Seismic Waves Research Articles

Large-scale engineered meta-barriers for attenuation of seismic surface waves

This study evaluates the performance of large-scale meta-barriers in attenuating seismic surface waves and transportation-induced vibrations in the most disastrous frequency range of 0–30 Hz. By developing analytical and three-dimensional numerical models, it evaluates the properties of the proposed meta-barrier and presents their effects on the attenuation range. Moreover, it discusses a simplified mass-spring-mass model of the meta-barrier, demonstrating that the attenuation range of a unit cell can be approximated using this model. The proposed design consists of three-dimensional two-layers (3D-2C) unit cells arranged periodically with different configurations to be placed between the wave source and structure. Specifically, the meta-barriers can be arranged gradually (periodic spacing along the length), widening the attenuation range to block nearly 85% of the most devastating waves using typically arranged stacked unit cells and triangular-like arrangement (double wedge). The results show that a typical stacked unit cells reflect the incoming waves towards the source, while using the double wedge design, the surface wave can be converted to bulk wave, thereby reducing the risk to the surroundings. Moreover, the study validates the attenuation range using three-dimensional time history analysis subjected to an artificial wavelet (Ormsby wavelet) and three actual seismic records (1975 Oroville, 1984 Bishop, and 2001 Anza time histories).

Seismic Monitoring of a Deep Geothermal Field in Munich (Germany) Using Borehole Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Geothermal energy exploitation in urban areas necessitates robust real-time seismic monitoring for risk mitigation. While surface-based seismic networks are valuable, they are sensitive to anthropogenic noise. This study investigates the capabilities of borehole Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for local seismic monitoring of a geothermal field located in Munich, Germany. We leverage the operator’s cloud infrastructure for DAS data management and processing. We introduce a comprehensive workflow for the automated processing of DAS data, including seismic event detection, onset time picking, and event characterization. The latter includes the determination of the event hypocenter, origin time, seismic moment, and stress drop. Waveform-based parameters are obtained after the automatic conversion of the DAS strain-rate to acceleration. We present the results of a 6-month monitoring period that demonstrates the capabilities of the proposed monitoring set-up, from the management of DAS data volumes to the establishment of an event catalog. The comparison of the results with seismometer data shows that the phase and amplitude of DAS data can be reliably used for seismic processing. This emphasizes the potential of improving seismic monitoring capabilities with hybrid networks, combining surface and downhole seismometers with borehole DAS. The inherent high-density array configuration of borehole DAS proves particularly advantageous in urban and operational environments. This study stresses that realistic prior knowledge of the seismic velocity model remains essential to prevent a large number of DAS sensing points from biasing results and interpretation. This study suggests the potential for a gradual extension of the network as geothermal exploitation progresses and new wells are equipped, owing to the scalability of the described monitoring system.

Untangling the environmental and tectonic drivers of the Noto earthquake swarm in Japan.

The underlying mechanism of the ongoing seismic swarm in the Noto Peninsula, Japan, which generates earthquakes at 10 times the average regional rate, remains elusive. We capture the evolution of the subsurface stress state by monitoring changes in seismic wave velocities over an 11-year period. A sustained long-term increase in seismic velocity that is seasonally modulated drops before the earthquake swarm. We use a three-dimensional hydromechanical model to quantify environmentally driven variations in excess pore pressure, revealing its crucial role in governing the seasonal modulation with a stress sensitivity of 6 × 10-9 per pascal. The decrease in seismic velocity aligns with vertical surface uplift, suggesting potential fluid migration from a high-pore pressure zone at depth. Stress changes induced by abnormally intense snow falls contribute to initiating the swarm through subsequent perturbations to crustal pore pressure.

Review and Assessment of Material, Method, and Predictive Modeling for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Partially Confined Concrete Columns

The repairing and strengthening of concrete structures using external and internal partial confinements are inevitable in the construction industry due to the new standards and rapid developments. The conventional materials and methods of confinement are unable to meet modern safety and functional standards. The fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) enhances the strength and ductility of deteriorating and new concrete columns by reducing lateral confinement pressure and resistance against seismic shocks. The precise methods of partial confinement are inevitable for effective FRP-concrete bonding, durability, and cost-effectiveness under different loading conditions and to cope with external environmental factors. Predictive modeling and simulation techniques are pivotal for the optimization of confinement materials and methods by investigating the FRP-concrete novel confinement configurations, stress–strain responses, and failure modes. The novel materials and methods for concrete columns’ partial confinement lack high compressive strength, ductility, chemical attack resistivity, and different fiber orientation impacts. This review provides an overview of recent confinement materials, novel methods, and advanced modeling and simulation techniques with a critical analysis of the research gaps for partial FRP confinement of concrete columns. The current challenges and future prospects are also presented.

Porosity estimation based on the shear modulus inversion of seismic shear wave

Reliable estimation of subsurface porosity is necessary for hydrocarbon reservoir characterization and fluid identification. Porosity estimations from seismic data can provide the lateral distribution of subsurface porosity, but the results may be highly nonunique because subsurface elastic properties (such as velocity and density) can be affected by both porosity and pore fluids. Since shear modulus is insensitive to pore fluid content, it can be effectively used to estimate porosity. We present a novel porosity estimation method using the reflected SH-wave (SH-SH wave), whose propagation characteristics depend mainly on shear modulus and S-wave velocity. We derive a new analytical expression for the SH-SH wave reflection coefficient, which acts as a function of shear modulus and S-wave velocity in its natural logarithm form. This new approximation has high accuracy, and both coefficients corresponding to shear modulus and S-wave velocity are “model-parameter independent”; thus, there is no need for prior estimation of any model parameter during inversion. Numerical analysis shows shear modulus inverted from the SH-SH wave has lower uncertainty, lower ill-conditioning, and lower requirements of data incident angle than that of the PP-wave. Furthermore, the highly correlated rock physics relationships between porosity and shear modulus facilitate accurate porosity estimation. A field data application shows that high-resolution porosities of fine structures can be reliably recovered using the proposed method.

Assessment and measurement of ground motion risk levels for structures isolated by double concave friction pendulum system

Determining the risk level of ground motions (GM) for structures is crucial for their damage control and resilience enhancement, while the assessment and measurement criteria of GM risk levels for structures isolated by double concave friction pendulum system (DCFPS) remain unclear. Through statistical analysis of the response distribution of DCFPS with various design parameters under 1013 GM records, this study determines an energy dissipation efficacy of 99 %, a floor velocity of 0.35 m/s, a floor velocity of 0.60 m/s, and the displacement capacity of DCFPS as the response criteria for assessing four performance states of efficacy, habitability, functionality, and safety, respectively. In addition, the value of GM intensity in PGA, PGV, PGD, and the equivalent velocity of seismic input energy (VE) for measuring the four GM risk levels corresponding to the four performance states are obtained. Furthermore, a classification of GMs based on earthquake magnitude and fault distance is proposed according to their risk to DCFPS. It is found that the intensity value of each GM risk level varies for different design parameters of DCFPS but fluctuate within a small range, however, great differences exist when using different intensity measures (IM) in classifying GM risk levels. Therefore, based on the correlation between IMs and DCFPS responses, the conservatism of PGA, PGV, PGD and VE in assessing the risk of GMs for DCFPS are evaluated.

Numerical simulation of 3D seismic wave based on alternative flux finite-difference WENO scheme

Summary High-frequency non-physical oscillations may occur due to shock waves in seismic wavefield and dynamic rupture simulation. In this study, we introduced the alternative flux finite-difference weighted essentially non-oscillatory (AWENO) scheme to address potential shock wave issues in computational seismology effectively. The wavefield of the body-fitted curvilinear domain was accurately computed through conservative grid mapping, ensuring accurate implementation of free surface boundary conditions on irregular surfaces using characteristic boundary conditions and minimizing artificial boundary reflections with exponential decay absorbing layers. Finally, we compared our scheme with the GRTM for flat surfaces and the CGFDM3D-EQR for irregular surfaces to demonstrate its correctness and accuracy, and validated its non-oscillatory characteristics. The aforementioned scheme is anticipated to assume a significant function in simulating more intricate seismic wavefields or dynamic ruptures.

East European sedimentary basins long heated by a fading mantle upwelling

A strong negative anomaly of seismic wave velocities at the core-mantle boundary (the Perm Anomaly) beneath the East European platform is attributed to the remnant of a deep mantle upwelling. The interaction between the upwelling and the East European lithosphere in the geological past and its resulting surface manifestations are still poorly understood. Using mantle plume modelling and global plate motion reconstructions, we show here that the East European lithosphere is likely to have been situated over the weakening Perm Anomaly upwelling for about 150–200 million years. As the East European platform moved above the Perm Anomaly in post-Jurassic times, the vertical tectonic movements recorded in sedimentary hydrocarbon-rich basins show either hiatus/uplift or insignificant subsidence. Analytical modelling of heat conduction through the lithosphere demonstrates that the basins have been slowly heated for a long time by the Perm Anomaly upwelling, creating suitable conditions for hydrocarbon maturation. This suggests a profound relationship between mantle plume dynamics, basin evolution, and hydrocarbon generation.

Evidence of a Low‐Velocity Zone in the Upper Mantle Beneath Cumbre Vieja Volcano (Canary Islands) Through Receiver Functions Analysis

AbstractOceanic volcanic islands have a complex internal structure due to their geological evolution. La Palma is the second youngest in the Canary Islands. Historical eruptions occurred in the Cumbre Vieja (CV) volcanic system, including the last 2021 Tajogaite eruption. The seismicity before, during, and after the Tajogaite eruption provides valuable information for a better understanding of deep volcanic processes. We applied the receiver function technique to image the crustal and upper mantle structures beneath the CV volcanic complex. We investigated the first 50 km of the lithosphere, identifying various seismic discontinuities. After a thin layer of recent volcanic rocks, we found a layer corresponding to the old oceanic crust. Beneath the Moho, we found a significant decrease in the seismic velocities until about 37 km of depth. This low‐velocity layer corresponds to a zone of partial melting with interconnected magmatic chambers that feed the volcanic activity in CV.

Study on seismic response reduction of high-rise building

Study on seismic response reduction of high-rise building

Instrumentation of the Nigeria network of seismological stations

“Living in fear of Nigeria biggest Earthquake” is a sub-heading of the Punch daily newspaper of Nigeria, dated, 21st of August, 2016, reported the earthquake/tremor recently witnessed in the ancient town of Saki, accompanied by a series of aftershock events that lasted for about three (3) months (March/May, 2016) southwest Nigeria[1]. Similarly, roughly five (5) years later, another series of earthquakes/tremors occurred again in Saki town, which was reported by an online news vendor named “Ripples Nigeria” dated September 8, 2021, under the sub-heading of “earth tremor rocks Saki in Oyo state”[2]. However, these events were not captured nor recorded by any of the functional seismological stations in Nigeria. The nearest seismological station located at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, also failed to capture the events. We therefore seek to examine the instrumentation of the Nigerian National Network of Seismographic Stations. This is necessary to understand the functionalities and the capabilities of the deployed seismometers in each of the seismic stations. Therefore, we evaluated the bandpass limit of the seismic wave frequency for the respective seismic stations in Nigeria through the computation of the amplitude-frequency response curve, phase response curve, and count to cm/sec.

A new highly accurate and efficient pure visco‐acoustic wave equation for tilted transversely isotropic attenuating media

AbstractThe propagation of seismic waves in attenuating anisotropic media exhibits amplitude dissipation and phase dispersion. To describe its effects, the fractional Laplacian pure visco‐acoustic wave equations capable of producing stable and noise‐free wavefields have been derived. However, except for acoustic approximation, previous wave equations utilize the approximations with lower accuracy in simplifying the denominator of the approximate complex‐valued dispersion relation, resulting in reduced accuracy. To address this concern, we use a combination of complex stiffness coefficients to replace the denominator term of the approximate complex‐valued dispersion relation. This approximation effectively reduces the loss of accuracy caused by ignoring the influence of the velocity anisotropy parameter ε and the attenuation anisotropy parameter εQ in the denominator term, leading to a wave equation with high accuracy in media with large anisotropic parameters ε and δ. In addition, the new wave equation only contains two high‐order spatial partial derivatives and has high computational efficiency. Theoretical analysis and numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed pure visco‐acoustic tilted transversely isotropic wave equation outperforms the previous pure visco‐acoustic wave equation in terms of simulation accuracy. The newly developed wave equation is well suited for the application of Q‐compensated reverse time migration and full waveform inversion in attenuating anisotropic media.

Deep learning for high-resolution seismic imaging

Seismic imaging techniques play a crucial role in interpreting subsurface geological structures by analyzing the propagation and reflection of seismic waves. However, traditional methods face challenges in achieving high resolution due to theoretical constraints and computational costs. Leveraging recent advancements in deep learning, this study introduces a neural network framework that integrates Transformer and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures, enhanced through Adaptive Spatial Feature Fusion (ASFF), to achieve high-resolution seismic imaging. Our approach directly maps seismic data to reflection models, eliminating the need for post-processing low-resolution results. Through extensive numerical experiments, we demonstrate the outstanding ability of this method to accurately infer subsurface structures. Evaluation metrics including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Correlation Coefficient (CC), and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) emphasize the model's capacity to faithfully reconstruct subsurface features. Furthermore, noise injection experiments showcase the reliability of this efficient seismic imaging method, further underscoring the potential of deep learning in seismic imaging.

Ancient Craton‐Wide Mid‐Lithosphere Discontinuity Controlled by Pargasite Channels

AbstractThe mechanisms governing a commonly observed seismic velocity drop in the cratonic lithosphere, referred to as the mid‐lithospheric discontinuity (MLD), have been widely debated. To identify the composition and seismic structure of MLDs, we have analyzed Sp receiver functions (SRF) and mantle xenocrysts for six regions across Australia. We utilize locations where seismic stations and kimberlite‐hosted mantle xenocrysts are both available, allowing for comparison between seismological and petrological constraints. Our results show negative SRF phases indicative of the MLD coincide with clinopyroxene‐depleted zones at 60–140 km depth. Clinopyroxenes with different chemical compositions across the MLD define a litho‐chemical discontinuity. Modeling and experimental data show that MLDs may be explained by modified lherzolite with 10%–20% modal pargasite. Pargasite MLDs may form when rising H2O‐bearing melts cross the amphibole dehydration curve and react with clinopyroxene in lherzolite. Because the amphibole dehydration curve is isobaric at 80–120 km, pargasite will be precipitated as horizontal channels.

Acoustic wave propagation and scattering in visco-acoustic medium: Integral equation representation and De Wolf approximation

A visco-acoustic medium is an approximate representation of the absorption and attenuation characteristics of the actual earth medium, which will cause energy attenuation and velocity dispersion of seismic waves. The propagation law of scattered waves in viscoelastic media can be revealed through seismic wave forward simulation. However, the numerical simulation of scattered waves in a visco-acoustic medium using the De Wolf approximation method based on the Lippmann-Schwingr (L-S) equation has not been studied. Therefore, based on the Futterman dispersion relation, the mathematical expression of the integral equation of acoustic wave propagation and scattering in the visco-acoustic medium is derived. We combine the De Wolf approximation with the quality factor Q. The thin slab approximation and screen approximation methods are two realizations of the De Wolf approximation. The thin slab approximation and the screen approximation continuation operator in the viscous-acoustic medium are constructed and applied to the numerical simulation of the scattered wave field. The research results of the concave model and complex model indicate that due to the influence of medium viscosity, the energy of the deep reflected waves is weaker in the forward modeling records of the thin slab approximation method and screen approximation method, and the dominant frequency of seismic waves moves towards the low-frequency direction; Compared with the finite difference results, they only calculate one reflection, and there are no multiple wave signals in the seismic records. Finally, We discuss the thin slab approximation and the screen approximation method for detail around the division of the thickness of the thin slab, the selection of the reference frequency, and the non-uniformity of the medium.

Machine learning prediction of the mass and the velocity of controlled single-block rockfalls from the seismic waves they generate

Abstract. Understanding the dynamics of slope instabilities is critical to mitigate the associated hazards, but their direct observation is often difficult due to their remote locations and their spontaneous nature. Seismology allows us to get unique information on these events, including on their dynamics. However, the link between the properties of these events (mass and kinematics) and the seismic signals generated is still poorly understood. We conducted a controlled rockfall experiment in the Riou Bourdoux torrent (southern French Alps) to try to better decipher those links. We deployed a dense seismic network and inferred the dynamics of the block from the reconstruction of the 3D trajectory from terrestrial and airborne high-resolution stereophotogrammetry. We propose a new approach based on machine learning to predict the mass and the velocity of each block. Our results show that we can predict those quantities with average errors of approximately 10 % for the velocity and 25 % for the mass. These accuracies are as good as or better than those obtained by other approaches, but our approach has the advantage in that it does not require the source to be localised, nor does it require a high-resolution velocity model or a strong assumption on the seismic wave attenuation model. Finally, the machine learning approach allows us to explore more widely the correlations between the features of the seismic signal generated by the rockfalls and their physical properties, and it might eventually lead to better constraints on the physical models in the future.

On cost-efficient parallel iterative solvers for 3D frequency-domain seismic multisource viscoelastic anisotropic wave modeling

Solving large sparse linear systems in 3D frequency-domain seismic wave modeling, especially in viscoelastic anisotropic media, poses significant challenges due to the increasing number of discrete moduli and nonzero elements in the linear system matrix. The computational load surpasses that of acoustic or viscoacoustic media, making it even more challenging when dealing with multisource problems. Popular scientific tools for solving a linear system, such as multifrontal massively parallel sparse direct solver (MUMPS), structured matrix package (STRUMPACK), and portable extensible toolkit for scientific computation (PETSc), can be used, but their applicability to our specific problem has not been comprehensively evaluated. Our study aims to tackle the challenges in solving large, sparse, complex-valued symmetric linear systems with multiple right-hand side vectors for 3D frequency-domain seismic wave modeling. We have adopted the preconditioned conjugate gradient iterative algorithms as the foundation for our research, introducing two highly cost-effective parallel iterative solvers: the parallel symmetric successive overrelaxation conjugate gradient (P-SSORCG) and the parallel incomplete Cholesky conjugate gradient (P-ICCG). These novel solvers are subjected to a comprehensive comparative analysis against well-established scientific tools, such as MUMPS, STRUMPACK, and PETSc, in the context of 3D frequency-domain seismic wave modeling. We show their promising performances in a practical 3D SEG/EAGE overthrust model and demonstrate that the grouped P-SSORCG offers an efficient alternative to parallel direct solvers, particularly in situations wherein computational resources are limited.

Evaluation Method for Seismic Toughness of Steel Frame Buildings with Buckling Constraint Braces Based on the Whole Construction Process

Evaluation Method for Seismic Toughness of Steel Frame Buildings with Buckling Constraint Braces Based on the Whole Construction Process

Possible Mechanisms for Tsunami‐Like Surge Deposits Due To the Chicxulub Impact at the K‐Pg Boundary at the Tanis Site, North Dakota

AbstractAt Tanis, a unique bi‐directional sediment package occurs precisely at the Cretaceous‐Paleogene (K‐Pg) boundary, recording the first hours of the Paleogene in uncommonly fine temporal detail. The impact ejecta‐bearing sediment package was rapidly emplaced by two massive, ∼10‐m‐high, potentially impact‐triggered surges, that inundated a steep, deeply incised paleo river valley from the direction of the contemporaneous Western Interior Seaway (WIS). Intermingling of fresh‐ and salt‐water fossils at Tanis, coeval brackish water indicators in the nearby region, and historical tsunami observations, suggest that the WIS paleoshoreline was nearby Tanis at K‐Pg time. The interpreted timing for deposition (including ejecta infall) of ∼1–2‐hr immediately post‐impact precludes a direct tsunami from the Chicxulub impact site, which would have required much more than 10 hr to reach Tanis. Seismic waves from the Mw ∼ 11 Chicxulub earthquake, arriving just minutes post‐impact, might have triggered the surge, for example, via seismic excitation of large water waves in the WIS, as proposed by DePalma et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1817407116). Here, we explore this mechanism via a simple mathematical model of seismic excitation and propagation of a water wave into a shallow river and upstream. Matching the observations implies a relatively long source process time of many minutes, such as generated by Chicxulub crater rebound processes, in order to explain sufficient upriver amplitudes and advective transport. Atmospheric waves due to the expanding Chicxulub ejecta curtain might have provided a smaller, secondary contribution during triggering. Thus, the mechanism(s) for the surges at Tanis are now better‐constrained, yet remain incompletely resolved.

Numerical Simulation of Electromagnetic Responses to an Earthquake Source Due To the Piezoelectric Effect of ‘∞m’ Symmetry

AbstractIt is reported that earthquakes are accompanied by electromagnetic (EM) anomalies. These anomalies are thought to be caused by earthquakes but their generation mechanism is still unclear. The piezoelectric effect has been proposed as a possible mechanism, particularly in quartz‐rich rocks. However, the EM responses to earthquakes due to such an effect have not been well understood. In this article, we study the EM signals generated by an earthquake source due to the piezoelectric effect. We develop a semi‐analytical method to simulate the EM responses to earthquake sources in a 3‐D layered model and conduct numerical simulations to investigate the characteristics of the EM fields. The results show that the piezoelectric effect in quartz‐rich rocks could be the responsible mechanism for the EM signals recorded during the earthquake. Two kinds of EM signals can be generated by the earthquake, namely, the early EM wave arriving before the seismic waves and the coseismic EM field accompanying the seismic waves. For an Mw 6.1 earthquake, the coseismic electric field is ∼0.1 μV/m and the magnetic field can only reach ∼10−5 nT. We also study the sensitivity of the coseismic EM fields to the rock conductivity. The results indicate that the coseismic EM fields are mainly affected by the conductivity of the shallow layer where the receiver is located, and if the top layer is thin, they are also affected by the conductivity of the deeper layer due to the contribution of the evanescent EM wave created at the interface.