Passive Seismic Interferometry Research Articles

A seismic ambient noise data classification method based on waveform and frequency-wavenumber analysis: Application to reliable geological interpretation adjacent to Well Songke-2, Northeast China

Passive seismic interferometry techniques enable the retrieval of virtual shot gathers at receiver locations. However, it is difficult to distinguish body waves from surface waves in seismic ambient noise data, which leads to failed dispersion measurements, artificial deep reflections, and misleading geological interpretations. We propose a new method that employs the waveforms and their corresponding F-K spectra to identify body waves and surface waves. The proposed technique functions as a data classification procedure before wavefield retrieval and subsequent imaging. A field data example was conducted to test the feasibility of this technique. The field data results demonstrate that the proposed technique can reconstruct satisfactory high signal-to-noise ratio wavefields for reliable imaging and interpretation purposes. The method can also serve as a validation tool for identifying surface-wave-related artificial events in the obtained virtual source reflection image. The marker boundaries of the Songliao Basin in Northeast China are interpreted in the obtained profile and are in agreement with the well logging data. In addition, two normal faults are detected, which corresponds to the extensional rift environment during the early Cretaceous.

The use of passive seismic interferometry for the monitoring of subsurface fluids – from shallow groundwater to native or storage gas reservoirs

Passive (ambient noise) seismic interferometry provides multiple ways to gather information about the subsurface seismic properties using recordings of the seismic ambient noise signal. While the first developments and applications of this method showed a useful capacity to either image geological contrasts or monitor the structural properties of the soil, an increasing momentum is observed toward applications related to fluid monitoring of different types (liquid, gas), at all the scales of the subsurface (from meters to kilometers). In this paper we summarize the existing possibilities and technics of seismic interferometry analysis for subsurface fluid detection and characterization and elaborate on their respective deployment in different contexts. We also present a new approach based on estimating and continuously measuring seismic attenuation proxy within interferometric-based surface wavefields, which show a high sensitivity to fluid dynamics and the associated petrophysical variations. The method is illustrated through a field case study related to geological gas storage monitoring, and we elaborate on its potential respective deployment at the industrial scale and for different applications.

Real-Time Passive Seismic Interferometry With Deep Transfer Learning

Real-Time Passive Seismic Interferometry With Deep Transfer Learning

Beyond Correlations: Deep Learning for Seismic Interferometry.

Passive seismic interferometry is a vastly generalized blind deconvolution question, where different paths through the Earth correspond to different channels called Green's functions; the sources are completely incoherent and not shared by the channels, and the question is to estimate paths (channels) that are not present in the dataset. SI, turning noise to signal, has numerous applications, from monitoring industrial activities to crustal structure investigation. No standard method of signal processing will solve SI. Instead, domain scientists resort to a simple cross-correlation operation, a.k.a. correlogram, which can retrieve the Green's function directly, but only under restrictive assumptions of ergodicity (energy equipartitioning) of the random process generating the seismic source. However, in practice, correlograms are not equal to the empirical Green's function, because these assumptions are generally far from being satisfied in realistic situations. In the framework of supervised learning, we propose to train deep neural networks (NNs) to overcome two limitations of correlation-based SI: the temporal limitation of passive recordings and the spatial limitation of the random source distribution. Deep NNs are trained to implicitly find the relationship between the empirical Green's functions and the correlograms and then used to extract the correct Green's functions from ambient noise. The input of the network is correlograms (a virtual shot gather), and the desired output is the empirical Green's function (the active shot gather). The NN can often retrieve Green's functions from 5-min passive recordings with acceptable accuracy in our synthetic example. Although an exact estimation of the source locations may not be necessary, a prior knowledge of the source directionality (through a preliminary beamforming step) is helpful when training the NN to mitigate the challenges associated with inhomogeneous source distributions (directional wave fields). In this work, all the numerical examples are based on the retrieval of P-wave reflections in the exploration scale and are conducted on synthetic data. We use a modified ResNet in our numerical experiments.

Deep structure of the Verkhnetovskaya kimberlite pipe in the Arkhangelsk diamondiferous province according to passive seismic and radiological methods

AbstractThe exploration of kimberlite pipes is difficult. However, information about their deep structure is necessary for tasks such as prospecting, exploration and development of kimberlite pipes. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of deep structure research. In addition, pipes in different territories differ in their properties. The latter requires the study of the peculiarities of the manifestation of pipes in various areas. The Verkhnetovskaya pipe is the only kimberlite object currently known in the Chernoozerskaya area of the Arkhangelsk diamondiferous province. This indicates the need for a comprehensive study of this pipe. The main reason it is difficult to study the pipes of the Arkhangelsk diamondiferous province is the large overburden thickness. In order to increase the efficiency of prospecting, we used a set of methods: microseismic sounding method, passive seismic interferometry, H/V method, gamma spectrometry and emanation mapping. The analysis showed that a new field measurement technique was tested in this research, resulting in more stable data. The main improvement in field measurements is the determination of the optimal accumulation time of microseism when implementing the microseismic sounding method. In addition, the location of the stations in the implementation of passive interferometry made it possible to minimize the influence of the azimuthal distribution of ambient noise sources. The studies made it possible to construct the geophysical image of the investigated pipe and the surrounding medium. As a result, it was shown that the northwestern side has a vertical structure, while according to the drilling data, the side has a uniform slope. In particular, the presence of previously unknown lateral channels was shown. The proposed methodology made it possible to obtain important information with minimal time and technical costs, confirming the applicability of the proposed methodology in the Chernoozerskaya area.

Space-time monitoring of groundwater fluctuations with passive seismic interferometry

Historic levels of drought, globally, call for sustainable freshwater management. Under pressing demand is a refined understanding of the structures and dynamics of groundwater systems. Here we present an unconventional, cost-effective approach to aquifer monitoring using seismograph arrays. Employing advanced seismic interferometry techniques, we calculate the space-time evolution of relative changes in seismic velocity, as a measure of hydrological properties. During 2000–2020 in basins near Los Angeles, seismic velocity variations match groundwater tables measured in wells and surface deformations inferred from satellite sensing, but the seismological approach adds temporal and depth resolutions for deep structures and processes. Maps of long-term seismic velocity changes reveal distinct patterns (decline or recovery) of groundwater storage in basins that are adjacent but adjudicated to water districts conducting different pumping practices. This pilot application bridges the gap between seismology and hydrology, and shows the promise of leveraging seismometers worldwide to provide 4D characterizations of groundwater and other near-surface systems.

High‐Resolution Monitoring of Controlled Water Table Variations From Dense Seismic‐Noise Acquisitions

AbstractWater‐resource management has become a major global issue in a world threatened by climate change. High‐resolution geophysical methods may be of valuable help in monitoring the water masses, both in space and time. Passive seismic interferometry takes advantage of ambient seismic noise to recover the variations in seismic wave velocity induced by changes in groundwater. We present hereafter the time and space monitoring of an hydraulic dome artificially formed to prevent biological and chemical pollutants from entering the exploitation field of Crépieux‐Charmy (Lyon, France). We use a dense seismic network to passively monitor the water table changes induced by infilling of an infiltration basin at the water supply facility for the two million inhabitants of the Lyon Metropolis (France). We assess the hourly seismic velocity variations over 19 days, during which two filling and drainage cycles were performed. The use of a dense three‐component seismic network allows fine characterization of the seismic wavefield, and offers the possibility to include the analysis of 4,851 raypaths in a robust inversion algorithm based on ray theory. The velocity variations are mapped with high resolution. They are directly related to the water table variations and to residual water saturation changes within the unsaturated zone. This seismic experiment highlights the three‐dimensional (3D) implementation and evolution of a hydraulic dome under the infiltration basin. This dynamic information helps in the understanding and modeling of water flows between the water table and a river, which represents a fundamental issue for discussions on the effectiveness of the barrier.

Passive seismic interferometry imaging: An example from the Ketzin pilot CO2 geological storage site

Ketzin is a well-known onshore CO2 geological storage test site. Injection started in June 2008 and ended in August 2013. About 67 kt of CO2 was injected into a saline aquifer reservoir. Numerous geophysical surveys have been conducted at the site, including passive seismic ones. Passive seismic interferometry can be applied in many seismic exploration investigations to image the underground structures. This study compares several passive seismic interferometry imaging methods to a data set acquired at Ketzin. The passive data set consist of 5 lines with 20 h of recordings in total. First, we apply the autocorrelation method to obtain zero offset stacked sections directly. Secondly, we test different interferometry methods to generate virtual shot gathers. These virtual shot gathers are then processed to obtain CDP stacked sections. Results from these methods are compared with an active data set recorded at the site. The processed passive sections have relatively less coherent reflections compared with the active stacked sections. However, the passive sections obtained by autocorrelation show good agreement with the active stacked sections. The stacked sections obtained by processing virtual shot gathers using crosscorrelation show similar features to the active stacked sections, but with poorer coherence in the reflections and are noisier than the autocorrelation sections.

Correlations of Seismic Velocities and Elastic Moduli with Temperature in Superhot and Enhanced Geothermal Systems

This paper presents correlations derived by linear regression analysis of seismic velocities VP and VS and elastic moduli EP and ES with temperature in Los Humeros superhot (SHGS) and Acoculco enhanced (EGS) geothermal systems at depths down to 3 km below the surface and temperatures up to approximately 400 °C. In Los Humeros, the seismic velocity models were derived from the inversion of legacy active seismic survey data acquired in 1998, as well as from passive seismic monitoring and ambient seismic noise interferometry carried out during 2017–2019 by the GEMex consortium. In the Acoculco EGS, ambient seismic noise data were used. Steady-state formation temperatures were re-evaluated during and after the end of the GEMex project using measurements provided as a courtesy of the Federal Electricity Commission of Mexico (CFE). The density data needed for the calculation of elastic moduli were provided by the GEMex consortium, as derived from the inversion of regional and local gravity surveys. The analysis indicated that statistically significant correlations of seismic parameters to temperature exist in the vertical direction, namely exponential in Los Humeros superhot and logarithmic in Acoculco EGS, but no correlation was evident in the horizontal direction. This result suggests an indirect relationship among the considered variables due to interdependence on other parameters, such as pressure and vapor saturation. As the analysis was performed using only data obtained from sensing-at-surface methods, without direct geophysical calibration at depth, a distributed fiber-optic seismic and temperature sensing system at both surface and downhole is proposed for active-source and passive seismic monitoring, and seismic-while-drilling by the drill-bit source is considered for reverse vertical seismic profile (RVSP) recording whenever possible for future high-temperature geothermal applications.

Application of passive seismic interferometry for mapping mining waste storage facilities: A case study of Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland

Obtaining knowledge about the structural, geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions of mining waste storage facilities (e.g., tailing storage facilities, TSF) is an important task for mining waste management. From the existing applied geophysics techniques, high-resolution controlled source seismic methods are the most appropriate due to their superior spatial and depth resolution. However, the TSF areas are not often accessible for installation of seismic instruments and application of controlled source. Moreover, TSF areas in active mine sites are characterised by high-level of seismic and acoustic noise, produced by mining operations and other human activities at mine sites. In this study, we show that these problems can be addressed by utilizing passive seismic interferometry, in which cross-correlation of ambient seismic noise is used to obtain the Empirical Green's function (EGF's) of the studied medium. We used this method to evaluate seismic velocities in the TSF and in the near-surface bedrock at the site of the Pyhäsalmi underground mine in Finland. We used the ambient seismic noise recorded in two seismic experiments in the area. In the first experiment, the data were acquired in 2013 along a line 10 km long crossing the area of the underground mine. The second experiment was carried out in the TSF area in 2019. We obtained S-wave velocity models of both bedrock and the TSF by applying multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) to surface wave parts of Empirical Green's Functions (EGFs). The analysis of autocorrelation functions of passive seismic data recorded on the TSF surface allowed to us retrieve reflected arrivals from the boundaries inside the TSF. At the same time, we used amplitudes of surface wave parts of EGF's to obtain information about attenuation of surface waves in TSF. Our results show that passive seismic interferometry and interpretation of passive seismic data by different techniques can be a useful tool for inspection of TSF of active mines

Impact of source and receiver distributions on imaging of dipping reflectors with passive reflection seismic interferometry

SUMMARY Passive reflection seismic interferometry (PRSI) facilitates imaging the subsurface structure using passive sources but according to the general theory, the target needs to be illuminated equally from all directions to obtain a kinematically correct result. In practice, this requirement is almost impossible to meet which can introduce artefacts into the PRSI results. Our study was motivated by an unsuccessful attempt to image a couple of known dipping reflectors by applying PRSI to a data set of local microearthquakes clustering around the glacially triggered Burträsk fault. Dipping reflectors are a special case since they introduce a directionality into the seismic-interferometry problem that makes the results especially sensitive to the source azimuths. To investigate which source distributions are favourable in such a case and to study the range of artefacts occurring, we analyse a number of acoustic and elastic synthetic data sets calculated using a simple model of a dipping fault. Our results show that the main contribution for imaging such a fault with PRSI comes from sources in the hangingwall whereas contributions from the footwall are often weak and kinematically incorrect. The type and position of the occurring artefacts depend upon both the source azimuth and the type of modelling. In the acoustic case, the main artefact is a gently dipping reflection caused by insufficient cancellation of the direct reflection at the fault. In the elastic case, the artefacts are dominated by a set of both gently and steeply dipping reflections related to P–S converted waves. These artefacts are present even for ideal illumination due to the use of source records containing both P- and S-wave contributions. During interpretation, it is essential to be able to distinguish between physically meaningful reflections and artefacts. We found that both acoustic and elastic artefacts stack best at lower than expected normal moveout velocities. If data quality is insufficient for velocity analysis, our results can serve as a reference point for the interpretation of dipping features in PRSI images.

Seismic Ambient Noise Imaging of a Quasi-Amagmatic Ultra-Slow Spreading Ridge

Passive seismic interferometry has become very popular in recent years in exploration geophysics. However, it has not been widely applied in marine exploration. The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal structure of a quasi-amagmatic portion of the Southwest Indian Ridge by interferometry and to examine the performance and reliability of interferometry in marine explorations. To reach this goal, continuous vertical component recordings from 43 ocean bottom seismometers were analyzed. The recorded signals from 200 station pairs were cross-correlated in the frequency domain. The Bessel function method was applied to extract phase–velocity dispersion curves from the zero crossings of the cross-correlations. An average of all the dispersion curves was estimated in a period band 1–10 s and inverted through a conditional neighborhood algorithm which led to the final 1D S-wave velocity model of the crust and upper mantle. The obtained S-wave velocity model is in good agreement with previous geological and geophysical studies in the region and also in similar areas. We find an average crustal thickness of 7 km with a shallow layer of low shear velocities and high Vp/Vs ratio. We infer that the uppermost 2 km are highly porous and may be strongly serpentinized.

Near-surface structure of the Sodankylä area in Finland, obtained by passive seismic interferometry

Abstract. Controlled-source seismic exploration surveys are not always possible in nature-protected areas. As an alternative, the application of passive seismic techniques in such areas can be proposed. In our study, we show results of passive seismic interferometry application for mapping the uppermost crust in the area of active mineral exploration in northern Finland. We utilize continuous seismic data acquired by the Sercel Unite wireless multichannel recording system along several profiles during XSoDEx (eXperiment of SOdankylä Deep Exploration) multidisciplinary geophysical project. The objective of XSoDEx was to obtain a structural image of the upper crust in the Sodankylä area of northern Finland in order to achieve a better understanding of the mineral system at depth. The key experiment of the project was a high-resolution seismic reflection experiment. In addition, continuous passive seismic data were acquired in parallel with reflection seismic data acquisition. Due to this, the length of passive data suitable for noise cross-correlation was limited from several hours to a couple of days. Analysis of the passive data demonstrated that dominating sources of ambient noise are non-stationary and have different origins across the XSoDEx study area. As the long data registration period and isotropic azimuthal distribution of noise sources are two major conditions for empirical Green function (EGF) extraction under the diffuse field approximation assumption, it was not possible to apply the conventional techniques of passive seismic interferometry. To find the way to obtain EGFs, we used numerical modelling in order to investigate properties of seismic noise originating from sources with different characteristics and propagating inside synthetic heterogeneous Earth models representing real geological conditions in the XSoDEx study area. The modelling demonstrated that scattering of ballistic waves on irregular shape heterogeneities, such as massive sulfides or mafic intrusions, could produce a diffused wavefield composed mainly of scattered surface waves. In our study, we show that this scattered wavefield can be used to retrieve reliable EGFs from short-term and non-stationary data using special techniques. One of the possible solutions is application of “signal-to-noise ratio stacking” (SNRS). The EGFs calculated for the XSoDEx profiles were inverted, in order to obtain S-wave velocity models down to the depth of 300 m. The obtained velocity models agree well with geological data and complement the results of reflection seismic data interpretation.

Local-scale phase velocity estimation using ambient seismic noise: comparison between passive seismic interferometry and conventional frequency–wavenumber methods

SUMMARYWe present a new processing scheme that uses passive seismic interferometry (PSI) followed by multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), which we call the 2-D PSI-MASW method, to obtain Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion (PVD) information. In this scheme, we first use the principles of PSI to form multidirectional cross-correlations (CCs) then project the CCs onto a 1-D virtual array and apply the phase-shift transform as in MASW processing. We compare PVD information obtained by this method with those of the conventional beam-power based frequency–wavenumber decomposition (CVFK) method using ambient seismic noise (ASN) data collected by local-scale 2-D arrays deployed at three selected sites in Bursa, Turkey. By analysing the ASN data from these sites, we show that similar multimodal PVD curves can be obtained with the two methods over a broad frequency range (∼2–23 Hz) within the wavenumber resolution and aliasing limits. However, in one of our sites where the 2-D array configuration has a considerable antisymmetry, we show that the 1-D virtual array used in the 2-D PSI-MASW method has a better array response function in terms of wavenumber resolution and suppression of side-lobes leading to superior mode resolution and separation than that of the CVFK method, which shows strong directional variations. Furthermore, unlike the CVFK method, the 2-D PSI-MASW method takes advantage of temporal stacking of CCs ensuring weak but coherent Rayleigh wave signals present in the ASN wavefield to be strengthened and has the potential for better extraction of PVD information. We conclude that by using a 2-D array with spatial coverage providing a wide range of directions and distances, reliable PVD information can be obtained even if the ASN sources are not concentrated in the stationary phase zones. Thus, we suggest that the 2-D PSI-MASW method is highly advantageous for the extraction of reliable PVD information owing to the multidirectional CCs provided by the 2-D array configurations. We also report that using only a single receiver line in the interferometric approach results in biased and/or incomplete PVD information due to the non-isotropic ASN source distribution at all three sites we analysed. In conclusion, our results clearly indicate that the 2-D PSI-MASW method can be used as complementary or alternative to the CVFK method to extract multimodal Rayleigh wave PVD information in local-scale seismological studies.

Signal Detection and Enhancement for Seismic Crosscorrelation Using the Wavelet-Domain Kalman Filter

Crosscorrelation is a classical signal-processing technique that plays an important role in exploration and earthquake geophysics. Seismic velocity estimation utilizes the crosscorrelation between observed and predicted seismic records in traveltime tomography. The crosscorrelation between two stations represents the Green’s functions retrieved from ambient noises in passive seismic interferometry. It can be used to estimate the subsurface velocity and amplitude information. The calculation of crosscorrelation usually assumes that the input data are stationary; however, the real seismic data are often non-stationary, due to the presence of multiple wave-modes and background noises. The seismic crosscorrelations often have low signal-to-noise ratio and frequently fail to provide correct information for subsequent processing. To address this problem, we develop a comprehensive technique to reduce contamination and improve the quality of crosscorrelation in the wavelet domain. The new procedure includes the forward wavelet transformation of raw records, the crosscorrelation between wavelet coefficients, single-channel image object detection, multi-channel Kalman-filter object tracking, and inverse wavelet transformation to produce the new crosscorrelation gathers. We effectively remove the unwanted components associated with contaminated wave-modes as the proposed detection and tracking algorithm can accurately extract the target wave-mode. We validate the method for three datasets: a marine streamer survey, a borehole survey, and a broadband dataset from seismology stations. We demonstrate that the proposed method can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the seismic crosscorrelations, considerably enhancing the quality of the data for subsequent advanced crosscorrelation-based seismic processing.

Shear-Wave Tomography Using Ocean Ambient Noise with Interference

Ambient noise carries abundant subsurface structure information and attracts ever-increasing attention in the past decades. However, there are lots of interference factors in the ambient noise in the real world, making the noise difficult to be utilized in seismic interferometry. The paper performs shear-wave tomography on a very short recording of ocean ambient noise with interference. An adapted eigenvalue-based filter is adopted as a pre-processing method to deal with the strong, directional interference problem. Beamforming and the noise crosscorrelation analyses show that the filter works well on the noise recorded by the array. Directional energy is significantly suppressed and the background diffuse component of the noise is relatively enhanced. The shear-wave tomography shows a 4-layer subsurface structure of the area covered by the array, with relatively homogeneous distribution of the shear-wave velocity values in the top three layers and a complicated structure in the bottom layer. Moreover, 3 high-velocity zones can be recognized in the bottom layer. The result is compared with several other tomography results using different methods and data. It demonstrates that, although the ambient noise used in this paper is very short and severely contaminated, a reasonable tomography result can be obtained by applying the adapted eigenvalue-based filter. Since it is the first application of the adapted eigenvalue-based filter in seismic tomography using ambient noise, the paper proves the effectiveness of this technique and shows the potential of the technique in ambient noise processing and passive seismic interferometry.

Noise-based ballistic wave passive seismic monitoring. Part 1: body waves

SUMMARY Unveiling the mechanisms of earthquake and volcanic eruption preparation requires improving our ability to monitor the rock mass response to transient stress perturbations at depth. The standard passive monitoring seismic interferometry technique based on coda waves is robust but recovering accurate and properly localized P- and S-wave velocity temporal anomalies at depth is intrinsically limited by the complexity of scattered, diffracted waves. In order to mitigate this limitation, we propose a complementary, novel, passive seismic monitoring approach based on detecting weak temporal changes of velocities of ballistic waves recovered from seismic noise correlations. This new technique requires dense arrays of seismic sensors in order to circumvent the bias linked to the intrinsic high sensitivity of ballistic waves recovered from noise correlations to changes in the noise source properties. In this work we use a dense network of 417 seismometers in the Groningen area of the Netherlands, one of Europe's largest gas fields. Over the course of 1 month our results show a 1.5 per cent apparent velocity increase of the P wave refracted at the basement of the 700-m-thick sedimentary cover. We interpret this unexpected high value of velocity increase for the refracted wave as being induced by a loading effect associated with rainfall activity and possibly canal drainage at surface. We also observe a 0.25 per cent velocity decrease for the direct P-wave travelling in the near-surface sediments and conclude that it might be partially biased by changes in time in the noise source properties even though it appears to be consistent with complementary results based on ballistic surface waves presented in a companion paper and interpreted as a pore pressure diffusion effect following a strong rainfall episode. The perspective of applying this new technique to detect continuous localized variations of seismic velocity perturbations at a few kilometres depth paves the way for improved in situ earthquake, volcano and producing reservoir monitoring.

Body‐wave passive seismic interferometry revisited: mining exploration using the body waves of local microearthquakes

ABSTRACTAs the global need for mineral resources is constantly rising and the exploitable concentrations of these resources tend to become increasingly complex to explore and exploit, the mining industry is in a constant quest for innovative and cost‐effective exploration solutions. In this context, and in the framework of the Smart Exploration action, an integrated passive seismic survey was launched in the Gerolekas bauxite mining site in Central Greece. A passive seismic network, consisting of 129 three‐component short‐period stations was installed and operated continuously for 4 months. The acquired data permitted detection of approximately 1000 microearthquakes of very small magnitude (duration magnitude ranging between –1.5 and 2.0), located within or at a very close distance from the study area. We use this microseismicity as input for the application of passive seismic interferometry for reflection retrieval, using the body waves (P‐ and S‐wave coda) of the located microearthquakes. We retrieve by autocorrelation zero‐offset virtual reflection responses, per component, below each of the recording stations. We process the acquired results using reflection processing techniques to obtain zero‐offset time and depth sections, both for P‐ and for S‐waves. In the context of the present work, we evaluate one of the acquired depth sections, using an existing seismic line passing through the Gerolekas passive seismic network, and we perform forward modelling to assess the quality and value of the acquired results. We confirm that passive seismic reflected‐wave interferometry could constitute a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly innovative exploration alternative, especially in cases of difficult exploration settings.

Comparison of MASW and seismic interferometry with use of ambient noise for estimation of S-wave velocity field in landslide subsurface

This study presents a comparison of data acquisition, processing and interpretation between passive seismic interferometry (SI) and active multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) methods, both using surface waves for estimation S-wave velocity field. Measurements have been taken in the same geological engineering conditions on Just-Tegoborze landslide on the south of Poland. This comparison study has an important meaning from landslide hazard evaluation point of view. The landslide is located in Magura Nappe in Outer (Flysch) Carpathians. SI was based on registration of local seismic noise generated by high traffic on the state road which intersects the landslide. The main processing step was cross-correlation of seismic noise between every pair of receivers. It led to obtain series of empirical Green’s functions for Rayleigh surface wave. However, in MASW method, seismic energy was released by an impact of 5 kg sledgehammer in a metal plate. Both methods included analysis of dispersion curves of Rayleigh surface wave. The inversion of picked fundamental modes was applied using genetic algorithm and resulted in 1D S-wave velocity models. The last step of interpretation included model visualization as the 2D S-wave velocity sections for studied profiles. Both MASW and SI methods allowed to estimate S-wave velocity field in Just-Tegoborze landslide subsurface. Dispersion images obtained from both methods provided similar phase velocity and frequency ranges. On S-wave velocity sections, the greater depth range was observed for SI method; however, lateral resolution was better for MASW. Slip surfaces in colluvial layer were not observed on either SI or MASW S-wave velocity sections. Only results obtained from SI allowed to distinguish probable slip surface located deeper, i.e. on the contact with less weathered flysch bedrock.

Modelling subsurface geologic structures at the Ikogosi geothermal field, southwestern Nigeria, using gravity, magnetics and seismic interferometry techniques

Abstract We present results and a technique for imaging the subsurface structures of a geothermal field with particular focus on the Ikogosi geothermal field in Nigeria. The intent was to provide an understanding of the subsurface structural setup in the region and assess its viability for further geothermal resources exploitation. High-resolution aeromagnetic and gravity data were used for the study. A constrained 2D forward modelling technique was applied to these datasets to map the shape and corresponding depths of geologic structures in the region. This study has gone deeper to ascertain the basement structure and configurations and how it influences the heat source of the Ikogosi Warm Spring (IWS) region. The dominant host quartzite rock unit at the IWS location reaches average depths of 2.5–3.0 km and is located directly on an intruded high-density geologic formation in the subsurface. Fault structures traversing the IWS source have also been uncovered. We infer that these structural setups are central to the geothermal system of the IWS. Valid reflection responses from the profile model have been retrieved from randomly induced noise sources, using a passive seismic interferometry technique. Pre-stack depth migration of the reflected responses suitably imaged the reflectors within the subsurface of the IWS region, tracing fault boundaries and delineating intruded geological structures. This has provided pre-survey insights into the subsurface seismic imagery of the region. Results derived from this study could assist informed decision making regarding geothermal exploration and exploitation in the region.