timescales up to 18.6 years. A difficulty in extracting frequency dependence from mode and tide data is its convolution with depth dependence.</p><p>To circumvent this problem we select a distinct set of seismic normal modes and solid Earth body tides that have similar depth sensitivity in the lower mantle. These processes collectively span a period range from 7 minutes to 18.6 years. This allows the examination of frequency dependent energy dissipation over the lower mantle across 6 orders of magnitude. To forward model the transient creep response of the lower mantle we use a laboratory-based model of intrinsic dissipation that we adapt to the lower mantle mineralogy. This extended Burgers model represents an empirical fit to data principally from olivine, but also MgO and other compounds. The underlying microphysical model envisions a sequence of processes that begin with a broad plateau in dissipation at the highest frequencies after the onset of anelastic behavior, followed by a broad absorption band spanning many decades in frequency. The absorption band transitions seamlessly into viscous behavior. Since dissipation both for the absorption band and for (Newtonian) viscous behavior is due to diffusion along grain boundaries there can be no gap between the end of the absorption band and onset of viscous behavior.</p><p>Modeling of the planetary response to small strain excitation necessitates consideration of inertia and self gravitation. The phase lag due to solid Earth body tides therefore does not correspond directly to the intrinsic dissipation measured in the laboratory as material property. We have developed a self consistent theory that combines the planetary response with time-dependent anelastic deformation of rocks. Results from a broad range of forward models show that at lower mantle pressures periods of modes fall onto the broad plateau in dissipation at the onset of anelastic behavior. This explains the apparent frequency independence or even negative frequency dependence observed for some normal modes. At longer timescales, solid Earth tides fall on the frequency-dependent absorption band. This reconciles seemingly contradictory results published by seismic and tidal studies. Observations at even longer timescales are needed to constrain the transition from absorption band to viscous behavior.</p>

Simulation Study of Moon-Based InSAR Observation for Solid Earth Tides

The observation of solid earth tides (SET) provides an important basis for understanding the structure of the earth’s interior, and has long been the focus of research in geoscience. However, actually, there still exist some limitations in capturing its global-scale information only with ground stations. Remote sensing technology can realize large-scale deformation monitoring of high point density constantly. However, it is still difficult for the artificial satellite system to meet the requirements of SET monitoring in terms of field of view and temporal resolution now. In this work, the moon is hypothesized as a new platform for SET observation combined with interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology. Based on the tidal model and lunar ephemeris, the spatial and temporal characteristics of the SET from the lunar view were analyzed. Furthermore, the calculations demonstrate that more abundant SET information can be observed in this view. After comparing various observation modes, the single-station with repeat-pass differential InSAR was selected for this simulation. We mainly considered the restriction of observation geometry on moon-based InSAR under three signal bandwidths, thereby providing a reference for the sensor design. The results demonstrate that the moon-based platform offers the potential to become an optimal SET observation method.

Some Investigations on a Possible Relationship between Ground Deformation and Seismic Activity at Campi Flegrei and Ischia Volcanic Areas (Southern Italy)

In the present paper, we analyse ground tilt and seismicity at Campi Flegrei caldera and Ischia Island, two volcanic areas located in the south of Italy. These areas have been well studied for many years from a petrological, volcanological and geophysical view point. Moreover, due to the high seismic and volcanic risk for the populations living there, they are continuously monitored by networks of geophysical and geochemical sensors. We summarize the most important results that we obtained so far, concerning the observations of relationships between seismic activity and ground tilt anomalies, focusing on the time interval 2015–2018. First, we present a detailed description of the tiltmeter and seismic networks in both the investigated areas, as well as their development and improvement over time that has enabled high quality data collection. From the joint analysis of the seismic and borehole tiltmeter signals, we often notice concurrence between tilt pattern variations and the occurrence of seismicity. Moreover, the major tilt anomalies appear to be linked with the rate and energy of volcano-tectonic earthquakes, as well as with exogenous phenomena like solid Earth tides and hydrological cycles. The analysis that we present has potential applicability to other volcanic systems. Our findings show how the joint use tilt and seismic data can contribute to better understanding of the dynamics of volcanoes.

ANALYSIS OF THE PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS OF SOLID EARTH TIDES ESTIMATED WITH GRAVIMETRIC AND GNSS DATA IN MANAUS AND BRASÍLIA

ABSTRACT. Solid Earth tide is the periodic displacement due to the tidal force. This effect is present in all geodesic and geophysical observations and should be eliminated when high accuracy surveying is required. It is necessary to determine the amplitudes and phases of the harmonic constituents to estimate the terrestrial tide effect magnitude. This article presents a methodology for estimating and analyzing the amplitudes and phases of the solid Earth tide principal constituents from gravimetric/GNSS observations. The methodology was applied to data collected in the Manaus/AM and Brasília/DF stations, Brazil, to determine the amplitude and phase values for the long period, monthly, diurnal and semidiurnal constituents, besides determining the time required for the convergence of the estimated constituent values. The estimated amplitude and phase values, using gravimetric data, converged between the 2nd and 6th months of the time series. For the positioning observations, the constituents values converged between the 2nd and 17th month of the data series, except for the long period constituent, which requires a longer time series to obtain satisfactory values for both methods. The results show that the solid Earth tide constituents were better estimated by the gravimetric data compared to the positioning data considering the series analyzed.Keywords: gravimetry, GNSS, solid Earth tide, tidal constituents.RESUMO. Maré terrestre é o deslocamento periódico decorrente da força de maré. Este é um efeito que deve ser eliminado quando se deseja realizar levantamentos nos quais é necessária alta acurácia tanto em observações geodésicas quanto geofísicas. Para estimar o efeito de maré terrestre deve-se determinar as amplitudes e fases de suas componentes harmônicas. Este artigo apresenta uma metodologia para a estimativa das amplitudes e fases das principais componentes de maré terrestre, a partir de observações gravimétricas/GNSS. A metodologia foi aplicada a dados coletados em estações instaladas em Manaus/AM e Brasília/DF, Brasil, resultando na determinação dos valores de amplitude e fase para componentes de longo período, mensais, diurnas e semidiurnas, além da análise da convergência dos valores estimados para estas componentes. As amplitudes e fases calculadas, utilizando dados gravimétricos, convergiram entre o 2_ e o 6_ mês analisados, enquanto para os dados de posicionamento a convergência ocorreu entre o 2_ e o 17_ mês observado, com exceção da componente de longo período, que não pôde ser determinada em ambos os métodos. Para o período analisado, as componentes de maré terrestre foram melhor estimadas utilizando dados gravimétricos, se comparadas aos resultados obtidos com dados de posicionamento.Palavras-chave: gravimetria, GNSS, maré terrestre, componentes de maré.

Diurnal and Semidiurnal Cyclicity of Radon (222Rn) in Groundwater, Giardino Spring, Central Apennines, Italy

Understanding natural variations of Rn (222Rn) concentrations is the fundamental prerequisite of using this radioactive gas as a tracer, or even precursor, of natural processes, including earthquakes. In this work, Rn concentrations in groundwater were continuously measured over a seven-month period, during 2017, in the Giardino Spring, Italy, together with groundwater levels in a nearby well installed into a fractured regional aquifer. Data were processed to reduce noise, and then analyzed to produce the Fourier spectra of Rn concentrations and groundwater levels. These spectra were compared with the spectrum of tidal forces. Results showed that diurnal and semidiurnal cycles of Rn concentrations, and filtered oscillations of groundwater levels, in the nearby well, are correlated with solar and luni-solar components of tidal forces, and suggested no correlation with the principal lunar components. Therefore, influencing factors linked to solar cycles, such as daily oscillations of temperature and atmospheric pressure, and related rock deformations, may have played a role in Rn concentrations and groundwater levels. An open question remains regarding the correlation, which is documented elsewhere, of Rn concentrations and groundwater levels with the lunar components of the solid Earth tides.