Optimal observables for multiparameter seismic tomography

We propose a method for the design of seismic observables with maximum sensitivity to a target model parameter class, and minimum sensitivity to all remaining parameter classes. The resulting optimal observables thereby minimize interparameter trade-offs in multiparameter inverse problems. Our method is based on the linear combination of fundamental observables that can be any scalar measurement extracted from seismic waveforms. Optimal weights of the fundamental observables are determined with an efficient global search algorithm. While most optimal design methods assume variable source and/or receiver positions, our method has the flexibility to operate with a fixed source-receiver geometry, making it particularly attractive in studies where the mobility of sources and receivers is limited. In a series of examples we illustrate the construction of optimal observables, and assess the potentials and limitations of the method. The combination of Rayleigh-wave traveltimes in four frequency bands yields an observable with strongly enhanced sensitivity to 3-D density structure. Simultaneously, sensitivity to S velocity is reduced, and sensitivity to P velocity is eliminated. The original three-parameter problem thereby collapses into a simpler two-parameter problem with one dominant parameter. By defining parameter classes to equal earth model properties within specific regions, our approach mimics the Backus-Gilbert method where data are combined to focus sensitivity in a target region. This concept is illustrated using rotational ground motion measurements as fundamental observables. Forcing dominant sensitivity in the near-receiver region produces an observable that is insensitive to the Earth structure at more than a few wavelengths' distance from the receiver. This observable may be used for local tomography with teleseismic data. While our test examples use a small number of well-understood fundamental observables, few parameter classes and a radially symmetric earth model, the method itself does not impose such restrictions. It can easily be applied to large numbers of fundamental observables and parameters classes, as well as to 3-D heterogeneous earth model

Single-station seismic microzonation using 6C measurements

Microzonation is one of the essential tools in seismology to mitigate earthquake damage by estimating the near-surface velocity structure and developing land usage plans and intelligent building design. The number of microzonation studies increased in the last few years as induced seismicity becomes more relevant, even in low-risk areas. While of vital importance, especially in densely populated cities, most of the traditional techniques suffer from different shortcomings. The microzonation technique presented here tries to reduce the existing ambiguity of the inversion results by the combination of single-station six-component (6C) measurements, including three translational and three rotational motions, and more traditional H/V techniques. By applying this new technique to a microzonation study in the downtown area of Munich (Germany) using an iXblue blueSeis-3A rotational motion sensor together with a Nanometrics Trillium Compact seismometer, we were able to estimate Love and Rayleigh wave dispersion curves. These curves together with H/V spectral ratios are then inverted to obtain P- and S-wave velocity profiles of the upper 100 m. In addition, there is a good correlation between the estimated velocity models and borehole-derived lithology, indicating the potential of this single-station microzonation approach

Modeling and Quantifying Parameter Uncertainty of Co‐Seismic Non‐Classical Nonlinearity in Rocks

Dynamic perturbations reveal unconventional nonlinear behavior in rocks, as evidenced by field and laboratory studies. During the passage of seismic waves, rocks exhibit a decrease in elastic moduli, slowly recovering after. Yet, comprehensive physical models describing these moduli alterations remain sparse and insufficiently validated against observations. Here, we demonstrate the applicability of two physical damage models—the internal variable model (IVM) and the continuum damage model (CDM)—to provide quantitative descriptions of nonlinear co-seismic elastic wave propagation observations. While the IVM uses one internal variable to describe the evolution of elastic material moduli, the CDM damage variable is a mathematical representation of microscopic defects. We recast the IVM and CDM models as nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations and implement 1D and 2D numerical simulations using an arbitrary high-order discontinuous Galerkin method. We verify the modeling results with co-propagating acousto-elastic experimental measurements. Subsequently, we infer the parameters for these nonlinear models from laboratory experiments using probabilistic Bayesian inversion and 2D simulations. By adopting the Adaptive Metropolis Markov chain Monte Carlo method, we quantify the uncertainties of inferred parameters for both physical models, investigating their interplay in 70,000 simulations. We find that the damage variables can trade off with the stress-strain nonlinearity in discernible ways. We discuss physical interpretations of both damage models and that our CDM quantitatively captures an observed damage increase with perturbation frequency. Our results contribute to a more holistic understanding of co-seismic damage and post-seismic recovery after earthquakes bridging the worlds of theoretical analysis and laboratory findings

Strain rotation coupling and its implications on the measurement of rotational ground motions

Spatial derivatives of the seismic wave field are known to be sensitive to various site effects (e.g., cavity effects, topography, and geological inhomogeneities). In this study, the focus is on strain rotation coupling that can cause significant differences between point measurements compared to array-derived rotational motions. The strain rotation coupling constants are estimated based on finite element simulations for inhomogeneous media as well as for the 3D topography around Wettzell, Germany (the location of the G ring laser). Using collocated array and ring laser data, the coupling constants of the ring laser itself are shown to be small. Several examples are shown to illustrate the order of magnitude that strain-induced rotation might have on the seismograms in the near field of volcanoes as well as in the far field and in the low-frequency spectrum (free oscillations

Seismic moment tensors from synthetic rotational and translational ground motion: Green's functions in 1-D versus 3-D

Seismic moment tensors are an important tool and input variable for many studies in the geosciences. The theory behind the determination of moment tensors is well established. They are routinely and (semi-) automatically calculated on a global scale. However, on regional and local scales, there are still several difficulties hampering the reliable retrieval of the full seismic moment tensor. In an earlier study, we showed that the waveform inversion for seismic moment tensors can benefit significantly when incorporating rotational ground motion in addition to the commonly used translational ground motion. In this study, we test, what is the best processing strategy with respect to the resolvability of the seismic moment tensor components: inverting three-component data with Green’s functions (GFs) based on a 3-D structural model, six-component data with GFs based on a 1-D model, or unleashing the full force of six-component data and GFs based on a 3-D model? As a reference case, we use the inversion based on three-component data and 1-D structure, which has been the most common practice in waveform inversion for moment tensors so far. Building on the same Bayesian approach as in our previous study, we invert synthetic waveforms for two test cases from the Korean Peninsula: one is the 2013 nuclear test of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the other is an Mw  5.4 tectonic event of 2016 in the Republic of Korea using waveform data recorded on stations in Korea, China and Japan. For the Korean Peninsula, a very detailed 3-D velocity model is available. We show that for the tectonic event both, the 3-D structural model and the rotational ground motion, contribute strongly to the improved resolution of the seismic moment tensor. The higher the frequencies used for inversion, the higher is the influence of rotational ground motions. This is an important effect to consider when inverting waveforms from smaller magnitude events. The explosive source benefits more from the 3-D structural model than from the rotational ground motion. Nevertheless, the rotational ground motion can help to better constraint the isotropic part of the source in the higher frequency range.SD thanks Bayrische Forschungsallianz (BayFOR) for funding her internship at the Australian National University (ANU, grant: BayIntAn-LMU-2017-66). Further funding comes from the European Research Council (advanced grant to HI: ROMY, number: 339991)

VERCE delivers a productive e-Science environment for seismology research

The VERCE project has pioneered an e-Infrastructure to support researchers using established simulation codes on high-performance computers in conjunction with multiple sources of observational data. This is accessed and organised via the VERCE science gateway that makes it convenient for seismologists to use these resources from any location via the Internet. Their data handling is made flexible and scalable by two Python libraries, ObsPy and dispel4py and by data services delivered by ORFEUS and EUDAT. Provenance driven tools enable rapid exploration of results and of the relationships between data, which accelerates understanding and method improvement. These powerful facilities are integrated and draw on many other e-Infrastructures. This paper presents the motivation for building such systems, it reviews how solid-Earth scientists can make significant research progress using them and explains the architecture and mechanisms that make their construction and operation achievable. We conclude with a summary of the achievements to date and identify the crucial steps needed to extend the capabilities for seismologists, for solid-Earth scientists and for similar disciplines.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures. Pre-publication version of paper accepted and published at the IEEE eScience 2015 conference in Munich with substantial additions, particularly in the analysis of issue

Exploring planets and asteroids with 6DoF sensors: Utopia and realism

A 6 degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) sensor, measuring three components of translational acceleration and three components of rotation rate, provides the full history of motion it is exposed to. In Earth sciences 6DoF sensors have shown great potential in exploring the interior of our planet and its seismic sources. In space sciences, apart from navigation, 6DoF sensors are, up to now, only rarely used to answer scientific questions. As a first step of establishing 6DoF motion sensing deeper into space sciences, this article describes novel scientific approaches based on 6DoF motion sensing with substantial potential for constraining the interior structure of planetary objects and asteroids. Therefore we estimate 6DoF-signal levels that originate from lander–surface interactions during landing and touchdown, from a body’s rotational dynamics as well as from seismic ground motions. We discuss these signals for an exemplary set of target bodies including Dimorphos, Phobos, Europa, the Earth’s Moon and Mars and compare those to self-noise levels of state-of-the-art sensors