S-wave velocity measurements applied to the seismic microzonation of Basel, Upper Rhine Graben

An extensive S-wave velocity survey had been carried out in the frame of a recent seismic microzonation study of Basel and the border areas between Switzerland, France and Germany. The aim was to better constrain the seismic amplification potential of the surface layers. The survey included single station (H/V spectral ratios) and ambient vibration array measurements carried out by the Swiss team, as well as active S-wave velocity measurements performed by the German and French partners. This paper is focused on the application of the array technique, which consists in recording ambient vibrations with a number of seismological stations. Several practical aspects related to the field measurements are outlined. The signal processing aims to determine the dispersion curves of surface waves contained in the ambient vibrations. The inversion of the dispersion curve provides a 1-D S-wave velocity model for the investigated site down to a depth related to the size of the array. Since the size of arrays is theoretically not limited, arrays are known to be well adapted for investigations in deep sediment basins, such as the Upper Rhine Graben including the area of the city of Basel. In this region, 27 array measurements with varying station configurations have been carried out to determine the S-wave velocity properties of the geological layers down to a depth of 100-250 m. For eight sites, the outputs of the array measurements have been compared with the results of the other investigations using active sources, the spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) and S-wave reflection seismics. Borehole information available for a few sites could be used to calibrate the geophysical measurements. By this comparison, the advantages and disadvantages of the array method and the other techniques are outlined with regard to the effectiveness of the methods and the required investigation depth. The dispersion curves measured with the arrays and the SASW technique were also combined and inverted simultaneously to use the advantages of both methods. Finally, the paper outlines and discusses the contribution of the S-wave velocity survey to the new seismic microzonation of the Basel region. In this regard one major outcome of the survey is the quantification of vertical and lateral changes of the S-wave velocity, due to changing lithology or changing compaction and degree of weathering of the layer

Structural analysis of S-wave seismics around an urban sinkhole: evidence of enhanced dissolution in a strike-slip fault zone

In November 2010, a large sinkhole opened up in the urban area of Schmalkalden, Germany. To determine the key factors which benefited the development of this collapse structure and therefore the dissolution, we carried out several shear-wave reflection-seismic profiles around the sinkhole. In the seismic sections we see evidence of the Mesozoic tectonic movement in the form of a NW–SE striking, dextral strike-slip fault, known as the Heßleser Fault, which faulted and fractured the subsurface below the town. The strike-slip faulting created a zone of small blocks ( < 100 m in size), around which steep-dipping normal faults, reverse faults and a dense fracture network serve as fluid pathways for the artesian-confined groundwater. The faults also acted as barriers for horizontal groundwater flow perpendicular to the fault planes. Instead groundwater flows along the faults which serve as conduits and forms cavities in the Permian deposits below ca. 60 m depth. Mass movements and the resulting cavities lead to the formation of sinkholes and dissolution-induced depressions. Since the processes are still ongoing, the occurrence of a new sinkhole cannot be ruled out. This case study demonstrates how S-wave seismics can characterize a sinkhole and, together with geological information, can be used to study the processes that result in sinkhole formation, such as a near-surface fault zone located in soluble rocks. The more complex the fault geometry and interaction between faults, the more prone an area is to sinkhole occurrence

Ice-marginal forced regressive deltas in glacial lake basins: geomorphology, facies variability and large-scale depositional architecture

This study presents a synthesis of the geomorphology, facies variability and depositional architecture of ice-marginal deltas affected by rapid lake-level change. The integration of digital elevation models, outcrop, borehole, ground-penetrating radar and high-resolution shear-wave seismic data allows for a comprehensive analysis of these delta systems and provides information about the distinct types of deltaic facies and geometries generated under different lake-level trends. The exposed delta sediments record mainly the phase of maximum lake level and subsequent lake drainage. The stair-stepped profiles of the delta systems reflect the progressive basinward lobe deposition during forced regression when the lakes successively drained. Depending on the rate and magnitude of lake-level fall, fan-shaped, lobate or more digitate tongue-like delta morphologies developed. Deposits of the stair-stepped transgressive delta bodies are buried, downlapped and onlapped by the younger forced regressive deposits. The delta styles comprise both Gilbert-type deltas and shoal-water deltas. The sedimentary facies of the steep Gilbert-type delta foresets include a wide range of gravity-flow deposits. Delta deposits of the forced-regressive phase are commonly dominated by coarse-grained debrisflow deposits, indicating strong upslope erosion and cannibalization of older delta deposits. Deposits of supercritical turbidity currents are particularly common in sand-rich Gilbert-type deltas that formed during slow rises in lake level and during highstands. Foreset beds consist typically of laterally and vertically stacked deposits of antidunes and cyclic steps. The trigger mechanisms for these supercritical turbidity currents were both hyperpycnal meltwater flows and slope-failure events. Shoal-water deltas formed at low water depths during both low rates of lake-level rise and forced regression. Deposition occurred from tractional flows. Transgressive mouthbars form laterally extensive sand-rich delta bodies with a digitate, multi-tongue morphology. In contrast, forced regressive gravelly shoal-water deltas show a high dispersion of flow directions and form laterally overlapping delta lobes. Deformation structures in the forced-regressive ice-marginal deltas are mainly extensional features, including normal faults, small graben or half-graben structures and shear-deformation bands, which are related to gravitational delta tectonics, postglacial faulting during glacial-isostatic adjustment, and crestal collapse above salt domes. A neotectonic component cannot be ruled out in some cases. © 2018 The Authors. Boreas published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Boreas Collegiu

Seismic Monitoring of Permafrost in Svalbard, Arctic Norway

We analyze data from passive and active seismic experiments conducted in the Adventdalen valley of Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic. Our objective is to characterize the ambient wavefield of the region and to investigate permafrost dynamics through estimates of seismic velocity variations. We are motivated by a need for early geophysical detection of potentially hazardous changes to permafrost stability. We draw upon several data sources to constrain various aspects of seismic wave propagation in Adventdalen. We use f-k analysis of five years of continuous data from the Spitsbergen seismic array (SPITS) to demonstrate that ambient seismic noise on Svalbard consists of continuously present body waves and intermittent surface waves appearing at regular intervals. A change in wavefield direction accompanies the sudden onset of surface waves when the average temperature rises above the freezing point, suggesting a cryogenic origin. This hypothesis is supported further by our analysis of records from a temporary broadband network, which indicates that the background wavefield is dominated by icequakes. Synthetic Green's functions calculated from a 3D velocity model match well with empirical Green's functions constructed from the recorded ambient seismic noise. We use a shallow shear-wave velocity model, obtained from active seismic measurements, to estimate the maximum depth of Rayleigh wave sensitivity to changes in shear velocity to be in the 50-100 m range. We extract seasonal variations in seismic velocities from ambient noise cross-correlation functions computed over three years of SPITS data. We attribute relative velocity variations to changes in the ice content of the shallow (2-4 m depth) permafrost, which is sensitive to seasonal temperature changes. A linear decreasing trend in seismic velocity is observed over the years, most likely due to permafrost warming.Peer reviewe

Distinct element geomechanical modelling of the formation of sinkhole clusters within large-scale karstic depressions

The 2-D distinct element method (DEM) code (PFC2D_V5) is used here to simulate the evolution of subsidence-related karst landforms, such as single and clustered sinkholes, and associated larger-scale depressions. Subsurface material in the DEM model is removed progressively to produce an array of cavities; this simulates a network of subsurface groundwater conduits growing by chemical/mechanical erosion. The growth of the cavity array is coupled mechanically to the gravitationally loaded surroundings, such that cavities can grow also in part by material failure at their margins, which in the limit can produce individual collapse sinkholes. Two end-member growth scenarios of the cavity array and their impact on surface subsidence were examined in the models: (1) cavity growth at the same depth level and growth rate; (2) cavity growth at progressively deepening levels with varying growth rates. These growth scenarios are characterised by differing stress patterns across the cavity array and its overburden, which are in turn an important factor for the formation of sinkholes and uvala-like depressions. For growth scenario (1), a stable compression arch is established around the entire cavity array, hindering sinkhole collapse into individual cavities and favouring block-wise, relatively even subsidence across the whole cavity array. In contrast, for growth scenario (2), the stress system is more heterogeneous, such that local stress concentrations exist around individual cavities, leading to stress interactions and local wall/overburden fractures. Consequently, sinkhole collapses occur in individual cavities, which results in uneven, differential subsidence within a larger-scale depression. Depending on material properties of the cavity-hosting material and the overburden, the larger-scale depression forms either by sinkhole coalescence or by widespread subsidence linked geometrically to the entire cavity array. The results from models with growth scenario (2) are in close agreement with surface morphological and subsurface geophysical observations from an evaporite karst area on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea

Geophysical analysis of an area affected by subsurface dissolution - case study of an inland salt marsh in northern Thuringia, Germany

The subsurface dissolution of soluble rocks can affect areas over a long period of time and pose a severe hazard. We show the benefits of a combined approach using P-wave and SH-wave reflection seismics, electrical resistivity tomography, transient electromagnetics, and gravimetry for a better understanding of the dissolution process. The study area, "Esperstedter Ried"in northern Thuringia, Germany, located south of the Kyffhäuser hills, is a large inland salt marsh that developed due to dissolution of soluble rocks at approximately 300 m depth. We were able to locate buried dissolution structures and zones, faults and fractures, and potential fluid pathways, aquifers, and aquitards based on seismic and electromagnetic surveys. Further improvement of the model was accomplished by analyzing gravimetry data that indicates dissolution-induced mass movement, as shown by local minima of the Bouguer anomaly for the Esperstedter Ried. Forward modeling of the gravimetry data, in combination with the seismic results, delivered a cross section through the inland salt marsh from north to south. We conclude that tectonic movements during the Tertiary, which led to the uplift of the Kyffhäuser hills and the formation of faults parallel and perpendicular to the low mountain range, were the initial trigger for subsurface dissolution. The faults and the fractured Triassic and lower Tertiary deposits serve as fluid pathways for groundwater to leach the deep Permian Zechstein deposits, since dissolution and erosional processes are more intense near faults. The artesian-confined saltwater rises towards the surface along the faults and fracture networks, and it formed the inland salt marsh over time. In the past, dissolution of the Zechstein formations formed several, now buried, sagging and collapse structures, and, since the entire region is affected by recent sinkhole development, dissolution is still ongoing. From the results of this study, we suggest that the combined geophysical investigation of areas prone to subsurface dissolution can improve the knowledge of control factors, hazardous areas, and thus local dissolution processes

First glacier-vibroseismic experiment – results from cold firn of Colle Gnifetti

In the summer of 2010, a small shallow reflection seismic experiment was carried out on the firncovered cold glacier of Colle Gnifetti, Monte Rosa group, Swiss/Italian Alps. At this site, the physical properties of ice are comparable to polar conditions, which is why this site is often used for methodological tests. The experiment at 4500 m elevation was designed to explore the scope of shallow vibroseis for seismic targets within and below the glacier. A small ELVIS vibrator system was used to generate shear waves and compression waves for SH- and P-wave receiver setups of two profiles. The resulting sections clearly show a boundary from ice to rock around 60 m and deeper structures below the glacier. The deepest features are estimated to be 150 m for the SH-waves and 220 m for the P-waves. Reflections could be detected also within the ice overburden, which are preliminarily interpreted as a change of density in the upper 30 m and possibly crystal orientation fabric in the ice column. Furthermore, elastic parameters could be derived from seismic velocities, due to clear basement reflections. The results of this unique experiment enable new insights into the internal structure of ice masses and open a promising new investigation method for sub-ice structures and properties, such as basal sediments

Verbundprojekt: WTZ-Indonesien - Geothermie: Nachhaltigkeit der Nutzung geothermischer Lagerstätten in Indonesien - systemoptimale Pilotstandorte und Trainingsprogramm : Vorhaben SESaR: Seismik als Voruntersuchung zur dezentralen geothermischen Exploration und begleitender Risikostudie geothermaler Lagerstätten in Indonesien ; Förderzeitraum 1.4.2010 - 31.12.2013 ; Schlussbericht

[no abstract available

Geotechnologien - Innovative Technologien zur Erkundung des Untergrundes, Verbundvorhaben: ONSITE - On-line seismic imaging system for tunnel excavation in hard rock

[no abstract available