Site effects of the 2002 Molise earthquake, Italy: analysis of strong motion, ambient noise, and synthetic data from 2D modelling in San Giuliano di Puglia

On 31 October and 1 November 2002, the Basso Molise area (Southern Italy) was struck by two earthquakes of moderate magnitude (M _L = 5.4 and 5.3). The epicentral area showed a high level of damage, attributable both to the high vulnerability of existing buildings and to site effects caused by the geological and geomorphological settings. Specifically, the intensity inside the town of San Giuliano di Puglia was two degrees higher than in neighbouring towns. Also, within San Giuliano di Puglia, the damage varied notably. The site response in the city was initially evaluated from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) from a limited number of strong motion recordings of the most severe aftershocks. Several microtremor measurements were also available. Both data sets indicated the simultaneous presence of two amplification peaks: one around 6 Hz, attributed in previous studies to the strong, shallow impedance contrast among landfill/clay and calcarenites, and one at 2 Hz related to the first S-wave arrivals and predominantly seen only on one receiver component. Further studies performed on weak-motion recordings also showed strong amplification on the vertical receiver component, thus indicating an underestimation of the amplification by the HVSR technique. Additionally, a 2D-model of the geology of the sub-surface was developed, reproducing the flower-shaped structure generated during the late orogenic transpressive regime. The numerical (finite-difference hybrid) simulation reproduced the two peaks of the observed data at slightly higher frequencies. The model also confirmed that the borders of the flower structure define a boundary between amplification levels, with higher amplification inside.     

Characteristics of strong ground motion data recorded in the Gubbio sedimentary basin (Central Italy)

Various authors, analysing the set of accelerograms recorded at Gubbio Piana (GBP) (central Italy), have demonstrated that strong amplification occurs at this accelerometric station, which is installed within an alluvial basin. In particular, Ambraseys et al. [(2005a), Bull Earthq Eng 3:1–53; (2005b), Bull Earth Eng 3:55–73] observed that the strong motion peaks at GBP greatly exceed the median values predicted by the attenuation relationships they derived for Europe. In this work, we analyse and discuss some characteristics of the ground motion recorded at the GBP station. We show that the ground motion parameters, such as peak-ground acceleration and peak-ground velocity, are strongly influenced by the presence of locally induced surface waves that produce both a lengthening of the significant shaking duration and an increase in the peak values with respect to a nearby bedrock site. The basin-induced surface waves are observed in the three components of motion and their effects on the peak values are particularly evident in the vertical component. In the frequency domain, the energy of the surface waves is mostly restricted to the frequency band 0.4–0.8 Hz for both the horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal and vertical Fourier amplitudes are also very similar, and this indicates that the H/V spectral ratio technique is not applicable to describing the site response due to the propagation of seismic wave in a complex 2D/3D geological structure. Finally, a preliminary polarization analysis shows that the directions of polarization, as well as the degree of elliptical polarization, exhibit a strong variability with time, that may be related to a complex propagation of Love and Rayleigh waves within the basin.     

Resistivity imaging of Pleistocene alluvial aquifers in a contractional tectonic setting: A case history from the Po plain (Northern Italy)

In this work we present the hydrogeophysical imaging of a key sector of the Quaternary Po foreland basin (northern Italy), focussing on the reconstruction of clastic aquifers and aquitards in a complex tectono-sedimentary subsurface architecture. The study area includes the relic reliefs of Casalpusterlengo and Zorlesco, two smooth morphological features involving uplifted and gently folded Pleistocene marine to alluvial sediments, plausibly linked to the buried Northern Apennines thrust and fold belt. The geophysical data include 35 Direct Current Vertical Electrical Soundings collected over a 37 km² wide area, acquired with Schlumberger array and maximum half-spacing of 500 m. 1-D resistivity-depth profiles were computed for each VES. An integrated hydrostratigraphic approach was applied, to constrain the interpretation of the geophysical data along several cross-sections, including the comparison of resistivity soundings to stratigraphic logs, borehole electric logs and the pore-water properties.The resistivity interfaces, traceable with the same laterally continuous vertical polarity, were used to develop an electrostratigraphic model in order to portray the stacking of electrostratigraphic units down to 200 m below ground surface. Their vertical associations show a general upward increase of electrical resistivity. This assemblage mimics the regional coarsening upwards depositional trend, from the conductive units of the Plio-Pleistocene marine-to-transitional depositional systems to the resistive units of the Middle–Late Pleistocene fluvial and alluvial plain depositional systems. Middle Pleistocene depositional systems host an alternation of North-dipping, high-to-intermediate permeability aquifer systems (70–180 Ωm, thickness of 5–70 m) separated by low permeability aquitards (20–50 Ωm, thickness up to 40 m). These units pinch out against the Casalpusterlengo and Zorlesco relic reliefs, where they cover the uplifted and folded regional aquitard (20–50 Ωm) formed by Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene clays to sandy silts with gravel lenses in agreement with borehole data. In the deepest part of the local stratigraphy, a broad low-resistivity anomaly (< 10 Ωm) was clearly mapped through the study area. By comparison with electrical borehole logs in deep oil-wells, it could be interpreted as the fresh–saltwater interface due to the presence of connate waters and brines hosted by the marine-to-transitional shales.     

A 1D P-wave velocity model of the Gargano promontory (south-eastern Italy)

We investigate the elastic properties of the crust in the Gargano promontory, located in the northern part of the Apulia region (Southeastern Italy). Starting on April, 2013, a local-scale seismic network, composed of 12 short-period (1 Hz) seismic stations, was deployed on the Gargano promontory. Starting on October, 2013, the network was integrated with the recordings of nine seismic stations managed by the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). The network recorded more than 1200 seismic events in about 15 months of data acquisition, with more than 700 small magnitude events localized in the Gargano promontory and surrounding areas. A Wadati-modified method allowed us to infer V_P/V_S = 1.73 for the area. A subset of about 400 events having a relatively smaller azimuthal gap (<200°) was selected to calibrate a 1D P-wave velocity model of the area, using the VELEST inversion code. The preferred model was obtained from the average of ten velocity models, each of them representing the inversion result from given initial velocity models, calibrated on previous geological and geophysical studies in the area. The results obtained under the assumption that V_P could decrease with depth are unstable, with very different depths of the top of low-velocity layers. Therefore, the velocity model was obtained from the average of the results obtained under the assumption that V_P cannot decrease with depth. A strong reduction of both RMS (about 58%) and errors on the location of the events was obtained with respect to the starting model. The final velocity model shows a strong velocity gradient in the upper 5 km of the crust and a small increase (from 6.7 to 7 km) at 30 km of depth. The epicenters of relocated events do not show clear correlations with the surface projection of known seismic faults. A cluster of the epicenters of the relocated events intersects almost perpendicularly the Candelaro fault trace at the surface.     

利用密集台阵背景噪声研究通州—三河地区高分辨率三维S波速度结构

北京通州—河北三河地区中存在几条大型隐伏断裂,地质构造复杂.为研究该区隐伏断裂的空间展布、断裂与隆起和凹陷的构造关系,本文利用布设在该区的914个短周期地震仪组成的密集台阵,获得了45天的连续波形记录,通过噪声互相关方法获得台站之间的面波经验格林函数,提取2~8 s基阶勒夫波群速度频散曲线,反演获得该区深度7.5 km以内的三维精细S波速度结构.结果表明,研究区的断裂展布影响了地质构造单元的速度异常分布,其中夏垫断裂、南苑—通州断裂和李桥断裂是高低速区的分界带,南苑—通州断裂附近的高速体大致沿NE向展布,南口—孙河断裂附近的高速体大致沿NW向展布,高速体的展布方向与断裂的走向有相关性.研究区的S波速度分布有明显的非均匀性,高速区主要分布在大兴隆起上,而在大兴隆起的中部还存在一个明显的低速体,大厂凹陷和俸伯凹陷主要表现为低速特征,断裂两侧的较大地层密度横向差异可能是地质构造单元呈现出高低速异常的原因之一.研究区的结晶基底埋深差异较大,大兴隆起的结晶基底埋深约为2 km,大厂凹陷的结晶基底埋深约为4~7 km,断裂影响了结晶基底的埋深状态.本文获得的通州—三河地区三维精细S波速度结构,为认识该区的隐伏断裂、隐伏隆起和凹陷的物性结构提供了更多的地球物理学依据,对城市的地质灾害风险评估、安全建设等有重要意义.

     

The velocity structure of the Carpathian zone from the ambient noise surface wave tomography

The dispersion curves of the Rayleigh wave group velocities are constructed along 60 interstation seismic paths in Central Europe based on the cross-correlation function of seismic noise. Together with the previous data (Yanovskaya and Lyskova, 2013), this information was used for reconstructing the three-dimensional distribution of S-wave velocities in the upper mantle of the Carpathian region. In the present work, the previous results are refined by expanding the data set by the additional seismic paths that intersect the Carpathian region and by modifying the procedure for constructing the locally averaged dispersion curves so as to obtain a more compact resolution. The results of the study suggest the complex, multidirectional character of the plate motion in the region.     

Crustal S-wave velocity structure of the Yellowstone region using a seismic ambient noise method

The Yellowstone volcano is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, and its potential hazards demand detailed seismological and geodetic studies. Previous studies with travel time tomography and receiver functions have revealed a low-velocity layer in the crust beneath the Yellowstone volcano, suggesting the presence of a magma chamber at depth. We use ambient seismic noise from regional seismic stations to retrieve short-period surface waves and then study the shallow shear velocity structure of the Yellowstone region by surface wave dispersion analysis. We first obtained a crustal model of the area outside of the Yellowstone volcano and then constructed an absolute shear wave velocity structure in combination with receiver function results for the crust beneath the Yellowstone volcano. The velocity model shows a low-velocity layer with shear velocity at around 1.3 km/s, suggesting that a large-scale magma chamber exists at shallow levels within the crust of the Yellowstone volcanic region.     

Shear velocity structure of crust and uppermost mantle in China from surface wave tomography using ambient noise and earthquake data

We present a 3D model of shear velocity of crust and upper mantle in China and surrounding regions from surface wave tomography.We combine dispersion measurements from ambient noise correlation and traditional earthquake data.The stations include the China National Seismic Network,global networks,and all the available PASSCAL stations in the region over the years.The combined data sets provide excellent data coverage of the region for surface wave measurements from 8 to 120 s,which are used to invert for 3D shear wave velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle down to about150 km.We also derive new models of the study region for crustal thickness and averaged S velocities for upper,mid,and lower crust and the uppermost mantle.The models provide a fundamental data set for understanding continental dynamics and evolution.The tomography results reveal significant features of crust and upper mantle structure,including major basins,Moho depth variation,mantle velocity contrast between eastern and western North China Craton,widespread low-velocity zone in midcrust in much of the Tibetan Plateau,and clear velocity contrasts of the mantle lithosphere between north and southern Tibet with significant E–W variations.The low velocity structure in the upper mantle under north and eastern TP correlates with surface geological boundaries.A patch of high velocity anomaly is found under the eastern part of the TP,which may indicate intact mantle lithosphere.Mantle lithosphere shows striking systematic change from the western to eastern North China Craton.The Tanlu Fault appears to be a major lithosphere boundary.     

3D S-wave velocity structure of the Ningdu basin in Jiangxi province inferred from ambient noise tomography with dense array

The Ningdu basin, located in southern Jiangxi province of southwest China, is one of the Mesozoic basin groups which has exploration prospects for geothermal energy. A study on the detailed velocity structure of the Ningdu basin can provide important information for geothermal resource exploration. In this study, we deployed a dense seismic array in the Ningdu basin to investigate the 3D velocity structure and discuss implications for geothermal exploration and geological evolution. Based on the dense seismic array including 35 short-period (5 s-100 ?Hz) seismometers with an average interstation distance of ～5 ?km, Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves were extracted from the continuous ambient noise data for surface wave tomographic inversion. Group velocity tomography was conducted and the 3D S-wave velocity structure was inverted by the neighborhood algorithm. The results revealed obvious low-velocity anomalies in the center of the basin, consistent with the low-velocity Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. The basement and basin-controlling fault can also be depicted by the S-wave velocity anomalies. The obvious seismic interface is about 2 ?km depth in the basin center and decreases to 700 ?m depth near the basin boundary, suggesting spatial thickness variations of the Cretaceous sediment. The fault features of the S-wave velocity profile coincide with the geological cognition of the western boundary basin-controlling fault, which may provide possible upwelling channels for geothermal fluid. This study suggests that seismic tomography with a dense array is an effective method and can play an important role in the detailed investigations of sedimentary basins.     

The Seismotectonics of the Po Plain (Northern Italy): Tectonic Diversity in a Blind Faulting Domain

We present a systematic and updated overview of a seismotectonic model for the Po Plain (northern Italy). This flat and apparently quiet tectonic domain is, in fact, rather active as it comprises the shortened foreland and foredeep of both the Southern Alps and the Northern Apennines. Assessing its seismic hazard is crucial due to the concentration of population, industrial activities, and critical infrastructures, but it is also complicated because (a) the region is geologically very diverse, and (b) nearly all potential seismogenic faults are buried beneath a thick blanket of Pliocene–Pleistocene sediments, and thus can be investigated only indirectly. Identifying and parameterizing the potential seismogenic faults of the Po Plain requires proper consideration of their depth, geometry, kinematics, earthquake potential and location with respect to the two confronting orogens. To this end, we subdivided them into four main, homogeneous groups. Over the past 15 years we developed new strategies for coping with this diversity, resorting to different data and modeling approaches as required by each individual fault group. The most significant faults occur beneath the thrust fronts of the Ferrara-Romagna and Emilia arcs, which correspond to the most advanced and buried portions of the Northern Apennines and were the locus of the destructive May 2012 earthquake sequence. The largest known Po Plain earthquake, however, occurred on an elusive reactivated fault cutting the Alpine foreland south of Verona. Significant earthquakes are expected to be generated also by a set of transverse structures segmenting the thrust system, and by the deeper ramps of the Apennines thrusts. The new dataset is intended to be included in the next version of the Database of Individual Seismogenic Sources (DISS; http://diss.rm.ingv.it/diss/, version 3.2.0, developed and maintained by INGV) to improve completeness of potential sources for seismic hazard assessment.     

Comparison of 3D, 2D and 1D numerical approaches to predict long period earthquake ground motion in the Gubbio plain, Central Italy

In this work we studied the performance of different numerical approaches to simulate the large amplifications of long period earthquake ground motion within the Gubbio plain, a closed-shape intra-mountain alluvial basin of extensional tectonic origin in Central Italy, observed during the Umbria-Marche 1997 seismic sequence. Particularly, referring to the Sep 26 1997 M_w6.0 mainshock, we considered the following numerical approximations: (a) 3D model, including a kinematic model of the extended seismic source, a layered crustal structure, and the basin itself with a simplified homogeneous velocity profile; (b) 2D model of a longitudinal and transversal cross-section of the basin, subject to vertical and oblique incidence of plane waves with time dependence at bedrock obtained by the 3D simulations; (c) 1D model. 3D and 2D numerical simulations were carried out using the spectral element code GeoELSE, exploiting in 3D its implementation in parallel computer architectures. 3D numerical simulations were successful to predict the observed large amplification of ground motion at periods beyond about 1 s, due to the prominent onset of surface waves originated at the southern edge of the basin and propagating northwards. More specifically, the difference of 3D vs 2D results is remarkable, since the latter ones fail to approach such large amplification levels, even when an oblique incidence of plane waves is considered.     

The velocity structure of the upper mantle of europe from the ambient noise surface wave tomography

The method for surface wave tomography based on the records of ambient seismic noise (Ambient Noise Tomography, ANT) is applied to the data from the East European and West European stations. In order to reduce the effects of the earthquakes at long periods, the cross correlation functions were calculated for the time interval of 2001–2003, when distinct clusters of the earthquakes were absent. Using the local dispersion curves in the range of 10–100 s, we reconstructed the vertical velocity sections at the nodes of the 3° × 3° grid. On the basis on these curves, we calculated the horizontal distributions of S-velocity variations in the upper mantle in the depth interval of 75–275 km and the vertical velocity sections along the profiles across the Vrancea zone and the region of the Baltic and Ukrainian shields. The velocity distribution in the Vrancea zone confirms the subduction of the ancient oceanic plate from the east westwards and the detachment of its bottom part, as hypothesized by some authors. Beneath the Baltic Shield lithosphere, there is a low-velocity zone, which can be interpreted as the asthenospheric layer. It is noted that the velocity distributions beneath the Baltic and Ukrainian shields are similar, which probably points to the genetic relationship between these two structures.     

长江中下游成矿带及邻区地壳剪切波速度结构和径向各向异性

收集了安徽、江西、浙江、江苏、湖北和河南6个省的区域地震台网138个宽频地震台站以及中国地质大学(北京)在长江中下游成矿带布设的19个流动宽频地震台站的三分量背景噪声数据,利用背景噪声面波层析成像方法,获得了长江中下游成矿带及其邻区地壳三维剪切波速度结构和径向各向异性特征.首先获得了5~38 s周期的瑞利波和勒夫波相速度,结果显示短周期( < 16 s)的瑞利波和勒夫波相速度与研究区内的主要地质构造单元具有良好的相关性,但在中长周期(20~30 s)瑞利波相速度显示大别造山带东部为明显低速特征,而勒夫波相速度并未表现出异常特征.研究区域地壳三维有效剪切波速度和径向各向异性结果显示:苏北盆地和江汉盆地上地壳都表现为低速和正径向各向异性特征,华北克拉通东南部也表现为正径向各向异性,这可能与盆地浅部沉积层的水平层理结构相关.大别造山带中地壳显示为弱的正径向各向异性,同时其东部下地壳显示为低剪切波速度和强的正径向各向特征,可能是由于其在造山后发生了中下地壳的流变变形,引起各向异性矿物近水平排列所导致的.长江中下游成矿带内的鄂东南和安庆—贵池矿集区中地壳弱的负径向各向异性可能是由于深部岩浆向上渗透时所产生的有限应力导致结晶各向异性矿物的垂直排列所引起的.整个长江中下游成矿带下地壳都表现出正径向各向异性特征,可能是由于在伸展拉张的构造作用力下,下地壳矿物的晶格优势水平排列所引起的.     

A comparison of surface and underground array measurements of ambient noise recorded in Naples (Italy)

In this study, we describe two experiments of seismic noise measurements carried out in Naples, Italy. The site allowed measurements to be obtained both at the surface and in a tunnel that is 120-m-deep. The main goal was to compare the seismic response evaluated at the surface to the in-tunnel response, through spectral, polarization, and resonance directivity analyses. In the 1 to 20 Hz frequency band, the noise level was up to 15 dB higher at the surface than in the tunnel. The polarization properties and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios appear not to be influenced by the tunnel geometry or by the topography. Some preferential alignments were observed in the polarization azimuths computed at the surface, which are likely to be due to local sources, rather than morphological features. The absence of directivity effects and the low noise levels in the tunnel make this site suitable for installing seismic stations. We also studied how the subsoil structure affects the seismic motion at the surface. The dispersive properties of the Rayleigh waves were investigated using the spatial autocorrelation method. A joint inversion of the dispersion data and the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios provided the subsurface Vs profile. The derived model has a low velocity contrast at depth, such as to generate moderate and broad H/V spectral ratio peak amplitude. The normalized spectral ratio appears more appropriate to identify the soil-resonance frequencies.     

Variations of local seismic response in Benevento (Southern Italy) using earthquakes and ambient noise recordings

The city of Benevento (Southern Italy) has been repeatedly struck by large historical earthquakes. A heterogeneous geologic structure and widespread soft soil conditions make the estimation of site effects crucial for the seismic hazard assessment of the city. From 2000 until 2004, we installed seismic stations to collect earthquake data over zones with different geological conditions. Despite the high level of urban noise, we recorded more than 150 earthquakes at twelve sites. This data set yields the first, well documented experimental evidence for weak to moderate local amplifications. We investigated site effects primarily by the classical spectral ratio technique (CSR) using a rock station placed on the Benevento hill as reference. All sites in the Calore river valley and in the eastern part of the Benevento hill show a moderate high-frequency (f > 4 Hz) amplification peak. Conversely, sites in the Sabato river valley share weak-to-moderate amplification in a wide frequency band (from 1–2 to 7–10 Hz), without evident frequency peaks. Application of no-reference-site techniques to earthquake and noise data confirms the results of the CSRs in the sites of the Calore river valley and of the eastern part of the Benevento hill, but fails in providing indications for site effects in the Sabato river valley, being the H/V ratios nearly flat. One-dimensional modeling indicates that the ground motion amplification can be essentially explained in terms of a vertically varying geologic structure. High-frequency narrow peaks are caused by the strong impedance contrast existing between near-surface soft deposits and stiff cemented conglomerates. Conversely, broad-band amplifications in the Sabato river valley are likely due to a more complex layering with weak impedance contrasts both in the shallow and deep structure of the valley.     

青藏高原东部和周边地区地壳速度结构的背景噪声层析成像

利用连续地震背景噪声记录和互相关技术获得瑞利面波格林函数,进而反演获得了青藏高原东部和周边地区的地壳三维速度结构.地震数据源于北京大学宽频带流动观测地震台阵,国家数字测震台网数据备分中心提供的部分固定台站的连续记录及INDEPTH IV宽频带流动观测地震台阵.首先对观测数据进行处理和分析取得所有可能台站对的面波经验格林函数和瑞利波相速度频散曲线,反演得到了观测台阵下方周期从6~60 s的瑞利波相速度异常分布图像.并且进一步反演获得研究区域三维剪切波速度结构和莫霍面深度分布.短周期(6~14 s)相速度异常分布与地表地质构造特征吻合较好,在青藏高原和四川盆地之间存在一个明显的南北向转换带.而本文最重要的结果是周期大于25 s的相速度异常分布图像显示,以昆仑断裂带为界,柴达木盆地和祁连山脉地区呈现与青藏高原截然不同的中地壳速度结构,反而与青藏高原东缘地区和川滇菱形块体速度结构相似.反演获得的剪切波速度在27.5~45 km深度的切片也明显地揭示:青藏高原的松潘—甘孜地块和羌塘地块呈现均一的低速层;然而,柴达木盆地和祁连山脉地区则呈现较强的横向不均匀性,尤其是柴达木盆地的高速异常和四川盆地的高速异常相对应.这些结果为前人提出的青藏高原东北向台阶式增长模式提供了重要的地震学观测证据.与全球一维平均速度模型(AK135)相比较发现,本文测量和反演获得的研究区域内平均相速度和剪切波速度都比AK135模型慢很多,尤其是青藏高原的中地壳(25~40 km)剪切波速度显著低于全球平均速度模型.进一步的层析成像反演证实松潘—甘孜和羌塘地块中地壳(27.5~45 km)呈现大范围均一的低速层,为青藏高原可能存在大规模中下地壳"层流"提供地震学观测证据.在祁连山脉的27.5~45 km深度观测到的明显低速异常体可能对应于该造山带下地幔岩浆活动导致的底侵作用,表明引起该地区地壳增厚的主要机制可能是来自地幔岩浆的底侵作用.     

Semiannual velocity variations around the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan Earthquake fault zone revealed by ambient noise and ACROSS active source data

We continuously monitor the long-term seismic velocity variation of one of the major ruptured faults of the devastating 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in China from July 2009 to January 2012,jointly using accurately controlled routinely operated signal system active source and seismic noise-based monitoring technique.Our measurements show that the temporal velocity change is not homogeneous and highly localized in the damaged fault zone and the adjacent areas.Velocity variations from the active and passive methods are quite consistent,which both are characterized by ±0.2 % seasonal variation,with peak and trough at winter and summer,respectively.The periodic velocity variation within fault zone exhibits remarkably positive correlation with barometric pressure with stress sensitivity in the order of 10-6Pa-1,suggesting that the plausible mechanism might be the crack density variation of the shallow subsurface medium of the damaged fault zone in response to the cyclic barometric pressure loading.     

基于背景噪声研究青藏高原东缘三维横波速度结构

本文收集了四川、重庆、甘肃、青海、陕西地震台网的105个宽频带地震台站在2017年8月—2018年8月期间记录的连续波形数据,通过对台站记录的长时间背景噪声进行互相关计算,从而提取出瑞利面波经验格林函数,共获得5416条周期在5~40 s内的基阶瑞利面波频散曲线,用于反演青藏高原东缘地壳和上地幔顶部三维横波速度结构.研究结果表明青藏高原东缘地下速度结构呈现非常明显的横向不均匀性,地下浅层速度结构特征与研究区域的主要地质特征和地块单元非常吻合.青藏高原东缘下方的低速体在向东延伸过程中受到四川盆地刚性地壳的阻挡作用,一部分向南进入川滇地块,并在下方30 km处形成厚度约为15 km的大范围低速异常;另一部分向北延伸,并在塔藏断裂下方上涌和堆积,造成局部莫霍面下沉.此外,青藏高原东缘下方的低速体在东北方向跨越东昆仑断裂带进入柴达木地块,并到达西秦岭断裂带附近.其中,巴颜喀拉地块下方30 km处存在厚度约为15 km大范围的低速体,与青藏高原东缘隆起地形和地壳增厚有一定联系.且该低速体在柴达木地块下方变窄,与祁连地块地下30 km处厚度约为10 km的小范围低速体存在一定的连通性.但祁连地块低速体速度值略高于巴颜喀拉地块低速体速度值,这可能意味着祁连地块低速体相当于巴颜喀拉地块低速体的早期发育阶段.

     

基于背景噪声成像方法的新疆呼图壁储气库地区近地表速度结构研究

近年来,背景噪声成像方法在恢复高频面波信号及获取近地表速度结构方面得到了广泛的应用,本文将该方法应用于准噶尔盆地南缘的呼图壁背斜地区的呼图壁储气库.采用储气库及其周边区域22个台站记录的连续背景噪声数据的垂直分量,通过噪声互相关方法获得了台站对之间的瑞利面波经验格林函数,并进一步提取了0.5~1.5 s的基阶瑞利面波群速度频散曲线.首先根据区域平均频散曲线得到了该地区地下数百米的平均一维横波速度结构,然后利用基于面波射线路径追踪的面波频散直接成像方法得到该地区深度为500 m以上的三维横波速度结构.反演结果显示该地区沉积层较厚,整体横波速度值较小（0.4~0.9 km·s^-1）.储气库在地表投影区域的横波速度值较小,这可能是由于抽注水、气引起的沉积岩石裂隙所导致.储气库东北和东南方向均有明显的相对高速区,推测是区域地下水位和地形起伏综合作用的结果.本研究获得的近地表三维速度结构为呼图壁储气库地区的上覆地层物性研究、区域微震精定位、场地效应的评估和去除浅层影响的深部介质成像等研究提供了重要基础.

     

Semiannual velocity variations around the 2008 M w 7.9 Wenchuan Earthquake fault zone revealed by ambient noise and ACROSS active source data

We continuously monitor the long-term seismic velocity variation of one of the major ruptured faults of the devastating 2008 M _w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in China from July 2009 to January 2012, jointly using accurately controlled routinely operated signal system active source and seismic noise-based monitoring technique. Our measurements show that the temporal velocity change is not homogeneous and highly localized in the damaged fault zone and the adjacent areas. Velocity variations from the active and passive methods are quite consistent, which both are characterized by ±0.2 % seasonal variation, with peak and trough at winter and summer, respectively. The periodic velocity variation within fault zone exhibits remarkably positive correlation with barometric pressure with stress sensitivity in the order of 10^?6 Pa^?1, suggesting that the plausible mechanism might be the crack density variation of the shallow subsurface medium of the damaged fault zone in response to the cyclic barometric pressure loading.