The Source and Observation System of Binchuan Earthquake Signal Transmitting Seismic Station and Its Preliminary Observation Results

This paper summarizes the basic situation of the Binchuan Transmitting Seismic Station and the geophysical observations of the area where it is located,with a focus on the constitution of the observation system of the transmitting seismic station,the excitation characteristics and propagation distance of signals excited by the airgun source in the reservoir and well. The paper also summarizes and discusses on the results of the observations and problems encountered since the Transmitting Seismic Station was built.Finally,this paper proposes the main research to be carried out on the basis of the project aims.

A seismic modeling analysis of wide and narrow 3D observation systems for channel sand bodies

The effect of the wide and narrow azimuth 3D observation systems on seismic imaging precision is becoming a hot area for studies of high precision 3D seismic acquisition methods in recent years. In this paper we utilize 3D physical seismic modeling experiments. A 3D channel sand body physical seismic model is constructed and two acquisition systems are designed with wide azimuth （16 lines） and narrow azimuth （8 lines） to model 3D seismic data acquisition and processing seismic work flows. From analysis of migrated time slice data with high quality and small size, we conclude that when the overlying layers are smooth and lateral velocities have little change, both wide and narrow azimuth observation systems in 3D acquisition can be used for obtaining high precision imaging and equivalent resolution of the channel sand body.

Monitoring seismicity in the southern Sichuan Basin using a machine learning workflow

Monitoring seismicity in real time provides significant benefits for timely earthquake warning and analyses.In this study,we propose an automatic workflow based on machine learning(ML)to monitor seismicity in the southern Sichuan Basin of China.This workflow includes coherent event detection,phase picking,and earthquake location using three-component data from a seismic network.By combining Phase Net,we develop an ML-based earthquake location model called Phase Loc,to conduct real-time monitoring of the local seismicity.The approach allows us to use synthetic samples covering the entire study area to train Phase Loc,addressing the problems of insufficient data samples,imbalanced data distribution,and unreliable labels when training with observed data.We apply the trained model to observed data recorded in the southern Sichuan Basin,China,between September 2018 and March 2019.The results show that the average differences in latitude,longitude,and depth are 5.7 km,6.1 km,and 2 km,respectively,compared to the reference catalog.Phase Loc combines all available phase information to make fast and reliable predictions,even if only a few phases are detected and picked.The proposed workflow may help real-time seismic monitoring in other regions as well.

A practical framework for performance-based reliability analysis of subway stations based on a faultestructure combined system

It is necessary to pay particular attention to the uncertainties that exist in an engineering problem to reduce the risk of seismic damage of infrastructures against natural hazards.Moreover,certain structural performance levels should be satisfied during strong earthquakes.However,these performance levels have been only well described for aboveground structures.This study investigates the main uncertainties involved in the performance-based seismic analysis of a multi-story subway station.More than 100 pulse-like and no pulse-like ground motions have been selected.In this regard,an effective framework is presented,based on a set of nonlinear static and dynamic analyses performed by OpenSees code.The probabilistic seismic demand models for computing the free-field shear strain of soil and racking ratio of structure are proposed.These models result in less variability compared with existing relations,and make it possible to evaluate a wider range of uncertainties through reliability analysis in Rtx software using the Monte Carlo sampling method.This work is performed for three different structural performance levels(denoted as PL1ePL3).It is demonstrated that the error terms related to the magnitude and location of earthquake excitations and also the corresponding attenuation relationships have been the most important parameters.Therefore,using a faultestructure model would be inevitable for the reliability analysis of subway stations.It is found that the higher performance level(i.e.PL3)has more sensitivity to random variables than the others.In this condition,the pulse-like ground motions have a major contribution to the vulnerability of subway stations.

Seismic performance of a rectangular subway station with earth retaining system

Much effort has been made in investigating the seismic response and failure mechanism of rectangular subway stations,however,the influence of earth retaining systems has generally been ignored in previous studies.This paper presents a numerical study on the seismic performance of a rectangular subway station with/without earth retaining systems by taking fender piles as the example,and aims to illustrate how the existence of fender piles affects seismic responses on subway stations.The loading conditions of subway stations and their surrounding soils prior to earthquakes are discussed.Next,seismic responses of subway stations with or without fender piles were simulated.Afterward,earthquake-induced deformations of stations and surrounding soils,as well as the internal forces and damage modes of the structural components,were systematically studied.Consequently,the seismic performance of the stations was affected by the existence of fender piles.In addition,earthquake intensity is illustrated.The study showed that deformation modes of surrounding soils and damage modes of stations were different with regard to the existence of fender piles.Meanwhile,earthquake intensity influencing the seismic performance of stations with or without fender piles were found to be opposite.

Intercomparison of the South Asian High in NCEP1, NCEP2, and ERA-40 Reanalyses and in Station Observations

The South Asian Highs (SAHs) at 100 hPa over China in the three reanalysis datasets NCEP1, NCEP2, and ERA-40 are evaluated by using station observation data. The results demonstrate a substantial discrepancy even between the reanalyses. First, the data of the three reanalyses generally underestimate the intensity of the SAH in the China domain. Second, there are interdecadal changes in the SAH, with highs in the 1960s and 1980s and lows in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s. This interdecadal variation of the SAH can be well depicted with NCEP1 data, but the high in the 1980s is missed by ERA-40. The NCEP2 corresponds well with NCEP 1 and captures the decreasing trend after 1979. Furthermore, the NCEP1 reanalysis overestimates the interdecadal changes of SAH, while ERA-40 underestimates the interdecadal changes. This work suggests that much caution should be exerted when the reanalysis datasets are adopted to study the interdecadal variability of SAH.

Comparative Analysis on Observation Data of the Transfer Station in Nanning National Weather Station

[Objective] The research aimed to analyze difference of the observation data by transfer station in Nanning National Weather Station. [Method] By using observation data (atmospheric pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and speed, precipitation, sunshine, etc.) from January to December in 2000 at old and new Nanning National Weather Station, difference of the each meteorological factor was contrasted. Main reason for difference of the each meteorological factor was analyzed from altitude, underlying surface property and station environment. [Result] Atmospheric pressure and temperature at new station were both lower than that at old station, while relative humidity and wind speed were both higher than that at old station. Rainfall and sunshine had big differences at new and old stations, but variation did not have rule. Main reasons for obvious difference of the meteorological factor were that altitude, observation environment, terrain and underlying surface property at new and old stations were different. Influences of the altitude and observation environment were especially significant. [Conclusion] The research provided basis for continuity and homogeneity correction of the data sequence at Nanning National Weather Station.

Investigation on the seismic response of nuclear power stations with a pile-raft foundation using centrifuge tests

Research to reliably predict the seismic response of nuclear power stations with a pile-raft foundation is needed to meet the high safety requirements of nuclear power stations.In this study,a scaled superstructure with a 4×3 pile-raft foundation,which is constructed in Shanxi kaolin clay,is modelled.Accordingly,the characteristics of seismic response for nuclear power stations with a pile-raft foundation are analyzed using dynamic centrifuge tests.In particular,multiple earthquake motions with different magnitudes and frequency properties are utilized to map the relationship between structural response and properties of earthquake motions.The results show that the seismic response of the soil,raft,and structure are significantly affected by the natural frequency and magnitude of the earthquake motion.The soil surface acceleration is lower than the raft acceleration.The results provide a reliable reference to better understand the seismic response of nuclear power stations.

Seismic performance of two-story subway station structures with different isolating systems

When the sliding bearing is fixed only at the top of the middle column of the underground structure,the cracks at the side end of the middle plate should be aggravated while the seismic damage of the mid-column should be alleviated.To enhance the seismic performance of the mid-plate,a new isolation design method has been mentioned while the elastic sliding bearings are set at the top of the mid-columns and between the side end of the mid-plate and the side wall at the same time.By establishing a nonlinear finite element analysis model for the static-dynamic coupling interaction system,the seismic response characteristics of the cast-in-place station structure without a sliding bearing have been analyzed and compared with those of the station structure with the sliding bearing fixed only at the top of the middle columns,and those of the station structure with sliding bearing be fixed between the mid-plate and the sidewall at the same time.The results show that the new isolation station structures suffer fewer earthquake damages at the mid-plate and mid-columns at the same time,which can improve the overall seismic performance of the subway station structure.

Intensive Observation of Reservoirinduced Seismicity and Preliminary Analysis on the Causes of Earthquakes in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area,Yangtze River

In accordance with the requirements of the National Key Technology R＆D Program of the 11th ＂Five-year Plan＂, a densified seismic network consisting of 26 seismic stations was established at the Three Gorges Reservoir area in the section of Hubei Province in March 2009 （21 short-period seismographs, 5 broadband digital seismographs）. From March to December, 2009, a total of 2,995 ML -0. 8 - 2. 9 earthquakes were detected during the trial impounding of the Three Gorges Reservoir （ water level rose from 145 m to 172.8m）. Using the double difference earthquake location algorithm, 2,837 earthquakes were precisely re-located. The results show that the pattern of small local earthquake swarms in the Three Gorges Reservoir area took on a linear distribution or mass-like cluster distribution, the mass-like clusters of events were generally within a distance of 5 km from waterfront, and the linear distribution of the earthquakes could be extended to a distance of 16 km away from the waterfront. In the Hubei section of the Three Gorges Reservoir, earthquakes were mainly concentrated in the northern end of the Xiannvshan and Jiuwanxi faults near the Xiangxihe River, and along the banks of the Yangtze River at the west of Xietan township and the Shenlongxi area on the northern bank in the Badong region, with focal depths less than 10km, and 4km in average. Earthquake frequency in the reservoir region had a positive correlation with reservoir water level fluctuations, indicating that the seismicity belongs to reservoir induced earthquakes. Along the Shenlong River in the reservoir area, earthquakes showed three linear distributions in the northern Badong county, and distributed according to Karst distribution. There are underground rivers in the carbonate strata. When the reservoir was impounded, water permeated into the underground rivers, thus inducing earthquakes. Earthquakes in the areas on the crossriver segment of Xiannvshan fault, the Jiuwanxi fault and at the areas west of Xietan, Shazhen and Xizhen, may be related to the softening of discontinuities, such as the Nukou fault, the Xiannvshan fault, or the bedding joints, which would lead to failure of rock masses, thus, inducing earthquakes. However, convincing conclusions about the triggering mechanism still need further study. Additionally, near the areas south of Wenhua and Yanglin of Zigui county and at Rangkou town east of Badong county, mininginduced earthquakes occurred at the mines nearby, and on the shores of the reservoir are some collapse earthquakes.

Intelligent Seismic-Acoustic System for Identifying the Location of the Areas of an Expected Earthquake

A brief overview of the state-of-the-art in the field of earthquake study and forecasting is presented in this paper. We analyze the principles of the methods of determining the coordinates of earthquake focuses by means of ground seismic stations. We demonstrate that those methods cannot be used in the system for monitoring of the beginning of the earthquake preparation process (in the network of RNM ASP stations). As we know, the earthquake preparation process is accompanied by spreading noisy seismic-acoustic signals. Theoretically, the system for monitoring of the beginning of the earthquake preparation process is based on the technologies for seismic-acoustic signal processing-Robust Noise Monitoring (RNM). Noise characteristics determined by RNM technologies indicate the beginning of anomalous seismic processes (ASP) and, consequently, the possibility of ASP monitoring. Considering that the seismic-acoustic signal can be represented as the sum of the useful signal and noise, we present the technologies for determining noise characteristics. It is demonstrated in the paper that a change in the estimate of the cross-correlation function between the useful signal and the noise, noise variance and the value of noise correlation determine the beginning of ASP. One RNM ASP station determines the beginning of ASP within a radius of about 500 km. Determining the location of an expected earthquake requires a network of RNM ASP stations. We analyze the results of noise technology-based monitoring of anomalous seismic processes performed from July 2010 to June 2015 on nine seismic-acoustic stations built at the head of 10 m, 200 m, 300 m and 1400 - 5000 m deep wells. Based on the results of the experimental data obtained in the period covering over three years, an intelligent system has been built, which allows for identifying the location of the zone of an earthquake, using the combinations of time of change in the estimate of the correlation function between the useful signal and the noise of the seismic-acoustic information received from different stations 10 - 20 hours before the earthquake. In the long term, the system can be used by seismologists as a tool for determining the location of the zone of an expected earthquake.

Application of GPS technology to build a mine-subsidence observation station

We propose the design of an observation station to establish a reliable datum for displacement and deformation analysis at the first working-face subsidence observation station of Liuzhuang Mine. The design considers various geologic and mining con-ditions. Having analyzed the aims of the joint survey and the comprehensive survey, we propose design principles, and work modes, for adopting GPS technology as the position measuring technique to be used in these two stages. Baseline vectors and spatial ad-justments of the GPS network were calculated after study of data processing and quality estimation methods. A coordinate system transformation and error estimates of the transformed GPS network data are discussed. The error estimates in all stages show that the GPS control network of the observation station has sufficient accuracy and is highly efficient. The network thus provides a reli-able datum for analyzing the laws of surface displacement and deformation induced by mining.

Concept Design,Modeling and Station-keeping Attitude Control of an Earth Observation Platform

The stratosphere airship provides a unique and promising platform for earth observation. Researches on the project design and control scheme for earth observation platforms are still rarely documented. Nonlinear dynamics, model uncertainties, and external disturbances contribute to the difficulty in maneuvering the stratosphere airship. A key technical challenge for the earth observation platform is station keeping, or the ability to remain fixed over a geo-location. This paper investigates the conceptual design, modeling and station-keeping attitude control of the near-space earth observation platform. A conceptual design of the earth observation platform is presented. The dynamics model of the platform is derived from the Newton-Euler formulation, and the station-keeping control system of the platform is formulated. The station-keeping attitude control approach for the platform is proposed. The multi-input multi-output nonlinear control system is decoupled into three single-input single-output linear subsystems via feedback linearization, the attitude controller design is carried out on the new linear systems using terminal sliding mode control, and the global stability of the closed-loop system is proven by using the Lyapunov theorem. The performance of the designed control system is simulated by using the variable step Runge-Kutta integrator. Simulation results show that the control system tracks the commanded attitude with an error of zero, which verify the effectiveness and robustness of the designed control system in the presence of parametric uncertainties. The near-space earth observation platform has several advantages over satellites, such as high resolution, fast to deploy, and convenient to retrieve, and the proposed control scheme provides an effective approach for station-keeping attitude control of the earth observation platform.

Effect of uneven noise source and/or station distribution on estimating the azimuth anisotropy of surface waves

With the development of the dense array,the surface wave velocity and azimuthal anisotropy under the array can be directly obtained by beamforming the noise cross-correlation functions(NCFs). However, the retrieval of the Green’s function by cross-correlating the seismic noise requires that the noise source has a uniform distribution. For the case with uneven noise source, the azimuthal dependence on the sources in the expression for the spatial coherence function, which corresponds to the NCF in the time domain,has the same form as the azimuthal dependence of the surface wave velocity in weakly anisotropic media. Therefore, the uneven noise source will affect the surface wave anisotropy extraction. In this study, three passive seismic methods, i.e.,beamforming, SPAC(spatial autocorrelation), and NCF, are compared to demonstrate that an uneven source distribution and uneven station distribution have equivalent effects on the outcome from each method. A beamforming method is proposed to directly extract the velocity and azimuthal anisotropy of surface waves. The effect of uneven noise source and/or station distribution on estimating the azimuth anisotropy of surface waves was investigated using data from the ChinArray Phase Ⅱ. A method for correcting the apparent anisotropy in beamforming results caused by an uneven station distribution is suggested.

Seismic activities before and after the impoundment of the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs in the lower Jinsha River

The lower Jinsha River basin is located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in Southwest China,a region with intense tectonic movements and frequent moderate to strong seismic activities.Cascade hydropower stations have been constructed along the lower Jinsha River since 2012.However,research on the effect of the impoundment of large-scale cascade reservoirs in a river basin on local seismic activities is currently lacking.Accurately identifying earthquake locations is essential for studying reservoir-induced earthquakes.Analyzing the spatiotemporal migration process of seismic activities based on complete and precise earthquake relocation is fundamental for determining the fluid diffusion coefficient,constructing fault models for reservoir areas,identifying earthquake types,exploring earthquake mechanisms,and evaluating seismic hazards.The seismicity pattern in the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas,where seismic activities had been weak for a long time,has changed with the successive impoundment of the two reservoirs,showing microseismic events and seismic clusters.We investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of seismic activities in the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas using the waveform cross-correlation-based double-difference relocation technique and the b-value analysis method.We discovered that seismic events after the impoundment of these two reservoirs exhibited different characteristics in different regions.The seismic activities at the Xiluodu dam quickly responded to the rising water level,with the seismic intensity decaying rapidly afterward.These events were concentrated in the limestone strata along both sides of the Jinsha River,with a shallow focal depth,generally within 5 km,and a high b-value of approximately 1.2.Such features are close to those of karst-type earthquakes.Microseismic activities frequent occur on the eastern bank of the Yongshan reservoir section downstream of the Xiluodu dam,with two parallel NW-trending earthquake strips visible after precise earthquake relocation.The M_(S)5.2 earthquake near Wuji town on August 17,2014,had prominent foreshocks and aftershocks distributed in a clear NW-trending 20-km-long strip,perpendicular to the riverbank.These seismic events had a low b-value of approximately 0.7.The orientation of the node plane revealed by the strike-slip focal mechanism of the mainshock is consistent with that of the strip formed by the foreshock-mainshock-aftershock sequence,indicating the existence of a NW-striking concealed fault.Seismic activities near the Yanjin-Mabian fault upstream of the Xiangjiaba reservoir area since 2013 were concentrated in a NW-trending strip,with several near EW-trending seismic clusters on its western side,and with the largest event having a magnitude of M_(L)3.7.So far,the impoundment of the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs has not triggered seismic activities on the large Jinyang-Ebian and Yanjin-Mabian faults nearby.

Statistics of Seismic Tremors with Harmonic Overtones Recorded at Syowa Station, Antarctica: October 2014-March 2015

During the period from October 2014 to March 2015, a total number of 82 seismic tremors and 66 ice-quakes were identified in both three-component short-period seismographs (HES) and broadband seismographs (STS-1) at Syowa Station (SYO), Antarctica. Statistics of the number of these tremors indicated that many tremors were likely to occur when large increases in temperature and/or wind speed during the period. This implied that the rapid increase in temperature enhanced a melting speed of cryosphere environment with generating seismic energy;the tremors were also excited by stormy conditions, associated with interactive resonance between sea-ices and oceanic swells. The characteristic tremors of harmonic overtones with strong amplitudes were explained by repetitive sources, suggesting inter-glacial asperities such as the collision of icebergs and fast sea-ice, calving of glaciers/ice-streams at the coastal environment of Antarctica. These high amplitude tremors occurred independently from other majority types of events, characterized by non-linear, small amplitude and weak signals at the stormy condition and rapid increase in temperature.

Effects of site conditions on earthquake ground motion and their applications in seismic design in loess region

The Loess Plateau is an earthquake prone region of China, where the effects of loess deposit on ground motion were discovered during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake(Ms8.0) and the 2013 Minxian-Zhangxian earthquake(Ms6.6). The field investigations, observations, and analyses indicated that large number of casualties and tremendous economic losses were caused not only by collapse and damage of houses with poor seismic performance, landslides, but also amplification effects of site conditions, topography and thickness of loess deposit, on ground motion. In this paper, we chose Dazhai Village and Majiagou Village as the typical loess site affected by the two earthquakes for intensity evaluation, borehole exploration, temporary strong motion array, micro tremor survey, and numerical analysis. The aim is to explore the relations between amplification factors and site conditions in terms of topography and thickness of loess deposit. We also developed site amplification factors of ground motion for engineering design consideration at loess sites. The results showed that the amplification effects are more predominant with increase in thickness of loess deposit and slope height. The amplification mayincrease seismic intensity by 1 degree, PGA and predominant period by 2 times, respectively.

Maintenance of Storage Batteries in Automatic Meteorological Observation Stations

Firstly, the definition, structure and working principles of storage batteries in automatic meteorological observation stations were stated simply, and then the daily maintenance of the storage batteries were introduced according to previous practical experience, finally typical faults of storage batteries were analyzed. Practical evidence shows that timely external maintenance and enough supply of electrolyte can greatly extend the lifespan of storage batteries.

The sudden ocean warming and its potential influences on earlyfrozen landfast ice in the Prydz Bay, East Antarctica

The ocean conditions beneath the ice cover play a key role in understanding the sea ice mass balance in the polar regions.An integrated high-frequency ice-ocean observation system,including Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter,Conductivity-Temperature-Depth Sensor,and Sea Ice Mass Balance Array(SIMBA),was deployed in the landfast ice region close to the Chinese Zhongshan Station in Antarctica.A sudden ocean warming of 0.14℃(p<0.01)was observed beneath early-frozen landfast ice,from(−1.60±0.03)℃during April 16-19 to(−1.46±0.07)℃during April 20-23,2021,which is the only significant warming event in the nearly 8-month records.The sudden ocean warming brought a double rise in oceanic heat flux,from(21.7±11.1)W/m^(2) during April 16-19 to(44.8±21.3)W/m^(2) during April 20-23,2021,which shifted the original growth phase at the ice bottom,leading to a 2 cm melting,as shown from SIMBA and borehole observations.Simultaneously,the slowdown of ice bottom freezing decreased salt rejection,and the daily trend of observed ocean salinity changed from+0.02 d^(-1) during April 16-19,2021 to+0.003 d^(-1) during April 20-23,2021.The potential reasons are increased air temperature due to the transit cyclones and the weakened vertical ocean mixing due to the tide phase transformation from semi-diurnal to diurnal.The high-frequency observations within the ice-ocean boundary layer enhance the comprehensive investigation of the ocean’s influence on ice evolution at a daily scale.

An envelope-based machine learning workflow for locating earthquakes in the southern Sichuan Basin

The development of machine learning technology enables more robust real-time earthquake monitoring through automated implementations. However, the application of machine learning to earthquake location problems faces challenges in regions with limited available training data. To address the issues of sparse event distribution and inaccurate ground truth in historical seismic datasets, we expand the training dataset by using a large number of synthetic envelopes that closely resemble real data and build an earthquake location model named ENVloc. We propose an envelope-based machine learning workflow for simultaneously determining earthquake location and origin time. The method eliminates the need for phase picking and avoids the accumulation of location errors resulting from inaccurate picking results. In practical application, ENVloc is applied to several data intercepted at different starting points. We take the starting point of the time window corresponding to the highest prediction probability value as the origin time and save the predicted result as the earthquake location. We apply ENVloc to observed data acquired in the southern Sichuan Basin, China, between September 2018 and March 2019. The results show that the average difference with the catalog in latitude, longitude, depth, and origin time is 0.02°,0.02°, 2 km, and 1.25 s, respectively. These suggest that our envelope-based method provides an efficient and robust way to locate earthquakes without phase picking, and can be used in earthquake monitoring in near-real time.