Comparative study of superconducting gravimeters and broadband seismometers STS-1 / Z in seismic and subseismic frequency bands

Abstract

Superconducting gravimeters and broadband seismometers (vertical component) both measure gravity, but whereas the former are most sensitive to very long period signals (gravity tides with periods longer than 6 h), the latter are designed for recording the seismic band (elastic normal modes with periods shorter than 1 h). We investigate here the behaviour of each type of instrument in the spectral band where it is not generally used. More precisely, we compare the French superconducting gravimeter, located at Station J9 near Strasbourg, and the vertical component of an STS-1 seismometer located in a mine at Echery (ECH) in the Vosges, about 70 km away. Two different frequency bands are considered: the seismic band (frequencies between 0.2 and 1.667 mHz), for the study of normal modes after the Bolivian earthquake of 9 June 1994, and the subseismic band (frequencies lower than 0.2 mHz), including the study of gravity tides. The analysis of Fourier amplitude spectra and power spectral densities shows the obvious result that the broadband seismometer is more sensitive than the superconducting gravimeter in the seismic band because of a lower noise level, whereas the reverse is true in the subseismic band. The poorer quality of the gravimeter record in the seismic band is probably due to site effects (sediments vs. bedrock) rather than of instrumental origin. In contrast, the higher noise level of the seismometer in the subseimic band is probably due to the temperature response of the instrument. It is expected that operating the STS-1 isothermally, or recording on-site temperature changes for correction will considerably improve its signal-to-noise ratio in the subseimic band. In comparison with recent mean models of high and low seismic background noise levels, both instruments nevertheless indicate low noise levels at all frequencies.