Surveys in Geophysics

Abstract

The retrieval of surface waves from ambient noise is important for delineating the solid earth’s near-surface structures, especially in urban environments. Seismic interferometry (SI) with linear arrays is becoming popular in urban areas with abundant anthropogenic noise. However, retrieving the noise correlation functions (NCFs) is usually challenging for a dense linear array under the demand of short-time recordings and the limited number of stations in urban environments. We comprehensively compare the SI and three-station interferometry, and the results show that the convolution-based three-station interferometry can accurately retrieve the NCFs using short-time recordings for dense linear arrays from traffic-induced noise. A synthetic example demonstrates the superiority of the convolution-based three-station interferometry over the traditional SI and the correlation-based three-station interferometry. Results from two field examples validate the convolution-based three-station interferometry for linear arrays deployed synchronously and asynchronously and confirm its advantage for multi-component data. We conclude that the convolution-based three-station interferometry performs better because it makes better use of linear arrays with short-time recordings and retrieves higher-quality NCFs.

Abstract

Since the first Global Energy and Water Exchanges cloud assessment a decade ago, existing cloud property retrievals have been revised and new retrievals have been developed. The new global long-term cloud datasets show, in general, similar results to those of the previous assessment. A notable exception is the reduced cloud amount provided by the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) Science Team, resulting from an improved aerosol–cloud distinction. Height, opacity and thermodynamic phase determine the radiative effect of clouds. Their distributions as well as relative occurrences of cloud types distinguished by height and optical depth are discussed. The similar results of the two assessments indicate that further improvement, in particular on vertical cloud layering, can only be achieved by combining complementary information. We suggest such combination methods to estimate the amount of all clouds within the atmospheric column, including those hidden by clouds aloft. The results compare well with those from CloudSat-CALIPSO radar–lidar geometrical profiles as well as with results from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) corrected by the cloud vertical layer model, which is used for the computation of the ISCCP-derived radiative fluxes. Furthermore, we highlight studies on cloud monitoring using the information from the histograms of the database and give guidelines for: (1) the use of satellite-retrieved cloud properties in climate studies and climate model evaluation and (2) improved retrieval strategies.

Abstract

The accurate extraction of useful signals from the measurement data is one of the important parts and challenges of the understanding of subsurface information. The desired signal is usually hidden in the background noise, and the amplitude is weak due to the particular geological environment of the subsurface or the consistency of the measuring instrument. By extending the theory of seismic interferometry to include the effects of adjacent virtual channels and by combining super- and reverse-virtual interferometry, we obtain a hybrid virtual interferometry technique based on stacking neighboring virtual traces for wave reconstruction. We have verified the effectiveness of the processing method in suppressing noise interference and extracting useful signals using synthetic data tests. The method is applied to the processing and interpretation of acoustic measurements acquired in a cased borehole of a coal formation and an open hole of an igneous formation, where the processed waveforms are finely reconstructed, and the estimated slowness results are in good agreement with other measurements, thus providing an effective tool for data analysis.

Abstract

The Rodl-Kaplice-Blanice fault system (RKB) of Variscan shear origin, repeatedly active since the Late Paleozoic to the Recent, is expressed by a number of lithological contacts, distinct geophysical gradients and many landforms. A general trend of the RKB as well as linear configuration of its internal architecture is fairly similar to those of topical near Rhine Graben and Alpine-Carpathian transition area as the two other consistent recently reactivated large-scale tectonic structures in the extended (thinned) crust of central Europe. In middle part of the RKB, the occurring linear topographic and geological features parallel to the main RKB sections point to the existence of a wide tectonic zone in the crust following the fault system. Our multidisciplinary study includes a summary of corresponding basic geological data, overview of seismic, regional geophysical and geomorphological conditions, primary model of recent kinematic activity in the RKB area derived from the space (Global Navigation Satellite System—GNSS) monitoring and terrestrial (repeated high precision levelling) geodetic data and comparison of these various information.

The obtained knowledge indicates that the RKB is active up to ~ 1.0 mm horizontally and > 0.5 mm vertically. The fault system area in the Bohemian Massif can be subdivided into the three parts of diverse tectonic structure and block kinematics. Sinistral horizontal movements are highest near the southern surface sections (Rodl-Kaplice, Rudolfov and Drahotěšice faults), whereas noticeable vertical differentiation is going on mainly along the Blanice and Kouřim faults in the north where the RKB activity is gradually decreasing towards the extensive Elbe shear zone with transverse movements. The middle part of the RKB is dislocated by a large active transverse tectonic structure of the South Bohemian Basins (SBB) with variable horizontal velocity vectors of surface GNSS stations. Most of the weak regional earthquakes have been recorded west of the RKB. Besides faults of the SBB, these were mainly associated with the RKB-subparallel Lhenice fault. Based on the earthquake distribution and foci depths, the latter fault can have similar structural position as the RKB related to lower part of the Variscan level in the ~ 10–12 km depth.

Abstract

For polyhedral mass bodies having arbitrary shape and density distribution of polynomial type we present a tensorial approach to derive analytical expressions of the gravitational potential and gravity vector. They are evaluated at an arbitrary point by means of formulas, referred to a Cartesian reference frame having an arbitrary origin, that are shown to be singularity-free whatever is the position of the observation point with respect to the body. The solution is expressed as a sum of algebraic quantities depending solely upon the 3D coordinates of the polyhedron vertices and the coefficients of the polynomial density function. Hence, no recursive expression needs to be invoked as in the recent contribution by Ren et al. (Surv Geophys 41:695–722, 2020). Moreover, the tensorial formalism developed in the paper allows one to obtain more concise, coordinate-free expressions that can also be extended to address polynomial functions of greater order. The analytical expressions of the gravitational potential and gravity vector are numerically validated and compared with alternative methods retrieved from the literature.

Abstract

Magma emplacement can restrict the nature and distribution of an ore deposit, and is an important topic for the study of mineralization mechanisms. Previous studies of magma emplacement have focused mainly on the superimposed mineralization of multi-stage magma in time, whereas the superimposed characteristics and mineralization of different magma emplacement in space are unclear. We estimate a 3-D multiple geophysical model in the Shuangjianzishan Ag–Pb–Zn district, northeastern China, using gravity, magnetic, magnetotelluric and seismic data. The model describes the distribution of buried magmatic rocks related to mineralization in the ore district and highlights the detailed structure and connection of volcanism and intrusion. The volcanism is characterized by a tree-like structure consisting of a near-conical channel and an annular fault system; the intrusion appears as a dome-shaped structure, and its lateral distribution is controlled by faults. The geophysical results reveal a deep fault system connecting volcanism and intrusion. Combining the results with regional geology, petrophysical properties and borehole information, we propose a composite metallogenic model for the ore district, which is that the volcanism caused the ore-bearing magma to migrate to the present-day location of the base of the ore deposit through the deep fault system, and formed an intrusive complex with the ore-bearing magma emplaced in a dome below the present-day location of the deposit. This resulted in the formation of complex and fault-controlled ore bodies. Reviewing the global metallogenic characteristics related to magmatism, our results demonstrate the magma emplacement pattern of a composite volcanic-intrusive system may be an important factor for the formation of super-large deposits.

Abstract

Very Long Period (VLP) signals with periods longer than 2 s may occur during eruptive or quiet phases at volcanoes of all types (shield and stratovolcanoes with calderas, as well as other stratovolcanoes) and are inherently connected to fluid movement within the plumbing system. This is supported by observations at several volcanoes that indicate a correlation between gas emissions and VLPs, as well as deformation episodes due to melt accumulation and migration that are followed by the occurrence of VLPs. Moment tensors of VLPs are usually characterized by large volumetric components of either positive or negative sign along with possibly the presence of single forces that may result from the exchange of linear momentum between the seismic source and the Earth. VLPs may occur during a variety of volcanological processes such as caldera collapse, phreatic eruptions, vulcanian eruptions, strombolian activity, and rockfalls at lava lakes. Physical mechanisms that can generate VLPs include the inflation and deflation of magma chambers and cracks, the movement of gas slugs through conduits, and the restoration of gravitational equilibrium in the plumbing system after explosive degassing or rockfalls in lava lakes. Our understanding of VLPs is expected to greatly improve in the future by the use of new instrumentation, such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing, that will provide a much denser temporal and spatial sampling of the seismic wavefield. This vast quantity of data will then require time efficient and objective processing that can be achieved through the use of machine learning algorithms.

Abstract

Stress-induced seismic anisotropy is usually difficult to be separated or decoupled from intrinsic or fracture-induced anisotropy in the subsurface. To distinguish the effects of fracture and stress on azimuthal reflection amplitudes in an anisotropic medium, a feasible approximation for decoupled fracture- and stress-induced PP-wave reflection coefficient is presented used for azimuthal seismic inversion. Following nonlinear acoustoelastic theory, we first present the relationship between horizontal uniaxial stress and decoupled fracture- and stress-induced PP-wave reflection coefficient for an interface between two stressed horizontal transversely isotropic (HTI) media based on weak-contrast, weak-anisotropy and small-stress assumptions. Next, we present an inversion method of amplitude variations with angles of incidence and azimuth to estimate decoupled fracture- and stress-induced anisotropy using the seismic amplitude differences between different azimuths. Finally, both synthetic and real data sets are used to validate our proposed inversion method, and it can provide an alternative way to estimate the decoupled fracture- and stress-induced anisotropic parameters in stressed shale gas reservoir with HTI symmetry from azimuthal reflection amplitude data.

Abstract

The paper summarizes the issues related to relationships between the PC index and magnetic disturbances: threshold level of the PC index required for the disturbances beginning, delay time in response of magnetic substorms and storms to the PC index growth, relation of PC index to magnetospheric field-aligned currents in course of substorm, different types of magnetic substorms (isolated, expanded, delayed, sawtooth) and magnetic storms (classic, pulsed and composite) and their relation to different regularities in the PC index alterations, linear dependence of the substorm and storm intensities on value of the preceding of PC index, special features of magnetic activity in the winter and summer polar caps, variations of PC index and magnetic disturbances in course of the 23/24 solar activity cycles. New aspects that have arisen due to the PC index application are concerned with the threshold-dependent mode of the substorm development and regular repeateness of sawtooth substorms occurring under conditions of steady powerful EKL field. The experimental results examined in the paper are indicative that the PC index serves as an indicator of the solar wind energy which comes in the magnetosphere and then realizes in the form of magnetosphere disturbances. This paper follows the review of Troshichev (Front Astron Space Sci 9:1069470, 2022), where the relationships between the solar wind electric field EKL and PC index have been examined.

Abstract

This review paper addresses the development of numerical modeling of electromagnetic fields in geophysics with a focus on recent finite element simulation. It discusses ways of estimating errors of our solutions for a perfectly matched modeling domain and the problems that arise from its insufficient representation. After a brief outline of early methods and modeling approaches, the paper mainly discusses the capabilities of the finite element method formulated on unstructured grids and the advantages of local h-refinement allowing for both a flexible and largely accurate representation of the geometries of the multi-scale geomaterial and an accurate evaluation of the underlying functions representing the physical fields. In summary, the accuracy of the solution depends on the geometric mapping, the choice of the mathematical model, and the spatial discretization. Although the available error estimators do not necessarily provide reliable error bounds for our complex geomodels, they are still useful to guide grid refinement. Therefore, an overview of the most common a posteriori error estimators is given. It will be shown that the sensitivity is the most important function in both guiding the geometric mapping and the local refinement.

Abstract

The significant role of nonlinear wave–particle interactions in the macrodynamics and microdynamics of the Earth’s outer radiation belt has long been recognised. Electron dropouts during magnetic storms, microbursts in atmospheric electron precipitation, and pulsating auroras are all associated with the rapid scattering of energetic electrons by the whistler-mode chorus, a structured electromagnetic emission known to reach amplitudes of about \(1\%\) of the ambient magnetic field. Despite the decades of experimental and theoretical investigations of chorus and the recent progress achieved through numerical simulations, there is no definitive theory of the chorus formation mechanism, not even in the simple case of parallel (one-dimensional) propagation. Here we follow the evolution of these theories from their beginnings in the 1960s to the current state, including newly emerging self-consistent excitation models. A critical review of the unique features of each approach is provided, taking into account the most recent spacecraft observations of the fine structure of chorus. Conflicting interpretations of the role of resonant electron current and magnetic field inhomogeneity are discussed. We also discuss the interplay between nonlinear growth and microscale propagation effects and identify future theoretical and observational challenges stemming from the two-dimensional aspects of chorus propagation.

Abstract

This review presents the progress made in the last decade in the field of large-scale electromagnetic (EM) induction with natural sources, which fluctuate at periods from seconds to years and originate in oceans, ionosphere and magnetosphere. These mechanisms produce field variations that can be used to image subsurface electrical structure of Earth and planets across scales and depths from the shallow crust to the lower mantle. In the last decade, we have seen a substantial progress made in different areas related to methods, observations and 3-D numerical modelling of EM phenomena at crustal and mantle scales. Specifically, new methods for handling complex ionospheric and magnetospheric sources were proposed, accompanied by more efficient forward and inverse modelling tools that allowed us to combine several broadband sources and constrain electrical conductivity on multiple scales simultaneously. Magnetic signals due to oceanic tides were established as a new source to probe conductivity of the sub-oceanic upper mantle. Further, the launch of ESA Swarm satellites in 2013 and their successful ongoing operation have marked a new era in the field of large-scale EM induction, unlocking a set of new opportunities, but also posing new challenges. These developments were backed by new lab measurements of electrical conductivity for mantle minerals at temperatures and pressures that are getting closer to the relevant pressure and temperature conditions in the mantle, alleviating the need for inaccurate extrapolations. The latter enabled more plausible quantitative estimates of water content, melt fractions and temperature in the mantle. In parallel, crust and mantle conductivity models along with developed modelling techniques have become an integral part of geomagnetic field and geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) modelling workflows, establishing new inter-disciplinary knowledge domains.

Abstract

Globally, unconventional hydrocarbons, known for the symbiosis of their hydrocarbon source and reservoir, pose significant seismic exploration challenges due to their confined target regions, extensive burial depth, minimal acoustic impedance variation, marked heterogeneity, and strong anisotropy. Over the past decade, electromagnetic (EM) exploration has evolved markedly, improving resolution and reliability, thus becoming indispensable in unconventional hydrocarbon exploration. Focusing on China's application of the controlled source electromagnetic method (CSEM), this review examines the geological and electrical attributes of these reservoirs, notably the low resistivity, high polarization and strong electrical anisotropy of shale gas reservoirs. Despite the demonstrated positive correlation between induced polarization (IP) parameters and reservoir parameters, current methodologies emphasize the IP effect, inadvertently neglecting electrical anisotropy, which affects data precision. Moreover, single-source CSEM methodologies limit the observational components, acquisition density, and exploration area, impacting the accuracy and efficacy of data interpretation. Recently developed CSEM techniques in China, namely wide-frequency electromagnetic method (WFEM), time–frequency electromagnetic method (TFEM), long offset transient electromagnetic method (LOTEM), and wireless electromagnetic method (WEM), harness high-power pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) waveforms, reference observation and processing technology, hybrid inversion, and enhancing operational efficiency and adaptability despite the pressing need for multi-functional software for data acquisition. Case studies detail these methods' applications in shale gas sweet spot detection and continuous hydraulic fracturing monitoring, highlighting the immense potential of EM methods in unconventional hydrocarbon sweet spot detection and total organic content (TOC) predication. However, challenges persist in suppressing EM noise, streamlining 3D inversion processes, and improving the detection and evaluation of sweet spots.

Abstract

The occurrence of subsurface karst caves can cause the development of superficial depressions which, in turn, may pose a construction hazard. Identifying such a substratum requires integrated non-invasive measurement methods. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the non-invasive ERT, TLS, and GPR survey techniques in identifying the karst floor and determining the direction of discontinuities around the cave. The paper analyzes the limitations of the methods used in the study of heterogeneous media. These limitations are related to the methodology and measurement conditions, data processing, and interpretation in the context of the resolution and depth range. The study was conducted using the example of the Jaskinia pod Świecami cave, formed in the Sarmatianal calcarenites in Poland. The research confirmed its complex karst-anthropogenic genesis. The cave was formed as a result of the infiltration of rainwater and the dissolution of limestone by groundwater, while the paleokarst forms that are characteristic of it and of the surrounding caves and occur in their vicinity, i.e., narrow ridges called "karst candles", were formed as a result of water circulation during the local permafrost degradation in the middle Pleistocene. However, these forms were modified in the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene, as indicated by ERT images.