Seismic Noise Surveys in Geothermal Areas

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:886802

Iyer, H M

Some evidence suggests that high seismic noise levels are associated with geothermal systems. Clacy (1968) and Whiteford (1970) found that large seismic amplitudes, in the frequency range of 1-10 Hz, occur in the vicinity of known geothermal areas in the North Island of New Zealand. In Imperial Valley, California, Goforth, Douze and Sorrells (1972) found a seismic noise anomaly that nearly coincides with a thermal anomaly near the southeastern shore of Salton Sea, and Douze and Sorrells (1972) found high noise levels over the Mesa thermal anomaly. The US Geological Survey (USGS) made seismic noise measurements in Imperial Valley and Long Valley, California, and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, to evaluate whether seismic noise can be used as a prospecting tool in geothermal exploration. One Hz seismometers with slow-speed tape-recording systems were used. About 50-80 stations were occupied with average spacing of 0.5-1.5 km, and each station was operated for at least 48 hours. The results described are based on average noise amplitudes computed using playbacks of several sections of data recorded at night when wind-generated noise was absent.

• Research Organization: DOEEEGTP (USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Geothermal Tech Pgm)
• OSTI ID: 886802
• Report Number(s): CONF-740209--8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
AMPLITUDES
FREQUENCY RANGE
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
Geothermal Legacy
IMPERIAL VALLEY
LONG VALLEY
NEW ZEALAND
PROSPECTING
SALTON SEA
SEISMIC NOISE
SHORES
US GS
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK