Seismic anisotropy and upper mantle dynamics in Alaska:A review of shear wave splitting analyses

Shear wave splitting(SWS)is regarded as the most effective geophysical method to delineate mantle flow fields by detecting seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the earth's upper mantle,especially in tectonically active regions such as subduction zones.The Aleutian-Alaska subduction zone has a convergence rate of approximately 50 mm/yr,with a trench length reaching nearly 2800 km.Such a long subduction zone has led to intensive continental deformation and numerous strong earthquakes in southern and central Alaska,while northern Alaska is relatively inactive.The sharp contrast makes Alaska a favorable locale to investigate the impact of subduction on mantle dynamics.Moreover,the uniqueness of this subduction zone,including the unusual subducting type,varying slab geometry,and atypical magmatic activity and composition,has intrigued the curiosity of many geoscientists.To identify different sources of seismic anisotropy beneath the Alaska region and probe the influence of a geometrically varying subducting slab on mantle dynamics,extensive SWS analyses have been conducted in the past decades.However,the insufficient station and azimuthal coverage,especially in early studies,not only led to some conflicting results but also strongly limited the in-depth investigation of layered anisotropy and the estimation of anisotropy depth.With the completion of the Transportable Array project in Alaska,recent studies have revealed more detailed mantle structures and characteristics based on the dense station coverage and newly collected massive seismic data.In this study,we review significant regional-and continental-scale SWS studies in the Alaska region and conclude the mantle flow fields therein,to understand how a geometrically varying subducting slab alters the regional mantle dynamics.The summarized mantle flow mechanisms are believed to be conducive to the understanding of seismic anisotropy patterns in other subduction zones with a complicated tectonic setting.

Major methods of seismic anisotropy

Seismic anisotropy reveals that seismic wave velocity, amplitude, and other physical properties show variations in different directions, which can be divided into lattice-preferred orientation(LPO) and shape-preferred orientation(SPO) according to its physical mechanisms. The main methods for studying seismic anisotropy include shearwave splitting analysis, P-wave travel time inversion and surface-wave tomography, etc. There are some differences and correlations among these methods. Seismic anisotropy is an important way to reveal the dynamic processes of crust-mantle evolution, and it is significant for monitoring crustal stress changes and improve seismic exploration studies. With the help of long-term observation, the application of machine learning techniques and combining inversion based on multiple phases would become potential developments in seismic anisotropy studies. This may improve the understanding of complex seismic anisotropic models, such as multiple layers anisotropy with an oblique axis of symmetry.

Brittleness index and seismic rock physics model for anisotropic tight-oil sandstone reservoirs

Brittleness analysis becomes important when looking for sweet spots in tightoil sandstone reservoirs. Hence, appropriate indices are required as accurate brittleness evaluation criteria. We construct a seismic rock physics model for tight-oil sandstone reservoirs with vertical fractures. Because of the complexities in lithology and pore structure and the anisotropic characteristics of tight-oil sandstone reservoirs, the proposed model is based on the solid components, pore connectivity, pore type, and fractures to better describe the sandstone reservoir microstructure. Using the model, we analyze the brittleness sensitivity of the elastic parameters in an anisotropic medium and establish a new brittleness index. We show the applicability of the proposed brittleness index for tight-oil sandstone reservoirs by considering the brittleness sensitivity, the rock physics response characteristics, and cross-plots. Compared with conventional brittleness indexes, the new brittleness index has high brittleness sensitivity and it is the highest in oil-bearing brittle zones with relatively high porosity. The results also suggest that the new brittleness index is much more sensitive to elastic properties variations, and thus can presumably better predict the brittleness characteristics of sweet spots in tight-oil sandstone reservoirs.

Seismic anisotropy beneath the Chinese mainland

We investigated the upper mantle anisotropy beneath China by applying teleseismic shear wave splitting measurements at 119 seismic stations from CDSN and GSN//RIS networks in China. The splitting observations are characterized by apparent diversity of anisotropy pattern in adjacent tectonic domains, including the Tianshan orogenic belt, Tibetan plateau, the Yangtze craton, the North China craton and northeastern region. In western China （Tianshan orogenic belt and Tibetan plateau）, fast polarization directions of split SKS waves coincide strikingly well with the dominating trend of deformational crustal features and delay times range from 0.5 s to 1.6 s. While in eastern China, seismic anisotropy deduced from shear wave splitting reveals a homogeneous NW-SE trending structure, almost perpendicular to the strike of large-scale surface structures. The observed delay times of 1.5 s to more than 2 s favor consistent mantle flow over large mantle thicknesses Based upon the straightforward relationships between seismic anisotropy and the development of lattice preferred orientation of mineral in upper mantle rocks, we interpret the splitting results in terms of tectonic fabric within the upper mantle. Since the lithosphere is less than 100 km thick beneath eastern China and the observed fast directions are subparallel to the trend of the absolute plate motion （APM） of Eurasian plate, we propose that the asthenosphere may mainly contribute to the anisotropic effects beneath eastern China. However, the upper mantle anisotropy beneath western China may have developed more recently in the subcrustal lithosphere because of rather small delay times and thick lithosphere. We also use the opportunity of the dense geodetic measurements available in China to discuss the coupling between the crust and mantle. In the Eura- sia-fixed reference frame, GPS and shear wave splitting both depict a similar trend beneath eastern China, suggesting a lithospheric block ＂escaping＂ toward the east that could orient olivine [001 ] axis in the upper mantle. There is a strong cou- pling between the crust and the mantle in eastern China. A different behavior is observed in western China. The GPS vectors trend NS-NE in Tibet and NW in Tianshan, close to the regional compression direction, whereas the fast directions trend EW in Tibet and NE in Tianshan, suggesting a tectonic regime close to a mode of axial shortening, generating the development of EW-trending foliation in Tibet and NE-trending foliation in Tianshan at depth. The crust and mantle deform independently in western China.

Fluid identification and effective fracture prediction based on frequency-dependent AVOAz inversion for fractured reservoirs

Fluid and effective fracture identification in reservoirs is a crucial part of reservoir prediction.The frequency-dependent AVO inversion algorithms have proven to be effective for identifying fluid through its dispersion property.However,the conventional frequency-dependent AVO inversion algorithms based on Smith&Gidlow and Aki&Richards approximations do not consider the acquisition azimuth of seismic data and neglect the effect of seismic anisotropic dispersion in the actual medium.The aligned fractures in the subsurface medium induce anisotropy.The seismic anisotropy should be considered while accounting for the seismic dispersion properties through fluid-saturated fractured reservoirs.Anisotropy in such reservoirs is frequency-related due to wave-induced fluid-flow(WIFF)between interconnected fractures and pores.It can be used to identify fluid and effective fractures(fluid-saturated)by using azimuthal seismic data via anisotropic dispersion properties.In this paper,based on Rüger’s equation,we derived an analytical expression in the frequency domain for the frequencydependent AVOAz inversion in terms of fracture orientation,dispersion gradient of isotropic background rock,anisotropic dispersion gradient,and the dispersion at a normal incident angle.The frequency-dependent AVOAz equation utilizes azimuthal seismic data and considers the effect of both isotropic and anisotropic dispersion.Reassigned Gabor Transform(RGT)is used to achieve highresolution frequency division data.We then propose the frequency-dependent AVOAz inversion method to identify fluid and characterize effective fractures in fractured porous reservoirs.Through application to high-qualified seismic data of dolomite and carbonate reservoirs,the results show that the method is useful for identifying fluid and effective fractures in fluid-saturated fractured rocks.

Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo inversion for anisotropy of PP-and PS-wave in weakly anisotropic and heterogeneous media

A single set of vertically aligned cracks embedded in a purely isotropic background may be con- sidered as a long-wavelength effective transversely iso- tropy （HTI） medium with a horizontal symmetry axis. The crack-induced HTI anisotropy can be characterized by the weakly anisotropic parameters introduced by Thomsen. The seismic scattering theory can be utilized for the inversion for the anisotropic parameters in weakly aniso- tropic and heterogeneous HTI media. Based on the seismic scattering theory, we first derived the linearized PP- and PS-wave reflection coefficients in terms of P- and S-wave impedances, density as well as three anisotropic parameters in HTI media. Then, we proposed a novel Bayesian Mar- kov chain Monte Carlo inversion method of PP- and PS- wave for six elastic and anisotropic parameters directly. Tests on synthetic azimuthal seismic data contaminated by random errors demonstrated that this method appears more accurate, anti-noise and stable owing to the usage of the constrained PS-wave compared with the standards inver- sion scheme taking only the PP-wave into account.

Seismic anisotropy of the crust in Yunnan,China:Polarizations of fast shear-waves

Using seismic data recorded by Yunnan Telemetry Seismic Network from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003, the dominant polarization directions of fast shear-waves are obtained at 10 digital seismic stations by SAM technique, a systematic analysis method on shear-wave splitting, in this study. The results show that dominant directions of polarizations of fast shear-waves at most stations are mainly at nearly N-S or NNW direction in Yunnan. The dominant polarization directions of fast shear-waves at stations located on the active faults are consistent with the strike of active faults, directions of regional principal compressive strains measured from GPS data, and basically consistent with regional principal compressive stress. Only a few of stations.show complicated polarization pattern of fast shear-waves, or are not consistent with the strike of active faults and the directions of principal GPS compressive strains, which are always located at junction of several faults. The result reflects complicated fault distribution and stress field. The dominant polarization direction of fast shear-wave indicates the direction of the in-situ maximum principal compressive stress is controlled by multiple tectonic aspects such as the regional stress field and faults.

Teleseismic waves reveal anisotropic poroelastic response of wastewater disposal reservoir

Connecting earthquake nucleation in basement rock to fluid injection in basal,sedimentary reservoirs,depends heavily on choices related to the poroelastic properties of the fluid-rock system,thermo-chemical effects notwithstanding.Direct constraints on these parameters outside of laboratory settings are rare,and it is commonly assumed that the rock layers are isotropic.With the Arbuckle wastewater disposal reservoir in Osage County,Oklahoma,high-frequency formation pressure changes and collocated broadband ground velocities measured during the passing of large teleseismic waves show a poroelastic response of the reservoir that is both azimuthally variable and anisotropic;this includes evidence of static shifts in pressure that presumably relate to changes in local permeability.The azimuthal dependence in both the static response and shear coupling appears related to tectonic stress and strain indicators such as the orientations of the maximum horizontal stress and faults and fractures.Using dynamic strains from a nearby borehole strainmeter,we show that the ratio of shear to volumetric strain coupling is~0.41 which implies a mean Skempton's coefficient of A=0.24 over the plausible range of the undrained Poisson's ratio.Since these observations are made at relatively low confining pressure and differential stress,we suggest that the hydraulically conductive fracture network is a primary control on the coupling between pore pressure diffusion and elastic stresses in response to natural or anthropogenic sources.

Preliminary seismic anisotropy in the upper crust of the south segment of Xiaojiang faults and its tectonic implications

The Xiaojiang faults,striking north-tosouth(NS),and the Honghe faults,striking north-to-west(NW),are first-order block boundaries that intersect to form a concentrated stress zone at an acute angle in the southern part of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block(SYB).It is also a crucial zone for material escaping from the Tibetan Plateau(TP)due to the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.In December 2017,the Institute of Earthquake Forecasting of the China Earthquake Administration(CEA)deployed a linear temporary seismic broadband array,the Honghe-Xiaojiang temporary Seismic Array(HX Array),across first-order block boundaries in the southern SYB.By using the waveform data of small earthquakes recorded by stations in the HX Array across Xiaojiang faults from 2017 to 2019,and by permanent seismic stations of the China National Earthquake Networks from 2012 to 2019,this paper adopts the systematic analysis method of shear-wave splitting(SWS),SAM method,to obtain preliminary results for seismic anisotropy in the upper crust.The study area can be divided into two subzones according to the spatial distribution of the directions of polarization of the fast shear-wave(PFS)at the stations:the northern zone(zone A,where the HX Array is located)and the southern zone(zone B,to the south of the HX Array).The results show that the directions of the PFS at stations in zone A were highly consistent,dominant in the NE direction,correlated with the in-situ principal compressive stress,and were seemingly unaffected by the Xiaojiang faults.The directions of the PFS as recorded at stations in zone B were more complicated,and were dominant in the NS direction parallel to that of the regional principal compressive stress.This suggests the joint influence of complex tectonics and regional stress in this narrow wedge area.By referring to the azimuthal anisotropy derived from seismic ambient noise in the southeast margin of the TP,the NS direction of the PFS in the middle and lower crust,and its EW direction in the upper mantle,this paper concludes that azimuthal anisotropy in the upper crust differed from that in the lower crust in the south segment of Xiaojiang faults,at least beneath the observation area,and azimuthal anisotropy in the crust was different from that in the upper mantle.The results support the pattern of deformation of ductile flow in the lower crust,and the decoupling between the upper and lower crusts as well as that between the crust and the mantle in the study area.The crustal directions of the PFS appeared to be independent of the Xiaojiang faults,suggesting that the influence of the South China block on the SYB passed through the Xiaojiang faults to the Yimen region.The results of this study indicate that anisotropic studies based on data on the dense temporary seismic array can yield clearer tectonic information,and reveal the complex spatial distribution of stress and deformation in the upper crust of the south segment of Xiaojiang faults.

Reservoir stress path and induced seismic anisotropy： results from linking coupled fluid-flow/geomechanical simulation with seismic modelling

We present a workflow linking coupled fluid-flow and geomechanical simulation with seismic modelling to predict seismic anisotropy induced by non-hydrostatic stress changes. We generate seismic models from coupled simulations to examine the relationship between reservoir geometry, stress path and seismic anisotropy. The results indicate that geometry influences the evolution of stress,which leads to stress-induced seismic anisotropy. Although stress anisotropy is high for the small reservoir, the effect of stress arching and the ability of the side-burden to support the excess load limit the overall change in effective stress and hence seismic anisotropy. For the extensive reservoir, stress anisotropy and induced seismic anisotropy are high. The extensive and elongate reservoirs experience significant compaction, where the inefficiency of the developed stress arching in the side-burden cannot support the excess load.The elongate reservoir displays significant stress asymmetry,with seismic anisotropy developing predominantly along the long-edge of the reservoir. We show that the link betweenstress path parameters and seismic anisotropy is complex,where the anisotropic symmetry is controlled not only by model geometry but also the nonlinear rock physics model used. Nevertheless, a workflow has been developed to model seismic anisotropy induced by non-hydrostatic stress changes, allowing field observations of anisotropy to be linked with geomechanical models.

Seismic Signal and Data Analysis of Rock Media with Vertical Anisotropy

This paper is concerned with anisotropic effects on seismic data and signal analysis for transversely isotropic rock media with vertical anisotropy. It is understood that these effects are significant in many practical applications, e.g. earthquake forecasting, materials exploration inside the Earth’s crust, as well as various practical works in oil industry. Under the framework of the most accepted anisotropic media model (i.e. VTI media, transverse isotropy with a vertical axis symmetry), with applications of a set of available anisotropic rock parameters for sandstone and shale, we have performed numerical calculations of the anisotropic effects. We show that for rocks with strong anisotropy, the induced relative depth error can be significantly large. Nevertheless, with an improved understanding of the seismic-signal propagation and proper data processing, the error can be reduced, which in turn may enhance the probability of forecasting accurately the various wave propagations inside the Earth’s crust, e.g. correctly forecasting the incoming earthquakes from the center of the Earth.

GPU-acceleration 3D rotated-staggered-grid solutions to microseismic anisotropic wave equation with moment tensor implementation

To improve the accuracy of microseismic inversion,seismic anisotropy and moment tensor source should be carefully considered in the forward modelling stage.In this study,3D microseismic anisotropy wave forward modelling with a moment tensor source was proposed.The modelling was carried out based on a rotated-staggered-grid(RSG)scheme.In contrast to staggered-grids,the RSG scheme defines the velocity components and densities at the same grid,as do the stress components and elastic parameters.Therefore,the elastic moduli do not need to be interpolated.In addition,the detailed formulation and implementation of moment-tensor source loaded on the RSG was presented by equating the source to the stress increments.Meanwhile,the RSG-based 3D wave equation forward modelling was performed in parallel using compute unified device architecture(CUDA)programming on a graphics processing unit(GPU)to improve its efficiency.Numerical simulations including homogeneous and anisotropic models were carried out using the method proposed in this paper,and compared with other methods to prove the reliability of this method.Furthermore,the high efficiency of the proposed approach was evaluated.The results show that the computational efficiency of proposed method can be improved by about two orders of magnitude compared with traditional central processing unit(CPU)computing methods.It could not only help the analysis of microseismic full wavefield records,but also provide support for passive source inversion,including location and focal mechanism inversion,and velocities inversion.

Corrigendum to “Research progress on layered seismic anisotropy - A review”. Earthquake Research Advances Volume 1 Issue 1 (2021) 100005

The authors regret missing out the inclusion of acknowledgement section in the article.The below sentence has been added to the article.

Lattice-Preferred orientations of olivine in subducting oceanic lithosphere derived from the observed seismic anisotropies in double seismic zones

Subduction zones can generally be classified into Mariana type and Chilean type depending on plate ages, plate thicknesses, subduction angles, back-arc deformation patterns, etc. The double seismic zones （DSZs） in sub- duction zones are mainly divided into type I and type II which, respectively, correspond to the Mariana type and Chilean type in most cases. Seismic anisotropy is an important parameter characterizing the geophysical fea- tures of the lithosphere, including the subduction zones, and can be described by the two parameters of delay time ~t and fast wave polarization direction ~b. We totally col- lected 524 seismic anisotropy data records from 24 DSZs and analyzed the statistical correlations between seismic anisotropy and the related physical parameters of DSZs. Our statistical analysis demonstrated that the fast wave polarization directions are parallel to the trench strike with no more than 30~ for most type I DSZs, while being nearlyperpendicular to the trench strike for type II DSZs. We also calculated roughly linear correlations that the delay time 6t increases with dip angles but decreases with subduction rates. A linear equation was summarized to describe the strong correlation between DSZ＇s subduction angle DSZ and seismic anisotropy in subduction zones. These results suggest that the anisotropic structure of the subducting lithosphere can be described as a possible equivalent crystal similar to the olivine crystal with three mutually orthogonal polarization axes, of which the longest and the second axes are nearly along the trench-perpendicular and trench-parallel directions, respectively.

Influence of fabric anisotropy on seismic responses of foundations

Earthquakes, as one of the well-known natural disasters, are highly destructive and unpredictable.Foundation failure due to liquefaction induced by earthquakes can cause casualties as well as significantdamage to the building itself. Fabric anisotropy of soil grains is considered to be an important factor indynamic soil response based on previous researches and laboratory tests. However, the limited availabilityof real physical data makes it less persuasive. In this study, a shake table installed on ageotechnical centrifuge is used to provide the designed seismic motions, and therefore, to simulate therealistic earthquake motion to foundations. Important parameters in the responses such as acceleration,excess pore pressure and deformation are evaluated to investigate the influence. Implications for designare also discussed. 2015 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recognition of rock anisotropy using integrated seismic approach-A case in Strzegom and Podlesna,Poland

This paper presents the integration of seismic refraction and multichannel analysis of surface wave(MASW)measurements to investigate the anisotropy of P-and S-wave velocities.Additionally,synthetic forward modelling is presented as a tool for supporting seismic anisotropy studies.The geophysical measurements of cracks allowed to recognise the fracturing of a granite rock mass in a Paleozoic granite quarry(Strzegom,Poland)and a dolomite rock mass in a Triassic dolomite quarry(Podlesna,Poland).Application of the forward modelling supports the interpretation of seismic methods,simplifying data processing and verifying the final results based on data from difficult seismic conditions.As a result of direct measurements,two crack systems were determined in granite rock mass:NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE,and two in dolomite rock mass:NNE-SSW and NW-SE.Furthermore,the numerical results show the relationship between the highest values of P-and S-wave velocities and separated crack systems which allowed an unequivocal interpretation of the direction of stress,resulting in the deformations.The obtained information is promising to be helpful in mining exploration for optimising excavation works.

Advances in the deep tectonics and seismic anisotropy of the Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault zone in the Sichuan-Yunnan Block,Southwestern China

The Sichuan-Yunnan Block(SYB)is located at the SE margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau(TP).Under the influence of the southeastward movement of material originated from the TP,intense crustal deformation,frequent seismic activity,and complex geological structures are observed in the SYB.The Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault(LXF)goes through the central part of the SYB,dividing it into two blocks from north to south,and forming an intersecting fault system with the surrounding faults.This paper firstly introduces the morphology and the nature of the LXF,the distribution of the regional surface displacements and the focal mechanisms,and then analyzes the medium deformation and the effects of faults.Moreover,according to the regional tectonics and geophysical patterns,the paper discusses the characteristics of the north-south blocks of the SYB and the abrupt change of deep structure along the LXF zone.Since seismic anisotropy is an essential property for detecting crustal stress,deep structures and dynamical mechanisms,this paper is dedicated to the advances in seismic anisotropy at different depths and different scales in the study area.There are noteworthy differences in the anisotropic features between the north part and the south part of the SYB,possibly associated with a clear boundary adjacent to the LXF.Such phenomenon suggests some close correlation between anisotropic zoning boundary and the LXF,although this boundary is not consistent with the LXF in strike.The results from the deformation of the crust and the upper mantle elucidate the distribution patterns of the crust-mantle coupling in the north part and the crustmantle decoupling in the south part,even though this conclusion needs to be further verified by more studies.Presently,the scientific understanding of the deep tectonics and the media deformation around the“generalized”LXF i.e.the LXF with the Jinpingshan fault on its eastern side,is still insufficient,and related equivocal topics deserve more in-depth studies.

Nonlinear anisotropic finite element analysis of liquefiable tunnel–sand–pile interaction under seismic excitation

Nonlinear time‐history analysis can be used to determine the liquefiable behaviors of the tunnel-sand-pile interaction(TSPI)model with the consideration of sand anisotropy.This study presents the nonlinear response of the TSPI model with the existence of liquefaction under seismic excitation.The analysis reveals that tunnel and pile behave as isotropic elements,while sand shows isotropic,orthotropic,and anisotropic characteristics.Three constitutive models including UBC3D‐PLM(two yield surfaces associated with the hardening rule),NGI‐ADP(yielding with associated plastic potential function),and a user‐specified constitutive model are adopted to evaluate the isotropic,orthotropic,and anisotropic behaviors of sand.On this basis,two finite element‐based codes(ETABS 18.1.1 and Plaxis 3D)are used to evaluate sand behaviors and responses.Responses of the tunnel,sand,pile,and excess pore pressure ratio are recorded in the interaction zone by varying the pile diameter,tunnel diameter,and tunnel-pile clearance.Compared with the orthotropic and isotropic conditions,lower variations of results are found in the anisotropic condition,except for the case of generation of excess pore pressure.In addition,the present reanalysis results are in agreement with previous analytical and case study results,which further indicates the effectiveness of the finite element‐based numerical codes.

Research progress on layered seismic anisotropy-A review

Seismic anisotropy is an effective feature to study the inner structure of the Earth.In complex tectonic area,the assumption of single-layer anisotropy is sometimes not well consistent with the observed data;thus,the assumption of multi-layered(i.e.stratified)anisotropy should be considered.At present,the main methods to study anisotropy include receiver functions,shear wave splitting from local and teleseismic events(SKS,SKKS,and PKS,hereafter collectively called XKS),P-and Pn wave travel time inversion,surface wave inversion from far-field earthquakes and ambient noise.Each of the above method has its own advantages and limitations.Thus,one or more of the above methods are often combined to characterize multi-layered anisotropy,of which the depth range of anisotropic layers are different.This paper reviews the research progress of multi-layered anisotropy for the purpose of providing a basis for future seismic anisotropy investigations.