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Using Seismic Noise Correlation to Determine the Shallow Velocity Structure of the Seattle Basin, Washington

Open-File Report 2022-1108
Prepared in cooperation with the University of Washington
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20221108

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Abstract

Cross-correlation waveforms of seismic noise in the Seattle basin, Washington, were analyzed to determine the group velocities of surface waves and constrain the shear-wave velocity (VS) for depths less than about 2 kilometers (km). Twenty broadband seismometers were deployed for about 3 weeks in three dense arrays separated by about 5 km, with minimum intra-array station spacing of about 0.5 km. Cross correlations of only 9 days of noise recordings produced Green’s functions at periods of 2 to 6 seconds (s) for sites about 5 km apart. Usable noise correlations for shorter periods of 0.5 to 1.0 s were found for sites within the arrays separated by 1 to 2 km. We bandpass filtered the inter- and intra-array cross-correlation waveforms to determine Love-wave group velocities at periods of 0.5 to 6 s for paths within the Seattle basin and at 3 to 5 s for paths crossing the southern edge of the basin. We developed a non-linear inversion program to determine VS profiles that fit the observed group velocities for paths in the basin. We found that these group velocities are well fit by a variety of VS profiles, each with a distinct jump in VS at depths ranging from 0.9 to 1.3 km. This jump in VS is inferred to represent the top of bedrock. The observed group velocities are not matched by models with the top of bedrock at 0.7-km depth or shallower. The group velocities are also fit by a model with no large jumps in VS in depths less than 2.4 km. The VS profile for the middle of the basin from Stephenson and others (2017), with a depth to bedrock of 0.9 km, also adequately fits the group velocity observations, if a velocity gradient is added from 0.05- to 0.1-km depth. The results indicate that short (3-week) deployments of seismometers to record seismic noise may provide useful constraints on the VS of sedimentary basins.

Suggested Citation

Frankel, A., and Bodin, P., 2022, Using seismic noise correlation to determine the shallow velocity structure of the Seattle basin, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2022–1108, 13 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20221108.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Data and Cross-Correlation Procedure
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Using seismic noise correlation to determine the shallow velocity structure of the Seattle basin, Washington
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2022-1108
DOI 10.3133/ofr20221108
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center
Description vi, 12 p.
Country United States
State Washington
City Seattle
Other Geospatial Seattle Basin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details