{"title":"Laboratory Evidence of Transient Pressure Surge in a Fluid-Filled Fracture as a Potential Driver of Remote Dynamic Earthquake Triggering","authors":"Yuesu Jin, N. Dyaur, Yingcai Zheng","doi":"10.1785/0320210015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210015","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Seismic waves carrying tiny perturbing stresses can trigger earthquakes in geothermal and volcanic regions. The underlying cause of this dynamic triggering is still not well understood. One leading hypothesis is that a sudden increase in the fluid-pore pressure in the fault zone is involved, but the exact physical mechanism is unclear. Here, we report experimental evidence in which a fluid-filled fracture was shown to be able to amplify the pressure of an incoming seismic wave. We built miniature pressure sensors and directly placed them inside a thin fluid-filled fracture to measure the fluid pressure during wave propagation. By varying the fracture aperture from 0.2 to 9.2 mm and sweeping the frequency from 12 to 70 Hz, we observed in the lab that the fluid pressure in the fracture could be amplified up to 25.2 times compared with the incident-wave amplitude. Because an increase of the fluid pressure in a fault can reduce the effective normal stress to allow the fault to slide, our observed transient pressure surge phenomenon may provide the mechanism for earthquake dynamic triggering.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"47 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126575146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rodrigo Chi‐Durán, D. Dreger, A. Rodgers, A. Nayak
{"title":"Joint Regional Waveform, First-Motion Polarity, and Surface Displacement Moment Tensor Inversion of the 3 September 2017 North Korean Nuclear Test","authors":"Rodrigo Chi‐Durán, D. Dreger, A. Rodgers, A. Nayak","doi":"10.1785/0320210022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210022","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The 3 September 2017 Mw 5.2 North Korean underground nuclear test (DPRK2017) is the largest man-made explosion with surface displacements observed by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and showed as much as 3.5 m of horizontal permanent deformation. Although regional distance waveform-based seismic moment tensor (MT) inversion methods successfully identify this event as an explosion, the inverted solutions do not fit the SAR displacement field well. To better constrain the source, we developed an MT source-type inversion method that incorporates surface ground deformation (accounting for free-surface topography), regional seismic waveforms, and first-motion polarities. We applied the source-type inversion over a grid of possible source locations to find the best-fitting location, depth, and point-source MT for the event. Our best-fitting MT solution achieves ∼70% horizontal geodetic fit, ∼80% waveform fit, and 100% fit in the first-motion polarities. The joint inversion narrows the range of acceptable source types improving discrimination, and reduces the uncertainty in scalar moment and estimated yield. The method is transportable and can be applied to other types of events that may have measurable geodetic signals such as underground mine collapses and volcanic events.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121786234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Kaviris, P. Elias, V. Kapetanidis, A. Serpetsidaki, A. Karakonstantis, V. Plicka, L. de Barros, E. Sokos, I. Kassaras, V. Sakkas, I. Spingos, S. Lambotte, C. Duverger, O. Lengliné, C. Evangelidis, I. Fountoulakis, Olga‐Joan Ktenidou, F. Gallovič, Simon Bufféral, E. Klein, E. Aissaoui, O. Scotti, H. Lyon‐Caen, A. Rigo, P. Papadimitriou, N. Voulgaris, J. Zahradník, A. Deschamps, P. Briole, P. Bernard
{"title":"The Western Gulf of Corinth (Greece) 2020–2021 Seismic Crisis and Cascading Events: First Results from the Corinth Rift Laboratory Network","authors":"G. Kaviris, P. Elias, V. Kapetanidis, A. Serpetsidaki, A. Karakonstantis, V. Plicka, L. de Barros, E. Sokos, I. Kassaras, V. Sakkas, I. Spingos, S. Lambotte, C. Duverger, O. Lengliné, C. Evangelidis, I. Fountoulakis, Olga‐Joan Ktenidou, F. Gallovič, Simon Bufféral, E. Klein, E. Aissaoui, O. Scotti, H. Lyon‐Caen, A. Rigo, P. Papadimitriou, N. Voulgaris, J. Zahradník, A. Deschamps, P. Briole, P. Bernard","doi":"10.1785/0320210021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210021","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 We investigate a seismic crisis that occurred in the western Gulf of Corinth (Greece) between December 2020 and February 2021. This area is the main focus of the Corinth Rift Laboratory (CRL) network, and has been closely monitored with local seismological and geodetic networks for 20 yr. The 2020–2021 seismic crisis evolved in three stages: It started with an Mw 4.6 event near the northern shore of the Gulf, opposite of Aigion, then migrated eastward toward Trizonia Island after an Mw 5.0 event, and eventually culminated with an Mw 5.3 event, ∼3 km northeast of the Psathopyrgos fault. Aftershocks gradually migrated westward, triggering another cluster near the junction with the Rion–Patras fault. Moment tensor inversion revealed mainly normal faulting; however, some strike-slip mechanisms also exist, composing a complex tectonic regime in this region dominated by east–west normal faults. We employ seismic and geodetic observations to constrain the geometry and kinematics of the structures that hosted the major events. We discuss possible triggering mechanisms of the second and third stages of the sequence, including fluids migration and aseismic creep, and propose potential implications of the Mw 5.3 mainshock for the seismic hazard of the region.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128026699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Small Local Earthquake Detection Using Low-Cost MEMS Accelerometers: Examples in Northern and Central Italy","authors":"V. Cascone, J. Boaga, G. Cassiani","doi":"10.1785/0320210007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210007","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 This study evaluates the seismicity detection efficiency of a new low-cost triaxial accelerometer prototype based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Networks of MEMS sensors were installed in telecommunication infrastructures to build two small arrays in northern and central Italy. The sensor prototypes recorded major earthquakes as well as nine small seismic events with 2.0<ML<3.0. Where possible, MEMS were compared to the closest high-quality seismic stations belonging to the national accelerometric network. The comparison, in terms of peak ground accelerations and spectral responses, confirms that the signals are in good agreement. The tested inexpensive MEMS sensors were able to detect small local events with epicentral distances as large as 50 km and provided an efficient characterization of the main motion parameters. This confirms that the proposed accelerometer prototypes are promising tools to integrate into traditional networks for local seismicity monitoring.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127815924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seismic Noise Recorded by Telecommunication Fiber Optics Reveals the Impact of COVID-19 Measures on Human Activity","authors":"Junzhu Shen, T. Zhu","doi":"10.1785/0320210008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210008","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Quantifying the response of human activity to different COVID-19 measures may serve as a potential way to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures and optimize them. Recent studies reported that seismic noise reduction caused by limited human activity due to the COVID-19 lockdown had been observed with seismometers. However, it is difficult for the current seismic infrastructure in urban cities to characterize spatiotemporal seismic noise during the post-COVID-19 lockdown, because of their sparse distribution. Here, we show key connections between progressive COVID-19 measures and spatiotemporal seismic noise changes recorded by a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) array deployed in State College, Pennsylvania. We first show a spatiotemporal seismic noise reduction (up to 90%) corresponding to reduced human activity in different city blocks during the stay-at-home period. We also show partial noise recovery corresponding to increased road traffic and industrial machinery in phase yellow and phase green of the lockdown. Nonrecovery seismic noise in the 0.01–10 Hz band suggests the low level of pedestrian movement during phase yellow and phase green. According to a linear correlation between Google mobility change and seismic noise change, we emphasize that DAS recordings using city-wide fiber optics could provide a way for quantifying the impact of COVID-19 measures on human activity in different blocks.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"64 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123801602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Raspberry Shake Instruments Provide Initial Ground-Motion Assessment of the Induced Seismicity at the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project in Cornwall, United Kingdom","authors":"J. Holmgren, M. Werner","doi":"10.1785/0320210010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210010","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Raspberry Shake (RS) seismographs offer the potential for affordable and citizen-led seismic monitoring in areas with few publicly available seismometers, especially in previously quiescent regions experiencing induced seismicity. However, their scientific and regulatory potential remains largely untested. We examine the ground motions recorded by 11 RS and one broadband station within 15 km of the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power (UDDGP) project in Cornwall, United Kingdom, to evaluate the RS network’s suitability to provide an initial ground-motion assessment of the region. To date, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has reported 232 induced events originating at UDDGP since flow testing began in summer 2020, with two events exceeding local magnitude (ML) 1.5. Although the RS accelerometers are too noisy for UDDGP’s microseismic events, the vertical geophones are useful. Peak ground velocity observations are consistent with relevant ground-motion models, whereas peak ground acceleration (PGA) values are greater than predicted. Regional trends in the PGA levels are likely caused by path effects. Finally, RS estimates of ML are similar to those reported by the BGS. For sparse national seismic networks, RS stations can enable a preliminary evaluation of seismic events and their ground motions.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131999708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Broad, Distributed Active Fault Zone Lies beneath Salt Lake City, Utah","authors":"L. Liberty, J. St. Clair, A. McKean","doi":"10.1785/0320210009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210009","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Although the Wasatch fault is currently known to have a high-seismic hazard from motion along range-bounding faults, new seismic data reveal faulted and folded 13,000–30,000-yr-old Lake Bonneville strata beneath Salt Lake City (SLC). Coupled with previous excavation trench, borehole, and other geologic and geophysical observations, we conclude that a zone of latest Pleistocene and/or Holocene faulting and folding kinematically links the East Bench and Warm Springs faults through a 3 km wide relay structure and transfer zone. We characterize faults beneath downtown SLC as active, and these faults may displace or deform the ground surface during an earthquake. Through offset but linked faults, our observations support throughgoing ruptures across faults of the Wasatch fault zone (WFZ) and an elevated risk of earthquake-induced building damage.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"41 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115965348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Subsurface Characterization of the Quaternary Active Cheraw Fault in Southeastern Colorado Based on Seismic Imaging","authors":"M. Zellman, D. Ostenaa, Morgan P. Brown","doi":"10.1785/0320210016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210016","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The subsurface structure of the late Quaternary active Cheraw fault is relatively unstudied. Vertical displacement estimates of faulted bedrock horizons, characteristics of bedrock structure (e.g., dip), potential association with dissolution of underlying Permian evaporite strata, and whether or not a postulated northeast extension of the topographic scarp is associated with Quaternary faulting have remained open questions. In this study, we assess six 2D seismic reflection profiles that cross the Cheraw fault scarp, demonstrate how Quaternary normal faulting has reactivated pre-existing structures along the northwest flank of the Las Animas arch, and provide new constraints for seismic hazard characterization. We map the fault to depths of at least 1.5–1.8 km into lower Paleozoic strata in which the continuity of the fault through Permian evaporite indicates that dissolution of those stratigraphic intervals has no role in Quaternary surface faulting. Interpretation of the seismic data reveals an ∼75°±5° northwest-dipping fault with ∼24–30 m vertical displacement of upper Cretaceous strata, which coincides with Quaternary scarps at the surface.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"328 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115844710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Source Separation and Medium Change of Contained Chemical Explosions from Coda Wave Interferometry","authors":"S. Ford, W. Walter","doi":"10.1785/0320210002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1785/0320210002","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Differences in the seismic coda of neighboring events can be used to investigate source location offsets and medium change with coda wave interferometry (CWI). We employ CWI to infer the known relative location between two chemical explosions in Phase I of the Source Physics Experiment (SPE). The inferred displacement between the first, SPE-1, and second, SPE-2, chemical explosion is between 6 and 18 m, with an expectation of 9.2 m, where the known separation is close to 9.4 m. We also employ CWI to find any velocity perturbation due to damage from SPE-2, by comparing its coda with the collocated third SPE chemical explosion, SPE-3. We find that damage due to SPE-2 must be confined to a spherical region with radius less than 10 m and velocity perturbation less than 25%.","PeriodicalId":273018,"journal":{"name":"The Seismic Record","volume":"73 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127257350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}