Analysis of ambient noise in Yalova, Turkey: discrimination between artificial and natural excitations

Ambient noise measurements acquired in Yalova, which was highly damaged during the 1999 Izmit earthquake, are analyzed to explore the site characteristics. The region of Yalova is governed by complex geological and geomorphological structures consisting of river beds extending from the mountains to the sea, ridges between them, plains in front of them with different size, and the sea coast. As a result of these shallow geological features, the H/V curves exhibit complex patterns. Clear peaks in the H/V curves, which can be interpreted as reliable site resonance frequency, are observed only at about half of the measurement sites. At the remaining sites industrial peaks, broad peaks, or flat responses dominate the spectral ratio graphs. We observed that man-made noises generated by marble cutting machines in Hersek delta mask the site resonance frequencies or can be misinterpreted as a resonance frequency. In total, we identified three anthropogenic noise sources at fundamental frequencies of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 Hz along with their two- and threefold harmonics. The parts of H/V curves showing unusual low scattering can be a clue to identify anthropogenic effects. In the assessment of H/V curves, the site location and the similarity of the near surface geology were taken into account. The Laledere plain with thick and soft sediment sequence surprisingly displays flat responses due to a possible low impedance contrast. The Ciftlikkoy and Hacimehmet plains exhibit clear resonance peaks at nearly 1 Hz possessing the largest amplitudes. These sites experienced the highest damage in Yalova during the Izmit earthquake. In contrast, the Cinarcik region which was also exposed to high damage, do not show any obvious amplifications on the H/V curves. Generally, the H/V curves for valley and ridge sites in Yalova reveals a resonance peak at approximately 1 Hz and almost flat curves, respectively. However, several sites on the ridges and valleys portray different patterns.     

应用微动H/V谱比法和台阵技术探测场地响应和浅层速度结构

为了快速而且廉价地获取北京市详细的场地响应和浅层速度结构,应用于地震动模拟和地震灾害预防,我们开展了微动观测技术和处理方法研究.本文利用2007年夏季北京五棵松地区进行的几个微动观测实验数据,使用单台H/V谱比法分析场地的卓越频率及其对应的放大系数,并对比了不同地震仪和观测时间对H/V曲线的影响;应用高分辨率F-K频谱分析方法从微动台阵数据中得到Rayleigh波的频散曲线并使用邻域算法反演出浅层速度结构.H/V结果表明该地区卓越频率在2.1～2.2 Hz之间,对应的放大系数下限约为3;利用微动H/V方法得到的场地卓越频率具有较高的稳定性.微动台阵反演结果给出了比较合理的波阻抗界面深度和层平均速度结构,认为地下80多米处的波阻抗界面是决定场地卓越频率和其场地放大系数的主要界面.本研究表明微动技术应用于评估城市地震场地响应和浅层速度结构是可行且易于实施的.     

震级、震源距对地震信号H/V影响分析

本文采用喜马拉雅科学探测台阵四川省境内10个台站,计算了所有地震信号0.5—15 Hz的H/V谱比,分析了震级、震源距对H/V谱比的影响,并与各台站场地地脉动H/V谱比进行了比较. 结果表明: 震级对各台站地震信号的H/V谱比振幅值以及峰值频率几乎没有影响;震源距对谱峰明显的H/V谱比曲线的谱形和峰值频率影响不大,但对谱峰不明显的H/V谱比曲线的峰值频率有一定影响;H/V谱峰明显的台站,地震信号与地脉动信号的H/V谱比曲线的峰值频率具有很高的一致性,H/V谱峰不明显的台站,二者的峰值频率有一定差异.      

Use of microtremor measurement for assessing site effects in Northern Belgium – interpretation of the observed intensity during the MS = 5.0 June 11 1938 earthquake

To provide quantitative information on site effects in the northern part of Belgium, forty-seven H/V microtremor measurements were performed with 5 second seismometers over an area of about 15.000 km². Most of the results show a northward regular increase of the fundamental period in agreement with the augmentation of the Mesozoic and Cainozoic soft sedimentsthickness from a few meters 40 km south of Brussels to 900 m at the Netherlands-Belgium border. The measured resonance frequency values wereconsistent with theoretical computations performed at different sites onthe basis of existing information and shallow seismic experiments. At oneparticular site (Uccle) where borehole data were available, microtremor measurements using an array of four seismological stations with differentapertures allowed to obtain the low frequency part of the Rayleigh wave dispersion curve, extending the range covered by the analysis of surfacewaves artificially generated. The Vs profile derived from the surface waveinversion corroborates the 1 Hz natural frequency of the site. Comparison of these results with the macroseismic information concerning the M_S = 5.0 1938 earthquake which occurred 50 km west of Brussels,confirmed the hypothesis that the geological structure of the Brabant massifis likely to control damage distribution during such an earthquake. Comparisonbetween the intensity map of the 1938 earthquake and the resonance period ofsediments obtained by our microtremor study shows a clear relation betweenthe two parameters. During the 1938 earthquake, site effects played a prominent role due to the dimension of the source whose corner frequency wasabout 1 Hz.     

Caracas, Venezuela, Site Effect Determination with Microtremors

—?Caracas 1967 earthquake caused heavy damage to multi-story buildings. In 1995, 184 microtremor measurement points were performed over the city. The measurement grid was more or less dense and covered the main part of the alluvial basin as well as surrounding rock basement. For each point, the horizontal record spectrum was divided by the vertical one (H/V ratio). Subsequently, the strongest value (Ao) of this ratio in a given frequency band was kept, as well as the frequency (Fo) where it occurred. Spatial interpolations of Ao and Fo were performed among all points of Palos Grandes district. A map was plotted representing a single surface where Ao is relief and Fo is represented by grey gradation. An alluvion thickness (H) map can be compared with this result. Damaged buildings are located on the same map. Fo decreases until 0.6?Hz when alluvion thickness (H) increases. Fo values fit with frequencies previously predicted from computation and with 1967 earthquake observations. Moreover, interpolation surfaces show that amplification (Ao) of H/V on microtremor is quite low above rock but is high on the south part of the basin. The maximum occurs over the non-urbanized zone. However the other area, where Ao is higher than 5, roughly corresponds to the location of the four collapsed buildings. Furthermore, the estimated natural frequency of these buildings was around Fo. Graphics showing H, Fo and Ao evolution through the basin were composed. Links between all these values are noticeable. Fo is claimed to be very similar to the resonance frequency of soil. As for Ao, it could be a fairly relevant sign of damage seriousness. Microtremor technique is an economic tool and it allows measurement grid as dense as desired. H/V ratio processing followed by interpolation of maximum values provides precise and useful information about expected site effect.     

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.     

岩土介质随机性对沉积河谷地震动放大效应的影响

基于间接边界元法计算沉积河谷对平面P波和SV波的二维散射,着重考察沉积介质波速比和材料阻尼比的随机性对河谷地震动放大效应的影响.利用蒙特卡罗方法随机模拟产生了波速比样本和阻尼样本各30组,给出了不同入射角度和频率的P波和SV波入射下河谷随机响应的单频和频谱结果.算例分析结果表明:①地表位移响应幅值的变异系数极值均显著大于波速比变异系数,且波速比的随机性对地表位移的影响在体系共振频率处最为显著,地表位移的标准差最大可达7.168;低频情况下,沉积中部地震动反应的变异性更显著,高频情况下则在沉积河谷边缘变异性最大;②入射角对地表位移响应变异系数极值的影响不大,但对变异系数空间变化的影响显著;③阻尼比随机性对地表位移的影响在低频情况下较小,在高频情况下则较明显,尤其是在沉积河谷的体系自振频率处,其影响最为显著.      

地震预警仪观测地脉动差异与评估场地条件的可行性研究

根据台站场地条件进行地震动参数校正,有助于提高地震预警的有效性和准确性。针对我国地震预警台网中部分台址场地条件信息不完整及观测仪器的多样性,通过采用不同灵敏度的力平衡式加速度仪、速度仪和MEMS烈度仪,同时进行大量不同类别场地的地脉动观测,多角度对比分析时、频差别,探讨基于地震预警仪观测地脉动评价场地条件的可行性。结果表明,加速度仪灵敏度越高,H/V谱比卓越频率越易识别;速度仪与力平衡式加速度仪观测的地脉动,三分向傅氏谱和H/V谱比的谱形与卓越频率均一致;与TAG-33M强震仪相比,TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动整体幅值略高,波形较差,但随着振幅增大趋于一致;在近80%的场地上,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动傅氏谱卓越频率相差<0.5 Hz;当幅值均方根值>0.05 Gal时,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动竖向和水平向傅氏谱均趋于一致;当幅值均方根值为0.02 Gal～0.05 Gal时,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动竖向和水平向傅氏谱谱形均有较高的相似性;当幅值均方根值<0.02 Gal时,TAG-3...     

P- and S-Wave Site Response of the Seismic Network RESNOM Determined from Earthquakes of Northern Baja California, Mexico

—We determined the response to P- and S-wave incidence of the permanent stations of the seismic network of Baja California (RESNOM) using two independent methods. We selected 65 events with magnitudes between 2.2 and 4.8 and hypocentral distances ranging between 5 and 330 km. The site response of the ten stations analyzed was first estimated using average spectral ratios between the horizontal and the vertical components of motion (H/V ratios). As a second approach we performed a simultaneous inversion for source and site. In order to invert the spectral records to determine the site response, we made an independent estimate of the attenuation for two different source-station path regions. Then we corrected the spectral records for the attenuation effect before we made the inversion. Although the average H/V ratio of many sites is inside the error bars of the site response estimated with the spectral inversion, the spectral inversion tends to give higher values. For the S wave some sites show similar frequency of predominant peak when comparing the responses obtained with both methods. In contrast, for the P waves the H/V ratios disagree with the results of the inversion. In general, the site response of the stations is strongly frequency dependent for both P and S waves. We also found that the natural frequency of resonance of the sites is near 0.5 Hz for P and near 0.8 Hz for the S waves.     

岩土介质随机性对沉积河谷地震动放大效应的影

基于间接边界元法计算沉积河谷对平面P波和SV波的二维散射,着重考察沉积介质波速和材料阻尼的随机性对河谷地震动放大效应。利用蒙特卡罗方法随机模拟产生了波速样本和阻尼样本各30组,给出了不同入射角度和频率P波和SV波入射下河谷随机响应的单频和频谱结果。算例分析结果表明:(1)地表位移响应幅值的变异系数极值均显著大于波速比变异系数,且波速比的随机性对地表位移的影响在体系共振频率处最为明显,地表位移的最大标准差可达7.168;低频情况下,沉积中部地震反应变异性更显著,高频情况下则在沉积河谷边缘变异性最大;(2)入射波角度对地表位移响应变异系数极值的影响不大,但对变异系数空间变化的影响显著;(3)阻尼的随机性对地表位移的影响在低频情况下较小,在高频情况下则较明显,尤其是在沉积河谷的体系自振频率处,其影响最为显著。      

Site Effect Study in Urban Area: Experimental Results in Grenoble (France)

—?Three methods are used to determine the site effect in the town of Grenoble, located in the Western Alps. First we use the classical spectral ratio method in 14 sites to calculate the transfer function of the basin. We find an amplification of 10 in the frequency range of 0.25 to 10?Hz. Second, we compare these results with the H over V spectral ratio method, and propose a map of resonance frequency of the basin. We find a lower resonance frequency in the center of the basin than on the edge, that is consistent with the structure deduced from a gravity Bouguer anomaly map. Finally we use the empirical Green's function method to simulate a M _w 5.5 earthquake at a distance of 20?km from the town. The simulated acceleration reaches the level of 2?m/s² in the center of the basin compared to 0.2?m/s² on the edges. The simulated ground motion we compute is smaller than the French seismic codes on the edge of the valley but significantly larger in the center.     

Soil characteristics in Doon Valley (north west Himalaya,India) by inversion of H/V spectral ratios from ambient noise measurements

Past and recent observations have shown that the local site conditions significantly affect the behavior of seismic waves and its potential to cause destructive earthquakes. Thus, seismic microzonation studies have become crucial for seismic hazard assessment, providing local soil characteristics that can help to evaluate the possible seismic effects. Among the different methods used for estimating the soil characteristics, the ones based on ambient noise measurements, such as the H/V technique, become a cheap, non-invasive and successful way for evaluating the soil properties along a studied area.In this work, ambient noise measurements were taken at 240 sites around the Doon Valley, India, in order to characterize the sediment deposits. First, the H/V analysis has been carried out to estimate the resonant frequencies along the valley. Subsequently, some of this H/V results have been inverted, using the neighborhood algorithm and the available geotechnical information, in order to provide an estimation of the S-wave velocity profiles at the studied sites.Using all these information, we have characterized the sedimentary deposits in different areas of the Doon Valley, providing the resonant frequency, the soil thickness, the mean S-wave velocity of the sediments, and the mean S-wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m.     

The strong ground motion in Mexico City: Analysis of data recorded by a 3D array

In 2001, we installed 11 new accelerometers in the lake-bed zone of Mexico City, which, together with the existing stations, form a 3D array of small aperture, with 15 surface and six borehole stations. This new array recorded the 10/08/2001 Guerrero event (M=6.1) and the 01/22/2003 Colima (M=7.6) event. The analysis of these two events showed that, for periods longer than 2.5 s, the dominant wavefield is composed of a fundamental mode of surface waves arriving from the epicenter and diffracted surface waves generated at the southern boundary of the Mexican Volcanic Belt. For periods shorter than 2.5 s, the resonance of the superficial clay layer becomes predominant. The wavefield consists in a superposition of diffracted waves propagating from the western part of the valley. Our results show that the ground motion is strongly amplified by the soft clay layer but its duration is controlled by the incident wavefield.     

圆弧状沉积盆地与软土单覆盖层出平面地表运动对比

采用解析方法，通过圆弧状沉积盆地与同样参数的软土均匀单覆盖层的对比，研究沉积盆地对平面SH波二维散射效应和其出平面地表运动。数值对比结果表明：（1）波垂直入射时盆地中央地表位移幅值反应，其随频率变化形式与软土单覆盖层的地表运动有较强的对应性，且此时单覆盖层地表位移幅值为其下降；（2）盆地的二维散射效应特点显著波的汇聚作用使盆地中的地表运动显著放大，总体上较软土单覆盖层的地表位移幅值要大，其频域内的最大反应则明显大于单覆盖层情况，但最大反应在盆地表面出现的位置依赖于入射波角度、盆地深宽比和盆地的软硬程度；（3）沉积盆地中地表位移运动有强烈扭转效应，且随盆地变软和入射波频率增高而增强。     

基于环境噪声测试的隐伏断层场地H/V谱比特征分析

基于四川石棉县安顺场隐伏断层穿越区的60余次环境噪声测试,探讨了隐伏断层对环境噪声H/V谱比特征的影响,并且通过研究区所获卓越频率对其覆盖层厚度进行估算,以覆盖层厚度的变化揭示了隐伏断层的行迹。结果显示:① 在排除可能受河流影响引发的高频区后,隐伏断层带处的H/V谱比曲线多呈现高频、低放大系数和多峰值频率等特点;② 覆盖层厚度在部分强风化区和河流高频区存在5—10 m的差异;③ 环境噪声阵列反演所得部分覆盖层厚度变化较大区域与隐伏断层的形迹吻合。      

Seismic response of L��Aquila downtown from comparison between 2D synthetics spectral ratios of SH, P-SV and Rayleigh waves and observations of the 2009 earthquake sequence

This is the first part of a study on the seismic response of the L’Aquila city using 2D simulation and experimental data. We have studied two velocity-depth models with the aim of outlining the behavior of a velocity reversal in the top layer, which is associated with the stiff Brecce de L’Aquila unit (BrA). In this setting, the SMTH model is topped by a layer with about 2:1 impedance contrast with the underlying layer while the NORV model has no velocity reversal. We have simulated the propagation of SH and P-SV wavefields in the range 0–10 Hz for incidence 0°–90°. Earthquake spectral ratios of the horizontal and vertical components at six sites in L’Aquila downtown are compared to corresponding synthetics spectral ratios. The vertical component of P-SV synthetics enables us to investigate a remarkable amplification effect seen in the vertical component of the recorded strong motion. Sites AQ04 and AQ05 are best matched by synthetics from the NORV model while FAQ5 and AQ06 have a better match with synthetics spectral ratios from the SMTH model. All simulations show this behavior systematically, with horizontal and near-horizontal incident waves predicting the overall pattern of matches more clearly than vertical and near-vertical incidence. The model inferences are in agreement with new geological data reporting lateral passages in the top layer from the stiff BrA to softer sediments. Matches are good in terms of frequency of the first amplification peak and of spectral amplitude: the horizontal components have spectral ratio peaks predominantly at 0.5 Hz in the simulations and at 0.7 Hz in the data, both with amplitudes of 4, while the vertical component spectral ratios reach values of 6 at frequencies of about 1 Hz in both data and simulations. The vertical component spectral ratios are very well matched using Rayleigh waves with incidence at 90°. The NORV model without the velocity reversal predicts spectral ratio peaks for the horizontal components at frequencies up to 6 Hz. The reversal of velocity acts as a low-pass frequency filter on the horizontal components reducing the amplification effect of the sediment filled valley.     

含流体层的河谷场地对地震波散射的间接边界元法模拟

结合单相介质动力格林函数和流体域格林函数,将间接边界元方法拓展到含流体层河谷对地震波散射的求解,并结合具体算例进行大量参数分析。研究结果表明,含流体层河谷地形对平面P波、SV波入射时的地震响应受控于入射波频率、入射波角度及流体深度等多种因素。总体来看:① 在低频域内,含流体河谷底部及附近地表的频谱特性与不含流体的河谷反应基本一致;② P波入射时在水层体系共振频率处,河谷底部位移缩小效应显著,而此频率处流体表面位移达到最大;③ 流体层具有吸收地震波能量的作用,流体深度越大,河谷表面及附近地表的地震动位移越小。研究成果可在一定程度上为河谷地形附近地震动效应的评估及防震减灾工作提供理论依据。      

Site Response Evaluation Using the H/V Ratio at the Yan-Liau Station in Hualien, Taiwan

—?Four days after the December 13, 1990 Hualien, Taiwan earthquake (M _L = 6.9), a temporary array of fifteen triaxial digital accelerographs was deployed in the epicenter area to monitor aftershocks. Approximately 600 earthquakes triggered this array during the three-month deployment period. The Yan-Liau station (S63) alone recorded 162 events. Most of the accelerograms at S63 exhibit resonance. We have estimated site responses at the Yan-Liau station using both the single-station spectral ratio (or H/V ratio) method and the traditional spectral ratio method that compares ratios at a soil site with those at a reference hard rock site. Based on site response analyses of S waves and coda waves of ground motion recordings, both types of waves show that the H/V ratio provide a good estimate at the resonant frequency although the site amplification factor is overestimated. In addition, the study of microtremor is also a good alternate for estimating the site predominant frequency. While the ground acceleration (or PGA) gradually increases, the resonant frequency shifts to lower frequencies.     

Segmentation of alluvial fans in death valley,california: New insights from surface exposure dating and laboratory modelling

Laboratory experiments, recent paleoenvironmental analyses of rock varnish, and surface exposure dating of geomorphic units have led to new insights into the process of entrenchment and segmentation of alluvial fans, and into the history of Quaternary sedimentation in Death Valley. Entrenchment begins at the fanhead. As the trench deepens, its down-slope end migrates down-fan, taking several tens of thousands of years to reach lower parts of the fan. Laboratory experiments suggest, however, that a new segment begins to grow at the toe long before the trench reaches this part of the fan. Furthermore, the initial slope of the segment is not the equilibrium slope. Field evidence supports this model. The tectonic tilting that caused entrenchment and segmentation in Death Valley may have been triggered by loading of the valley with water. Sedimentation on the salt pan in southern Death Valley is not, at present, in equilibrium with that on the fans. Rather, it seems to be adjusting to an increase in the amount of fine material reaching the playa, due in part to breaching of the outlet of Lake Tecopa somewhat after 600 ka BP, and in part to subsidence of different parts of the valley at different rates. Failure to recognize this disequilibrium resulted in errors in earlier estimates of the age of the segmentation events.     

Spatial distribution of surface properties,runoff generation and landscape development in the Zin Valley Badlands,northern Negev,Israel

In?ltration tests, soil mapping and soil property analysis were used to assess the effect of within‐storm rainfall conditions on spatial patterns of surface characteristics relevant for runoff generation, continuity and erosion in the Zin Valley Badlands. Runoff and erosion differ strongly between ridges and slopes. Soils at both locations are susceptible to sealing, but on the sideslopes deep desiccation cracks inhibit continuous ?ow, even during high magnitude rainstorms. The discontinuous nature of runoff has a feedback on surface conditions. Erosion on the ridges maintains shallow soils prone to sealing while in?ltration and deposition on the sideslopes enhance soil depth, a prerequisite for stable desiccation cracks. Some runoff generated on the ridges is transmitted to the valley via rills. On straight sideslopes, rills are single and often discontinuous, indicating limited frequency of continuous runoff. Along concave valley heads, rill systems are well integrated and continuous, concentrating runoff and reducing in?ltration losses along slopes. The longitudinal, V‐shaped valley morphology of small catchments in the Zin Valley Badlands re?ects the long‐term effect of different erosion rates in valley heads and on sideslopes. Over time, valley incision lengthened the sideslopes, reducing the portion of annual rainfall that was runoff‐effective. Once sideslopes reached a critical length that inhibited frequent continuous ?ow, a colluvium with an increased in?ltration capacity developed, reducing runoff frequency even further. Consequently, erosion on the valley sideslopes decreased. Continuous ?ow from ridges to the valley channel remained more common in integrated rill systems in concavities and valley heads, leading to more erosion and retreat of the valley heads. The spatial patterns of runoff and erosion in the Zin Valley Badlands demonstrate that landscape development is strongly affected by processes that lead to differentiation of soil properties on hillslopes with uniform lithology. The patterns of surface characteristics and their role in landscape development are strongly dependent on rainfall conditions, highlighting the need for geomorphologists to identify the dynamic spatial and temporal scales relevant for landscape development. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.