The structure of the Vladikavkaz Fault Zone based on the study utilizing a complex of geological-geophysical methods

The Vladikavkaz Fault Zone is a regional boundary between the Alpine folded-block system of the Greater Caucasus and Pre-Caucasus foredeep (Ossetian Depression). A complex of geological and geomorphological techniques was used for its study. The data of recent activity of discontinuous and folded dislocations were obtained as a result. Additional application of the microseismic sounding method allowed us to trace the behavior at depth and along the direction of the Vladikavkaz Fault Zone’s branches known on the Earth’s surface from geological and geophysical surveys. An idea of the three-dimensional structure of this system of tectonic faults was made up. It was shown that the structure of the upper section of the fault zone has a form of listric foldthrust, and in the deep layers of the Earth’s crust it is represented by a well-formed contrast zone with subvertical plunging. Expressive deformations of young sediments and a clear manifestation of the fault zone at a depth make it possible to consider the Vladikavkaz Fault as a major seismogenerating structure.     

New Features in the Subsurface Structure Model of El Hierro Island (Canaries) from Low-Frequency Microseismic Sounding: An Insight into the 2011 Seismo-Volcanic Crisis

To study the deep structure of El Hierro Island, Canarian Archipelago, we have used a microseismic sounding method (MSM) based on the fact that heterogeneities of the Earth’s crust disturb the spectrum of the low-frequency microseismic field in their vicinity. So, at the Earth’s surface, the spectral amplitudes of definite frequency f above the high-velocity heterogeneities are decreasing, and above the low-velocity ones they are increasing. Moreover, the frequency f is connected with the depth of a heterogeneity H and the velocity of the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves V _R(f) through the relation H ≈ 0.4V _R(f)/f. From these relations, the MSM lets us model the subsurface structure in a 3D context by inverting the amplitude-frequency spatial distribution of the microseismic field of low frequency. The validity of the method is shown through of numerical simulations and previous applications with known or verified solutions. This MSM is now used to invert the microseismic data registered in El Hierro Island. The obtained subsurface model reveals two large intrusive bodies beneath the island. Joint interpretation of microseismic and gravimetric data and their comparison with the available geological studies relate the central-eastern intrusive body to the early stage of the island formation. With respect to the western intrusive body, at the depths of 15–25 km, an area with lowest seismic velocities is identified, where we suggest that a modern magmatic reservoir is located. This reservoir could be associated with the recent submarine eruption in October 2011 and the accompanying seismic swarm, which started in July 2011. Several correlations between the shallowest structures identified by the gravity and MSM approaches are also found. Besides the numerical simulation and previous studies of this method, the correlation between gravity results, the MSM model, the geological information and the possible explanation of the features of the seismic swarm through the model obtained offer us a valid proof about the plausibility of the subsurface structures identified from MSM.     

Microseismic Sounding and Active Faults of the Kerch-Taman Region

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - Abstract—The results of integrated geological and geophysical studies of active faults and deep structure of the Kerch-Taman region are presented. Data...     

Model of the Deep Structure of the Elbrus Volcano in the Light of New Geophysical Data

A geophysical section by the method of microseismic sounding is obtained along the profile that completely crosses the Elbrus volcano in the area of its eastern summit. The peculiarities of the deep structure and edifice of the Elbrus volcano are revealed.

     

Tilt Observations in the Normal Mode Frequency Band at the Geodynamic Observatory Cueva de los Verdes,Lanzarote

We have conducted observations with the aid of a seismo-tiltmeter station, which is based on the Ostrovsky pendulum and installed at the Geodynamic Observatory Cueva de los Verdes at Lanzarote Island since 1995. In this station the signal is separated into two frequency bands – tidal tilts (from 0 to 5 mHz) and ground oscillations in the frequency range of free Earths normal modes (from 0.2 to 5 mHz). The later band, called accelerometer channel, has additional amplification. We analyzed the background records in the frequency range of Earths free oscillations from August 2000 to September 2001, as well as, Earths normal modes after strong earthquakes. We found several distinctive persistent peaks in the spectra of background oscillations. Both amplitudes of distinguished peaks and noises have seasonal variations. We found that spectra of background oscillations are different in the frequency interval between 1.4 and 2.5 mHz for North- South and East-West components.     

Statistical characteristics and stationarity properties of low-frequency seismic signals

Statistical properties of microseismic signals are studied in the frequency range 0.03–15 Hz at various points of the Earth near and far from sources of microseisms. It is found that various frequency ranges differ in the property of stationarity. The minimum interval of stationarity of microseisms in the range 0.12–1.1 Hz is estimated at 1–1.5 h. A conclusion is drawn that the measurement accuracy of the spectral density of microseisms cannot be improved above a certain limit by increasing the time of signal stacking.     

Modern Horizontal Movements in the Zones of Strong and Moderate Earthquakes of the Early 21st Century in the Central Sector of the Greater Caucasus: Characteristics Inferred from GPS Observations and Connection with Neotectonics and Deep Structure of the Earth’s Crust

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Analysis of GPS-measurements made for the first time along the geodesic profile crossing all the main geological structures in the Ossetian region of...     

Deep structure of the North Vent Area, Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 1975–1976, Kamchatka: Evidence from low-frequency microseismic sounding

Studies were conducted to improve our knowledge of the deep structure of the magmatic system and the plumbing system for the North Vent, Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 1975–1976 based on recordings of background microseismic emission by broadband digital instruments along two parallel lines running through eruptive centers of various ages across the main magma-conducting fault. The method of low-frequency microseismic sounding was used for constructing deep sections down to a depth of 20 km, showing the shear-velocity distributions along these lines. Elements of the magmatic system were revealed beneath both vents in the form of low-velocity anomalies. We identified regions of magma chambers at different depths together with the channelways that connect these. It was found that magma might come to shallow chambers from different deep-seated sources along spatially isolated magma conduits, which is one of the possible causes of the variation in the basalt composition during the eruptions. For the zone of areal volcanism we are the first to demonstrate a change in magma-conducting conduits in the transition from the crystalline basement to the volcanogenic sedimentary rock sequence, with subvertical channels being replaced by inclined forms. It was shown that the elements of the magmatic system beneath both eruptive centers studied here are similar. It is hypothesized that there is a regularity in the configuration of plumbing systems in the middle part of the Tolbachik regional zone of areal volcanism.