L Braile, 12/28/2006 (revised 9/14/08) Interpreting Seismograms

Interpreting Seismograms - A Tutorial for the AS-1 Seismograph

Introduction: Interpreting earthquake seismograms generally requires considerable experience and study of seismology. However, there are some fundamental principles that provide a basic understanding of seismic wave propagation and seismogram characteristics. Furthermore, some experience can be quickly obtained by systematic study of selected seismograms illustrating variations in amplitude and signal character related to source-to-station distance, the magnitude of the earthquake, and the earthquake’s depth of focus. Seismic Wave Propagation in the Earth: Catalog of seismograms at various distances: Catalog of Seismograms for Different Magnitudes: …

AmaSeis 24-hour Screen Image

AmaSeis Extracted Seismogram

What factors affect the seismogram that you see on the screen?

What factors affect the seismogram that you see on the screen? EQ epicenter-to-station distance EQ magnitude EQ depth (surface waves small or not visible for deep focus events; depth phases) EQ mechanism (radiation pattern, freq. range) Propagation path (oceanic, continental, mixed) Instrument response, filtering Noise level Seismograph sensitivity and gain Site response

Earthquake Source Time Function and Mechanism Site Response Seismogram Seismograph Earth’s Surface Near- surface layers P S Surface waves Propagation Effects (raypaths and attenuation) Instrument Response and Filtering Four wave types (P, S, R, L), wave conversions (such as P to S), different paths, and multiple reflections produce complex seismogram! Multiple reflection P to S conversion Sample Teleseismic raypaths

M7.5 Oaxaca earthquake seismogram, Earth structure and approximate P-wave raypath

P-wave raypaths and wavefronts through the Earth (after Gutenberg)

What are the distinctive characteristics of a seismogram? (7/26/05 Earthquake)

What are the distinctive characteristics of a seismogram? Duration of signal Impulsive first arrival (P-wave) Usually 2 or more “separate” arrivals Distinct shape Change in frequency of the signal (often seen with S wave and surface waves) Signal amplitude “tapers off” at end (the “coda”) Complexity (can’t explain every wiggle!)

What are some commonly recorded Noise Sources? (6/17/05 Earthquake and noise)

What are some commonly recorded Noise Sources? Wind Microseisms Hurricanes (large microseisms) Local noise (trucks, machinery, walking) Electronic Spikes Dropouts

Noise Examples… Quiet day… (7/1-2/04) Noisy day… (9/29-30/04; same gain setting)

Noise Comparison – Quiet Day vs. Noisy Day (Same scale; 10 minute seismograms)

Wind Noise (4/2-3/05) Microseismic Noise (8/12-13/05) Closeup ~ 6 s Period

Hurricane Ivan (9/18-19/04) Electronic Noise

Spike Noise (2/15-16/00) Foot Steps (rectangle; 5/27/05)

Foot Steps (Close-up)

Dropout (spike at one point usually at one hour breaks; 2/24/01)

Dropout (spike at one point usually at one hour breaks; Extracted seismogram) 2/24/01 Amplitude ~ -2000

Dropout (after median filter; 2/24/01)

Seismograms D (D = 9.30 o ), E (D = o ) and F (D = o ). Increasing epicenter-to-station distance

Seismograms G (D = o ), H (D = o ) and I (D = o ). Increasing epicenter-to-station distance

Seismograms J (D = o ), K (D = o ) and L (D = o ). Increasing epicenter-to-station distance

Same distance (~30 o ), different magnitudes

Same magnitude (~6.7), different distance

Increasing depth of focus, same distance (~65 o )

Mystery events