Directional HVSR at the Chalco lakebed zone of the Valley of Mexico: Analysis and interpretation

Abstract

This study delves into Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) and directional HVSR (D-HVSR) using continuous 30-min ambient seismic noise (ASN) signals recorded at 68 sites in the Chalco lakebed zone of the Valley of Mexico (VM). Our aim is to explore the shallow stratigraphy and subsurface structures in that zone. The isoperiod map using the HVSR, and the ensuing velocity structure inversion reveals a basin of irregular shape and shallow depth in the surroundings. Additionally, we explore azimuthal effects by computing the D-HVSR by rotating the records to obtain the time series for a given direction. We found different polarizations at the measurement points, and focused on the frequencies in which the effect is more pronounced. The cases with significant polarizations at the dominant frequencies suggest an irregularity at the basement level. This is supported by preliminary synthetic results that uses the three-dimensional (3D) Indirect Boundary Element Method (IBEM) to assess the effects of interface irregularities like a channel or dike. In the present stage of development, the D-HVSR is a powerful tool to reveal the existence of lateral variations. The complexity of the lakebed zone response in the VM and its irregular characteristics show the potential of the D-HVSR approach as well as the need to deeply explore into the modeling for its better understanding and interpretation.