Seismic Readings from the Deepest Borehole in the New Madrid Seismic Zone
- KY Geological Survey, Univ of KY
- Dept of earth and Env. Sciences, Univ of Ill at Chicago
Since the 1980s, the research associated with the UK network has been primarily strong-motion seismology of engineering interest. Currently the University of Kentucky operates a strong-motion network of nine stations in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. A unique feature of the network is the inclusions of vertical strong-motion arrays, each with one or two downhole accelerometers. The deepest borehole array is 260 m below the surfaces at station VASA in Fulton County, Kentucky. A preliminary surface seismic refraction survey was conducted at the site before drilling the hole at VSAS (Woolery and Wang, 2002). The depth to the Paleozoic bedrock at the site was estimated to be approximately 595 m, and the depth to the first very stiff layer (i.e. Porters Creek Clay) was found to be about 260 m. These depths and stratigraphic interpretation correlated well with a proprietary seismic reflection line and the Ken-Ten Oil Exploration No. 1 Sanger hole (Schwalb, 1969), as well as our experience in the area (Street et al., 1995; Woolery et al., 1999).
- Research Organization:
- Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)
- Contributing Organization:
- Seismological Research Letters, V, 77 #2, March/April 2006
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG05-03OR23032
- OSTI ID:
- 1233264
- Report Number(s):
- UK/KRCEE Doc #: 8.6 2006; UK/KRCEE doc#: 8.6 2006
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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