Empirical evidence of local seismic effects at sites with pronounced topography: a systematic approach

The recent growth of seismic monitoring networks allows for systematic studies of local seismic effects at sites with pronounced topography. We applied a terrain classification method to identify such sites within Swiss and Japanese networks and compiled a data set of high-quality earthquake recordings. As a number of recent studies have found local effects to be directional at sites with strong topographic features, polarization analysis of particle motion was performed and azimuthally dependent resonant frequencies were estimated. The same procedure was also applied for available ambient vibration recordings. Moreover, average residuals with respect to ground motion prediction models for a reference bedrock were calculated to estimate the average amplification or deamplification for each station. On one hand, observed amplifications are found to be tightly linked with ground motion directionality as estimated by polarization analysis for both earthquake and ambient vibration recordings. On the other hand, we found no clear relation between local topographic features and observed amplification, so the local subsurface properties (i.e. shear wave velocity structure) seem to play the key role and not the geometry itsel

Fundamental and higher two-dimensional resonance modes of an Alpine valley

We investigated the sequence of 2-D resonance modes of the sediment fill of Rhône Valley, Southern Swiss Alps, a strongly overdeepened, glacially carved basin with a sediment fill reaching a thickness of up to 900 m. From synchronous array recordings of ambient vibrations at six locations between Martigny and Sion we were able to identify several resonance modes, in particular, previously unmeasured higher modes. Data processing was performed with frequency domain decomposition of the cross-spectral density matrices of the recordings and with time-frequency dependent polarization analysis. 2-D finite element modal analysis was performed to support the interpretation of processing results and to investigate mode shapes at depth. In addition, several models of realistic bedrock geometries and velocity structures could be used to qualitatively assess the sensitivity of mode shape and particle motion dip angle to subsurface properties. The variability of modal characteristics due to subsurface properties makes an interpretation of the modes purely from surface observations challenging. We conclude that while a wealth of information on subsurface structure is contained in the modal characteristics, a careful strategy for their interpretation is needed to retrieve this informatio

Instrumental evidence of normal mode rock slope vibration

A unique field experiment was performed to constrain the seismic response of a large, potentially unstable rock slope in the southern Swiss Alps. Small-aperture seismic arrays were deployed to record ambient vibrations both inside and outside of the mapped instability boundary. The recordings were analysed by means of the high-resolution f-k method, site-to-reference spectral ratios and time-frequency dependent polarization analysis. All three methods indicated that the wavefield within the potentially unstable rock mass is dominated by normal mode motion (standing waves) rather than horizontal propagation of seismic waves. Both fundamental frequency and relative amplification could be recovered from ambient noise data. The observed amplification is strongly directional, and the maximum amplification is oriented perpendicular to open tension cracks mapped at the ground surface. Our results highlight site response characteristics relevant for analysis of earthquake-triggered rock slope failure

Ambient vibration analysis of an unstable mountain slope

A field experiment with small aperture seismic arrays was performed on the unstable rock slope above the village of Randa in the southern Swiss Alps. The aim of this experiment was to constrain the seismic response of a potential future rockslide using ambient vibration recordings. Weak seismic events were identified on the recordings and site-to-reference spectral ratios were calculated using a reference site located on the stable part of the slope. Spectral ratios of up to 30 were observed at sites located within the unstable portion of the slope. A strong variation of spectral ratios with azimuth indicates a directional site effect. Neither amplification nor directionality were observed at sites located in the stable part of the slope. Furthermore, time-frequency polarization analysis of the ambient noise was performed to provide robust estimates of frequency dependent directions of the maximum polarization. It was found that the unstable part of the slope vibrates within a narrow range of directions (130 ± 10°) for the frequency range centred around 5 Hz. The polarization directions estimated from ambient seismic vibrations are in good agreement with the deformation directions obtained by geodetic and in situ measurements. No directionality of ambient vibrations was observed at sites within the stable part of the slop

Fault zone signatures from ambient vibration measurements: a case study in the region of Visp (Valais, Switzerland)

Investigations of tectonic features, such as faults, are important challenges for geologists and engineers. Although direct investigational methods, such as boreholes and trenches, have the potential to provide accurate data, these direct methods are usually expensive and time consuming, and give only punctual insights into subsurface structures. Geophysical methods, for example electric surveys and ground penetrating radar, are less expensive and faster to implement. However, these geophysical methods may be difficult or sometimes even impossible to apply in regions with rough topography or regions which are highly urbanized. In this study, we propose an easy-to-use and affordable method to detect fault zones based on ambient vibration observations. We apply this method in the region between Visp and Unterstalden (canton Valais, Switzerland) on a small fault branch, which has no explicit surface expression, and which is linked to a major fault zone, the Simplon Fault Zone. The assumption is that the fault of interest is surrounded by damage zone consisting of fractured rock, and that this results in lateral changes of both seismic velocity and attenuation. The objective was, first, to identify such lateral changes in the observed seismic wave-field, and second, to map any anomalies and combine them with the available geological information. In this way, we were able to follow the fault trace even without a clear surface expression of the fault. Our observations showed the existence of a signature in the power spectra of the seismic noise that may correspond to a damage zone. Such signature is observed along the trace of the expected faul

A composite source model with fractal subevent size distribution

Katedra geofyzikyMatematicko-fyzikální fakult

Dynamic Stress Field of Kinematic Earthquake Source Models

Katedra geofyzikyDepartment of GeophysicsFaculty of Mathematics and PhysicsMatematicko-fyzikální fakult

Ambient vibration classification of unstable rock slopes: A systematic approach

In this paper, we are comparing the seismic response of 25 different rock slope instabilities with diverse geological properties, activity level, failure mechanism, fracturing and volumes. We classify them according to their dynamic behaviour. In the dataset, we found two main classes of unstable rock slopes: depth-controlled sites and volume-controlled sites. For depth-controlled instabilities, the seismic wavefield is controlled by horizontally propagating surface waves in the highly fractured and weathered material. At such sites, surface-wave dispersion curves can be retrieved and inverted into velocity profiles of the underground. The lateral borders of depth-controlled instabilities are not obvious and the seismic properties mainly change with depth. The seismic response of volume-controlled sites is dominated by the eigenvibrations of the rock mass itself. Such instabilities have clear lateral and vertical borders and show highly amplified ground motion in limited frequency bands. The observed polarisation of the ground motion is perpendicular to deep open fractures that do not allow surface waves to propagate. A special case of the volume-controlled sites is represented by tower-like rock masses showing strong amplification and directionality. Their dynamic behaviour might not only be related to the internal structure, but also to their geometry that is similar to high-rise buildings. Another type of rock instabilities is represented by block structures, which are difficult to identify by the proposed ambient-vibration methods. A clear relation between geological properties and seismic response was not found.ISSN:0013-7952ISSN:1872-691