Multi-environment seismic ambient noise imagery in Ireland

 

PhD Candidate: Giuseppe Maggio

Supervisor: Professor Chris Bean (DIAS), Dr Ivan Lokmer

Funded by: Science Foundation Ireland, iCRAG

Abstract:

Seismic ambient noise has been used for several decades for shallow crustal imagery. However, seismic imagery utilising noise has been revolutionised with the introduction of noise interferometry. The cross-correlation of the noise field at two seismic stations produces correlograms that can yield approximate Green’s function. These correlograms are usually rich in surface waves and can be processed and analysed in the same way as active seismic sources, providing valuable information on the Earth’s interior that can be used for several purposes, including subsurface imaging and time-lapse monitoring.

This thesis investigates the use of seismic ambient noise methods to image the shallow subsurface in a variety of settings to characterise geological structures. Three study areas included an underground mine (Boliden Tara Mines), the heavily urbanised Dublin city and along railway tracks located on the outskirts of Dublin. The work in the city represents the first seismic images beneath this urbanised area.