Articles | Volume 6, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-955-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-955-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
29 Oct 2018
Research article |
| 29 Oct 2018
| 29 Oct 2018
Seismic detection of rockslides at regional scale: examples from the Eastern Alps and feasibility of kurtosis-based event location
Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, UZA 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Wolfgang Lenhardt
Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, ZAMG, Vienna, Austria
Götz Bokelmann
Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, UZA 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
the AlpArray Working Group
For further information regarding the team, please visit the link the end of the paper.
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Florian Fuchs, Petr Kolínský, Gidera Gröschl, Götz Bokelmann, and the AlpArray Working Group
Adv. Geosci., 43, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-43-1-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-43-1-2016, 2016
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For comparison and as guideline for future seismic experiments we describe our efforts during the installation of thirty temporary seismic stations in Eastern Austria and Western Slovakia. The stations – deployed in the framework of the AlpArray project – are commonly placed in abandoned or unused cellars or buildings. We describe the technical realization of the deployment and discuss the seismic noise conditions at each site and potential relations to geology or station design.
F. Fuchs, P. Kolínský, G. Gröschl, M.-T. Apoloner, E. Qorbani, F. Schneider, and G. Bokelmann
Adv. Geosci., 41, 25–33, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-25-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-25-2015, 2015
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Site selection is a crucial part of the work flow for installing seismic stations. Here, we report the preparations for a countrywide temporary seismic network in Austria. We present probabilistic power spectral density analysis to assess noise conditions at selected sites and show exemplary seismic events that were recorded by the preliminary network by the end of July 2015.
Wolfgang A. Lenhardt
Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 12, 11–19, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-12-11-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-12-11-2021, 2021
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The historical development of the Geophysical Service of Austria, comprising the national geomagnetic, gravimetric and seismological services as well as the
Applied Geophysics Sectionlocated at the Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG) in Vienna in Austria, is presented. Achievements, changes and challenges of the department from its modest beginning in 1851 until 2020 are described, including the Conrad Observatory.
Ehsan Qorbani, Dimitri Zigone, Mark R. Handy, Götz Bokelmann, and AlpArray-EASI working group
Solid Earth, 11, 1947–1968, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-1947-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-1947-2020, 2020
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The crustal structure of the Eastern and Southern Alps is complex. Although several seismological studies have targeted the crust, the velocity structure under this area is still not fully understood. Here we study the crustal velocity structure using seismic ambient noise tomography. Our high-resolution models image several velocity anomalies and contrasts and reveal details of the crustal structure. We discuss our new models of the crust with respect to the geologic and tectonic features.
Eric Löberich and Götz Bokelmann
Solid Earth Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2020-5, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2020-5, 2020
Revised manuscript not accepted
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Shear-wave splitting measurements have been widely used to infer upper mantle deformation, but their interpretative power has so far been limited by the ambiguity between a frozen-in lithospheric or more recent asthenospheric cause. We take advantage of the non-vertical arrival angles of SKS phases to infer the rock fabric orientation at depth under the Central Alps; we relate upper-mantle deformation in the area to a depth-dependent plane Couette-Poiseuille flow.
Florian Fuchs, Petr Kolínský, Gidera Gröschl, Götz Bokelmann, and the AlpArray Working Group
Adv. Geosci., 43, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-43-1-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-43-1-2016, 2016
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For comparison and as guideline for future seismic experiments we describe our efforts during the installation of thirty temporary seismic stations in Eastern Austria and Western Slovakia. The stations – deployed in the framework of the AlpArray project – are commonly placed in abandoned or unused cellars or buildings. We describe the technical realization of the deployment and discuss the seismic noise conditions at each site and potential relations to geology or station design.
Damiano Pesaresi, Wolfgang Lenhardt, Markus Rauch, Mladen Živčić, Rudolf Steiner, Michele Bertoni, and Heimo Delazer
Adv. Geosci., 41, 83–87, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-83-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-83-2016, 2016
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Since 2002 OGS in Italy, ZAMG in Austria and ARSO in Slovenia were exchanging seismic data in real time via internet. This was not good for civil defense scopes because internet is not reliable: therefore, in 2012 the Protezione Civile di Bolzano in Italy joined OGS, ZAMG and ARSO in the Interreg IV Italia-Austria "SeismoSAT" project aimed in connecting the seismic data centers in real time via satellite.
F. Fuchs, P. Kolínský, G. Gröschl, M.-T. Apoloner, E. Qorbani, F. Schneider, and G. Bokelmann
Adv. Geosci., 41, 25–33, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-25-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-25-2015, 2015
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Site selection is a crucial part of the work flow for installing seismic stations. Here, we report the preparations for a countrywide temporary seismic network in Austria. We present probabilistic power spectral density analysis to assess noise conditions at selected sites and show exemplary seismic events that were recorded by the preliminary network by the end of July 2015.
I. Bianchi, M. Anselmi, M. T. Apoloner, E. Qorbani, K. Gribovski, and G. Bokelmann
Adv. Geosci., 41, 11–23, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-11-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-11-2015, 2015
M.-T. Apoloner and G. Bokelmann
Adv. Geosci., 41, 5–10, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-5-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-41-5-2015, 2015
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For this study we use seismic array data from GERES. It is 220 km to the North West of the Vienna Basin, which - according to literature - is a suitable distance to recover PmP and sPmP phases. We use array processing on recent earthquake data from the Vienna Basin with local magnitudes from 2.1 to 4.2 to search for RDP. At the same time, we do similar processing on synthetic data specially modeled for this application.Comparing with synthetic seismograms we identify PmP and PbP phases.
M. Picozzi, L. Elia, D. Pesaresi, A. Zollo, M. Mucciarelli, A. Gosar, W. Lenhardt, and M. Živčić
Adv. Geosci., 40, 51–61, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-40-51-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-40-51-2015, 2015
M.-T. Apoloner, G. Bokelmann, I. Bianchi, E. Brückl, H. Hausmann, S. Mertl, and R. Meurers
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D. Pesaresi, W. Lenhardt, M. Rauch, M. Živčić, R. Steiner, P. Fabris, and M. Bertoni
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A. Gerner and G. Bokelmann
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An update on techniques to assess normal-mode behavior of rock arches by ambient vibrations
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Natural disasters such as landslides and rockfalls are mostly difficult to study because of the impossibility of making in situ measurements due to their destructive nature and spontaneous occurrence. Seismology is able to record the occurrence of such events from a distance and in real time. In this study, we show that, by using a machine learning approach, the mass and velocity of rockfalls can be estimated from the seismic signal they generate.
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Mauro Häusler, Paul Richmond Geimer, Riley Finnegan, Donat Fäh, and Jeffrey Ralston Moore
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David J. Purnell, Natalya Gomez, William Minarik, David Porter, and Gregory Langston
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Jui-Ming Chang, Wei-An Chao, Hongey Chen, Yu-Ting Kuo, and Che-Ming Yang
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Liam Toney, David Fee, Kate E. Allstadt, Matthew M. Haney, and Robin S. Matoza
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Emanuele Marchetti, Alec van Herwijnen, Marc Christen, Maria Cristina Silengo, and Giulia Barfucci
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 399–411, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-399-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-399-2020, 2020
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We present infrasonic and seismic array data of a powder snow avalanche, that was released on 5 February 2016, in the Dischma valley nearby Davos, Switzerland. Combining information derived from both arrays, we show how infrasound and seismic energy are radiated from different sources acting along the path. Moreover, infrasound transmits to the ground and affects the recorded seismic signal. Results highlight the benefits of combined seismo-acoustic array analyses for monitoring and research.
Tómas Jóhannesson, Jón Kristinn Helgason, and Sigríður Sif Gylfadóttir
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 173–175, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-173-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-173-2020, 2020
Cristina Pérez-Guillén, Kae Tsunematsu, Kouichi Nishimura, and Dieter Issler
Earth Surf. Dynam., 7, 989–1007, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-989-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-989-2019, 2019
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Avalanches and slush flows from Mt. Fuji are a major natural hazard as they may attain run-out distances of up to 4 km and destroy parts of the forest and infrastructure. We located and tracked them for the first time using seismic data. Numerical simulations were conducted to assess the precision of the seismic tracking. We also inferred dynamical properties characterizing these hazardous mass movements. This information is indispensable for assessing avalanche risk in the Mt. Fuji region.
Thomas Geay, Ludovic Michel, Sébastien Zanker, and James Robert Rigby
Earth Surf. Dynam., 7, 537–548, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-537-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-537-2019, 2019
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This research has been conducted to develop the use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) for bedload monitoring in rivers. Monitored bedload acoustic signals depend on bedload characteristics (e.g., grain size distribution, fluxes) but are also affected by the environment in which the acoustic waves are propagated. This study focuses on the determination of propagation effects in rivers. An experimental approach has been conducted in several streams to estimate acoustic propagation laws.
Matthias Heck, Alec van Herwijnen, Conny Hammer, Manuel Hobiger, Jürg Schweizer, and Donat Fäh
Earth Surf. Dynam., 7, 491–503, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-491-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-491-2019, 2019
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We used continuous seismic data from two small aperture geophone arrays deployed in the region above Davos in the eastern Swiss Alps to develop a machine learning workflow to automatically identify signals generated by snow avalanches. Our results suggest that the method presented could be used to identify major avalanche periods and highlight the importance of array processing techniques for the automatic classification of avalanches in seismic data.
Andreas Köhler and Christian Weidle
Earth Surf. Dynam., 7, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-1-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-1-2019, 2019
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The uppermost part of permanently frozen ground can thaw during summer and refreeze during winter. We use a method based on naturally generated seismic waves to continuously monitor these changes close to the research settlement of Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard between April and August 2016. Our results reveal some potential pitfalls when interpreting temporal variations in the data. However, we show that a careful data analysis makes this method a very useful tool for long-term permafrost monitoring.
Andrea Manconi, Velio Coviello, Maud Galletti, and Reto Seifert
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 1219–1227, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-1219-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-1219-2018, 2018
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We evaluated the performance of the low-cost seismic Raspberry Shake (RS) sensors to identify and monitor rockfall activity in alpine environments. The sensors have been tested for a 1-year period in a high alpine environment, recording numerous rock failure events as well as local and distant earthquakes. This study demonstrates that the RS instruments provide a good option to build low seismic monitoring networks to monitor different kinds of geophysical phenomena.
Floriane Provost, Jean-Philippe Malet, Clément Hibert, Agnès Helmstetter, Mathilde Radiguet, David Amitrano, Nadège Langet, Eric Larose, Clàudia Abancó, Marcel Hürlimann, Thomas Lebourg, Clara Levy, Gaëlle Le Roy, Patrice Ulrich, Maurin Vidal, and Benjamin Vial
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 1059–1088, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-1059-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-1059-2018, 2018
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Seismic sources generated by the deformation of unstable slopes are diverse in terms of signal properties and mechanisms. Standardized catalogues of landslide endogenous seismicity can help understanding the physical processes controlling slope dynamics. We propose a generic typology of seismic sources based on the analysis of signals recorded at various instrumented slopes. We demonstrate that the seismic signals present similar features at different sites and discuss their mechanical sources.
Naomi Vouillamoz, Sabrina Rothmund, and Manfred Joswig
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 525–550, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-525-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-525-2018, 2018
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Seismic monitoring of active landslides enables the detection of microseismic signals generated by slope activity. We propose a classification of
microseismic signals observed at two active clay-rich debris slides and a simple method to constrain their source origin and their size
based on their signal amplitudes. A better understanding of landslide-induced microseismicity is crucial for the development of early warning systems
based on landslide-induced microseismic signal precursors.
Pippa L. Whitehouse
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 401–429, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-401-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-401-2018, 2018
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This article is a contribution to a special issue on
Two centuries of modelling across scales. It describes the historical observations, evolving hypotheses, and early calculations that led to the development of the field of glacial isostatic sdjustment (GIA) modelling, which seeks to understand feedbacks between ice-sheet change, sea-level change, and solid Earth deformation. Recent and future advances are discussed. Future progress will likely involve an interdisciplinary approach.
Clément Hibert, Jean-Philippe Malet, Franck Bourrier, Floriane Provost, Frédéric Berger, Pierrick Bornemann, Pascal Tardif, and Eric Mermin
Earth Surf. Dynam., 5, 283–292, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-283-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-283-2017, 2017
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Short summary
The work demonstrates how seismic networks installed in the Alps can be used for country-wide real-time monitoring of rockslide activity. We suggest simple methods that allow us to detect, locate, and characterize rockslides using the seismic signals they generate. We developed an automatic procedure to locate rockslides with kilometer accuracy over hundreds of kilometers of distance. Our findings highlight how seismic networks can help us to understand the triggering of rockslides.
The work demonstrates how seismic networks installed in the Alps can be used for country-wide...
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