SEISMIC NOISE MEASUREMENTS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

In September and October, 1972 the U. S. Geological Survey made an investigation of seismic noise associated with the known geothermal phenomena in Yellowstone National Park. Eighty‐four stations, each recording for at least 48 hours, were operated. All major geyser basins were covered by the experiment. L-shaped three‐element arrays, three‐component stations, and single vertical component stations were operated. Four eight‐element mobile arrays were operated to study propagation characteristics of the noise. Preliminary analysis of data shows that high noise levels are associated with all the major thermal areas in the park. An elongated band of high noise envelops Lower and Upper Geyser Basins; noise levels are high around Norris Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain, and Mud Volcano; and a strong noise field exists around Lower and Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River. The seismic waves generated by the waterfalls have very different spectral characteristics from the waves associated with geothermal activity. The geothermal noise is predominantly in the spectral band of 2–8 hz, whereas the waterfall noise is predominantly around 2 hz. A mobile array operated near Norris Basin showed coherent wave trains radiating from seismic sources in the basin. Seismic noise measured around 50 m from Old Faithful Geyser showed amplitude fluctuations that followed the eruption cycles of the geyser. A few minutes after each eruption, the noise level starts rising slowly in ramplike fashion. Twenty to thirty minutes before the next eruption, sharp bursts of noise activity occur with increasing rapidity and continue for a few minutes after the eruption. The predominant energy of seismic noise generated by Old Faithful is at frequencies well above 8 hz. We postulate that only such high frequency noise is generated by the surface activity of geysers and hot springs and that the lower frequency noise found in and around the geyser basins is generated by a deeper convection system associated with the geothermal activity.