Tilt measurements in western Canada

Pairs of short baselength mercury-level tiltmeters mounted on shallow piers coupled to sedimentary rocks have been used to monitor ground tilting at three inland locations in western Canada. Noise levels have been estimated over large Nyquist intervals to evaluate site conditions and for comparison with results observed in crystalline rocks at other locations. The results show that tilt noise patterns are similar for different locations, and that noise levels are higher for unconsolidated sediments. Tidal estimates for the principal lunar semidiurnal constituentM ₂ were obtained from the least noisy sections of the tilt series. Uncertainties in the estimated amplitudes for the record lengths considered range from 4 to 20% depending on location and azimuth. Comparison of the observedM ₂ tide with those predicted for an elastic Earth loaded by two different ocean configurations (Schwiderski or Parke) shows better agreement with the Schwiderski marine tidal model. Differences between observaton and theory suggest a strain-induced perturbation source.