Computation Of Synthetic Seismograms Research Articles

Seismic hazard maps based on Neo-deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment for China Seismic Experimental Site and adjacent areas

Many devastating earthquakes inflicted heavy casualties and property losses in the seismically active China Seismic Experimental Site area (CSES: 97.5° ~ 105.5°E, 21° ~ 32°N). We performed a first-order seismic zoning based on Neo-deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment (NDSHA) in the study area delimited by 94° ~ 108°E and 19° ~ 35°N, containing the South-East margin of the Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan-Yunnan region. The seismic hazard is expressed by maps of peak ground displacement (PGD), peak ground velocity (PGV) and design ground acceleration (DGA) values, extracted from synthetic seismograms computed at a regional scale and mapped on a regular grid of 0.2° × 0.2° over the study area. For the computation of synthetic seismograms, we considered and updated all the available geophysical-geological-tectonic information, including historical and instrumental earthquake catalogues, seismogenic zones, seismogenic nodes, focal mechanisms, and geophysical structural models. We tested the performance of our assessments with available data (i.e., after the Great Wenchuan (2008, May 12th, Ms = 8.0) and Lushan (2013, April 20th, Ms = 7.0) earthquakes) and verified the negligible influence of large events located “far” from the study area. The results indicate the high seismic hazard of the region, with a particular attention (i.e., where DGA > 0.6 g) to the areas located around the main fault zones, e.g., the Longmenshan, Anninghe and Zemuhe Fault Zones. These first-order NDSHA zoning findings may serve as a knowledge basis to support both large- to mid-range preparedness actions and (multi-scenario) site-specific studies.

Seismic signature of the deadly snow avalanche of January 18, 2017, at Rigopiano (Italy)

Most snow avalanches occur unobserved, which becomes particularly dramatic when human lives are involved. Seismological observations can be helpful to unravel time and dynamics of unseen events, like the deadly avalanche of January 18, 2017, that hit a Resort-hotel at Rigopiano in the Abruzzi (Italy). Particle motion analysis and spectrograms from data recorded by a close seismic broadband station, calculation of synthetic seismograms, as well as simulation of the flow, allowed us to construct the dynamics of the snow avalanche that buried alive 40 people, killing 29. Due to the bad weather conditions, no visual observation was made, thus making it impossible to determine the exact moment of the avalanche and to report necessary observations of the dramatic event. On-site inspections revealed that the hotel was horizontally cut by shear forces and dislocated by 48 m in 70°N direction, once the increasing avalanche pressure exceeded the structural shear strength of the building. Within an eligible 24 min time range of the avalanche, we found three weak seismic transients, starting at 15:42:38 UTC, recorded by the nearest operating station GIGS located in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory approximately 17 km away. Particle motion analysis of the strongest seismic avalanche signal, as well as of the synthetic seismograms match best when assuming a single force seismic source, attacking in direction of 120°N. Simulation of the avalanche dynamics—calculated by using a 2D rapid mass movement simulator—indicates that the seismic signals were rather generated as the avalanche flowed through a narrow and twisting canyon directly above the hotel. Once the avalanche enters the canyon it is travelling at maximum velocity (37 m/s) and is twice strongly deflected by the rock sidewalls. These impacts created a distinct linearly polarized seismic “avalanche transient”s that can be used to time the destruction of the hotel. Our results demonstrate that seismic recordings combined with simulations of mass movements are indispensable to remotely monitor snow avalanches.

Gaussian Beam Born Modeling for Single-Scattering Waves in Visco-Acoustic Media

A new Gaussian beam (GB) Born modeling method is presented in this letter to simulate the wavefields of single scattering events in visco-acoustic media. This approach allows the accurate computation of synthetic seismograms or waveforms for the visco-acoustic media. Our method relies on the GB summation method, in which the attenuation effects are taken into account by incorporating a frequency-dependent dissipation function into beam calculation. The key to efficiency is that the Born modeling kernel is evaluated in the time domain based on the filter-bank technique. The proposed method is tested with both 2-D and 3-D numerical examples and the results demonstrate its capability to simulate wavefields in complex structures, as well as its marked advantage in efficiency over finite-difference wave equation modeling.

Combined use of refraction seismic, MASW, and ambient noise array measurements to determine the near-surface velocity structure in the Selinunte Archaeological Park, SW Sicily

Seismic refraction, multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and ambient noise array measurements using the wireless array analysis (WARAN) system were applied to acquire near-surface profiles of seismic velocities in the Selinunte Archaeological Park. This ancient city is famous for numerous temples, which according to the literature, were destroyed by at least two earthquakes in antiquity. The morphology of the archeological park is affected by two rivers which in combination with the temple remains suggests three study sites. We determined the subsurface velocity at these three locations as essential information for further studies of the response of the temple structures to earthquake ground motions. The stratigraphy of the site indicates that low-velocity layers might exist. Seismic refraction profiles with 69 m spread and 24 geophones were employed during the active seismic experiments. The measured P-wave velocities of the top two layers were used as a constraint during the inversion of dispersion relations from the MASW and WARAN data. The reliability of the velocity profiles was tested by forward calculation of synthetic seismograms. P-wave velocities which were not well constraint throughout the dispersion curve inversions were adjusted through suitable Poisson’s ratios based on the well constraint S-velocities. The combined use of the three different kinds of measurements and multi-mode interpretation of the dispersion curves revealed velocity profiles including low-velocity layers which are supported by de-amplification observed in ratios of horizontal and vertical components of noise spectra.

Constraints on D″ beneath the North Atlantic region fromPandStraveltimes and amplitudes

In this study, we discuss possible origins of the D″ reflector beneath the North Atlantic region based on a combined analysis of P and S wave data. We use over 700 USArray station recordings of the M_w 6.3 earthquake that occurred in April 2010 in Spain. In order to investigate the D″ layer we look for waves reflected off the top of it, namely PdP and SdS waves, and compare them to the core–mantle boundary (CMB) reflections used as reference phases. The differences in traveltimes and amplitudes are sensitive to D″ properties. Because the USArray installation generates a dense array, we are able to provide an almost continuous map of the detection or absence of PdP and SdS waves in the North Atlantic region. We use a Bayesian inversion for traveltimes, together with synthetic seismogram calculations, to find the best-fitting D″ properties, (Vp, Vs) jumps across the D″ interface and D″ thickness. We find that the best-fitting models are for a D″ layer of about 300 km thick, with or without a velocity gradient of about 30 km at the top of it. Regardless of the model type, positive and similar velocity increases in both P and S velocities at the D″ interface, ranging from 2.7 to 3.8 per cent, are required to fit the data well. Our data rule out velocity decreases in P and S waves at the D″ interface as well as no velocity reduction above the CMB. There are also regions where we do not observe PdP and SdS waves. Collectively, these observations suggest lateral variations in both chemistry and temperature, combined with phase transitions. For instance, ancient oceanic basalt debris from the Farallon slab could be modulating the detection of the D″ reflector in this region.

Detection of Building Damage Using Helmholtz Tomography

High‐rise buildings with dense permanent installations of continuously recording accelerometers offer a unique opportunity to observe temporal and spatial variations in the propagation properties of seismic waves. When precise, floor‐by‐floor measurements of frequency‐dependent travel times can be made, accurate models of material properties (e.g., stiffness or rigidity) can be determined using seismic tomographic imaging techniques. By measuring changes in the material properties, damage to the structure can be detected and localized after shaking events such as earthquakes. Here, seismic Helmholtz tomography is applied to simulated waveform data from a high‐rise building, and its feasibility is demonstrated. A 52‐story dual system building—braced‐frame core surrounded by an outrigger steel moment frame—in downtown Los Angeles is used for the computational basis. It is part of the Community Seismic Network and has a three‐component accelerometer installed on every floor. A finite‐element model of the building based on structural drawings is used for the computation of synthetic seismograms for 60 damage scenarios in which the stiffness of the building is perturbed in different locations across both adjacent and distributed floors and to varying degrees. The dynamic analysis loading function is a Gaussian pulse applied to the lowest level fixed boundary condition, producing a broadband response on all floors. After narrowband filtering the synthetic seismograms and measuring the maximum amplitude, the frequency‐dependent travel times and differential travel times are computed. The travel‐time and amplitude measurements are converted to shear‐wave velocity at each floor via the Helmholtz wave equation whose solutions can be used to track perturbations to wavefronts through densely sampled wavefields. These results provide validation of the method’s application to recorded data from real buildings to detect and locate structural damage using earthquake, explosion, or ambient seismic noise data in near‐real time.

Neo-deterministic seismic hazard assessment for Alborz Region, Iran

Seismic hazard maps for Alborz region (north of Iran) and adjacent areas are prepared using the neo-deterministic seismic hazard assessment (NDSHA) based on the computation of synthetic seismograms at the regional scale. The study area is zoned according to different geophysical structural models delimited at the surface by polygons, used to define the mechanical properties of the source-site paths. We have refined the velocity structures of Iran, as obtained from surface waves tomography, to obtain the velocity structure of Alborz region by applying the joint inversion of the P-wave receiver functions (PRF) and surface wave's dispersion. The input data set consists of attenuation-velocity structural models (representing bedrock conditions), seismogenic zones, focal mechanisms and the catalog of past seismicity. The seismic hazard, expressed in terms of maximum displacement (PGD), maximum velocity (PGV) and design ground acceleration (DGA), is extracted from the synthetic seismograms and mapped on a regular grid of 0.2° × 0.2° over the entire region. The results of this first order NDSHA zoning indicate a high seismic hazard in the Alborz region and may represent an important knowledge basis towards detailed and comprehensive seismic microzonation studies.

Hamilton’s principle and normal mode coupling in an aspherical planet with a fluid core

Seismic free oscillations, or normal modes, provide a convenient tool to calculate low-frequency seismograms in heterogeneous Earth models. A procedure called ‘full mode coupling’ allows the seismic response of the Earth to be computed. However, in order to be theoretically exact, such calculations must involve an infinite set of modes. In practice, only a finite subset of modes can be used, introducing an error into the seismograms. By systematically increasing the number of modes beyond the highest frequency of interest in the seismograms, we investigate the convergence of full-coupling calculations. As a rule-of-thumb, it is necessary to couple modes 1–2 mHz above the highest frequency of interest, although results depend upon the details of the Earth model. This is significantly higher than has previously been assumed. Observations of free oscillations also provide important constraints on the heterogeneous structure of the Earth. Historically, this inference problem has been addressed by the measurement and interpretation of splitting functions. These can be seen as secondary data extracted from low frequency seismograms. The measurement step necessitates the calculation of synthetic seismograms, but current implementations rely on approximations referred to as self- or group-coupling and do not use fully accurate seismograms. We therefore also investigate whether a systematic error might be present in currently published splitting functions. We find no evidence for any systematic bias, but published uncertainties must be doubled to properly account for the errors due to theoretical omissions and regularization in the measurement process. Correspondingly, uncertainties in results derived from splitting functions must also be increased. As is well known, density has only a weak signal in low-frequency seismograms. Our results suggest this signal is of similar scale to the true uncertainties associated with currently published splitting functions. Thus, it seems that great care must be taken in any attempt to robustly infer details of Earth's density structure using current splitting functions.

Hamiltonian Monte Carlo Inversion of Seismic Sources in Complex Media.

We present a probabilistic seismic point source inversion, taking into account 3‐D heterogeneous Earth structure. Our method rests on (1) reciprocity and numerical wavefield simulations in complex media and (2) Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling that requires only a small amount of test models to provide reliable uncertainty information on the timing, location, and mechanism of the source. Using spectral element simulations of 3‐D, viscoelastic, anisotropic wave propagation, we precompute receiver side strain tensors in time and space. This enables the fast computation of synthetic seismograms for any hypothetical source within the volume of interest, and thus a Bayesian solution of the inverse problem. To improve efficiency, we developed a variant of Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling. Taking advantage of easily computable derivatives, numerical examples indicate that Hamiltonian Monte Carlo can converge to the posterior probability density with orders of magnitude less samples than the derivative‐free Metropolis‐Hastings algorithm, which we use for benchmarking. Exact numbers depend on observational errors and the quality of the prior. We apply our method to the Japanese Islands region where we previously constrained 3‐D structure of the crust and upper mantle using full‐waveform inversion with a minimum period of 15 s.

Verification Modal Summation Technique for Synthetic and Observation Seismogram for Pidie Jaya Earthquake M6.5

Neo-Deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment (NDSHA) method is a seismic hazard assessment method that has an advantage on realistic physical simulation of the source, propagation, and geological-geophysical structure. This simulation is capable on generating the synthetics seismograms at the sites that being observed. At the regional NDSHA scale, calculation of the strong ground motion is based on 1D modal summation technique because it is more efficient in computation. In this article, we verify the result of synthetic seismogram calculations with the result of field observations when Pidie Jaya earthquake on 7 December 2016 occurred with the moment magnitude of M6.5. Those data were recorded by broadband seismometers installed by BMKG (Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics). The result of the synthetic seismogram calculations verifies that some stations well show the suitability with observation while some other stations show the discrepancies with observation results. Based on the results of the observation of some stations, evidently 1D modal summation technique method has been well verified for thin sediment region (near the pre-tertiary basement), but less suitable for thick sediment region. The reason is that the 1D modal summation technique excludes the amplification effect of seismic wave occurring within thick sediment region. So, another approach is needed, e.g., 2D finite difference hybrid method, which is a part of local scale NDSHA method.

Eliminating time dispersion from seismic wave modeling

We derive an expression for the error introduced by the second-order accurate temporal finitedifference (FD) operator, as present in the FD, pseudospectral and spectral element methods for seismic wave modeling applied to time-invariant media. The 'time-dispersion' error speeds up the signal as a function of frequency and time step only. Time dispersion is thus independent of the propagation path, medium or spatial modeling error.We derive two transforms to either add or remove time dispersion from synthetic seismograms after a simulation. The transforms are compared to previous related work and demonstrated on wave modeling in acoustic as well as elastic media. In addition, an application to imaging is shown. The transforms enable accurate computation of synthetic seismograms at reduced cost, benefitting modeling applications in both exploration and global seismology. The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. (Less)

Forward Modeling Time-Lapse Seismic based on Reservoir Simulation Result on The CCS Project at Gundih Field, Indonesia

This paper contains reservoir simulation study of carbon storage at Gundih field in Central Java Island, Indonesia. Two different cases of injection simulation were performed and analyzed in this paper. The cases represent the conditions when the smallest and largest volumes of CO2areinjected into the subsurface to see the changes of reservoir that happen after the injection processes. The simulation result shows that when a larger amount of CO2 is injected into the targeted reservoir, it will migrate to the peak of anticline structure located in the southeast of CO2 injection well. The displacement of CO2 in the simulation progress shows that it will not reach the fault location. The geological model for synthetic seismogram calculation is then built based on the simulation reservoir result. The furthest displacement of CO2 is calculated on each case and described as the saturated CO2 layers. Forward modeling is performed to create synthetic seismic gather which will be processed to construct seismic section. The difference between the initial seismic section before the injection process and seismic section including saturated CO2 layer after the injection process will be evaluated by the potential of injected CO2 monitoring using time-lapse seismic survey in the Gundih field.

Exact free oscillation spectra, splitting functions and the resolvability of Earth's density structure

Seismic free oscillations, or normal modes, provide a convenient tool to calculate low-frequency seismograms in heterogeneous Earth models. A procedure called ‘full mode coupling’ allows the seismic response of the Earth to be computed. However, in order to be theoretically exact, such calculations must involve an infinite set of modes. In practice, only a finite subset of modes can be used, introducing an error into the seismograms. By systematically increasing the number of modes beyond the highest frequency of interest in the seismograms, we investigate the convergence of full-coupling calculations. As a rule-of-thumb, it is necessary to couple modes 1–2 mHz above the highest frequency of interest, although results depend upon the details of the Earth model. This is significantly higher than has previously been assumed. Observations of free oscillations also provide important constraints on the heterogeneous structure of the Earth. Historically, this inference problem has been addressed by the measurement and interpretation of splitting functions. These can be seen as secondary data extracted from low frequency seismograms. The measurement step necessitates the calculation of synthetic seismograms, but current implementations rely on approximations referred to as self- or group-coupling and do not use fully accurate seismograms. We therefore also investigate whether a systematic error might be present in currently published splitting functions. We find no evidence for any systematic bias, but published uncertainties must be doubled to properly account for the errors due to theoretical omissions and regularization in the measurement process. Correspondingly, uncertainties in results derived from splitting functions must also be increased. As is well known, density has only a weak signal in low-frequency seismograms. Our results suggest this signal is of similar scale to the true uncertainties associated with currently published splitting functions. Thus, it seems that great care must be taken in any attempt to robustly infer details of Earth's density structure using current splitting functions.

Fast computation of synthetic seismograms within a medium containing remote localized perturbations: a numerical solution to the scattering problem

Fast computation of synthetic seismograms within a medium containing remote localized perturbations: a numerical solution to the scattering problem

Travelling wave modes of a plane layered anelastic earth

Abstract : Incorporation of attenuation into the normal mode sum representations of seismic signals is commonlyeffected by applying perturbation theory. This is fine for weak attenuation, but problematic forstronger attenuation. In this work modes of the anelastic medium are represented as complexsuperpositions of elastic eigenfunctions. For the P-SV system a generalized eigenvalue equation for thecomplex eigenwavenumbers and complex coefficients used to construct the anelastic eigenfunctions isderived. The generalized eigenvalue problem for the P-SV problem is exactly linear in theeigenwavenumber at the expense of doubling the dimension. The SH problem is exactly linear in thesquare of the eigenwavenumber. This is in contrast to a similar standing wave problem for the earthfree oscillations (Tromp and Dahlen,1990). Attenuation is commonly incorporated into syntheticseismogram calculations by introduction of complex frequency dependent elastic moduli. The modulidepend nonlinearly on the frequency. The independent variable in the standing wave free oscillationproblem is the frequency, which makes the eigenvalue problem nonlinear. The choice of the wavenumber asthe independent variable for the traveling wave problem leads to a linear problem.

Towards global seismic monitoring of underground nuclear explosions using waveform cross correlation. Part I: Grand master events

Waveform cross correlation is an efficient tool for detection and characterization of seismic signals. For the purposes of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, cross correlation can globally reduce the threshold of detection by 0.3 to 0.4 magnitude units. However, the technique critically depends on the availability of master events. In Part I of this paper, we have demonstrated that in seismically active regions the best master events (grand-masters) replicated over a regular grid allow improving the efficiency of signal detection and event finding. In aseismic areas, there are two approaches to populate the global grid of master events for the International Monitoring System: the replication of grand-masters and calculation of synthetic seismograms for master-events in the global grid nodes. The efficiency of synthetic templates depends on the accuracy of shape and amplitude predictions controlled by focal depth and mechanism, source function, velocity structure and attenuation along the master/station path. Here we test three focal mechanisms (explosion, thrust fault, and actual Harvard CMT solution for one of the April 11, 2012 Sumatra aftershocks) and two velocity structures (ak135 and CRUST 2.0). Sixteen synthetic master events were distributed over a 1° × 1° grid covering the zone of aftershocks. We built five cross correlation standard event lists (XSEL) and compared detections and events with those built using the real and grand master events as well as with the Reviewed Events Bulletin of the International Data Centre. The XSELs were built using an explosion source and ak135 and the reverse fault with isotropic radiation pattern to demonstrate the performance similar to that of the real and grand masters. Here we have proved quantitatively that it is possible to cover all aseismic areas with synthetic masters without significant loss in seismic monitoring capabilities based on cross correlation.

Multi-component joint analysis of surface waves

Propagation of surface waves can occur with complex energy distribution amongst the various modes. It is shown that even simple VS (shear-wave velocity) profiles can generate velocity spectra that, because of a complex mode excitation, can be quite difficult to interpret in terms of modal dispersion curves.In some cases, Rayleigh waves show relevant differences depending on the considered component (radial or vertical) and the kind of source (vertical impact or explosive). Contrary to several simplistic assumptions often proposed, it is shown, both via synthetic and field datasets, that the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves can be almost completely absent. This sort of evidence demonstrates the importance of a multi-component analysis capable of providing the necessary elements to properly interpret the data and adequately constrain the subsurface model. It is purposely shown, also through the sole use of horizontal geophones, how it can be possible to efficiently and quickly acquire both Love and Rayleigh (radial-component) waves.The presented field dataset reports a case where Rayleigh waves (both their vertical and radial components) appear largely dominated by higher modes with little or no evidence of the fundamental mode.The joint inversion of the radial and vertical components of Rayleigh waves jointly with Love waves is performed by adopting a multi-objective inversion scheme based on the computation of synthetic seismograms for the three considered components and the minimization of the whole velocity spectra misfits (Full Velocity Spectra – FVS – inversion).Such a FVS multi-component joint inversion can better handle complex velocity spectra thus providing a more robust subsurface model not affected by erroneous velocity spectra interpretations and non-uniqueness of the solution.

Neo-deterministic seismic hazard assessment in North Africa

North Africa is one of the most earthquake-prone areas of the Mediterranean. Many devastating earthquakes, some of them tsunami-triggering, inflicted heavy loss of life and considerable economic damage to the region. In order to mitigate the destructive impact of the earthquakes, the regional seismic hazard in North Africa is assessed using the neo-deterministic, multi-scenario methodology (NDSHA) based on the computation of synthetic seismograms, using the modal summation technique, at a regular grid of 0.2 × 0.2°. This is the first study aimed at producing NDSHA maps of North Africa including five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. The key input data for the NDSHA algorithm are earthquake sources, seismotectonic zonation, and structural models. In the preparation of the input data, it has been really important to go beyond the national borders and to adopt a coherent strategy all over the area. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the teams involved, it has been possible to properly merge the earthquake catalogues available for each country to define with homogeneous criteria the seismogenic zones, the characteristic focal mechanism associated with each of them, and the structural models used to model wave propagation from the sources to the sites. As a result, reliable seismic hazard maps are produced in terms of maximum displacement (D max), maximum velocity (V max), and design ground acceleration.

Numerical Calculation of Seafloor Synthetic Seismograms Caused by Low Frequency Point Sound Source

Abstract Elastic wave on seafloor caused by low frequency noise radiated from ship is called ship seismic wave which can be used to identify ship target. In order to analyze the wave components and the propagating properties of ship seismic wave, the numerical calculation of synthetic seismograms on seafloor aroused by a low frequency point sound source is carried out using a wave number integration technique combined with inverse Fourier transform. According to the numerical example of hard seafloor, the time series of seismic wave on seafloor are mostly composed of interface waves and normal mode waves. Each normal mode wave has a well-defined low cut-off frequency, while the interface wave doesn't have. The frequency dispersion of normal mode wave is obvious when frequency is lower than 100 Hz, while the interface wave is dispersive only in the infra-sound frequency range. The time series of seismic wave is dominated by the interface wave when the source frequency is less than the minimal cut-off frequency of normal mode wave.

Numerical experiments to investigate the accuracy of broad-band moment magnitude, Mwp

SUMMARY We perform numerical experiments to investigate the accuracy of broad-band moment magnitude, Mwp. We conduct these experiments by measuring Mwp from synthetic seismograms and comparing the resulting values to the moment magnitudes used in the calculation of synthetic seismograms. In the numerical experiments using point sources, we have found that there is a significant dependence of Mwp on focal mechanisms, and that depths phases have a large impact on Mwp estimates, especially for large shallow earthquakes. Numerical experiments using line sources suggest that the effects of source finiteness and rupture propagation on Mwp estimates are on the order of 0.2 magnitude units for vertical fault planes with pure dip-slip mechanisms and 45° dipping fault planes with pure dip-slip (thrust) mechanisms, but that the dependence is small for strike-slip events on a vertical fault plane. Numerical experiments for huge thrust faulting earthquakes on a fault plane with a shallow dip angle suggest that the Mwp estimates do not saturate in the moment magnitude range between 8 and 9, although they are underestimates. Our results are consistent with previous studies that compared Mwp estimates to moment magnitudes calculated from seismic moment tensors obtained by analyses of observed data.