A reduced order approach for probabilistic inversions of 3-D magnetotelluric data I: general formulation

Simulation-based probabilistic inversions of 3-D magnetotelluric (MT) data are arguably the best option to deal with the nonlinearity and non-uniqueness of the MT problem. However, the computational cost associated with the modelling of 3-D MT data has so far precluded the community from adopting and/or pursuing full probabilistic inversions of large MT data sets. In this contribution, we present a novel and general inversion framework, driven by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, which combines (i) an efficient parallel-in-parallel structure to solve the 3-D forward problem, (ii) a reduced order technique to create fast and accurate surrogate models of the forward problem and (iii) adaptive strategies for both the MCMC algorithm and the surrogate model. In particular, and contrary to traditional implementations, the adaptation of the surrogate is integrated into the MCMC inversion. This circumvents the need of costly offline stages to build the surrogate and further increases the overall efficiency of the method. We demonstrate the feasibility and performance of our approach to invert for large-scale conductivity structures with two numerical examples using different parametrizations and dimensionalities. In both cases, we report staggering gains in computational efficiency compared to traditional MCMC implementations. Our method finally removes the main bottleneck of probabilistic inversions of 3-D MT data and opens up new opportunities for both stand-alone MT inversions and multi-observable joint inversions for the physical state of the Earth's interior.Fil: Manassero, María Constanza. Macquarie University; AustraliaFil: Afonso, Juan Carlos. Macquarie University; AustraliaFil: Zyserman, Fabio Ivan. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Departamento de Geofísica Aplicada; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Zlotnik, Sergio. Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya; EspañaFil: Fomin, I.. Macquarie University; Australi

A reduced order approach for probabilistic inversions of 3-D magnetotelluric data I: general formulation

Simulation-based probabilistic inversions of 3D magnetotelluric (MT) data are arguably the best option to deal with the non-linearity and non-uniqueness of the MT problem. However, the computational cost associated with the modeling of 3D MT data has so far precluded the community from adopting and/or pursuing full probabilistic inversions of large MT datasets. In this contribution, we present a novel and general inversion framework, driven by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, which combines i) an efficient parallel-in-parallel structure to solve the 3D forward problem, ii) a reduced order technique to create fast and accurate surrogate models of the forward problem, and iii) adaptive strategies for both the MCMC algorithm and the surrogate model. In particular, and contrary to traditional implementations, the adaptation of the surrogate is integrated into the MCMC inversion. This circumvents the need of costly offline stages to build the surrogate and further increases the overall efficiency of the method. We demonstrate the feasibility and performance of our approach to invert for large-scale conductivity structures with two numerical examples using different parameterizations and dimensionalities. In both cases, we report staggering gains in computational efficiency compared to traditional MCMC implementations. Our method finally removes the main bottleneck of probabilistic inversions of 3D MT data and opens up new opportunities for both stand-alone MT inversions and multi-observable joint inversions for the physical state of the Earth’s interior.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Silurian-Devonian Land-Sea Interaction within the San Rafael Block, Argentina: Provenance of the Río Seco de los Castaños Formation

The Río Seco de los Castaños Formation (RSC) is one of the ‘pre-Carboniferous units’ outcropping within the San Rafael Block assigned to Upper Silurian–Lower Devonian age. We review the provenance data obtained by petrography and geochemical-isotope analyses as well as the U–Pb detrital zircon ages. Comparison with La Horqueta Formation is also discussed. The main components of this marine fine-grained siliciclastic platform are sandstones and mudstones. The conglomerates are restricted to channel fill deposits developed mainly at the Lomitas Negras location. A low anchizone for the RSC was indicated by illite crystallinity index. From the geochemical proxies described above (Manassero et al. in Devonian Change: Case studies in Palaeogeography and Palaeoecology. Geological Society, 2009) a provenance from an unrecycled crust with an average composition similar to depleted compared with average Upper Continental Crust is suggested. TDM ages are within the range of the Mesoproterozoic basement and Palaeozoic supracrustal rocks of the Precordillera-Cuyania terrane. εNd values of the RSC are similar to those from sedimentary rocks from the Lower Palaeozoic carbonate-siliciclastic platform of the San Rafael Block. These data suggest an Early Carboniferous (Mississipian) low-metamorphic (anchizone) event for the unit. It is correlated with the ‘Chanic’ tectonic phase that affected the Precordillera-Cuyania terrane and also linked to the collision of the Chilenia terrane in the western pre-Andean Gondwana margin. As final remarks we can comment that the studied RSC samples show dominant source derivation from Famatinian (Late Cambrian-Devonian) and Pampean-Brasiliano (Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian) cycles. Detritus derived from the Mesoproterozoic basement are scarce. U–Pb data constrain the maximum sedimentation age of the RSC to the Silurian–Early Devonian.Centro de Investigaciones Geológica

Seismic interferometry applied to local fracture seismicity recorded at Planchón-Peteroa Volcanic Complex, Argentina-Chile

Although the Planchon-Peteroa Volcanic Complex (PPVC) has undergone many hazardous eruptions, only a small number of geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies have been performed to describe this active volcanic system. In order to characterize the subsurface structures present at the PPVC, we applied seismic interferometry to fracture seismicity originating in this volcanic complex and along active geologic faults located nearby. We utilized seismic data recorded by two arrays of stations deployed in Argentina and Chile. Nine of these stations (three in Chile and six in Argentina) recorded data simultaneously and were used for this application. Only seismic events with energy arriving (sub) vertically to the stations were chosen for processing. According to the magnitude and the location of the selected seismic events, relocated seismic sources were used for the Chilean stations while, for the Argentine stations, only seismic sources located near that array were used. We obtained seismic evidence of the location of the subsurface reflectors underneath each station using zero-offset reflection responses retrieved from seismic interferometry by autocorrelation of (time windows extracted from) the selected seismic events. Then, applying a comparative analysis between the seismic results and the available geological information, we imaged the shallow subsurface of the area enclosed by the Chilean stations, and also by the Argentine stations. The results are consistent with the available geological information, provide accurate depth values for several subsurface discontinuities, indicate areas of higher heterogeneity, and support the emplacement of a magma body at ∼4 km depth from the surface. This work shows the first application of a novel variation of seismic interferometry based on autocorrelations to local-earthquake data recorded in a volcanic area.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Three-dimensional modelling of controlled source electro-magnetic surveys using non-conforming finite element methods

International audienceThe controlled source electro-magnetic (CSEM) method is increasingly used for in-land and off-shore subsurface characterization. Given its complex dependence between data and the parameters of interest, there is a crucial need for performant numerical algorithms that can simulate the CSEM response of 3-D geological structures. Here, we present two finite element (FE) algorithms for simulating the CSEM response in 3-D media with isotropic conductivity. A primary/secondary field approach is used to avoid the singularity introduced by the source. The primary field is computed semi-analytically for a horizontally layered model and different sources. The secondary field is obtained by discretizing the diffusive frequency-domain Maxwell's equations with non-conforming FE. The two numerical algorithms are specifically designed to work on distributed-memory computers: (1) an iterative procedure with domain decomposition and (2) a direct and global algorithm. We evaluate their performance by computing their speed up on parallel processors, and solving problems with realistic conductivity structures. We also compare the accuracy of the solutions with published results on canonical models. The results shown here demonstrate the functionality of the two methodologies presented for specific cases when computing 3-D CSEM solutions