COMPUTER MODELING OF VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILING*

There are numerous modeling techniques commonly employed for the computer simulation of seismic wave propagation. The capabilities of these techniques vary according to the theoretical foundations and subsequent approximations upon which the algorithms are based. This paper constitutes a comparative review of seven modeling methods: geometric ray theory, asymptotic ray theory, generalized ray theory, Kirchhoff wave theory, Fourier synthesis, finite differences, and finite elements. These methods can be categorized as ray or wave, acoustic or elastic, and can be contrasted according to their relative abilities to simulate such behavior as wave interference effects, diffractions, and mode conversions. As is implied by their names, geometric ray theory and asymptotic ray theory are both ray methods. The other five methods provide wave theory simulations. Geometric ray theory and Kirchhoff wave theory are normally implemented in acoustic form, while the other methods are readily adapted for computing elastic theory solutions. Generalized ray theory and Fourier synthesis are more limited in the complexity of geological model they can accommodate than are the other techniques. The methods which typically demand the greatest computer resources are the finite-difference and the finite-element techniques. All methods can incorporate at least some multiple events. Diffractions, however, are only inherent in the solutions computed by Kirchhoff wave theory, finite differences and finite elements. Attenuation is readily incorporated in both the Fourier synthesis and the finite-element methods. As an example of the application of seismic modeling, a geological model representative of a typical petroleum exploration target is used to compare vertical seismic profiles calculated by different modeling methods.     

Some elements of mathematical information theory and total inversion algorithm applied to travel time inversion

The total inversion algorithm and some elements of Mathematical Information Theory are used in the treatment of travel-time data belonging to a seismic refraction experiment from the southern segment (Sardinia Channel) of the European Geotraverse Project. The inversion algorithm allows us to improve a preliminary propagating model obtained by means of usual trial and error procedure and to quantify the resolution degree of parameters defining the crust and upper mantle of such a model. Concepts related to Mathematical Information Theory detect some seismic profiles of the refraction experiment which give the most homogeneous coverage of the model in terms of number of trajectories crossing it. Finally, the efficiency of the inversion procedure is quantified and the uncertainties regarding knowledge of different parts of the model are also evaluated.     

Microbial Activity of Bottom Sediments in a Stabilization Pond

The Pond of Dvorec, used for a final treatment of waste waters and at the same time for fish breeding, has been observed working in an assimilation and later on in a stabilization mode (SVOBODA and KOUBEK) . The data on the chemical composition and microbiological properties of its sediments are given. A comparative analysis of the stabilization pond sediments and the sediments of the second stabilization pond have shown a high purification function. An influence of temperature, aeration and thickness of the layer upon a microbial activity and a release of the substance into the water environment were verified in laboratory experiments. A higher layer of sediments can, above all at increased temperatures, negatively influence the water quality for fish breeding. After composting the drawn pond sediments can be recommended for the fertilization of an agricultural land in near surroundings.     

Spatial and seasonal distribution of bacterial physiological groups in two reservoirs with different trophic levels

The spatial and seasonal distribution of the viable heterotrophic population and three heterotrophic physiological groups, i.e. ammonifyers, nitrate reducers and sulphate reducers, were studied in two reservoirs in the province of Vizcaya (Spain). Using indicative parameters, both reservoirs were classified as warm monomictics, one hypereutrophic and the other mesotrophic. A direct relation between the size of the bacterial populations and the trophic levels of the reservoirs was observed. Likewise, the distributions of the bacterial populations in the water column are basically different. In the hypereutrophic lake there is a direct relationship between the bacterial distribution and the physical-chemical environment of the reservoir that cannot be observed in the mesotrophic lake.     

Statistical assessment of seismicity patterns in Italy: Are they precursors of subsequent events?

The variations of seismicity rate in Central Apenninesprior to the sequence started in September, 1997 (at00:33 UTC, M _L5.6) has been analysedby statistical methods, with the purpose of pointingup eventual periods of quiescence. The analysis wascarried out on the instrumental catalogue of theIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica (ING), covering theperiod from January 1975 to March 1998. In apreliminary phase, the catalogue was declustered usingthe Reasenberg algorithm. After that, eventualmagnitude shifts due to variations in the modalitiesof observation have been individuated and corrected.The subsequent analysis, carried out making use of theZmap software package, has put in evidence thatthe sequence of September 1997 was preceded bya 2.5 year period characterised by absence of eventsof magnitude larger than 3.2, in an area approximately20 × 40 km wide, including the epicentre of themain shock. The statistical methodology shows thatonly 1/10³ of the space-time volumes analysed inthis study, exhibited quiescence of the same level.The study of seismicity rate change correlated toprevious main shocks in a larger area of CentralApennines shows that none of them were preceded by aseismic quiescence, specially close to the epicentreof the main shock, and lasting until the time ofoccurrence of the main shock as in the 1997 case.Actually, we found other patterns of precursoryquiescence with different time or space distribution.We conclude that precursory quiescence is a realfeature of Central Apennines seismicity, but it isdifficult to define a simple hypothesis, which appliesto the generality of cases and can be tested beforeimplementation in a system of earthquake riskmitigation.     

Observations of vertical ground accelerations exceeding gravity during the 1997 Umbria-Marche (central Italy) earthquakes

We found extensive evidence that the vertical ground accelerations produced during the largest shock (M = 6.0) of the 1997 Umbria-Marche earthquake sequence exceeded 1g in two areas close to the heavily-damaged villages of Annifo and Colle Croce. This evidence comes from the striking observation of thousands of freshly fractured and broken rocks and stones in these areas. Some of the broken stones lie isolated on soft detritic soil while others had been previously piled up, probably a long time agoto clear the fields for farming. The freshness of the cuts and fractures and the consistency of the observations for thousands of rocks and stones in these areas indicate that these rocks were thrown upwards during the earthquake, with breakage occurring at the time of impact. Ground motion calculations consistent with the static deformation inferred from GPS and interferometry data, show that the broken stones and rocks are found in the zone where the strongest shaking took place during the earthquake and that most of the shaking there was vertical.     

Secular changes,polarity epochs and tectonic movements as indicated by palaeomagnetic studies of Hungarian rock samples

Summary The paper contains an outline of the palaeomagnetic investigations in Hungary including some of their geophysical and geological applications. More than 500 samples of volcanic rocks were studied by usual palaeomagnetic techniques. The rocks investigated belong to three different geological periods — the Quaternary — upper Tertiary, the middle Miocene and the lower Cretaceous. The palaeomagnetic data obtained for the individual localities are summarized in the Appendix.Paper presented at the IAGA Symposium Madrid, September 1969.     

ON THE IMPROVEMENT IN PENETRATIO ACHIEVED BY USING EXTENDED MARINE SOURCE ARRAYS*

In dealing with the problem of large amplitude multiple reflections arising from a hard water-bottom, it has been found that the use of extended source array techniques resulted in a considerably better penetration than that obtained using either computer simulated long arrays or the conventional air-gun array systems. The purpose of this paper is to use the concept of the array directivity factor in discussing the reason for the improvement in penetration achieved by using extended marine source arrays. Examples are given showing that the low frequency power radiated within the so called “penetration window” can be increased by a factor of two by choosing the correct spacing of the point sources forming the extended array. It is concluded that to ensure that most of the low frequency energy is concentrated within the penetration window to achieve deep penetration, a source array with spacing comparable with the wavelength is required.