Long Beach 3D Seismic Survey: Data Mining Continuous Passive Seismic Data

Abstract

Autonomous-type seismic data recording systems for active-source seismic reflection exploration surveys provide a valuable by-product: a continuous seismic recording from a dense seismic network over the survey area. This dense exploration network serves as a scaled-down version of the global passive seismic network that provides natural seismicity and ambient noise data that can be utilized to study the earth’s interior. This presentation describes the results of applying various techniques to passive data acquired using an autonomous seismic recording system. A 57 square kilometer survey 3D seismic reflection survey acquired in early 2011 in Long Beach, California, that resulted in six-months of continuous passive seismic data from a static 5,400 receiver seismic network. The natural seismicity and ambient noise identified in this continuous passive data set were mined for signal used to extract p-wave and shear-wave velocities, anisotropy information, and seismic imaging products that add value to the active source data; as well as, other information that would benefit exploration and earthquake-related studies of the study area. Analyses on the mined dataset include: time-lapse ground motion studies, micro-earthquake detection and location, surface wave interferometry, ambient noise correlation for reflection imaging, receiver functions, and teleseismic event amplitude analysis.