大容量气枪震源特征及地震波传播的震相分析

利用大容量气枪震源在陆上水库进行地震波激发试验,研究陆上水库环境下激发气枪震源所产生的地震波特征及传播距离. 试验结果表明,大容量气枪震源是具有丰富的10 Hz以下低频信号的低频震源,其激发的地震波具有传播距离远,穿透深度深的特点. 在185 km长的测线上均记录到了气枪信号,成功检测到Pg,Pc,P2,PmP和Pn等多组震相,并在此基础上对地下深地壳结构进行了一维速度结构正演,讨论了该区域壳幔过渡带的低速结构. 气枪震源还具有一般炸药震源不具有的特征,如长期定点重复激发和有效转换S波的优点,是陆上进行长炮检距深穿透地下结构研究的一种优良人工震源.     

A comparison between airguns and explosives as wide-angle seismic sources

The relative merits of a 48-gun, 9324 cu. in. (153 litre) airgun array and a 200 kg explosive source are considered for the purposes of long-range (0–400 km) refraction seismic work, with particular reference to traveltime modelling. Theoretical source calculations indicate that in the frequency range 2.5–12.0 Hz, the airgun source will produce an RMS pressure ∼ 8% of that produced by the explosive source and an initial burst pressure ∼17% of that produced by the explosive source. Observed data support these calculations at short ranges and illustrate the greater attenuation of the airgun signal with range due to its lack of very low frequency (< 5 Hz) content. At short offsets, the airgun array provides a preferable seismic source to the explosives, due to densely spaced shots and a consistent waveform resulting in excellent trace-to-trace coherence. With increasing offsets, it may be necessary to stack the airgun data to enhance its signal-to-noise ratio: here we use a 4-fold stack. Large explosive shots, although more powerful, produce a less consistent waveform and are more widely spaced due to operational constraints. The offset at which airguns provide a preferable source is dependent on the ambient noise. This practical comparison of real sources demonstrates that, even without advanced processing, a well-tuned airgun array may provide a preferable source to explosives at offsets up to 160 km, under favourable experimental conditions.     

Influencing factors of seismic signals generated by un-tuned large volume airgun array in a land reservoir

Un-tuned large volume airgun array in a water reservoir is recently proposed as a new way to generate seismic waves on land. It can be used to explore the earth velocity structure and its temporal variations as well. However, the characteristics of seismic signals (especially far-field signals) from an airgun array in a reservoir and its affecting factors (firing pressure, airgun towing depth, water level of the reservoir, etc.) has not been adequately studied. We analyzed the seismic data collected from field experiments at Binchuan Transmitting Seismic Station in 2011 and 2013 and found that (1) The similarity of seismic signals decrease with distance, which is most likely induced by the decay of signal amplitude and signal to noise ratio (SNR); (2) The amplitudes of far-field airgun signals are almost linearly proportional to the firing pressure; (3) The towing depth of airgun has less effects on the far-field signals; (4) The amplitudes of far-field airgun signals are proportional to the water level of the reservoir.     

Characteristics of the Seismic Waves from a New Active Source Based on Methane Gaseous Detonation

Active seismic sources are critical for obtaining high resolution images of the subsurface. For active imaging in urban areas, environment friendly and green seismic sources are required. In present work, we introduce a new type of green active source based on the gaseous detonation of methane and oxygen. When fired in a closed container, the chemical reaction, i.e. gaseous detonation, will produce high pressure air over 150MPa. Seismic waves are produced when high pressure air is quickly released to impact the surroundings. The first field experiment of this active source was carried out in December, 2017 in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, where a series of active sources were excited to explore their potential in mine exploration. In current work, we analyzed the seismic waves recorded by near-field accelerators and a dense short-period seismic array and compared them with those from a mobile airgun source, another kind of active source by releasing high pressure air into water. The results demonstrate that it can be used for high resolution near surface imaging. Firstly, the gaseous detonation productions are harmless CO₂ and water, making it a green explosive source. Secondly, the dominant seismic frequencies are 10-80Hz and a single shot can be recorded up to 15km, making it suitable for local structure investigations. Thirdly, it can be excited in vertical wells, similar to traditional powder explosive sources. It can also act as an additional on-land active source to airgun sources, which requires a suitable water body as intermediate media to generate repeating signals. Moreover, the short duration and high frequency signature of the source signals make it safe with no damage to nearby buildings. These make it convenient to excite in urban areas. As a new explosive source, the excitation equipment and conditions, such as gas ratio, sink depth and air-releasing directions, need further investigation to improve seismic wave generation efficiency.     

大容量气枪震源陆地反射地震探测技术

为了探索大容量气枪震源在探测区域结构以及在内陆水体进行水陆联测的可行性与有效性,2015年在安徽铜陵完成了长江航道走航激发、陆地接收反射波的“地学长江计划”铜陵段试验。本文从试验观测系统、共中心点分布、覆盖次数以及单炮数据属性等方面综合分析了大容量气枪震源陆地反射试验结果的影响因素。试验结果表明:① 大容量气枪震源在内陆水体激发能够用于地壳结构的探测;② 在水陆联测勘探中,根据目标层段合理设计反射角,能够有效地解决小炮检距反射角不足、大炮检距能量弱的问题;③ 在进行弯线数据采集时,需要对观测系统进行设计,以提高共中心面元的有效覆盖次数;④ 根据气枪震源容量的大小,进行最大、最小炮检距设计,是确保面元成像速度分析精度和面元炮检距属性分布合理的重要条件。      

水库气枪震源产生的S波及其分裂

人工气枪震源在陆地水库可以有效激发S波,S波能量较强,与ML1.6天然地震相当。气枪可用于S波分裂研究,对布置在燕山隆起带的流动地震台的气枪信号进行了S波分裂参数分析,结果表明,快剪切波偏振优势方向为NWW和NNE向,偏振方向和断裂的性质密切相关。气枪是高度可重复性人工震源,利用气枪定点激发和定点接收有可能精确获取S波分裂参数随时间的变化规律,为地震预测探索实践提供可靠的物理途径     

Seismic hazard model for loss estimation and risk management in Taiwan

We developed a seismic hazard model for Taiwan that integrates all available tectonic, seismicity, and seismic hazard information in the region to provide risk managers and engineers with a model they can use to estimate earthquake losses and manage seismic risk in Taiwan. The seismic hazard model is composed of two major components: a seismotectonic model and a ground-shaking model. The seismotectonic model incorporates earthquakes that are expected to occur on the Ryukyu and Manila subduction zones, on the intermediate-depth Wadati-Benioff seismicity zones, on the active crustal faults, and within seismotectonic provinces. The active crustal faults include the Chelungpu fault zone, the source of the damaging M_W 7.6 Chi-Chi earthquake, and the Huangchi-Hsiaoyukeng fault zone that forms the western boundary of the Taipei Basin. The ground-shaking model uses both US, worldwide, and Taiwanese attenuation relations to provide robust estimates of peak ground acceleration and response spectral acceleration on a reference site condition for shallow crustal and subduction zone earthquakes. The ground shaking for other site conditions is obtained by applying a nonlinear soil-amplification factor defined in terms of the average shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m of the soil profile, consistent with the methodology used in the current US and proposed Taiwan building codes.     

TEST RESULTS OF A NEW TYPE OF EFFICIENT SMALL AIRGUN ARRAY*

Recently the author developed and demonstrated (Safar 1980) an efficient method for operating the airgun. The method involves the generation of a short seismic pulse from the pressure bubble pulses radiated by an airgun when fired several times at the same optimum depth but with different chamber pressures. The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the test results obtained when implementing the same method using a two-dimensional airgun array. The array consists of seven 0.65 liter airguns fired simultaneously at the same depth but with different chamber pressures. It is shown that the far-field pressure pulse radiated by the seven 0.65 liter airgun array is similar to that radiated by the Flexichoc seismic source. It is concluded that the proposed airgun array can be used as a subarray to form an extremely powerful super-long array suitable for deep seismic exploration. The author would like to thank the Chairman and Board of Directors of the British Petroleum Co. Ltd for permission to publish this paper. Thanks are also due to Mike Symes and Lovell Cox for carrying out the field tests and Seismograph Service (England) Ltd for providing the airguns.     

Analysis of Seismic Risk at an Engineering Site from Site Effect Seismic Intensity Data Using the Seismotectonic Method Taking Six Reservoir Dam Sites in Western Anhui as an Example

The seismotectonic method is used to study the seismogenic structures and the maximum potential earthquake around an engineering site in order to determine the seismic risk at the site. Analysis of seismic risk from site effect seismic intensity data, in combination with regional seismo-geologieal data, using the seismotectonic method can provide a more reliable result. In this paper, taking the area of six reservoir dam sites in western Anhui as an example, we analyze the seismic risk from site effect seismic intensity data in combination with the seismotectonic conditions and find that P (I≥i) = 10% over 50 years. The result shows that the seismogenic structure and the maximum potential earthquake have a controlling effect on seismic risk from future earthquakes in the area around the site.     

新丰江库区上地壳三维细结构层析成像

在新丰江库区布设一个范围约50 km×40 km、由50个地震临时台站组成的观测台阵,接收来自不同方位的人工震源产生的莫霍界面反射波;台阵中的20个台站和5个区域固定台还对2009年3月至2010年5月发生在库区的地方震进行了观测.本文联合利用人工地震莫霍面反射波走时和天然地震直达波走时,采用连续模型反演技术重建了库区上地壳P波、S波慢度扰动和V_p/V_s扰动分布图像.研究结果表明:新丰江库区东、西部地区上地壳结构存在明显的差异.库区东部地区构造复杂,多条断裂在该区呈交叉状分布.北西向的石角-新港-白田断裂带在库区段内具有复杂的岩性和构造特征,该断裂带在新港至双塘一线可能延伸至地下8 km左右;近北东向的断裂带切割地壳较深.峡谷区及大坝以东附近地区存在上、下贯通的波速比高值区,尤其是大坝以西的深水峡谷区,存在一条顺河走向的陡倾角断层裂隙带,为库水渗透提供了良好通道.库区西部地区为相对稳定构造区,完整坚硬的花岗岩体透水性能较差,受库水渗透影响很小.新丰江水库诱发地震的形成与深部构造环境密切相关.峡谷区及大坝以东附近地区上地壳介质性质呈现明显的横向不均匀性,微震分布在介质物性结构的特定部位,"软"、"硬"交错的介质环境是倾滑正断层型微小震产生的可能原因.     

DEVELOPMENT OF MORE EFFICIENT AIRGUN ARRAYS: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT*

Source strength of an airgun array may be increased by:

• — utilizing higher pressure,
• — increasing total array volume,
• — employing more guns,
• — improving gun efficiency.

One measure of gun efficiency is “specific source strength”, P_a*, defined as source strength per unit quantity of air used. Typical units are MPa m/l. Most developments are directed toward increasing gun pressure and/or gun volume to increase source strength of the array. These efforts require that more air compressors be installed onboard the ship. Consequently, a larger ship may be needed for the additional compressors, guns, and auxiliary equipment. A development program was initiated in 1976 to increase source strength of the array without using a larger ship. New guns were designed and built—one for 41.4 MPa and 7.37 liter (6000 p.s.i./450 in³) operation and another with 13.8 MPa and 4.92 liter (2000 p.s.i./300 in³) capability. Experiments were conducted with these new guns (and existing guns) over a range of pressures from 13.8 to 41.4 MPa (2000 to 6000 p.s.i.). Design of the new guns was aided by a mathematical model. The model relates physical dimensions of the airgun to acoustic pressure in the water. It consists of four nonlinear differential equations relating

• — shuttle motion,
• — bubble pressure,
• — chamber pressure,
• — bubble radius.

The last equation is the “free-bubble-oscillation equation” and represents the ideal case of a pressurized bubble released instantaneously in water. The three other equations modify this ideal case; the four equations together model an airgun of the type manufactured by Bolt Associates, Inc.     

Improving Airgun Signal Detection with Small-Aperture Seismic Array in Yunnan

Repeating airgun sources are eco-friendly sources for monitoring the changes in the physical properties of subsurface mediums, but their signals decay quickly and are buried in the noises soon after traveling short distances. Stacking waveforms from different airgun shots recorded by a single seismic station (shot stacking) is the most popular technique to detect weak signals from noisy backgrounds, and has been widely used to process the data of Fixed Airgun Signal Transmission Stations (FASTS) in China. However, shot stacking sacrifices the time resolution in monitoring to recover a qualified airgun signal by stacking many shots at distance stations, and also suffers from persistent local noises. In this paper, we carried out several small-aperture seismic array experiments around the Binchuan FAST Station (BCFASTS) in Yunnan Province,China, and applied the array technique to improve airgun signal detection. The results show that seismic array processing combining with shot stacking can suppress seismic noises more efficiently, and provide better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and coherent airgun signals with less airgun shots. This work suggests that the array technique is a feasible and promising tool in FAST to increase the time resolution and reduce noise interference on routine monitoring.     

Experiments on Exploration of Shallow Fine Structures and the Construction of the 1-D Velocity Model in the Pingtan Island, Fujian

112 short-period seismographs were set up in the 400km² area of Pingtan Island and its surrounding areas in Fujian. The combined observations of the airgun source and ambient noise source were carried out using a dense array to receive the 387 airgun signals excited around the island and one month of continuous ambient noise recording. The 1-D P-wave and S-wave shallow velocity model of Pingtan Island is obtained by the inversion of the airgun body wave''s first arrival time data, and the reliability of the velocity model is verified by using the surface wave phase velocity dispersion curve, which can provide initial model for subsequent 3-D imaging. The experimental results show that this experiment is a successful demonstration of local scale green non-destructive detection, which can provide basic data for shallow surface structure research and strong vibration simulation of the Pingtan Island.     

ATTENUATION OF COHERENT NOISE IN MARINE SEISMIC EXPLORATION USING VERY LONG ARRAYS *

The use of arrays to separate primary reflections from unwanted coherent seismic events is common practice in land seismic surveys. Very long source and receiver arrays have been used recently to reduce the effects of waterbottom multiples on marine seismic data. The source array consists of five uniformly spaced identical subarrays, each with five different airguns, where the distance between the subarrays may vary from 20 m56 m. The volume of each subarray is 10.3 1 (630 cu.in.) which gives a total volume of the array of 51.5 1 (3150 cu.in.) operated at a pressure of 14 MPa (2000 psi). In order to have a flexible receiver system it was decided to implement the extended receiver array in data processing by computing a weighted sum of two to five traces. The hydrophone cable consists of fifty-four channels with a group length of 50 m. Data shot with the superlong airgun array are processed by a combination of standard techniques and special procedures. In particular, the quality of the stack section is improved by using a weighted stack. The stack weights are computed by a program which takes into account the primary-to-multiple ratio. Comparisons with conventional data show significant improvements in data quality obtained by using the superlong airgun array. Examples show that the waterbottom multiples have been strongly attenuated and the deep seismic events have been enhanced. The combined array response function for dipping events is given in an appendix.     

Analysis of time‐lapse travel‐time and amplitude changes to assess reservoir compartmentalization

Fluid depletion within a compacting reservoir can lead to significant stress and strain changes and potentially severe geomechanical issues, both inside and outside the reservoir. We extend previous research of time‐lapse seismic interpretation by incorporating synthetic near‐offset and full‐offset common‐midpoint reflection data using anisotropic ray tracing to investigate uncertainties in time‐lapse seismic observations. The time‐lapse seismic simulations use dynamic elasticity models built from hydro‐geomechanical simulation output and a stress‐dependent rock physics model. The reservoir model is a conceptual two‐fault graben reservoir, where we allow the fault fluid‐flow transmissibility to vary from high to low to simulate non‐compartmentalized and compartmentalized reservoirs, respectively. The results indicate time‐lapse seismic amplitude changes and travel‐time shifts can be used to qualitatively identify reservoir compartmentalization. Due to the high repeatability and good quality of the time‐lapse synthetic dataset, the estimated travel‐time shifts and amplitude changes for near‐offset data match the true model subsurface changes with minimal errors. A 1D velocity–strain relation was used to estimate the vertical velocity change for the reservoir bottom interface by applying zero‐offset time shifts from both the near‐offset and full‐offset measurements. For near‐offset data, the estimated P‐wave velocity changes were within 10% of the true value. However, for full‐offset data, time‐lapse attributes are quantitatively reliable using standard time‐lapse seismic methods when an updated velocity model is used rather than the baseline model.     

Quaternary faults and seismicity in the Umbro-Marchean Apennines (Central Italy): evidence from the 1997 Colfiorito earthquake

Analyses of structural and geomorphological data combined with remote sensing interpretation confirm previous knowledge on the existence of an extensional Quaternary tectonic regime in the Colfiorito area (Umbro-Marchean Central Apennines). This is characterized by a maximum principal axis of finite strain oriented approx. NE–SW, which is the result of a progressive deformation process due to pure and radial extension. Surface geological data, the crustal tectonic setting (reconstructed using a CROP 03 seismic reflection profile), and seismological data relative to the autumn 1997 Colfiorito earthquake sequence constrain the following seismotectonic model. We interpret the seismogenic SW-dipping low-angle normal fault pictured by seismic data as an inverted thrust ramp located in the basement at depth between 5 and 10 km. The surface projection of this seismogenic structure defines a crustal box within which high-angle normal faults are responsible for the deformation of the uppermost crust. The regional patterns of pre-existing basement thrusts therefore control the seismotectonic zoning of the area that cannot be directly related to the high-angle normal fault systems which cut through different crustal boxes; the latter system records, in fact, re-shear along pre-existing normal faults. Moreover, Quaternary slip-rates relative to high-angle normal faults in the Central Apennines are closely related to seismic hazard within each crustal box.     

An Experimental Study on Modulating the Large Volume Airgun Array Signals through Asynchronous Excitation

Large volume airgun arrays have been widely used in exploring and monitoring underground structures for nearly a decade. Nowadays, large volume airgun arrays adopt the synchronous excitation mode, and source characteristics are controlled by the source signal of a single airgun, which to some extent limits its application. In order to realize the asynchronous excitation of the airgun array, we developed a new firing system for the airgun array, and carried out a field experiment in the Binchuan Fixed Airgun Signal Transmission station to study the influences of the asynchronous excitation on the source signal. The experimental results show that:the newly developed airgun array firing system can ignite the airguns according to the setting time series with high precision. By designing the excitation time series, the asynchronous excitation can enhance the energy of airgun source signal at 3-5Hz, and reduce the energy of pressure pulse wave at 6-18Hz. The signal detection capability of the asynchronous excitation with time series mode is equivalent to the synchronous excitation.     

Seismotectonic database of Turkey

Turkey is located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Characterizing seismic source zones in this region requires evaluation and integration of geological, geophysical, seismological and geodetical data. This first seismotectonic database for Turkey presented herein was prepared, under the framework of the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan—2023. The geographic information system (GIS)-based database includes maps of active faults, catalogues of instrumental and historical earthquakes, moment tensor solutions and data on crustal thickness. On the basis of these data, 18 major seismotectonic zones were delineated for Turkey and the surrounding region. The compilation and storage of the seismotectonic data sets in a digital GIS will allow analyses and systematic updates as new data accrete over time.     

The effects of reservoir geometry on the seismic response of gravity dams

Conventional seismic analysis of gravity dams assumes that the behaviour of the dam–water–soil system can be represented using a 2‐D model since dam vertical contraction joints between blocks allow them to vibrate independently from each other. The 2‐D model assumes the reservoir to be infinite and of constant width, which is not true for certain types of reservoirs. In this paper, a boundary element method (BEM) model in the frequency domain is used to investigate the influence of the reservoir geometry on the hydrodynamic dam response. Important conceptual conclusions about the dam–reservoir system behaviour are obtained using this model. The results show that the reservoir shape influences the seismic response of the dam, making it necessary to account for 3‐D effects in order to obtain accurate results. In particular, the 3‐D pressure and displacement responses can be substantially larger than those computed with the 2‐D model. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Frequency‐ and angle‐dependent poroelastic seismic analysis for highly attenuating reservoirs

We extend the frequency‐ and angle‐dependent poroelastic reflectivity to systematically analyse the characteristic of seismic waveforms for highly attenuating reservoir rocks. It is found that the mesoscopic fluid pressure diffusion can significantly affect the root‐mean‐square amplitude, frequency content, and phase signatures of seismic waveforms. We loosely group the seismic amplitude‐versus‐angle and ‐frequency characteristics into three classes under different geological circumstances: (i) for Class‐I amplitude‐versus‐angle and ‐frequency, which corresponds to well‐compacted reservoirs having Class‐I amplitude‐versus‐offset characteristic, the root‐mean‐square amplitude at near offset is boosted at high frequency, whereas seismic energy at far offset is concentrated at low frequency; (ii) for Class‐II amplitude‐versus‐angle and ‐frequency, which corresponds to moderately compacted reservoirs having Class‐II amplitude‐versus‐offset characteristic, the weak seismic amplitude might exhibit a phase‐reversal trend, hence distorting both the seismic waveform and energy distribution; (iii) for Class‐III amplitude‐versus‐angle and ‐frequency, which corresponds to unconsolidated reservoir having Class‐III amplitude‐versus‐offset characteristic, the mesoscopic fluid flow does not exercise an appreciable effect on the seismic waveforms, but there exists a non‐negligible amplitude decay compared with the elastic seismic responses based on the Zoeppritz equation.