Pure S-waves in land P-wave source VSP data

Conventional land vertical seismic profiling （VSP） exploration usually uses P-wave sources and three-component geophones for receivers, emphasizing P- and converted S-waves. Previous studies show that both dynamite borehole shots and vertical vibrations from controllable seismic sources at the surface will produce relatively strong pure P-waves and weaker pure S-waves. Interfaces with a large Poisson＇s ratio difference have a positive influence on the formation of strong transmitted converted S-waves. By a comparative analysis of pure S-waves from sources and converted downgoing S-waves, we believe that the main frequency of pure S-waves is usually lower than pure P-waves while the main frequency of downgoing converted S-waves is close to that of P-waves. We have studied zero-offset and offset VSP data from land P-wave sources. Results show that pure S-waves commonly exist in these data with differences in wave intensity. S-wave velocity can be obtained from the P-wave source zero-offset VSP data. Finally, we discuss the bright future of joint application of VSP P-and S-waves and the full use of S-waves in P-wave source VSP data.

The strain seismograms of P- and S-waves of a local event recorded by four-gauge borehole strainmeter

At a sampling rate of 100 samples per second,the YRY-4 four-gauge borehole strainmeters（FGBS） are capable of recording transient strains caused by seismic waves such as P and S waves or strain seismograms. At such a high sampling rate, data from the YRY-4 strainmeters demonstrate fairly satisfactory self-consistency. The strain tensor seismograms demonstrate the senses of motion of P waves, that is, the type of seismic wave travels in the direction of the maximum normal strain change. The observed strain patterns of S waves significantly differ from those of P waves and should contain information about the source mechanism. Spectrum analysis shows that the strain seismograms are consistent with conventional broadband seismograms from the same site.

Propagation of P-and S-waves in initially stressed gravitating half space

The present paper contributes in studying the phase velocities of P- and S-waves in a half space subjected to a compressive initial stress and gravity field. The density and acceleration due to gravity vary quadratically along the depth. The dispersion equation is derived in a closed form. It is shown that the phase velocities depend not only on the initial stress, gravity, and direction of propagation but also on the inhomogeneity parameter associated with the density and acceleration due to gravity. Various particular cases are obtained, and the results match with the classical results. Numerical investigations on the phase velocities of P- and S-waves against the wave number are made for various sets of values of the material parameters, and the results are illustrated graphically. The graphical user interface model is developed to generalize the effect.

Crustal attenuation characteristics of S-waves beneath the Eastern Tohoku region,Japan

An inversion method was applied to crustal earthquakes dataset to find S-wave attenuation characteristics beneath the Eastern Tohoku region of Japan. Accelerograms from 85 shallow crustal earthquakes up to 25 km depth and magnitude range between 3.5 and 5.5 were analyzed to estimate the seismic quality factor Qs. A homogeneous attenuation model Qs for the wave propagation path was evaluated from spectral amplitudes, at 24 different frequencies between 0.5 and 20 Hz by using generalized inversion technique. To do this, non-parametric attenuation functions were calculated to observe spectral amplitude decay with hypocentral distance. Then, these functions were parameterized to estimate Qs. It was found that in Eastern Tohoku region, the Qs frequency dependence can be approximated with the function 33 f 1.22 within a frequency range between 0.5 and 20 Hz. However, the frequency dependence of Qs in the frequency range between 0.5 and 6 Hz is best approximated by Qs （f） = 36 f 0.94 showing relatively weaker frequency dependence as compared to the relation Qs （f） = 6 f^ 2.09 for the frequency range between 6 and 15 Hz. These results could be used to estimate source and site parameters for seismic hazard assessment in the region.

Seismic response of deep circular tunnels subjected to S-waves:Axial bending

Ovaling deformation of circular tunnels has received great interest from the tunneling community because this mode of seismicinduced deformation is considered the most critical.However,there is growing evidence that other deformation modes can also be important and thus need to be considered in design.This study presents a new analytical solution to estimate axial bending(snaking),a mode of deformation caused by S-waves impinging on a tunnel parallel to the tunnel axis.The solution is developed using the soilstructure interaction approach with the assumption that the interface between the ground and the tunnel lining is frictionless(fullslip).Full dynamic numerical simulations are conducted to verify the new full-slip solution,together with the existing no-slip solution.Effects of dynamic amplification are also explored for both full-slip and no-slip interface conditions by changing the wavelength(or frequency)of the seismic input motions.

Application of 9-component S-wave 3D seismic data to study sedimentary facies and reservoirs in a biogasbearing area:A case study on the Pleistocene Qigequan Formation in Taidong area,Sanhu Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China

To solve the problems in restoring sedimentary facies and predicting reservoirs in loose gas-bearing sediment,based on seismic sedimentologic analysis of the first 9-component S-wave 3D seismic dataset of China,a fourth-order isochronous stratigraphic framework was set up and then sedimentary facies and reservoirs in the Pleistocene Qigequan Formation in Taidong area of Qaidam Basin were studied by seismic geomorphology and seismic lithology.The study method and thought are as following.Firstly,techniques of phase rotation,frequency decomposition and fusion,and stratal slicing were applied to the 9-component S-wave seismic data to restore sedimentary facies of major marker beds based on sedimentary models reflected by satellite images.Then,techniques of seismic attribute extraction,principal component analysis,and random fitting were applied to calculate the reservoir thickness and physical parameters of a key sandbody,and the results are satisfactory and confirmed by blind testing wells.Study results reveal that the dominant sedimentary facies in the Qigequan Formation within the study area are delta front and shallow lake.The RGB fused slices indicate that there are two cycles with three sets of underwater distributary channel systems in one period.Among them,sandstones in the distributary channels of middle-low Qigequan Formation are thick and broad with superior physical properties,which are favorable reservoirs.The reservoir permeability is also affected by diagenesis.Distributary channel sandstone reservoirs extend further to the west of Sebei-1 gas field,which provides a basis to expand exploration to the western peripheral area.

Effect of the mixing of s-wave and chiral p-wave pairings on electrical shot noise properties of normal metal/superconductor tunnel junctions

We study theoretically the electrical shot noise properties of tunnel junctions between a normal metal and a superconductor with the mixture of singlet s-wave and chiral triplet p-wave pairing due to broken inversion symmetry. We investigate how the shot noise properties vary as the relative amplitude between the two parity components in the pairing potential is changed. It is demonstrated that some characteristics of the electrical shot noise properties of such tunnel junctions may depend sensitively on the relative amplitude between the two parity components in the pairing potential, and some significant changes may occur in the electrical shot noise properties when the relative amplitude between the two parity components is varied from the singlet s-wave pairing dominated regime to the chiral triplet p-wave pairing dominated regime. In the chiral triplet p-wave pairing dominated regime, the ratio of noise power to electric current is close to 2e both in the in-gap and in the out-gap region. In the singlet s-wave pairing dominated regime, the value of this ratio is close to 4e in the inner gap region but may reduce to about 2e in the outer gap region as the relative amplitude of the chiral triplet pairing component is increased. The variations of the differential shot noise with the bias voltage also exhibit some significantly different features in different regimes. Such different features can serve as useful diagnostic tools for the determination of the relative magnitude of the two parity components in the pairing potential.

Joint inversion of Rayleigh group and phase velocities for S-wave velocity structure of the 2021 M_(S)6.0 Luxian earthquake source area,China

On September 16,2021,a MS6.0 earthquake struck Luxian County,one of the shale gas blocks in the Southeastern Sichuan Basin,China.To understand the seismogenic environment and its mechanism,we inverted a fine three-dimensional S-wave velocity model from ambient noise tomography using data from a newly deployed dense seismic array around the epicenter,by extracting and jointly inverting the Rayleigh phase and group velocities in the period of 1.6–7.2 s.The results showed that the velocity model varied significantly beneath different geological units.The Yujiasi syncline is characterized by low velocity at depths of~3.0–4.0 km,corresponding to the stable sedimentary layer in the Sichuan Basin.The eastern and western branches of the Huayingshan fault belt generally exhibit high velocities in the NE-SW direction,with a few local low-velocity zones.The Luxian MS6.0 earthquake epicenter is located at the boundary between the high-and low-velocity zones,and the earthquake sequences expand eastward from the epicenter at depths of 3.0–5.0 km.Integrated with the velocity variations around the epicenter,distribution of aftershock sequences,and focal mechanism solution,it is speculated that the seismogenic mechanism of the main shock might be interpreted as the reactivation of pre-existing faults by hydraulic fracturing.

3D S-wave velocity structure of the Ningdu basin in Jiangxi province inferred from ambient noise tomography with dense array

The Ningdu basin,located in southern Jiangxi province of southwest China,is one of the Mesozoic basin groups which has exploration prospects for geothermal energy.A study on the detailed velocity structure of the Ningdu basin can provide important information for geothermal resource exploration.In this study,we deployed a dense seismic array in the Ningdu basin to investigate the 3D velocity structure and discuss implications for geothermal exploration and geological evolution.Based on the dense seismic array including 35 short-period(5 s-100 Hz)seismometers with an average interstation distance of~5 km,Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves were extracted from the continuous ambient noise data for surface wave tomographic inversion.Group velocity tomography was conducted and the 3D S-wave velocity structure was inverted by the neighborhood algorithm.The results revealed obvious low-velocity anomalies in the center of the basin,consistent with the low-velocity Cretaceous sedimentary rocks.The basement and basin-controlling fault can also be depicted by the S-wave velocity anomalies.The obvious seismic interface is about 2 km depth in the basin center and decreases to 700 m depth near the basin boundary,suggesting spatial thickness variations of the Cretaceous sediment.The fault features of the S-wave velocity profile coincide with the geological cognition of the western boundary basincontrolling fault,which may provide possible upwelling channels for geothermal fluid.This study suggests that seismic tomography with a dense array is an effective method and can play an important role in the detailed investigations of sedimentary basins.

Development and prospect of acoustic reflection imaging logging processing and interpretation method

Acoustic reflection imaging logging technology can detect and evaluate the development of reflection anomalies,such as fractures,caves and faults,within a range of tens of meters from the wellbore,greatly expanding the application scope of well logging technology.This article reviews the development history of the technology and focuses on introducing key methods,software,and on-site applications of acoustic reflection imaging logging technology.Based on the analyses of major challenges faced by existing technologies,and in conjunction with the practical production requirements of oilfields,the further development directions of acoustic reflection imaging logging are proposed.Following the current approach that utilizes the reflection coefficients,derived from the computation of acoustic slowness and density,to perform seismic inversion constrained by well logging,the next frontier is to directly establish the forward and inverse relationships between the downhole measured reflection waves and the surface seismic reflection waves.It is essential to advance research in imaging of fractures within shale reservoirs,the assessment of hydraulic fracturing effectiveness,the study of geosteering while drilling,and the innovation in instruments of acoustic reflection imaging logging technology.

Rock critical porosity inversion and S-wave velocity prediction

A critical porosity model is often used to calculate the dry frame elastic modulus by the rock critical porosity value which is affected by many factors. In practice it is hard for us to obtain an accurate critical porosity value and we can generally take only an empirical critical porosity value which often causes errors. In this paper, we propose a method to obtain the rock critical porosity value by inverting P-wave velocity and applying it to predict S-wave velocity. The applications of experiment and log data both show that the critical porosity inversion method can reduce the uncertainty resulting from using an empirical value in the past and provide the accurate critical porosity value for predicting S-wave velocity which significantly improves the prediction accuracy.

Real-time arrival picking of rock microfracture signals based on convolutional-recurrent neural network and its engineering application

Accurately picking P-and S-wave arrivals of microseismic(MS)signals in real-time directly influences the early warning of rock mass failure.A common contradiction between accuracy and computation exists in the current arrival picking methods.Thus,a real-time arrival picking method of MS signals is constructed based on a convolutional-recurrent neural network(CRNN).This method fully utilizes the advantages of convolutional layers and gated recurrent units(GRU)in extracting short-and long-term features,in order to create a precise and lightweight arrival picking structure.Then,the synthetic signals with field noises are used to evaluate the hyperparameters of the CRNN model and obtain an optimal CRNN model.The actual operation on various devices indicates that compared with the U-Net method,the CRNN method achieves faster arrival picking with less performance consumption.An application of large underground caverns in the Yebatan hydropower station(YBT)project shows that compared with the short-term average/long-term average(STA/LTA),Akaike information criterion(AIC)and U-Net methods,the CRNN method has the highest accuracy within four sampling points,which is 87.44%for P-wave and 91.29%for S-wave,respectively.The sum of mean absolute errors(MAESUM)of the CRNN method is 4.22 sampling points,which is lower than that of the other methods.Among the four methods,the MS sources location calculated based on the CRNN method shows the best consistency with the actual failure,which occurs at the junction of the shaft and the second gallery.Thus,the proposed method can pick up P-and S-arrival accurately and rapidly,providing a reference for rock failure analysis and evaluation in engineering applications.

Tomographic inversion of OBS converted shear waves:case study of profile EW6 in the Dongsha area

Studies of converted S-wave data recorded on the ocean bottom seismometer(OBS)allow for the estimation of crustal S-wave velocity,from which is further derived the Vp/Vs ratio to constrain the crustal lithology and geophysical properties.Constructing a precise S-wave velocity model is important for deep structural research,and inversion of converted S-waves provides a potential solution.However,the inversion of the converted S-wave remains a weakness because of the complexity of the seismic ray path and the inconsistent conversion interface.In this study,we introduced two travel time correction methods for the S-wave velocity inversion and imaged different S-wave velocity structures in accordance with the corresponding corrected S-wave phases using seismic data of profile EW6 in the northeastern South China Sea(SCS).The two inversion models show a similar trend in velocities,and the velocity difference is<0.15 km/s(mostly in the range of 0–0.1 km/s),indicating the accuracy of the two travel time correction methods and the reliability of the inversion results.According to simulations of seismic ray tracing based on different models,the velocity of sediments is the primary influencing factor in ray tracing for S-wave phases.If the sedimentary layer has high velocities,the near offset crustal S-wave refractions cannot be traced.In contrast,the ray tracing of Moho S-wave reflections was not significantly impacted by the velocity of the sediments.The two travel time correction methods have their own advantages,and the application of different approaches is based on additional requirements.These works provide an important reference for future improvements in converted S-wave research.

Seismogenic model of the 2023 M_(W)5.5 Pingyuan earthquake in North China Plain and its tectonic implications

The 6 August 2023 M_(W)5.5 Pingyuan earthquake is the largest earthquake in the central North China Plain(NCP)over the past two decades.Due to the thick sedimentary cover,no corresponding active faults have been reported yet in the epicenter area.Thus,this earthquake presents a unique opportunity to delve into the buried active faults beneath the NCP.By integrating strong ground motion records,high-precision aftershock sequence relocation,and focal mechanism solutions,we gain insights into the seismotectonics of the Pingyuan earthquake.The aftershocks are clustered at depths ranging from 15 to 20 km and delineate a NE-SW trend,consistent with the distribution of ground motion records.A NE-SW nodal plane(226°)of the focal mechanism solutions is also derived from regional waveform inversion,suggesting that the mainshock was dominated by strike-slip motion with minor normal faulting component.Integrating regional geological data,we propose that an unrecognized fault between the NE-SW trending Gaotang and Lingxian-Yangxin faults is the seismogenic fault of this event.Based on the S-wave velocity structure beneath the NCP,this fault probably extends into the lower crust with a high angle.Considering the tectonic regime and stress state,we speculate that the interplay of shear strain between the Amurian and South China blocks and the hot upwelling magma from the subducted paleo Pacific flat slab significantly contributed to the generation of the Pingyuan earthquake.

Characteristics of S-wave Envelope Broadening in the Changbaishan Tianchi Volcano

High-frequency S-wave seismogram envelopes of microearthquakes broaden with increasing travel distance,a phenomenon known as S-wave envelope broadening. Multiple forward scattering and diffraction for the random inhomogeneities along the seismic ray path are the main causes of S-wave envelope broadening,so the phenomenon of S-wave envelope broadening is used to study the inhomogeneity of the medium. The peak delay time of an S-wave,which is defined as the time lag from the direct S-wave onset to the maximum amplitude arrival of its envelope,is accepted to quantify S-wave envelope broadening. 204 small earthquake records in Changbaishan Tianchi volcano were analyzed by the S-wave envelope broadening algorithm. The results show that S-wave envelope broadening in the Changbaishan Tianchi volcano is obvious,and that the peak delay time of S-wave has a positive correlation with the hypocenter distance and frequency of the S-wave. The relationships between the S-wave peak delay time and the hypocenter distance for different frequency bands were obtained using the statistics method. The results are beneficial to the understanding of the S-wave envelope broadening phenomena and the quantitative research on the inhomogeneities of the crust medium in the Changbaishan Tianchi volcano region.

The bound weighted average method(BWAM)for predicting S-wave velocity

The shear-wave velocity is a very important parameter in oil and gas seismic exploration, and vital in prestack elastic-parameters inversion and seismic attribute analysis. However, sheafing-velocity logging is seldom carried out because it is expensive. This paper presents a simple method for predicting S-wave velocity which covers the basic factors that influence seismic wave propagation velocity in rocks. The elastic modulus of a rock is expressed here as a weighted arithmetic average between Voigt and Reuss bounds, where the weighting factor, w, is a measurement of the geometric details of the pore space and mineral grains. The S-wave velocity can be estimated from w, which is derived from the P-wave modulus. The method is applied to process well-logging data for a carbonate reservoir in Sichuan Basin, and shows the predicted S-wave velocities agree well with the measured S-wave velocities.

Study of S-wave ray elastic impedance for identifying lithology and fluid

In this paper, we derive an approximation of the SS-wave reflection coefficient and the expression of S-wave ray elastic impedance （SREI） in terms of the ray parameter. The SREI can be expressed by the S-wave incidence angle or P-wave reflection angle, referred to as SREIS and SREIP, respectively. Our study using elastic models derived from real log measurements shows that SREIP has better capability for lithology and fluid discrimination than SREIS and conventional S-wave elastic impedance （SEI）. We evaluate the SREIP feasibility using 25 groups of samples from Castagna and Smith （1994）. Each sample group is constructed by using shale, brine-sand, and gas-sand. Theoretical evaluation also indicates that SRE1P at large incident angles is more sensitive to fluid than conventional fluid indicators. Real seismic data application also shows that SRE1P at large angles calculated using P-wave and S-wave impedance can efficiently characterize tight gas-sand.

Crustal S-wave velocity structure across the northeastern South China Sea continental margin: implications for lithology and mantle exhumation

The northeastern margin of the South China Sea (SCS), developed from continental rifting and breakup, is usually thought of as a non-volcanic margin. However, post-spreading volcanism is massive and lower crustal high-velocity anomalies are widespread, which complicate the nature of the margin here. To better understand crustal seismic velocities, lithology, and geophysical properties, we present an S-wave velocity (VS) model and a VP/VS model for the northeastern margin by using an existing P-wave velocity (VP) model as the starting model for 2-D kinematic S-wave forward ray tracing. The Mesozoic sedimentary sequence has lower VP/VS ratios than the Cenozoic sequence;in between is a main interface of P-S conversion. Two isolated high-velocity zones (HVZ) are found in the lower crust of the continental slope, showing S-wave velocities of 4.0–4.2 km/s and VP/VS ratios of 1.73–1.78. These values indicate a mafic composition, most likely of amphibolite facies. Also, a VP/VS versus VP plot indicates a magnesium-rich gabbro facies from post-spreading mantle melting at temperatures higher than normal. A third high-velocity zone (VP : 7.0–7.8 km/s;VP/VS: 1.85–1.96), 70-km wide and 4-km thick in the continent-ocean transition zone, is most likely to be a consequence of serpentinization of upwelled upper mantle. Seismic velocity structures and also gravity anomalies indicate that mantle upwelling/ serpentinization could be the most severe in the northeasternmost continent-ocean boundary of the SCS. Empirical relationships between seismic velocity and degree of serpentinization suggest that serpentinite content decreases with depth, from 43% in the lower crust to 37% into the mantle.

Estimation of Shallow S-Wave Velocity Structure of Two Practical Sites from Microtremors Array Observation in Tangshan Area

Microtremors array observation for estimating S-wave velocity structure from phase velocities of Rayleigh and Love wave on two practical sites in Tangshan area by a China-US joint group are researched.The phase velocities of Rayleigh wave are estimated from vertical component records and those of Love wave are estimated from three-component records of microtremors array using modified spatial auto-correlation method.Haskell matrix method is used in calculating Rayleigh and Love wave phase velocities,and the shallow S-wave velocity structure of two practical sites are estimated by means of a hybrid approach of Genetic Algorithm and Simplex.The results are compared with the PS logging data of the two sites,showing it is feasible to estimate the shallow S-wave velocity structure of practical site from the observation of microtremor array.

An evaluation of numerical approaches for S-wave component simulation in rock blasting

The shear wave(S-wave) component of the total blast vibration always plays an important role in damage to rock or adjacent structures.Numerical approach has been considered as an economical and effective tool in predicting blast vibration.However,S-wave has not yet attracted enough attention in previous numerical simulations.In this paper,three typical numerical models,i.e.the continuum-based elastic model,the continuum-based damage model,and the coupled smooth particle hydrodynamics(SPH)-finite element method(FEM) model,were first introduced and developed to simulate the blasting of a single cylindrical charge.Then,the numerical results from different models were evaluated based on a review on the generation mechanisms of S-wave during blasting.Finally,some suggestions on the selection of numerical approaches for simulating generation of the blast-induced S-wave were put forward.Results indicate that different numerical models produce different results of S-wave.The coupled numerical model was the best,for its outstanding capacity in producing S-wave component.It is suggested that the model that can describe the cracking,sliding or heaving of rock mass,and the movement of fragments near the borehole should be selected preferentially,and priority should be given to the material constitutive law that could record the nonlinear mechanical behavior of rock mass near the borehole.