Investigation of dynamically compacted ground by HVSR-based approach

This paper proposes a HVSR (horizontal to vertical spectral ratio)-based approach to assess a deep and dynamically compacted fill area in Western Sydney. In addition to recognizing that the predominant resonance peak of the HVSR curve is a reflection of the impedance contrast between the surface layers and bedrock, the present paper recognizes that the secondary resonance peaks of the curve at higher frequencies may reflect strong impedance contrast within surface layers. This concept has been applied to develop a methodology of HVSR-based approach relying on the measurement of the HVSR of microtremors at measuring stations, and calibration and verification by independent mechanical and MSOR (multichannel simulation with one receiver) tests. The use of MSOR tests is introduced in this paper to facilitate the calibration of the HVSR forward model, particularly in terms of providing information for the initial guess of the shear wave velocity, V_s, profile in the HVSR forward modelling. The present paper demonstrates the effective use of the HVSR-based approach to assess dynamic compaction in the gaps away from and not covered by the mechanical tests. The mapping between the depth of bedrock and the predominant resonance frequency is also extended to include the mapping of the depths of layers with strong impedance contrasts to the secondary resonance peaks, after the data have been verified by independent mechanical tests.     

Geothermal prospecting by ground radon measurements

Radon-222 was measured using Kodak LR-115 film in the soils of 2500 locations near the Ngawha hot springs region, New Zealand, which is being exploited for geothermal power; the object was to determine its usefulness for predicting good drill sites. Unlike other surveys, which have shown large areas with consistent high radon values, anomalies here were scattered, and corresponded mainly with fault lineaments. The results suggested a major previously unnoticed fault. The sampling distance was 50 m.There was a strong seasonal effect on ground radon levels, with summer levels about ten times higher than winter levels.Swamps usually had measured radon levels of near zero because of the slow diffusion of radon in stagnant water, and even thermal areas (mainly in the swamps) usually had low measured values. However, where a fault crossed swamp it was sometimes detected, and with high signal/noise ratio, so swamps should be surveyed.Arguments from the radon levels found on different geologies show that at Ngawha radon has a maximum half value diffusion thickness of 7 m for lacustrine sediment and 25 m for basalt unless a permeable area is present (e.g., a fault).There was a weak correlation of radon levels with the temperatures found on drilling deep bores.Comparisons with the ROAC system and Alphacard system for measuring radon showed no statistical inter-correlations, but some qualitative correspondence of radon contours.The main strength of the method in regions with impermeable soils (such as at Ngawha), seems to be in detecting or confirming the presence of faults, and possibly (through them) indicating geological structure as deep as 300 m.     

微动勘查方法及其研究进展

本文简要回顾了微动的发展历史,并着重介绍了微动勘查方法的原理、方法及其最新进展,当今,城市物探中传统的地球物理勘探方法越来越受到限制,微动勘查方法以施工简单、成本低、费时短、对环境没有任何影响等优点,越发显现出其优势,由于横波速度对煤层陷落柱、采空区等速度异常区反映敏感,微动方法对探测陷落柱及解决村庄覆盖区的煤层构造问题,具有得天独厚的技术优势和应用前景.     

Comparative Study of Microtremor Analysis Methods

-- During a multidisciplinary microzonation pilot project in the city of Heraklion (Crete, Greece), microtremor data were collected at the top of exploratory boreholes specifically designed for the purposes of the project, over a period of 5 days, for 4 h/day at 125 Hz (continuous recordings). The data were analysed with the SSR and H/V Ratio techniques, using the standard FFT (applied to long data series) and a Multi-variate Maximum Entropy (MV-MAXENT) spectral analysis method. Both techniques, implemented with both spectral analysis methods, identify the same major resonance frequency band, albeit with different amplification levels. The MV-MAXENT however is effective in handling short data lengths while yielding high resolution spectra and addressing several shortcomings of the conventional FFT (windowing, zero padding etc.). Thus, it yields competitively similar results, with only a fraction (a few minutes) of the data required by the lower resolution (FFT) method and appears to be a powerful tool for site effect investigations. Moreover, the results of both microtremor-based techniques are consistent and remarkably similar to the results of microzonation methods that require (expensive) borehole data.     

Microtremor Measurements for the Microzonation of Dinar

v--vThe geotechnical site conditions in Dinar town located in western Turkey were investigated after the 1995 Dinar earthquake based on borings, in situ penetration tests, seismic wave velocity measurements, and microtremor records. The variation of damage distribution within the town was evaluated with respect to 23 district damage ratios calculated, based on the detailed damage survey conducted by the General Directorate of Disaster Affairs. Site amplifications were estimated from microtremor spectral ratios and microzonation was performed using a GIS methodology. The results of in situ penetration tests and seismic wave velocity measurements as well as the damage distribution were compared with the amplification zonation obtained from microtremor records. The results indicate the applicability of microtremor spectral ratios for assessing the local site conditions and site amplifications.     

微动探测方法软件的实现

利用微动进行勘探无需振动源,方便快捷、对环境没有干扰,是一种很有发展前景的勘探方法。针对微动探测数据处理的需求,开发研制了一套可视化微动探测处理分析软件系统MSMSPAC。该软件采用C~#语言开发,主要功能包括台阵设计、台阵方位角分布分析、数据格式转换、微动有效数据段挑选、数据滤波、重采样、参数计算及频散曲线提取、编辑、合并、项目管理等功能。软件系统界面友好,操作简便。     

Airborne VLF measurements and mapping of ground conductivity in Sweden

Airborne VLF data are routinely collected by The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) as part of its bedrock mapping programme. In this paper we demonstrate that the novel Tensor VLF technique developed at Uppsala University and SGU can provide useful qualitative and quantitative information about the electrical conductivity distribution in the upper few hundred meters. Single transmitter scalar VLF maps emphasize those conductive structures that have dominant strikes in the direction of the transmitter. The tensor tipper (essentially the vertical magnetic field from currents along the strike direction) calculated from multiple transmitters is dependent only upon the underlying conductivity structure. Transformation of the tipper into the peaker (the horizontal divergence) has proven to enhance the lateral resolution while the transformation to the apparent resistivity can be used to discriminate different rock types. Two case histories from the application of VLF data are presented in this study. Two dimensional structures can be quantitatively modelled by modern inversion methods developed originally for deep electromagnetic MT soundings. Direct inversion of the real and imaginary parts of the tipper provides more quantitative information about the subsurface resistivity distribution.     

Using hydraulic head measurements in variable-density ground water flow analyses

The use of hydraulic head measurements in ground water of variable density is considerably more complicated than for the case of constant-density ground water. A theoretical framework for dealing with these complications does exist in the current literature but suffers from a lack of awareness among many hydrogeologists. When corrections for density variations are ignored or not properly taken into account, misinterpretation of both ground water flow direction and magnitude may result. This paper summarizes the existing theoretical framework and provides practical guidelines for the interpretation of head measurements in variable-density ground water systems. It will be argued that, provided that the proper corrections are taken into account, fresh water heads can be used to analyze both horizontal and vertical flow components. To avoid potential confusion, it is recommended that the use of the so-called environmental water head, which was initially introduced to facilitate the analysis of vertical ground water flow, be abandoned in favor of properly computed fresh water head analyses. The presented methodology provides a framework for determining quantitatively when variable-density effects on ground water flow need to be taken into account or can be justifiably neglected. Therefore, we recommend that it should become part of all hydrogeologic analyses in which density effects are suspected to play a role.     

微动台阵探测技术及其应用研究

介绍了利用微动台阵技术探测地壳浅层横波速度结构的仪器设备、观测系统、野外采集和数据处理方法，给出了用空间自相关方法测定相速度和浅层速度结构反演的实例。由于该方法不需要专门的震源，对于探测从地表到3km深度范围的地层结构具有经济、快捷、应用范围广泛等优点，因此将成为一种新的具有很好应用前景的地球物理勘探方法。     

海原地区黄土的微观结构及地脉动特征分析

1920年8.5级地震诱发了大量的黄土滑坡,对研究黄土地区的滑坡灾害、土层地脉动特征分析具有重要意义。基于高精度电子扫描显微镜（SEM）分析发现海原地震现场表层黄土为架空孔隙弱胶结微观结构,且该黄土是以粉粒为主的低黏性粉土,有震陷和地震滑坡的高风险。基于地脉动测试得到滑坡场地15个地脉动数据,采用傅里叶变换法对苏堡村滑坡土层的脉动特征进行分析,获得地脉动频谱特征曲线。研究表明场地卓越周期建议值为0.126 s,将其划分为坚硬场地,可为该滑坡场地类别划分作为参考,同时发现滑坡体与未滑体的地脉动特征有较大差异,可为海原地震滑坡的脉动特性分析提供依据。     

Microtremor array method using spatial autocorrelation analysis of Rayleigh-wave data

Journal of Seismology - Microtremor array measurements, and passive surface wave methods in general, have been increasingly used to non-invasively estimate shear-wave velocity structures for...     

地脉动方法在合作市覆盖层厚度探测中的应用

基于合作市区41处地脉动观测点数据的快速傅里叶变换和单点H/V频谱分析结果,总结了合作市区场地条件的地脉动特征,并结合钻孔揭示的场地条件资料,反演合作市区的覆盖层厚度.根据合作地区不同局部地形观测数据和数据分析结果,分析了地形对地脉动的放大效应.结果表明:合作市区场地的卓越周期主要分布在0.1～0.2 s,与合作市区场地条件相符;2条剖面H/V频谱分布稳定,覆盖层厚度地脉动反演结果与钻孔揭示厚度吻合较好.     

On the determination of the atmospheric ozone profile for ground based microwave measurements

It is shown how to retrieve the atmospheric ozone profile by means of ground based microwave measurements of the radiative intensity. Chahine's iteration method is used. The method is tested by a numerical experiment. The retrieval rms about the mean error is approximately 0.4 ppm. The required measurement accuracy for the brightness temperatures is ±0.01 K.     

Gravity reduction with three-dimensional atmospheric pressure data for precise ground gravity measurements

The redistribution of air masses induces gravity variations (atmospheric pressure effect) up to about 20 μgal. These variations are disturbing signals in gravity records and they must be removed very carefully for detecting weak gravity signals. In the past, different methods have been developed for modelling of the atmospheric pressure effect. These methods use local or two-dimensional (2D) surface atmospheric pressure data and a standard height-dependent air density distribution. The atmospheric pressure effect is consisting of the elastic deformation and attraction term. The deformation term can be well modelled with 2D surface atmospheric pressure data, for instance with the Green's function method. For modelling of the attraction term, three-dimensional (3D) data are required. Results with 2D data are insufficient.From European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 3D atmospheric pressure data are now available. The ECMWF data used here are characterised by a spacing of Δ and Δλ = 0.5°, 60 pressure levels up to a height of 60 km and an interval of 6 h. These data are used for modelling of the atmospheric attraction term. Two attraction models have been developed based on the point mass attraction of air segments and the gravity potential of the air masses. The modelling shows a surface pressure-independent part of gravity variations induced by mass redistribution of the atmosphere in the order of some μgal. This part can only be determined by using 3D atmospheric pressure data. It has been calculated for the Vienna Superconducting Gravimeter site.From this follows that the gravity reduction can be improved by applying the 3D atmospheric attraction model for analysing long-periodic tidal waves including the polar tide. The same improvement is expected for reduction of long-term absolute gravity measurements or comparison of gravity measurements at different seasonal times. By using 3D atmospheric pressure data, the gravity correction can be improved up to some μgal.     

Ozone concentration studies and ozone flux measurements near the ground at Poona

Using a modified Brewer bubbler ozone sensor, continuous measurements of the ozone concentration near the ground were made at Poona (18°N, 73°E) for one year 1969–1970. The surface ozone concentration shows a pronounced seasonal variation, with a minimum during the monsoon months and a maximum during the pre-monsoon summer months. There is also a marked diurnal variation in surface ozone concentration which clearly follows the diurnal variation of temperature and is again a maximum during the summer months and a minimum during the monsoon. A secondary maximum in ozone concentration occurs in the forenoon during the winter months, associated with the temperature inversions that occur near the ground in this season.Both ozone and radioactive tracers, such as Cs-137 both in air and in precipitation show variations indicating that they have identical source regions and sinks. The latitudinal anomaly of surface ozone and Cs-137 observed in the low latitudes over India is explained as arising from the reduction in the rate of transfer of these tracers from the stratosphere to the troposphere, as a result of the reversed circulation at the upper levels in this season.From continuous measurements of surface ozone made with three electrochemical sensors exposed at three levels, 0, 15 and 35 m above the ground, the ozone flux has been directly calculated for the first time in the tropics. The ozone flux was calculated using both the rate of decay method used by Kroening and Ney and Regener's profile method. The profile method gives values of the order of 1.71 to 7.04×10¹¹ mol/cm²/sec and that obtained by the rate of decay method is found to be 4.2 to 5.6×10¹¹ mol/cm²/sec and are in good agreement with the flux values reported by other investigators.     

泉州地震台数字地震仪台址的地脉动噪声分析

利用2008年泉州台甚宽频带数字地震仪连续48 h和全年每月连续48 h内白天与夜间各连续4 h的地脉动记录,计算5 Hz、5 s和100s的静态地脉动噪声功率谱密度、1/3倍频程1-20Hz带宽各段的平均静态地脉动噪声有效值、1/3倍频程100-30 s带宽各段的平均静态地脉动加速度噪声有效值,以及上述3个频点和2个...     

Analysis of the spectral response of flourishing-withering vegetation changes based on ground spectral measurements

A structural mode was used to characterize vegetation composition at the plant leaf level and a flourishing-withering ratio was developed. The spectral responses of vegetation with different flourishing-withering ratios were analyzed, the change rates of the chlorophyll and moisture content indices of vegetation with different flourishing-withering ratios were compared, and correlations between the chlorophyll and moisture content indices were analyzed. The results reveal that leaves with an intermediate flourishing-withering ratio can increase the absorption signatures of vegetation and that band ranges of 570–700 nm and 1300–1540 nm can play a role in indicating changes in the flourishing-withering ratios of vegetation; NPQI, NPCI, R₆₉₅/R₄₂₀, R₆₉₅/R₇₆₀, R₇₅₀/R₇₀₀, the peak-value area of red selvedge, the red selvedge amplitude, the ratio between the red selvedge amplitude and the minimum amplitude, and the NDVI of vegetation change regularly with the change in flourishing-withering ratios, and these nine vegetation indices are highly related to the chlorophyll content. Vegetation indexes of NDWI and PRI are very sensitive to the flourishing-withering change in vegetation and are closely related to the moisture content, and the correlation coefficient is higher than 0.9. The derivative of the spectra is more effective in describing changes in the structural mode of vegetation with different flourishing-withering ratios, especially at band ranges of 552–628 nm and 630–686 nm, and it is more sensitive to the mixed flourishing-withering ratios of leaves rather than to the vegetation indices. The red selvedge position in the spectrum is highly related to the chlorophyll content and is not sensitive to changes in the structural mode of mixed flourishing-withering leaves. The red selvedge parameters are sensitive to changes in the flourishing-withering ratio at the peak-value area of the red selvedge amplitude and the ratio between the red selvedge amplitude and the minimum amplitude. The effect of a sand background on the spectrum of withering leaves is higher than that of flourishing leaves; the effect of a sand background increases with increasing proportions of withering leaves, the superposition effect of the sand background on mixed flourishing-withering leaves is about 7% at visible light bands of 400–700 nm and 1300–1540 nm, and is over 10% at the near infrared band range of 700–1300 nm.     

Determining the location of buried plastic water pipes from measurements of ground surface vibration

‘Mapping the Underworld’ is a UK-based project, which aims to create a multi-sensor device that combines complementary technologies for remote buried utility service detection and location. One of the technologies to be incorporated in the device is low-frequency vibro-acoustics, and techniques for detecting buried infrastructure, in particular plastic water pipes, are being investigated. One of the proposed techniques involves excitation of the pipe at some known location with concurrent vibrational mapping of the ground surface in order to infer the location of the remainder of the pipe. In this paper, measurements made on a dedicated pipe rig are reported. Frequency response measurements relating vibrational velocity on the ground to the input excitation were acquired. Contour plots of the unwrapped phase revealed the location of the pipe to within 0.1-0.2 m. Magnitude contour plots revealed the excitation point and also the location of the pipe end. By examining the unwrapped phase gradients along a line above the pipe, it was possible to identify the wave-type within the pipe responsible for the ground surface vibration. Furthermore, changes in the ground surface phase speed computed using this method enabled the location of the end of the pipe to be confirmed.