Modelling of the hydro-acoustic signal as a Tsunami Precursor

In the frame of a 2-D compressible tsunami generation model with flat porous seabed, we show that acoustic waves are generated and travel outside the source area at sound speed. These waves carry information as to sea floor motion. The acoustic wave period depends on water height at the source area and is given by four times the travel time the sound takes to reach the sea surface from the sea bottom. The fundamental frequency ranges from 1 to 0.05 Hz, at 400 m and 8000 m water depth, respectively. The sound waves produced by seafloor motion can propagate far from the source, with a small attenuation in amplitude. Moreover, the typical wavelengths of the acoustic waves produced by the water layer oscillation allows the waves to overcome most of the seafloor reliefs. The semi-analytical solution of the 2-D compressible water layer model overlying a porous seabed is presente

A new real time tsunami detection algorithm for bottom pressure measurements in open ocean: characterization and benchmarks

In the last decades the use of the Bottom Pressure Recorder (BPR) in a deep ocean environment for tsunami detection has had a relevant development. A key role for an early warning system based on BPRs is played by the tsunami detection algorithms running in real time on the BPR itself or at installation site. We present a new algorithm for tsunami detection that is based on real time pressure data analysis, consisting in tide removing, spike removing, low pass filtering and linear prediction: the output is then matched against a given pressure threshold allowing the detection of anomalous events. Different configurations of the algorithm, consisting for instance in a real time band pass filtering of the pressure signal in place of linear prediction, are also tested for comparison. The algorithm is designed to be used in an autonomous early warning system, with a finite set of input parameters that can be reconfigured in real time. A realistic benchmark scheme is developed in order to characterize the algorithm features with particular regards to false alarm probability, sensitivity to the amplitude and wavelength of the tsunami and detection earliness. The algorithm behaviour in real operation is numerically estimated performing statistical simulations where a large number of synthetic tsunami waves with various amplitude, period, shape and phase is generated and superimposed to time series of real pressure data recorded in different environmental conditions and locations

Magnetic, electrical, and GPR waterborne surveys of moraine deposits beneath a lake: A case history from Turin, Italy

Bathymetry and bottom sediment types of inland water basins provide meaningful information to estimate water reserves and possible connections between surface and groundwater. Waterborne geophysical surveys can be used to obtain several independent physical parameters to study the sediments. We explored the possibilities of retrieving information on both shallow and deep geological structures beneath a morainic lake by means of waterborne nonseismic methods. In this respect, we discuss simultaneous magnetic, electrical, and groundpenetrating radar (GPR) waterborne surveys on the Candia morainic lake in northerly Turin (Italy).We used waterborne GPR to obtain information on the bottom sediment and the bathymetry needed to constrain the magnetic and electrical inversions. We obtained a map of the total magnetic field (TMF) over the lake from which we computed a 2D constrained compact magnetic inversion for selected profiles, along with a laterally constrained inversion for one electrical profile. The magnetic survey detected some deep anomalous bodies within the subbottom moraine. The electrical profiles gave information on the more superficial layer of bottom sediments. We identify where the coarse morainic material outcrops from the bottom finer sediments from a correspondence between high GPR reflectivity, resistivity, and magnetic anomalie

Modelling of the hydro-acoustic signal and tsunami wave generated by sea floor motion including a porous seabed

Within the framework of a 2-D compressible tsunami generation model with a flat porous seabed, acoustic waves are generated and travel outwards from the source area. The effects of the porous seabed during tsunami generation and propagation processes include wave amplitude attenuation and low pass filtering of both the hydro-acoustic signal and tsunami wave. The period of the acoustic wave generated by the seafloor motion depends on water depth over the source area and is given by four times the period of time required for sound to travel from the sea bed to the surface: these waves carry information about seafloor motion. The semi-analytical solution of the 2-D compressible water layer model overlying a porous seabed is presented and discussed. Furthermore, to include the effects generated by the coupling between compressible porous sedimentary and water layers, a simplified two layer model with the sediment modelled as a compressible viscous fluid is presented

The tsumani detector prototype installed on board of SN1-cabled abyssal station.

The new stand-alone tsunami detector prototype designed to operate in tsunami generation areas, already tested in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberia) on board of GEOSTAR abyssal station, has been re-designed to be hosted on the cabled SN1 abyssal station. A new control software has been implemented to manage, in real time, from the land-based control room the basic component of the tsunameter. The tsunami detection software which perform the real time analysis of the parent tsunami signals, differently form the Gulf of Cadiz stand-alone prototype, runs on a land-based PC. Moreover, the cabled tsunameter is equipped with a new low-frequency hydrophone to detect the hydro-acoustic noise and signals that may be related to tsunami generation

The tsumani detector prototype deployed in the Gulf of Cadiz: data collection and functionality evaluation

A new tsunami detector prototype designed to operate in tsunami generation areas has been tested offshore SW Iberia, in the Gulf of Cadiz. The prototype, hosted on board of GEOSTAR has been deployed, at to 3200 meters depth, in August 2007 and recovered one year later by R/V Urania. After refurbishment and a partial upgrade, the tsunameter has been re-deployed in the same location on November 2009 by R/V Sarmiento de Gamboa.We report samples of the data collected by the pressure sensors and the critical analysis of the achievements and problems faced during these test periods

Magnetic and Gravimetric model of Panarea (Aeolian islands )

We show the results of the gravimetric and magnetometric surveys of the Island of Panerea and its archipelago. These geophysical surveys belong to a major multiparametric project for the evaluation of the volcanic and seismic hazard of the island. Panarea is considered a volcanic active area as dimostrated by gas eruption of November 2002 ....

Effects of atomic interactions on the resonant tunneling of sodium condensates

4noWe investigate the influence of atomic interactions on the tunnelling of sodium condensates across a spatially oscillating optical barrier. In the limit of very fast barrier oscillations, in which resonant tunnelling via a metastable state takes place, the interactions affect the position and lineshape of the transmission peak. We anticipate that the possibility of modulating the interactions in a tunnelling condensate can be exploited to achieve nonlinear effects such as optical limiting and bistability.openopenD. EMBRIACO; M. L. CHIOFALO; M. ARTONI; AND G. C. LA ROCCAD., Embriaco; M. L., Chiofalo; Artoni, Maurizio; AND G. C., LA ROCC

Tsunami Early Warning System: Deep Sea Measurements in the Source Area

In the framework of the EU project NEAREST, a new Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS), able to operate in tsunami generation areas, was developed and installed in the Gulf of Cadiz. The TEWS is based on the abyssal station GEOSTAR, placed above a major tsunamigenic structure, and on three seismic centres of Portugal, Spain and Morocco. The core of the system is a tsunami detector installed onboard of GEOSTAR. The tsunami detector communicates with a surface buoy through a dual acoustic link. The buoy is connected to land stations via satellite link. The system was designed for near-field conditions and successfully operated from August 2007 to August 2008, 100 km SW of Cabo de Sao Vincente (Portugal). A new mission started on November 11th, 2009 in the same location. The tsunami detection is based either on pressure events either on seismic events. The bottom pressure data are analysed in real-time at the seafloor by a new tsunami detection algorithm, which can recognize tsunami waves as small as one centimetre. At the same time it was developed a new theoretical approach to account for tsunami generation in compressible water and in presence of a porous sediment. This model showed that hydro-acoustic waves, travelling much faster than the tsunami, are caused by the seafloor motion. These waves can propagate outside the generation area and are characterised by a modulation carrying valuable information on the seafloor motion, which can be recovered from their first arrival