Multi-instrument observations of microseisms generated by typhoon Kalmaegi (2014) over the Northwestern Pacific

Abstract

The typhoon-generated microseisms, originating from the complex energy coupling and transferring among the Atmosphere-Ocean-Solid Earth spheres, can be detected remotely by seismometers as the strongest ambient seismic noise. The lack of in situ observations during the passage of typhoons has hampered numerical modeling of wind fields and ocean waves, and limited our understanding of the generation mechanisms of microseisms associated with typhoons. Here we present a comprehensive investigation of microseisms generated by typhoon Kalmaegi (September 2014) based on multiple-instrument constraints from observations including terrestrial and ocean-bottom seismic stations as well as ocean buoys. To understand the generation mechanisms, we apply an improved frequency-domain beamforming method to seismic array data leading to successful location of double-frequency (DF) microseism source regions. For comparison, we calculate the typhoon-induced ocean waves and theoretical source regions of the DF microseisms using the coupled ocean–atmosphere–wave–sediment transport modeling system with validation by ocean buoy observations. Both observations and numerical modeling results reveal two different generation mechanisms for typhoon-induced DF microseisms during the lifespan of Kalmaegi. When over the Philippine Sea, the DF microseisms were generated mainly by opposing ocean waves from two distinct storms. After Kalmaegi entered the South China Sea, the DF microseisms were generated mainly by the fast-moving typhoon with source regions just trailing behind, with the minimum frequencies determined by the typhoon translation speed. DF microseisms generated in coastal source regions were not detected by ocean bottom seismometers, suggesting that DF microseisms might not effectively propagate across the ocean-basin seafloor covered by thick sediments, owing to severe seismic attenuation and spreading losses. This information is crucial for the use of DF microseisms for future tracking and monitoring of typhoons.