Experiment Name: A Comparative Study of Natural and Man-Induced Seismicity in the Yanquing-Huailai Basin and the Haicheng Area
PI: Stump
Email: stump@passion.isem.smu.edu
Institution: SMU
Sponsor: DTRA
Start_Date: 6/1/2002
End_Date: 5/31/2009
Lat: 41.0
Long: 119.5
Broadband: 15
Descr: This collaborative study between Southern Methodist University and the Institute of Geophysics, China Seismological Bureau, in Beijing is designed to study regional source and propagation effects from natural and man-induced seismicity using ground truth data sets from dense local networks and near-source measurements in combination with regional data. These data sets will be used to address questions associated with regional source functions and regional wave propagation. The study will focus on the two distinct geological regions, the Yanqing-Huailai Basin near Beijing and the area around Haicheng along the Tan-Lu fault. Each region has existing digital networks that can provide limited ground truth for nearby events. As part of the study, we propose to deploy portable instrumentation for additional near-source and regional characterization. Near-source measurements will provide the ground truth for the interpretation of the regional signals. Once regional propagatio n path effects are quantified, we believe that the regional signals alone can be used for the seismic source characterization over a broad range of frequencies. Within the Yanqing-Huailai Basin, earthquake risk and propagation path assessments are important because of the basin's historical seismicity and Beijing's large population. Numerous under ground mines here regularly experience rock bursts and collapses resulting in the disruption of mining operations, injury and occasionally death as well. The Haicheng area, site of the first successfully predicted earthquake, is a seismically active area. This study will further the understanding of earthquake physics in this region. Existing broadband regional data will be gathered and combined with local network data to provide an initial assessment of seismicity in each region. The results of this preliminary analysis will be used to design an active experimental program. We intend to deploy between 10 and 15 broadband systems for the period of two years to improve regional coverage. These instruments will be supplemented by 3 to 5 portable systems designed for near-source monitoring, possible during aftershock sequences. These experiments will provide insight into faulting parameters including accurate locations and will allow the comparison of close-in and regional source characterization. In the case of man-induced events, the close-in measurements will provide details on location and the dynamic processes associated with underground failures and other mining events. We believe that such information will provide valuable constraints to the interpretation of regional seismograms leading to modeling methods that can routinely recover source parameters.
