Determination of source parameters of explosions and earthquakes by amplitude equalization of seismic surface waves: 1. Underground nuclear explosions

A method of determining the source parameters of explosions and earthquakes from the amplitude spectrums of seismic surface waves is described. The method, called amplitude equalization, involves the correction of the ground displacement spectrum for the propagation effect. This is accomplished by multiplying it numerically with the inverse of the frequency response of the layered medium. The result is the amplitude spectrum of the source function, which may be interpreted by itself or jointly with the initial phase spectrum to determine the source-time variation. The spectrums of the Rayleigh waves from underground nuclear explosions are compared and the source-time function is interpreted using the amplitude equalization method. The time variation of the pressure pulse at the boundary of the elastic zone is found to be of the form p(t) = P_0te^(−ηt), where η is a parameter which depends on the yield of the explosion and on the medium. For the events studied, the breadth of the pulse increased (η decreased) with the yield of the explosion

Determination of source parameters by amplitude equalization of seismic surface waves: 2. Release of tectonic strain by underground nuclear explosions and mechanisms of earthquakes

The radiation patterns of Love and Rayleigh waves from three nuclear explosions (Hardhat, Haymaker, and Shoal) are studied to determine the nature of the asymmetry of radiation and the mechanism of Love wave generation. From a comparative study of different explosions it is reasoned that the Love waves are generated at the source of the explosion. The source function, represented as the superimposition of an isotropic dilatational component due to the explosion and a multipolar component due to the release of tectonic strain energy, is consistent with the observed radiation patterns and the amplitude spectrums. The amount of seismic energy due to the strain release is computed. In some cases (Haymaker and Shoal) it is found that this energy may be due to the relaxation of the pre-stressed medium by the explosion-formed cavity. In the case of Hardhat it is concluded that the explosion must have triggered some other strain release mechanism, such as an earthquake. The amplitude equalization method is applied to surface waves from an earthquake to determine the source parameters. From only the amplitude spectrums and radiation patterns of Love and Rayleigh waves, the source functions, source depth, strike and dip of the fault plane, and the rake of displacement are determined for the July 20, 1964, Fallon earthquake

A Pre-Landing Assessment of Regolith Properties at the InSight Landing Site

This article discusses relevant physical properties of the regolith at the Mars InSight landing site as understood prior to landing of the spacecraft. InSight will land in the northern lowland plains of Mars, close to the equator, where the regolith is estimated to be ≥3--5 m thick. These investigations of physical properties have relied on data collected from Mars orbital measurements, previously collected lander and rover data, results of studies of data and samples from Apollo lunar missions, laboratory measurements on regolith simulants, and theoretical studies. The investigations include changes in properties with depth and temperature. Mechanical properties investigated include density, grain-size distribution, cohesion, and angle of internal friction. Thermophysical properties include thermal inertia, surface emissivity and albedo, thermal conductivity and diffusivity, and specific heat. Regolith elastic properties not only include parameters that control seismic wave velocities in the immediate vicinity of the Insight lander but also coupling of the lander and other potential noise sources to the InSight broadband seismometer. The related properties include Poisson’s ratio, P- and S-wave velocities, Young’s modulus, and seismic attenuation. Finally, mass diffusivity was investigated to estimate gas movements in the regolith driven by atmospheric pressure changes. Physical properties presented here are all to some degree speculative. However, they form a basis for interpretation of the early data to be returned from the InSight mission.Additional co-authors: Nick Teanby and Sharon Keda