Seismic Detection Efficiency of a New Inexpensive MEMS Sensor Prototype: Application to Micro-seismicity and Distant Moderate Earthquakes

Abstract

AbstractWe evaluate the seismicity detection capability of a new inexpensive triaxial accelerometer prototype based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS technology). Networks of MEMS sensors were installed in northern and central Italy. These devices recorded major earthquakes as well as small seismic events (1.5 < Ml < 6.3). Where possible, MEMS are here compared to the closest high‐quality seismic stations belonging to national seismic networks. Analysis was made for the micro-seismicity and distant seismic events, far ~400 km from the MEMS sensors’ arrays. The comparison, in terms of PGA and spectral responses between MEMS and high-quality stations, confirms that the signals are in good agreement. The inexpensive MEMS sensors can detect small local events and distant moderate earthquakes, providing an efficient characterization of the ground motion parameters. This confirms that the proposed accelerometer prototypes are promising tools to integrate traditional networks for seismicity monitoring.KeywordsSeismic ground motionMEMS sensorsPGA