Reliability analysis of in-situ stress measurement using circumferential velocity anisotropy

In-situ stress measurement for deep reservoir formation is difficult in terms of security, reliability and technique. Acoustic velocity anisotropy test is a basic method for stress measurement of rock cores, which is based on the distribution of acoustic velocity in different directions around rock cores. The heterogeneity of core samples, such as fractures and gravel contained, can also lead to wave velocity anisotropy. Therefore, the corresponding reliability evaluation method is established to exclude some other anisotropy factors caused by non-tectonic stresses. In this paper, the reliability of testing results is evaluated from three aspects, i.e. phase difference, anisotropy index and waveform, to remove the factors caused by non-tectonic stresses.

Elastic properties of CaCO3 high pressure phases from first principles

Elastic properties of three high pressure polymorphs of CaCO_3 are investigated based on first principles calculations.The calculations are conducted at 0 GPa–40 GPa for aragonite, 40 GPa–65 GPa for post-aragonite, and 65 GPa–150 GPa for the P2_1/c-h-CaCO_3 structure, respectively. By fitting the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state（EOS）, the values of bulk modulus K_0 and pressure derivative K~＇_0 are 66.09 GPa and 4.64 for aragonite, 81.93 GPa and 4.49 for post-aragonite, and 56.55 GPa and 5.40 for P2_1/c-h-CaCO_3, respectively, which are in good agreement with previous experimental and theoretical data. Elastic constants, wave velocities, and wave velocity anisotropies of the three highpressure CaCO_3 phases are obtained. Post-aragonite exhibits 25.90%–32.10% V_P anisotropy and 74.34%–104.30% V_S splitting anisotropy, and P2_1/c-h-CaCO_3 shows 22.30%–25.40% V_Panisotropy and 42.81%–48.00% V_S splitting anisotropy in the calculated pressure range. Compared with major minerals of the lower mantle, CaCO_3 high pressure polymorphs have low isotropic wave velocity and high wave velocity anisotropies. These results are important for understanding the deep carbon cycle and seismic wave velocity structure in the lower mantle.

Experimental study on dynamic elastic parameters of coal samples

Dynamic elastic parameters of coal are closely linked to crack characteristics and are lithology indicators in seismic exploration. This experimental study measured ultrasonic wave velocity of coal samples considering both parallel(90°) and perpendicular(0°) to bedding planes, and then calculated the dynamic elastic parameters(Edand ld) and their anisotropy values(AEdand Ald). The variations of Edand ld,as well as AEdand Aldwere analyzed under various confining stresses. The results show that: Firstly, a critical confining pressure exists, and significant variation in the parameters can be seen below this point and weak variation appears above it. Secondly, a positive correlation exists between Edand the square of P-wave velocity(VP2), and between AEdand the P-wave velocity anisotropy(AEP) as well; however, there is no clear correlation between ldand P-wave velocity(VP). Thirdly, according to the major controlling factors of anisotropy, the coal samples with different Edand ldas well as AEdand Aldcan be divided into two types: one is mainly controlled by bedding and cracks and the other one is mainly controlled by differences of mineral compositions in directions. Consequently, this study can provide theoretical basis for future research on the dynamic elastic parameters and anisotropy of coal.

Frequency-dependent rupture process,stress change,and seismogenic mechanism of the 25 April 2015 Nepal Gorkha M_w 7.8 earthquake

On 25 April 2015,an M_w 7.8 earthquake occurred on the Main Himalaya Thrust fault with a dip angle of^7° about77 km northwest of Kathmandu,Nepal.This Nepal Gorkha event is the largest one on the Himalayan thrust belt since 1950.Here we use the compressive sensing method in the frequency domain to track the seismic radiation and rupture process of this event using teleseismic P waves recorded by array stations in North America.We also compute the distribution of static shear stress changes on the fault plane from a coseismic slip model.Our results indicate a dominant east-southeastward unilateral rupture process from the epicenter with an average rupture speed of ~3 km s^(-1).Coseismic radiation of this earthquake shows clear frequency-dependent features.The lower frequency(0.05-0.3 Hz) radiation mainly originates from large coseismic slip regions with negative coseismic shear stress changes.In comparison,higher frequency(0.3-0.6 Hz) radiation appears to be from the down-dip part around the margin of large slip areas,which has been loaded and presents positive coseismic shear stress changes.We propose an asperity model to interpret this Nepal earthquake sequence and compare the frequency-dependent coseismic radiation with that in subduction zones.Such frequency-dependent radiation indicates the depth-varying frictional properties on the plate interface of the Nepal section in the main Himalaya thrust system,similar to previous findings in oceanic subduction zones.Our findings provide further evidence of the spatial correlation between changes of static stress status on the fault plane and the observed frequency-dependent coseismic radiation during large earthquakes.Our results show that the frequency-dependent coseismic radiation is not only found for megathrust earthquakes in the oceanic subduction environment,but also holds true for thrust events in the continental collision zone.