Auf dieser Seite finden Sie ausgewählte aktuelle Projekte, die Mitarbeitende des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes (SED) federführend betreuen oder an denen sie in zentraler Rolle mitwirken. Es handelt sich nicht um eine abschliessende Aufstellung, sondern um eine Auswahl zentraler und umfangreicher Projekte. Die Projekte sind nach ihrem Hauptforschungsfeld geordnet.
ENVRIplus is a Horizon 2020 project bringing together Environmental and Earth System Research Infrastructures, projects and networks as well as technical specialist partners to create a more coherent, interdisciplinary and interoperable cluster of Environmental Research Infrastructures across Europe. The project has 37 partners from 13 countries, representing 27 European Research Infrastructures. Environmental Research Infrastructures provide key tools and instruments for researchers to address specific challenges within their own scientific fields. However, to tackle the grand challenges facing human society (for example climate change, extreme events, loss of biodiversity, etc.), scientific collaboration across the traditional fields is necessary. The Earth system is highly interlinked and the area of focus for environmental research is therefore our whole planet. Collaboration within ENVRIplus will enable multidisciplinary Earth system science across the traditional scientific fields, which is so important in order to address today’s global challenges. The cooperation will avoid the fragmentation and duplication of efforts, making the Research Infrastructures’ products and solutions easier to use with each other, improving their innovation potential and the cost/benefit ratio of the Research Infrastructure operations. ENVRIplus is organized in 6 overarching themes. SED leads the workpackage 'A Framework for Environmental Literacy' in Theme 4 'Societal Relevance and Understanding', and participates in the WP 'Developing an Ethical Framework for Research Infrastructures' in that Theme. We also participates in various workpackages and activities in Theme 2 'Data for Science' and Theme 3 'Access to Research Infrastructures'. |
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Project Leader at SED | Florian Haslinger |
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SED Project Members | Michèle Marti, Carlo Cauzzi, Philipp Kästli, Marcus Herrmann. Former staff: Jeremy Zechar, Isabell Schlerkmann |
Funding Source | SBFI (for EU Horizon2020) |
Duration | May 2015 – April 2019 |
Key Words | Environmental Research, Earth System Research, Infrastructure, Earth System science |
Research Field | Earth System Science |
Link To Project Website |
The European Plate Observing System (EPOS [www.epos-eu.org]) is a single, sustainable, permanent research infrastructure for solid Earth sciences in Europe. EPOS integrates existing geophysical monitoring networks (e.g. seismic and geodetic networks), local observatories (e.g. volcano observatories) and experimental laboratories (e.g., experimental and analytic lab for rock physics and tectonic analogue modeling) across Europe and adjacent regions to form a federated, coherent multidisciplinary infrastructure. The EPOS components provide key parameters for the multidisciplinary study of the interior structure, composition and dynamics of the Earth, for exploration activities related to the identification and exploitation of natural and energy resources and for the assessment and monitoring of natural hazards. In addition to Earth scientists, users of EPOS data include engineers and private practitioners, public offices, construction industry and critical infrastructures, and the (re)insurance sector. EPOS-IP is an EU Horizon 2020 project supporting the implementation of EPOS. This project brings together 47 consortium members and 6 associate partners from 25 countries, covering all involved scientific domains as well as coordinated IT developments and legal and financial aspects in the preparation for the establishment of EPOS as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) by late 2018. The SED and the professorship of Seismology and Geodynamics at ETH Zürich have been playing a leading role in the development of EPOS since its conception in the early 2000s. In EPOS-IP, SED coordinates the build-up of the Thematic Core Service (TCS) Seismology [https://www.epos-ip.org/tcs/seismology], and is strongly involved in the TCS Near-Fault Observatories [https://www.epos-ip.org/tcs/near-fault-observatories], where we contribute the monitoring infrastructure operated by the SED in the Valais. As one of the services in the TCS Seismology, SED hosts the coordinated European Seismic Hazard and Risk platform EFEHR. |
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Project Leader at SED | Florian Haslinger |
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SED Project Members | Main contributors: Stefan Wiemer, John Clinton, Philipp Kästli, Laurentiu Danciu |
Funding Source | EU Horizon2020 |
Duration | October 2015 – September 2019 |
Key Words | Solid Earth, seismological data, products, services, ERIC |
Research Field | Earthquakes, Earth Structure Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Historical Seismicity, Seismotectonics, Real-time monitoring, Engineering Seismology, Solid Earth Sciences |
Link To Project Website |
The "Seismology and Earthquake Engineering Research Infrastructure Alliance for Europe" (SERA) aims to reduce the risk posed by natural and anthropogenic earthquakes. SERA will significantly improve the access to data, services and research infrastructures, and deliver solutions based on innovative research and development projects in seismology and earthquake engineering. SERA is a Horizon 2020-supported programme responding to the priorities identified in the call INFRAIA-01-2016-2017 “Research Infrastructure for Earthquake Hazard”. SERA involves 31 partners and 8 linked third parties in Europe. To reach its objectives, SERA will…
These efforts will lead to a revised European Seismic Hazard reference model for consideration in the ongoing revision of the Eurocode 8 and to a first, comprehensive framework for seismic risk modeling at European scale. SERA will further develop new standards for future experimental observations in earthquake engineering, for the design of instruments and networks for observational seismology, and reliable methodologies for real-time assessment of shaking and damage. By expanding the access to seismological observations and assisting in connecting infrastructures and communities in the fields of deep seismic sounding, experimental earthquake engineering and site characterization SERA facilities collaboration and innovations in the respective areas. SERA will also contribute meaningfully to the construction and validation of EPOS and effectively communicate its activities and achievements to the relevant stakeholders. |
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Project Leader at SED | Prof. Dr. Stefan Wiemer |
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SED Project Members | Dr. Florian Haslinger, Dr. Laurentiu Danciu, Michèle Marti, Stephanie Schnydrig, Dr. Francesco Grigoli |
Funding Source | SBFI |
Duration | 2017 - 2020 |
Key Words | seismology, earthquake engineering, seismic hazard and risk, anthropogenic seismicity, deep underground, earth structure, georesources, geohazards |
Research Field | Seismic Hazard and Risk, Earthquake Engineering, Operational Earthquake Forecasting, Induced Seismicity |
Link To Project Website |
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Over the last decade induced seismicity has become an important topic of discussion, especially owing to the concern that industrial activities could cause damaging earthquakes. Large magnitude induced seismic events are a risk for the population and structures, as well as an obstacle for the development of new techniques for the exploitation of underground georesources. The problem of induced seismicity is particularly important for the future development of geothermal energy in Europe, in fact deep geothermal energy exploitation projects such as Basel (2006) and St Gallen (2013) have been aborted due to the felt induced earthquakes they created and an increasing risk aversion of the general population. Induced seismicity is thus an unwanted product of such industrial operations but, at the same time, induced earthquakes are also a required mechanism to increase the permeability of rocks, enhancing reservoir performances. Analysis of induced microseismicity allows to obtain the spatial distribution of fractures within the reservoir, which can help, not only to identify active faults that may trigger large induced seismic events, but also to optimize hydraulic stimulation operations and to locate the regions with higher permeability, enhancing energy production. The project COSEISMIQ integrates seismic monitoring and imaging techniques, geomechanical models and risk analysis methods with the ultimate goal of implementing innovative tools for the management of the risks posed by induced seismicity and demonstrate their usefulness in a commercial scale application in Iceland. Seismic stations of the COSEISMIQ project (PDF, 0.13 MB) |
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Project Leader at SED | Stefan Wiemer |
SED Project Members | John Clinton, Francesco Grigoli, Florian Haslinger, Lukas Heiniger, Philipp Kaestli, Raphael Moser, Anne Obermann, Roman Racine, Antonio Pio Rinaldi, Vanille Ritz, Luca Scarabello. |
Funding Source | |
Duration | 3 years (start in May 2018) |
Key Words | Induced Seismicity |
Research Field | Induced Seismicity, Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Real-time microseismic monitoring |
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Der SED konnte in den letzten Jahren mehreren schweizerischen Tiefengeothermie-Projekten bei der seismischen Überwachung zur Seite stehen und so einen konstruktiven Dialog mit Betreibern und kantonalen Behörden beginnen. Auf diesen Erfahrungen aufbauend, hat der SED erste Empfehlungen für kantonale Bewilligungs- und Vollzugsbehörden entwickelt, wie mit der Problematik der induzierten Seismizität in verschiedenen Phasen eines Tiefengeothermie-projektes umzugehen ist. Diese Empfehlungen beruhen jedoch bislang auf Erfahrungen aus nur wenigen gut dokumentierten Projekten. Die praktische Erfahrung mit ihrer Umsetzung fehlt in der Schweiz bisher weitgehend. Es ist deshalb schwer abschätzbar, wie gut diese Empfehlungen im lokalen Kontext (geologisch, politisch, kulturell) anwendbar sind und welche Anpassungen gegebenenfalls getroffen werden müssen. Eine weitere wichtige Fragestellung ist in diesem Zusammenhang, wie Richtlinien und Vorschriften aus anderen technischen oder behördlichen Bereichen mit seismologischen Empfehlungen zur Vermeidung von induzierter Seismizität wechselwirken und vereinbar sind. Mögliche Konflikte lassen sich häufig nur in der praktischen Umsetzung von Projekten und durch die enge Zusammenarbeit des Seismologen mit Genehmigungsbehörden und Betreibern aufdecken und lösen. Ebenso wichtig ist die regelmässige Überprüfung und Anpassung aller relevanten Richtlinien und Vorschriften auf der Grundlage des wachsenden Kenntnis- und Erfahrungsstandes. Wenn immer möglich sollte dies im Konsens mit allen Interessengruppen geschehen. Im Projekt Geobest-CH wird der SED daher weiter grundlegende Datensätze zur Entstehung der induzierten Seismizität bei Tiefengeothermieprojekten in hoher Qualität und Auflösung sammeln, auswerten und interpretieren. Ausserdem kann der SED so die Kantons- und Bundesbehörden bei ihren Genehmigungs- und Überwachungspflichten in allen Phasen eines Tiefengeothermieprojektes seismologisch beraten und unterstützen. Der SED will so dazu beitragen gleiche Bewertungsmassstäbe bei der Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung über kantonale Grenzen hinweg zu schaffen und kurz- bis mittelfristig die Vereinheitlichung, und damit eine erhebliche Erleichterung und Beschleunigung, dieses Verfahrens ermöglichen. Über eine zentrale Webseite soll die Öffentlichkeit unabhängig, aktuell und fachlich kompetent zum Thema induzierte Seismizität informiert werden, um eine sachliche Diskussion aller Interessengruppen zu unterstützen. |
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Project Leader at SED | Toni Kraft |
SED Project Members | Stefan Wiemer, Marcus Herrmann, Anne Obermann, Arnaud Mignan |
Funding Source | energie-CH, Bundesamt für Energie |
Duration | 2015-2019 |
Key Words | Induced Seismicity, Induced Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Real-time monitoring, Support and consultancy |
Research Field | Induced Seismicity, Induced Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Real-time monitoring, Support and consultancy |
Link To Project Website | |
Publications | |
Reports / Deliverables |
Wiemer, S., Kraft, T., Trutnevyte, E. and Philippe Roth (2017). “Good Practice” Guide for Managing Induced Seismicity in Deep Geothermal Energy Projects in Switzerland. Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich. doi: 10.12686/a5 Kraft, T. & S. Wiemer (2017). GEOBEST-CH - Zwischenbericht III. Bericht des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes zu Händen des Bundesamtes für Energie, Dezember 2017. Kraft, T. & S. Wiemer (2016). GEOBEST-CH - Zwischenbericht II. Bericht des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes zu Händen des Bundesamtes für Energie, Dezember 2016. Kraft, T. & S. Wiemer (2015). GEOBEST-CH - Zwischenbericht I. Bericht des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes zu Händen des Bundesamtes für Energie, Dezember 2015. Kraft, T. & S. Wiemer (2015). Abschlussbericht, Projekt GEOBEST, Berichtszeitraum Okt. 2011 – Nov. 2015. Bericht des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes zu Händen des Bundesamtes für Energie, Dezember 2015. Link Kraft, T. & S. Wiemer (2015). Zwischenbericht IV, Projekt GEOBEST, Bericht des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes zu Händen des Bundesamtes für Energie, Dezember 2015. Kraft, T. & S. Wiemer (2014). Zwischenbericht III, Projekt GEOBEST, Bericht des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes zu Händen des Bundesamtes für Energie, November 2014. |
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Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes GeoBest führt der Schweizerische Erdbebendienst (SED) seit Frühjahr 2012 die seismologische Überwachung des Geothermieprojektes der Stadt St. Gallen durch. Dazu hat der SED in Zusammenarbeit mit den Sankt Galler Stadtwerken sechs neue Erdbebenmessstellen im Raum St. Gallen errichtet. Ziel der Überwachung ist es, mögliche kleine Erdbeben - sogenannte Mikrobeben - in der Umgebung der Tiefbohrungen zu detektieren und abzuklären, ob diese in Zusammenhang mit dem Geothermieprojekt stehen oder natürlichen Ursprungs sind. Ausserdem werden durch das Projekt wichtige Grundlagendaten für ein besseres Verständnis der Tiefengeothermie gesammelt, die als unentbehrlicher Erfahrungsschatz die Planungssicherheit der kantonalen Behörden und Projektbetreiber bei zukünftigen Geothermieprojekten gewährleisten sollen. Nach der Einstellung des Geothermieprojekts im Frühjahr 2014 führt der SED die Überwachung in reduzierter Form bis mindestens September 2020 fort. Die Sankt Galler Stadtwerke unterstützen die Überwachung im Rahmen des EU-Projektes "Science for Clean Energy (S4CE)". |
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Project Leader at SED | Toni Kraft |
SED Project Members | INDU group |
Funding Source | Bundesamt für Energie, Sankt Galler Stadtwerke |
Duration | 2012-2020 |
Key Words | |
Research Field | Induced Seismicity, Real-time monitoring |
Link To Project Website | |
Publications |
Diehl, T., Kraft, T., Kissling, E. and Wiemer, S. (2017). The induced earthquake sequence related to the St. Gallen deep geothermal project (Switzerland): Fault reactivation and fluid interactions imaged by microseismicity. Journal of Geophysical Research 122(9), 1-19. doi: 10.1002/2017JB014473 Edwards, B., Kraft, T., Cauzzi, C., Kastli, P., Wiemer, S. (2015). Seismic monitoring and analysis of deep geothermal projects in St Gallen and Basel, Switzerland. Geophys. J. Int. 201, 1020–1037. Obermann, A., Kraft, T., Larose, E., Wiemer, S. (2015). Potential of ambient seismic noise techniques to monitor the St. Gallen geothermal site (Switzerland). J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 120, 4301-4316. Kraft, T., et al. (2015). Lessons learned from the 2013 ML3.5 induced earthquake sequence at the St. Gallen geothermal site. Schatzalp Workshop on Induced Seismicity, Davos, Switzerland. |
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The exploitation of underground energy resources as well as the use and expansion of hydropower are, like any other energy technology, not risk free. To address this risk, we develop upon the holistic concept of risk governance and community resilience, advocating a broad picture of risk: In addition to risk analysis and risk management, we also investigate how risk-related decision-making unfolds when a range of actors is involved. This requires coordination and possibly reconciliation between a profusion of roles, perspectives, goals and activities. Developments include: a rigorous common methodology and a consistent modelling approach to hazard, vulnerability, risk, resilience and societal acceptance assessment of energy technologies; a stress test framework and its application to assess the vulnerability and resilience of individual critical energy infrastructures, as well as the first level of interdependencies among these infrastructures; standardized protocols, operational guidelines and/or softwares for monitoring strategies, hazard and risk assessment during all project phases (including real-time procedures), and finally for mitigation and related communication strategies. In phase II, the main activities of the group are in continuation with phase I but with increased interactions with Swiss P&D projects, including industrial ones and research underground labs. New applications are being developed and tested for induced seismicity risk mitigation. Those are also refined based on P&D project feedback. The main innovations in phase II are the testing of more sophisticated traffic-light systems and the inclusion of seismic risk models in economic models (including energy modelling, cost-benefit analyses and decision making under uncertainty). For the latter, interactions with SCCER CREST via a joint activity will help move forward with some legislative recommendations. |
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Project Leader at SED | Prof. Stefan Wiemer |
SED Project Members | Dr. Arnaud Mignan, Marcus Herrmann |
Involved Institutions | ETH IfG, ETH D-BAUG, ETH D-USYS, ETH CRYOS |
Funding Source | SCCER-SoE |
Duration | 2014-2017 (1st phase), 2018-2012 (2nd phase) |
Key Words | Geo-energy, induced seismicity risk, risk governance, software |
Research Field | Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Link To Project Website | |
Reports / Deliverables |
Mignan, A., Herrmann, M., Kraft, T., Diehl, T. and Wiemer, S. (2015). SCCER-SoE Science Report (Task 4.1). Link |
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The exploitation of underground energy resources as well as the use and expansion of hydropower, are, like all energy technologies, not risk free. The risks identified in the domain of deep geothermal are induced seismicity and other risks (e.g. borehole blowout, environmental risks). The hazard factors for hydropower are those classically affecting large arch or gravity dams, aggravated by the pronounced topography of the Alpine region and by the rapidly changing climatic conditions in the Alps. How these risks potentially impact our society, is, of course dependent on the vulnerabilities of our buildings, our infrastructure and our communities. Moving towards a safe and more resilient energy sector requires tools for hazard and risk assessment, particularly in the low probability-high consequence event settings. Furthermore, the tools have to be closely integrated with related communication and public engagement strategies, as perceived risks actually do impact energy source design and mitigation strategies. A comprehensive risk governance framework is necessary, but not yet existing. This project aims to develop such a framework by integrating risk assessment and related risk perception models and tools. This should lead to a communication strategy for future projects. We develop a holistic concept of risk governance from a truly multi-disciplinary perspective, advocating a broad picture of risk: not only does it include risk assessment and assessment of ability to recover, but it also looks at how risk perception and risk-related communication can be organized. This work is divided into 6 PhDs (attached to SCCER-SoE T4.1): Induced seismic risk (led by SED); Renewable energy risk management & optimization; Accident risks at dams; Vulnerability of the Swiss built environment; Multi-risks and interdependencies; Assessing and monitoring risk perception.
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Project Leader at SED | Prof. Stefan Wiemer |
SED Project Members | Dr. Arnaud Mignan, Marcus Herrmann |
Involved Institutions | ETH IfG, ETH D-BAUG, ETH D-USYS, ETH CRYOS |
Funding Source | SNF |
Duration | 2014 - October 2018 |
Key Words | Geo-energy, induced seismicity risk, risk governance |
Research Field | Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Reports / Deliverables |
Mignan, A., Herrmann, M., Kraft, T., Diehl, T. and Wiemer, S. (2015). SCCER-SoE Science Report (Task 4.1). Link |
Novel unconventional geothermal technologies that require hydraulic stimulation through induced seismicity, also require Forecasting and Assessing Seismicity and Thermal Evolution in geothermal Reservoirs (FASTER). This task needs to be performed in real time and both regulators and operators wish to know the probability of a future undesired large induced event in time for risk mitigation measurements to be employed. Fundamental and applied research with the ultimate goal to develop strategies and tools for managing and limiting induced seismicity is a major international focus of current research in geophysics and reservoir engineering. Moreover, predictive assessment of seismic risk in near‐real time is considered the most crucial aspect for proactive operational management of stimulation, exploitation or storage to minimize risk, avoid unacceptable seismic hazard and enhance the societal acceptance. In the FASTER project, the software framework that is currently used by SED for fundamental research on seismic risk predictions and it performs complicated 3D Monte Carlo simulations is improved, extended, and adapted to current and upcoming generations of supercomputers. The software is customized to the needs of the Adaptive Traffic Light Systems through accelerated algorithms, numerical solvers, probabilistic models and Monte Carlo integrations, and computational bottlenecks due to coding are resolved. |
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Project Leader at SED | Karvounis Dimitrios |
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SED Project Members | Stefan Wiemer |
Involved Institutions | CSCS, USI, ERDW-ETH |
Funding Source | PASC |
Duration | 10.2017-09.2020 |
Key Words | Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Real-time monitoring, Enhanced Geothermal Systems |
Research Field | Induced Seismicity, Software Development, Probabilistic Methods, Code Optimization |
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The reliable detection of snow avalanches, landslides and rockfall provides the basis for any advanced investigation on triggering mechanisms, risk assessment or the identification of possible precursors. It is well known that such phenomena produce specific seismic signals. Nonetheless, the manual detection on seismic traces is not feasible since it is extremely time consuming and results are influenced by the subjective view of the analyst. Automatic detection is therefore preferred, as unbiased results are obtained in near real-time. In this project, we will take advantage of an automatic classification procedure for continuous seismic signals to detect avalanches, landslides and rockfalls in continuous streams of seismic data. The applied method is independent of previously acquired data and classification schemes, offering the opportunity to detect very rare and highly variable events. The goal of this project is to improve the detection across the entire Swiss Alps and to better understand possible triggering mechanisms. In addition accurate information on the number and release time of avalanches will provide an important contribution to the avalanche warning service at the SLF. This research is highly relevant since large scale avalanche and landslide monitoring will provide reliable data for further research, the development of near real-time products and improved risk assessment and warning systems. |
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Project Leader at SED | Donat Fäh |
SED Project Members | Conny Hammer |
Involved Institutions | SLF |
Funding Source | SED, WSL |
Duration | since 2015 |
Key Words | snow avalanches, landslides, rockfalls, automatic detection, monitoring |
Research Field | real-time monitoring, avalanche and landslide detection |
Publications |
Hammer C., Faeh D. & Ohrnberger M. (2017). Natural Hazards. doi: 10.1007/s11069-016-2707-0 Heck M., Hammer C., van Herwijnen A. Schweizer J. & Faeh D. (2018). Natural Hazard and Earth System Science. doi: 10.5194/nhess-18-383-2018 |
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Scientists from the SED are exploring the potential of Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) in Central America. This is a multi-phase project funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In Phase 1 (2016-2017), SED worked with colleagues at INETER (a government agency in Nicaragua responsible for Natural Hazards, who operate the national seismic network), to build and implement a prototype EEW system in Nicaragua. In Phase 2 (2018-2020), this prototype system will be extended to other countries in Central America with the collaboration of local scientists, and we will explore how a public EEW could be implemented. The region suffers from large tsunamigenic earthquakes generated along the subduction zone, and also moderate crustal earthquakes that have in the recent past produced heavy damage, such as the M6.2 1972 earthquake that devastated Managua. The subduction zone events are often characterized by slow rupture velocity (most recently a M7.7 1992 earthquake - the first slow earthquake ever documented - and a M7.3 in 2014) Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) is a tool that can rapidly characterize on-going earthquakes, and potentially provide seconds to 10s of seconds notification of impending strong shaking in advance of its occurrence. EEW can play an important role as part of a seismic risk reduction program, which is critical in the Central American region that has such a high seismic hazard. Additionally, making a seismic network capable of operating and maintaining an EEW system requires the network to achieve the highest standards in network performance - including station quality, speed and reliability of data communications, and robustness of the seismic network hub that runs the EEW software. Optimal network performance is also critical for other applications such as tsunami warning, volcano monitoring, and enables downstream scientific studies, eg on local Earth structure. On 9 June 2016, just weeks after the first software was installed and before efforts to optimise had begun, a shallow M6.3 event occurred on the border with El Salvador that was detected by our system after 29s. Though far from the delay time required for operational EEW, this does demonstrate the promise of the existing infrastructure. With an ideal seismic network (all stations fully operational, recording strong motion and with minimal data delay) the existing network density can provide first EEW alerts within 8-12s for shallow on-shore earthquakes. This corresponds to a blind zone on the order of 20-30km around the epicenter where no advanced warning will be available. Outside the blind zone, for large earthquakes, this type of EEW can provide warning in advance of the strongest shaking for areas that will experience shaking of intensity VI on the Modified Mercalli Scale. Transfer of EEW capacity from SED to Central American Institutes is feasible because we all use the same basic software for seismic network monitoring - SeisComP3 - that the SED has used to develop EEW. SED use 2 standard algorithms to provide EEW - the Virtual Seismologist and the Finite Fault Detector. We use the EEW Display (EEWD) to deliver desktop alerts to early adopters and testers. EEW can work in Central America because the seismic networks are already relatively dense and data sharing is well-established and effective - necessary as earthquakes can have impacts beyond a single country. Currently, EEW alerts in the region are delayed or initially incorrect primarily because the seismic networks are relatively unreliable and not yet optimised for EEW. By adopting a long term strategy that focuses on enabling EEW, including adding additional strong motion stations, this will improve. The Phase 2 project objectives are to 1) review the performance of, and propose improvements to the seismic network in the region, in an effort to optimise their capacity for EEW; 2) to develop EEW algorithms tailored to the seismicity of Central America, with implementation in standard open source software, and transfer know-how and operation to local monitoring institutions; 3) head towards public EEW by engaging with potential key end-users, civil defence and governments, exploring technical means by which EEW can be provided to public and private users, and communicating with social scientists on what is the most effective EEW message provide to the public, and how to communicate this to the public. |
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Project Leader at SED | John Clinton |
SED Project Members | Frédérick Massin, Roman Racine, Maren Böse |
Involved Institutions | |
Funding Source | Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DEZA / SDC) |
Duration | Phase 2: May 2018 - April 2021; Phase 1: January 2016 - January 2018 |
Key Words | Earthquake Early Warning, Seismic Networks, Nicaragua, Central America, INETER, DEZA/SDC |
Research Field | Earthquake Early Warning, Real-time monitoring, Network Seismology |
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Chile has been struck by a number of very large earthquakes (magnitude 7.5 and greater) and tsunamis in the past. There is a clear need for building a system to provide rapid situational awareness, as well as earthquake and tsunami early warning. Since scientific instruments are expensive, we are exploring the use of dense networks of seismic and geodetic low-cost sensors. The Earthquake Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has recently started to deploy a prototype network of dedicated smartphone units along the Chilean coast (Brooks et al., 2016). Each sensor box contains a smartphone with integrated MEMS accelerometer, and an external consumer-quality GPS chip and antenna to determine real-time positioning data. The total cost of each box is on the order of a few hundred dollars, nearly two orders of magnitude lower than scientific-grade installations. We invert seismic and geodetic real-time data from the smartphone units to obtain finite-fault models of large earthquakes by joint application of the seismic FinDer algorithm developed at the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) (Böse et al., 2012; Böse et al., 2015; Böse et al., 2018) and the geodetic BEFORES algorithm developed by Minson et al. (2014). The SED collaborates in this project with partners at the USGS, the University of Chile, Chilean National Seismological Center, University of Houston, and GISMatters Inc. Furthermore, we collaborate with the Centro Seismologico National (CSN) at the University of Chile, Santiago, to rapidly identify large subduction-zone and crustal earthquakes using real-time streams of CSN stations (Carrasco et al., 2017). |
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Project Leader at SED | Maren Böse |
SED Project Members | John Clinton |
Involved Institutions | US Geological Survey, Earthquake Science Center, Menlo Park, CA, United States of America; Centro Sismologico Nacional, Departamento de Geofísica, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; GISMatters, Amherst, Mass., United States of America; US Geological Survey, Pasadena, CA, United States of America; NCALM, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America |
Funding Source | United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). |
Duration | Since 2015 |
Key Words | Earthquake Early Warning, low-cost sensors, smartphones,seismic networks, geodetic networks, Chile, subduction-zone earthquakes, tsunamic warning |
Research Field | Earthquake Early Warning, real-time monitoring, network seismology |
Publications |
Böse, M., D.E. Smith, C. Felizardo, M.-A. Meier, T.H. Heaton, J.F. Clinton (2018). FinDer v.2: Improved Real-time Ground-Motion Predictions for M2-M9 with Seismic Finite-Source Characterization. Geophys. J. Int. 212, 725-742. Minson, S. E., B. A. Brooks, C. L. Glennie, J. R. Murray, J. O. Langbein, S. E. Owen, T. H. Heaton, R. A. Ian-nucci, and D. L. Hauser (2015). Crowdsourced earthquake early warning. Sci. Adv. 1 (3), e1500036. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1500036 Böse, M., C. Felizardo, & T.H. Heaton (2015). Finite-Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer): Going Real-Time in Californian ShakeAlert Warning System. Seismol. Res. Lett. 86 (6), 1692-1704. Minson, S. E., J. R. Murray, J. O. Langbein, and J. S. Gomberg (2014). Real-time inversions for finite fault slip models and rupture geometry based on high-rate GPS data. J. Geophys. Res. 119 (4), 3201–3231. doi: 10.1002/2013JB010622 |
Presentations |
Böse, M., B. Brooks, S. Barrientos, S. Minson, J.C. Baez, T. Ericksen, C. Guillemot, C. Duncan, R. Sanchez, D. Smith, E. Cochran, J. Murray, C. Glennie, J. Langbein, J. Dueitt, & J. Clinton (2016). Smartphone-Network for Earthquake and Tsunami Early Warning in Chile. 35rd General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission (GA ESC), 4-11 Sept, 2016 in Trieste, Italy. |
EPOS IP is part of the long term EPOS integration plan to build an operational and sustainable platform of Earth Science services. The project is funded through the European Union. In WP 9 (Near fault Observatories) of EPOS IP, we work with our colleagues at the University of Naples / AMRA, to build a testing center where a variety of scientific algorithms for real-time monitoring can be operated side-by-side and their performance independently evaluated. The initial demonstrations software for this testing center are 2 EEW approaches, the Virtual Seismologist (VS) software maintained by ETH, and PresTo from University of Naples / AMRA. The testing platform is the Irpinia seismic network near Naples. |
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Project Leader at SED | John Clinton |
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SED Project Members | Frederick Massin, Philipp Kästli, Enrico Ballarin |
Involved Institutions | University of Naples, AMRA |
Funding Source | EU |
Duration | 2017-2020 |
Key Words | Earthquake Early Warning, Testing Center |
Research Field | Real-Time Seismology, Earthquake Engineering |
Link To Project Website |
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California, Oregon, and Washington are currently implementing a public earthquake early warning (EEW) system, called ShakeAlert. The SED collaborates with the ShakeAlert team (US Geological Survey, Caltech, UC Berkeley, University of Washington, and University of Oregon) in the development, implementation, and testing of the Finite-Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer) algorithm (Böse et al., 2012; Böse et al., 2015; Böse et al., 2018). To detect earthquakes and to generate alerts, ShakeAlert feeds data from the seismic and geodetic networks operated along the US west coast into two algorithms: the point-source EPIC (formerly known as ElarmS and Onsite), and the finite-source FinDer algorithm. Alert messages from EPIC and FinDer are aggregated into a single alert feed. ShakeAlert started in 2012 as a demonstration system for EEW and provided warnings of imminent strong ground shaking to a selected group of test users. At that stage, also the Virtual Seismologist (VS; Cua and Heaton, 2009), another algorithm implemented and tested by the SED, was part of the system. In 2013, California passed legislation to implement a public warning system. After the US Congress approved the funding in 2014, the transition to a full public system started. A limited public roll-out of ShakeAlert is planned for fall 2018. |
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Project Leader at SED | Maren Böse (current), Georgia Cua (Phase I + II), John Clinton (Phase III) |
SED Project Members | Frederick Massin, Michael Fischer (former member), Marta Caprio (former member), Men-Andrin Meier (former member), Yannik Behr (former member) |
Involved Institutions | United States Geological Survey (USGS), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Geological Survey, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), University of California Berkeley, University of Washington, University of Oregon, ETH Zurich |
Funding Source | United States Geological Survey, SED currently not funded |
Duration | Since 2012 |
Key Words | Earthquake Early Warning system for California and the Pacific Northwest of the United States |
Research Field | Earthquake Early Warning |
Link To Project Website | |
Publications |
Böse, M., T.H. Heaton, & E. Hauksson (2012). Real-time Finite Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer) for Large Earthquakes. Geophys. J. Int. 191 (2), 803-812. Behr, Y., J. F. Clinton, P. Kästli, C. Cauzzi, and M.-A. Meier (2015). Anatomy of an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) Alert : Predicting Time Delays for an End-to-End EEW System. Seismol. Res. Lett. 86 (3), 1-11. doi: 10.1785/0220140179 Böse, M., C. Felizardo, & T.H. Heaton (2015). Finite-Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer): Going Real-Time in Californian ShakeAlert Warning System. Seismol. Res. Lett. 86 (6), 1692-1704. Böse, M., D.E. Smith, C. Felizardo, M.-A. Meier, T.H. Heaton, J.F. Clinton (2018). FinDer v.2: Improved Real-time Ground-Motion Predictions for M2-M9 with Seismic Finite-Source Characterization. Geophys. J. Int. 212, 725-742. Böse, M., R. Graves, D. Gill, S. Callaghan, and P. Maechling (2014). CyberShake-Derived Ground-Motion Prediction Models for the Los Angeles Region with Applica-tion to EEW. Geophys. J. Int. 198 (3), 1438-1457. Böse, M., R. Allen, H. Brown, C. Cua, M. Fischer, E. Hauksson, T. Heaton, M. Hellweg, M. Liukis, D. Neu-hauser, P. Maechling, P. and CISN EEW Group (2013). CISN ShakeAlert – An Earthquake Early Warning Demonstration System for California. In: F. Wenzel and J. Zschau: Early Warning for Geological Disasters - Scientific Methods and Current Practice (ISBN: 978-3-642-12232-3). Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York: Böse, M., T. Heaton and E. Hauksson (2012). Rapid estimation of earthquake source and ground-motion parameters for earthquake early warning using data from single three-component broadband or strong-motion sensor. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 102 (2), 738-750. doi: 10.1785/0120110152 Böse, M. & T.H. Heaton (2010). Probabilistic Prediction of Rupture Length, Slip and Seismic Ground Motions for an Ongoing Rupture: implications for Early Warning for Large Earthquakes. Geophys. J. Int. 183 (2), 1014-1030. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04774.x Cua, G. B., M. Fischer, T. H. Heaton, and S. Wiemer (2009). Real-time Performance of the Virtual Seismologist Earthquake Early Warning Algorithm in Southern California. Seismol. Res. Lett. 80 (5), 740-747. doi: 10.1785/gssrl.80.5.740 Given, D.D., Cochran, E.S., Heaton, T., Hauksson, E., Allen, R., Hellweg, P., Vidale, J., and Bodin, P. (2014). Technical implementation plan for the ShakeAlert production system—An Earthquake Early Warning system for the West Coast of the United States. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1097, 25. doi: 10.3133/ofr20141097 Meier, M.-A., T. Heaton, and J. Clinton (2015). The Gutenberg Algorithm: Evolutionary Bayesian Magnitude Estimates for Earthquake Early Warning with a Filter Bank. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 105 (5), 2774-2786. doi: 10.1785/0120150098 |
Presentations |
Earthquakes are controlled by the properties of the underlying fault or fault system, along which rupture is occurring. For example,
In the FAULTS_R_GEMS (Properties of FAULTS, a key to Realistic Generic Earthquake Modeling and hazard Simulation) project, we collaborate with scientists at Géoazur (Université Côte d'Azur), IFSTTAR Paris, Géosciences in Montpellier, Inria Sophia, LJAD in Nice, IPGP in Paris, IRSN, ENS Paris, the University of Arizona, and the University of Pisa, with the goal to better understand the interactions between seismic faults and earthquakes, and to use these findings to improve seismic hazard simulations and earthquake early warning (EEW) in terms of prior probabilities. |
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Project Leader at SED | Maren Böse |
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SED Project Members | Alexandra Hutchison, John Clinton, Frederick Massin |
Involved Institutions | Géoazur, Nice; Géosciences Montpellier; IFSTTAR, ETH Zurich Inria Sophia; LJAD, Nice; IPGP Paris; IRSN; ENS Paris; University of Arizona, University of Pisa |
Funding Source | French ANR |
Duration | 2017-2021 |
Key Words | fault properties, rupture simulations, ground-motions, earthquake early warning, prior probability, Bayesian statistics |
Research Field | Earthquake Early Warning |
Link To Project Website | |
Publications |
Böse, M., T.H. Heaton, & E. Hauksson (2012). Real-time Finite Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer) for Large Earthquakes. Geophys. J. Int. 191 (2), 803-812. Böse, M., R. Graves, D. Gill, S. Callaghan, P. Maechling (2014). CyberShake-Derived Ground-Motion Prediction Models for the Los Angeles Region with Applica-tion to Earthquake Early Warning. Geophys. J. Int. 198 (3), 1438-1457. Böse, M. and T.H. Heaton (2010). Probabilistic Prediction of Rupture Length, Slip and Seismic Ground Motions for an Ongoing Rupture: implications for Early Warning for Large Earthquakes. Geophys. J. Int. 183 (2), 1014-1030. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04774.x Manighetti I., Zigone D., Campillo M., and Cotton F. (2009). Self-similarity of the largest-scale segmentation of the faults; Implications on earthquake be-havior. Earth. Planet. Sc. Lett. 288, 370-381. Perrin, C., Manighetti, I., Ampuero, J. P., Cappa, F., Gaudemer, Y. (2016). Location of largest earthquake slip and fast rupture controlled by along-strike change in fault structural maturity due to fault growth. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 121. doi: 10.1002/2015JB012671 |
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SERA (Seismology and Earthquake Engineering Research Infrastructure Alliance in Europe) has the goal to integrate data, products, infrastructures and know-how in seismology and earthquake engineering. The project is funded through the European Union. In WP 28 (Real-time Earthquake Shaking (JRA 6)) of the SERA project, we work with our colleagues at the University of Naples, GFZ, INCDFP, NOA, EMSC, CNRS, and INGV, to produce rapid shaking forecasts following major earthquakes in Europe or elsewhere: “In the past decade, real-time seismology has moved from providing post-event information within minutes from earthquake occurrence, to issuing event information during the rupture, as soon as data begin to arrive at the network. Reliability and accuracy of the source parameters are limited by the use of automatic procedures applied to data processing and the availability of the earliest snippets of the wavefield reaching only a fraction of the seismic network. As consequence, early estimates of shaking and possible damage are also accompanied by large uncertainties, impacting the ability to organize a rapid and appropriate response. This work package applies forward modelling techniques to provide time-evolving prediction maps of the expected ground shaking from regionalized GMPE and tsunamigenic potential of a seismic rupture. The predicted shaking estimates are further constrained by integration of late arriving seismic, accelerometric or GPS data and felt reports as they become available. These goals require the adoption of flexible approaches capable to complement near source data with regional and teleseismic data. Finally, the possible improvement of automatic impact assessment of global earthquakes due to improved shaking estimates will be evaluated.” (from SERA proposal) We use the 2016-2017 Central Italy earthquake sequence, including the destructive 2016 M6.5 Norcia, M6.0 Amatrice, and M5.9 Visso normal fault earthquakes, for demonstration and testing of our algorithms (e.g. FinDer) and software (e.g. EEWD – Earthquake Early Warning Display). |
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Project Leader at SED | Maren Böse (Lead of Task 1) |
SED Project Members | Carlo Cauzzi, John Clinton, Frederick Massin |
Involved Institutions | University of Naples, ETH, GFZ, INCDFP, NOA, EMSC, CNRS and INGV |
Funding Source | EU |
Duration | 2017-2020 |
Key Words | Rapid Earthquake Information in Europe |
Research Field | Real-Time Seismology, Earthquake Engineering |
Link To Project Website | |
Publications |
Böse, M., T.H. Heaton, & E. Hauksson (2012). Real-time Finite Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer) for Large Earthquakes. Geophys. J. Int. 191 (2), 803-812. Böse, M., C. Felizardo, & T.H. Heaton (2015). Finite-Fault Rupture Detector (FinDer): Going Real-Time in Californian ShakeAlert Warning Sys-tem. Seismol. Res. Lett. 86 (6), 1692-1704. Böse, M., D.E. Smith, C. Felizardo, M.-A. Meier, T.H. Heaton, J.F. Clinton (2018). FinDer v.2: Improved Real-time Ground-Motion Predictions for M2-M9 with Seismic Finite-Source Characterization. Geophys. J. Int. 212, 725-742. Cauzzi, C., Y. Behr, J. Clinton, P. Kästli, L. Elia, and A. Zollo (2015). An Open‐Source Earthquake Early Warning Display. Seismol. Res. Lett. 87 (3), 737–742. doi: 10.1785/0220150284 |
Presentations |
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AlpArray is a European initiative to advance our understanding of orogenesis and its relationship to mantle dynamics, plate reorganizations, surface processes and seismic hazard in the Alps-Apennines-Carpathians-Dinarides orogenic system. The initiative integrates present-day Earth observables with high-resolution geophysical imaging of 3D structure and physical properties of the lithosphere and of the upper mantle, with focus on a high-end seismological array. AlpArray is a major scientific collaboration with over 40 participant institutions. One of the main actions of the AlpArray initiative is to collect top-quality seismological data from a dense network of temporary broadband seismic stations. This complements the existing permanent broadband stations to ensure homogeneous coverage of the Alpine area, with station spacing on the order of 30km. 24 institutions are currently involved in the AlpArray Seismic Network (AASN), which will eventually install over 250 temporary stations in 12 countries. The AASN officially started on 1 January 2016 and will operate for at least 2 years. A complimentary ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) component is expected in 2017. The Swiss contribution to the AASN is completed, with 23 temporary stations installed in Switzerland, Italy, Bosnia and Herzogovina, Croatia and Hungary. All national broadband stations also contribute to the AASN. The Seismology and Geodynamics group (SEG) and the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at the ETH in Zurich take leading roles in the project. Prof Edi Kissling is the project coordinator. Irene Molinari (SEG), John Clinton (SED) and Gyorgy Hetenyi (former SED, now at the University of Lausanne) lead AlpArray working groups, Irene Molinari also manages the Swiss component of the AASN. More information is available on the project website. |
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Project Leader at SED | Edi Kissling (SEG) |
SED Project Members | Irene Molinari (SEG), John Clinton, Stefan Wiemer, ELAB |
Involved Institutions | |
Funding Source | SNF |
Duration | 2015 - 2018 |
Key Words | Alps, earthquakes, seismic broadband network, tomography, geodynamics, surface process, orogenesis |
Research Field | Seismotectonics, Real-time monitoring, Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Link To Project Website | |
Proposal |
(2013). Alp Array - Probing Alpine geodynamics with the next generation of geophysical experiments and techniques. PDF |
Publications |
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Um in Zukunft die Gefahren von natürlichen und induzierten Erdbeben besser abschätzen zu können, braucht es ein genaueres Verständnis von Verwerfungszonen in tektonisch aktiven Gebieten wie der Schweiz. Mit Hilfe geophysikalischer Abbildungsverfahren und geologischen Kartierungen wurden in den letzten Jahren zahlreiche Verwerfungen in den schweizerischen Alpen und im nördlichen Alpenvorland identifiziert. Allerdings treten in vielen Fällen Erdbeben abseits dieser kartierten Verwerfungen auf, was die Frage nach den tektonischen Prozessen und Mechanismen aufwirft, die diesen Erdbeben zugrunde liegen. Ziel dieses Projektes ist es, durch verbesserte geophysikalische Inversionsverfahren die Strukturen von Verwerfungszonen hochauflösend abzubilden und daraus Erkenntnisse über mechanische Eigenschaften der Bruchsysteme abzuleiten. Dazu werden unter anderem Verfahren der seismischen Tomografie mit hochauflösender Erdbebenlokalisierung kombiniert. Die Anwendung konzentriert sich auf zwei Regionen in der Schweiz: (i) einer äußerst aktiven Erdbebenzone nördlich des Rhônetals im Kanton Wallis, (ii) einer Verwerfungszone nahe St. Gallen, die während Stimulationsmaßnahmen für ein geplantes Geothermiekraftwerk aktiviert wurde. Durch die Anwendung verbesserter Abbildungsverfahren erwarten wir zum einen neue Erkenntnisse über den Zusammenhang zwischen existierenden Verwerfungen und dem Auftreten von Erdbeben. Zudem sind die beiden Untersuchungsgebiete von hoher gesellschaftlicher Relevanz. Das Wallis ist die Region mit der größten seismischen Gefährdung der Schweiz und ein Großteil der gegenwärtigen Seismizität in diesem Gebiet steht in Verbindung mit der Erdbebenzone nördlich des Rhônetals. Die St. Gallen Verwerfungszone bietet Gelegenheit zur Untersuchung der Erdbebengefährdung im dicht besiedelten Molasse Becken, welches potentieller Standort zukünftiger Geothermieprojekte und atomarer Endlager ist. |
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Project Leader at SED | Tobias Diehl |
SED Project Members | Edi Kissling, Stefan Wiemer |
Funding Source | SNF |
Duration | 2016-2019 |
Key Words | seismicity, seismotectonic, earthquake location, seismic tomography, reflection seismics, induced seismicity, geothermal energy, fault zone, Rawil, St. Gallen, Valais, seismic hazard, Molasse basin |
Research Field | Seismotectonics (main), but also: Induced Seismicity, Swiss Seismicity, Earthquake Statistics |
Proposal |
Diehl, Kissling, Wiemer SAMSFAULTZ: Structure And Mechanics of Seismogenic Fault Zones: Insights from advanced passive and active seismic imaging. PDF |
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This project is carried out under a contract with the National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Nagra). It provides an independent monitoring of the earthquake activity in the area of the proposed nuclear waste repositories in northern Switzerland. Detailed microseismic analysis will help to identify active fault zones and provide insights into the underlying seismotectonic processes in the vicinity of proposed sites, which has direct implications on the seismic hazard assessment. The SED provides results of this project in a transparent manner and all data acquired are made available for public access (see SED declaration on transparency [link]). Within this project, the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) constructed ten new seismic stations in northeastern Switzerland and southern Germany to improve monitoring capabilities for very small earthquakes. Monitoring of weak seismic events in this region is challenging, because the study region is densely populated and sediments of the Molasse basin dominate the surface geology. A novel step-wise optimization approach was developed to ensure an optimum configuration of the new stations. To reduce the seismic background noise, three of the ten new sites were equipped with borehole-sensors, located at depths of 120–150 m below the surface. The new stations are fully operational since December 2013 and will observe the local seismicity in northern Switzerland for a minimum of ten years. The newly installed stations complement the five stations installed in 2003 under a first agreement with Nagra. With these ‘Nagra’ stations, together with stations of the Swiss National Seismic Network and stations of neighboring networks in Germany, the project aims to monitor earthquakes down to magnitudes of 1.0 and smaller in the study area. We intend to achieve an overall catalog completeness of Mc 1.3 throughout northeastern Switzerland and location errors less than 0.5 km in epicenter and less than 2 km in focal depth within the study region. Accurate earthquake locations are essential for seismotectonic interpretations. Within this project we therefore aim to improve location accuracy, especially for focal depths, of past and future earthquakes in the region. |
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Project Leader at SED | Tobias Diehl |
SED Project Members | Florian Haslinger, Stefan Wiemer, Donat Faeh, Toni Kraft, John Clinton |
Involved Institutions | Nagra |
Funding Source | Nagra |
Duration | 2013-2019 |
Key Words | seismicity, seismotectonic, earthquake location, seismic hazard, Molasse basin, nuclear waste repositories |
Research Field | Seismotectonics (main), but also: Swiss Seismicity, Real-time monitoring, Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Publications |
Kraft, T., Mignan, A., Giardini, D. (2013). Optimization of a large-scale microseismic monitoring network in northern Switzerland. Geophys. J. Int. 19, 474-490. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggt225 |
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InSight (Interior exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) is a NASA Discovery Program mission that will deploy a single geophysical lander on Mars to study its deep interior. This is the first comprehensive surface-based geophysical investigation of Mars. The overarching mission goals are to illuminate the fundamentals of formation and evolution of terrestrial (Earth-like) planets by investigating the interior structure and processes of Mars, and more specifically to determine the thickness, structure and composition of the crust, mantle and core, and to measure the rate and distribution of seismic activity and the rate of meteorite impacts. The Mission should land in November 2018 and have a lifetime of about two Earth years. A set of 3-component broadband and short period seismometers (collectively known as SEIS) will be deployed beside the lander. In additional, InSight will also deploy a heat flow probe (HP3), a geodetic experiment (RISE), a magnetometer, and meteorological sensors. Seismological investigations of Mars have so far been based on modeling and synthetic data; starting in 2018, waveform data will be returned from Mars and the era of 'Seismology on Mars' will begin. Building on our expertise and infrastructure for earthquake monitoring and seismic data processing on Earth, the SED will take the lead role in the building a catalogue of seismic events recorded by SEIS (the 'Marsquake Service’). This service will comprise automatic and reviewed event detection and characterization of local and teleseismic events, as well as meteor impacts. The goal of this service is to provide a comprehensive high-quality event catalogue for Mars that is critical to the SEIS project, in particular as input to the development of Martian crustal and deep structure models. We are adapting advanced single-seismometer analysis techniques developed on the Earth to provide locations for Martian seismicity. Creating the Marsquake Service is a collaboration between the SED and the SEG groups at the ETH Zurich. |
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Project Leader at SED | Prof. Dr. Domenico Giardini (InSight Co-I) |
SED Project Members | Dr. John Clinton (Seismic Network Manager, InSight Co-I) Dr. Amir Khan (Affiliated Scientist) Dr. Martin van Driel (PostDoc) Dr. Maren Böse (Project Scientist) Dr. Fabian Euchner (PostDoc) Dr. Savas Ceylan (IT Specialist) |
Funding Source | SNF / SSO |
Duration | 2015 - 2018 |
Key Words | Planetary seismology, Mars, InSight, single-station approaches, seismic monitoring |
Research Field | |
Link To Project Website |
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Since 2009, the Swiss Seismological Service is renewing and expanding its strong motion network. During the first phase, a total of 30 new accelerometer stations have been installed between 2009 and 2013, both replacing existing strong motion dial-up stations and installing new stations. During the ongoing second phase, 70 more stations are planned to be installed by 2020, including four borehole installations. The renewal project of the Swiss Strong Motion Network was approved by the Swiss Federal Council in February 2009. The project is monitored and supervised by a steering committee headed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). The goals of the enlargement of the Swiss strong motion network are a better spatial coverage of earthquake-prone regions, a better understanding of site effects and thus the verification and improvement of hazard models. The epicentral areas of relevant past earthquakes have been instrumented in the first phase, namely Aigle (1584), Glarus (1971), Sarnen (1964), Sion-Sierre (1946), Yverdon (1929), Visp (1855), St. Gallen Rhine Valley (1796/96), Altdorf (1774), Brig (1755), Basel (1356), Churwalden/Vaz (1295/1991), etc. Furthermore, the city areas of Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Sion, Solothurn, Locarno, Chur, Sierre are relevant sites for free-field installation. In the second phase, additional epicentral areas of past earthquakes are targeted: Churwalden (1295), Ardez (1504), Ardon (1524), Arbon (1720), Kreuzlingen (1911), and Moudon (1933), among others. Further urban areas are instrumented as well, e.g. Biel, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Thun and Winterthur. Another aspect of phase 2 is the densification of the network, especially in earthquake-prone areas such as the Valais. The site selection is always a trade-off between the scientific objectives and the level of vibration disturbances. Modern stations are sensitive enough to record also small earthquakes, but the signal-to-noise ratio may be too low due to traffic and industries. At all sites, geophysical measurements are performed to characterize the site response. Recorded signals can then be interpreted, and sites classified according to the amplification at the site, which is basic information for improved site-specific seismic hazard studies. |
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Project Leader at SED | Donat Fäh |
SED Project Members | Manuel Hobiger, Eric Zimmermann, Clotaire Michel, Franz Weber, Lukas Heiniger, John Clinton, Carlo Cauzzi |
Involved Institutions | BAFU |
Funding Source | BAFU |
Duration | 2013-2020 |
Key Words | SSMNet, strong motion, site characterization |
Research Field | Swiss Seismicity, Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Publications |
Michel C., Edwards B., Poggi V., Burjánek J., Roten D., Cauzzi C. & Fäh D. (2014). Assessment of Site Effects in Alpine Regions through Systematic Site Characterization of Seismic Stations. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 104(6). Link doi: 10.1785/0120140097 Hobiger M., Fäh D., Michel C., Burjánek J., Maranò S., Pilz M., Imperatori W., Bergamo P. (2016). Site Characterization in the Framework of the Renewal of the Swiss Strong Motion Network (SSMNet). Proceedings of the 5th IASPEI/IAEE International Symposium: Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion, August 15-17, 2016. |
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The third phase of this project is split into 3 subtasks with the main goal to improve regional and local seismic hazard assessment in Switzerland; with particular focus to the sites of potential regions of nuclear repositories. These sub-projects are: Subproject 1 aims to improve models and develop methods for the prediction of strong ground motion in Switzerland at the surface and at depth. Two main approaches are investigated: ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and stochastic simulation models. Both approaches require calibration to the local seismicity and careful consideration of their extrapolation to large magnitude events which have, as yet, not been instrumentally recorded in Switzerland. In this context, we study the effect of source- and site-related parameters, as stress drop and kappa. Subproject 2 is focused on earthquake scenario modeling for Switzerland and exploration of the physical limits on ground motion. Our modeling combines realistic rupture along irregular fault surfaces and wave propagation in complex heterogeneous media at high frequency, with focus on underground repositories. Moreover we investigate the plastic and non-linear behavior of soft sediments when subject to high-amplitude Mach waves, conducting CPT measurements to calibrate our numerical models. Subproject 3 focuses on numerical modeling the induced seismicity during tunnel excavation. Simulations will be performed using both thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled model and statistical model. We will adapt existing models for induced earthquakes to the conditions typically met in deep geological repositories. Available geomechanical faulting models will be used during the validation and calibration stage. Finally, the results will be used as input for Subproject 1 and 2. |
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Project Leader at SED | Donat Fäh |
SED Project Members | Walter Imperatori, Sanjay Bora, Antonio Rinaldi, Luca Urpi |
Funding Source | Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate - ENSI |
Duration | 2010-2014 (1st phase), 2014-2018 (2nd phase), 2018-2022 (3rd phase) |
Key Words | Ground motion prediction equations, ground motion modelling, induced seismicity |
Research Field | Swiss Seismicity, Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Reports / Deliverables |
D. Fäh, S. Wiemer, D. Roten, B. Edwards, V. Poggi, C. Cauzzi, J. Burjanek, M. Spada, R. Grolimund, M. Gisler, G. Schwarz-Zanetti, P. Kästli (2012). Expertengruppe Starkbeben. ENSI Erfahrungs- und Forschungsbericht 2011, 173-182. Eidgenösisches Nuklearsicherheitsinspektorat ENSI. PDF D. Fäh, S. Wiemer, B. Edwards, V. Poggi, D. Roten, R. Grolimund, M. Spada, J. Wössner (2013). Expertengruppe Starkbeben. ENSI Erfahrungs- und Forschungsbericht 2012, 173-181. Eidgenösisches Nuklearsicherheitsinspektorat ENSI. PDF D. Fäh, S. Wiemer, B. Edwards, V. Poggi, D. Roten, R. Grolimund, M. Spada, B. Schechinger, J. Woessner (2014). Expertengruppe Starkebeben. ENSI Erfahrungs- und Forschungsbericht 2013, 161-170. Eidgenösisches Nuklearsicherheitsinspektorat ENSI. PDF D. Fäh, S. Wiemer, B. Edwards, V. Poggi, D. Roten, R. Grolimund, M. Spada, B. Schechinger , T. Tormann, J. Woessner (2015). Earthquake Strong Motion Research. ENSI Erfahrungs- und Forschungsbericht 2014, 171-180. Eidgenösisches Nuklearsicherheitsinspektorat ENSI. PDF |
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This group gathers the researchers with competences in site characterization in order to discuss and improve the work performed for different projects involving site characterization, especially for sites with new seismic stations. The available tools for processing, archiving and disseminating are shared within the group. The group is responsible for setting up and filling the SED database for site characterization. A process of review has been established in order to validate the work done before it is made public. The group reviewed the 30 sites of the SSMNet Renewal phase 1, 6 sites of SSMNet stations in Basel installed in the frame of the Basel Erdbebenvorsorge project, the 10 sites of the NAGRA Network, the installation site of stations in the area of the Mont Terri rock laboratory, 2 sites of SSMNet stations in Liechtenstein and the currently installed sites of the SSMNet Renewal Phase 2. |
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Project Leader at SED | Donat Fäh |
SED Project Members | Clotaire Michel, Manuel Hobiger, Paolo Bergamo, Walter Imperatori, Ulrike Kleinbrod, Carlo Cauzzi |
Funding Source | Site characterization projects (SSMNet reneval project (BAFU), NAGRA, Canton BS and others) |
Duration | 2010 - present |
Key Words | Site characterization, strong motion stations, broadband stations, site response, site effects, site amplification, field |
Research Field | Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Engineering Seismology |
Link To Project Website | |
Publications |
Michel, C., Fäh, D., Edwards, B., & Cauzzi, C. (2017). Site amplification at the city scale in Basel (Switzerland) from geophysical site characterization and spectral modelling of recorded earthquakes. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 98, 27-40. doi: 10.1016/j.pce.2016.07.005 Poggi, V., Burjanek, J., Michel, C., & Fäh, D. (2017). Seismic site-response characterization of high-velocity sites using advanced geophysical techniques: application to the NAGRA-Net. Geophysical Journal International 210(2), 645–659. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggx192 Michel, C., Edwards, B., Poggi, V., Burjanek, J., Roten, D., Cauzzi, C. and Fäh, D. (2014). Assessment of site effects in Alpine regions through systematic site characterization of seismic stations. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 104(6), 2809-2826. doi: 10.1785/0120140097 Burjánek, J., Edwards, B. and Fäh, D. (2014). Empirical evidence of local seismic effects at sites with pronounced topography: a systematic approach. Geophysical Journal International 197(1), 608-619. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggu014 Edwards, B., Michel, C., Poggi, V. and Fäh D. (2013). Determination of Site Amplification from Regional Seismicity: Application to the Swiss National Seismic Networks. Seismological Research Letters 84(4), 611-621. doi: 10.1785/0220120176 |
Welche Schäden könnten Erdbeben in der Schweiz anrichten? Diese wichtige Frage lässt sich derzeit nur ansatzweise beantworten. Dank des nationalen Erdbebengefährdungsmodells des Schweizerischen Erdbebendienstes (SED) an der ETH Zürich ist zwar bekannt, wo und wie oft mit bestimmten Beben zu rechnen ist und wie starke Erschütterungen sie an einem Standort verursachen. Weitgehend unklar bleibt aber, welche Schäden Erdbeben an Gebäuden anrichten könnten. Der Bundesrat beauftragte nun den SED in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU) und dem Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz (BABS), diese Lücke zu füllen und bis im Jahr 2022 ein Erdbebenrisikomodell zu erstellen. Basierend auf der Erdbebengefährdung berücksichtigt das Risikomodell den Einfluss des lokalen Untergrundes sowie die Verletzbarkeit und den Wert von Gebäuden. Es ermöglicht künftig, kantonalen und nationalen Behörden verbesserte Risikoübersichten zu erstellen und darauf basierend ihre Planung zu optimieren. Es besteht zudem die Möglichkeit, detaillierte Szenarien für unterschiedliche Erdbeben sowie Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen mit dem Ziel zu erstellen, Schäden zu mindern. Neben der Prävention dient das Modell im Ereignisfall dazu, rasch abzuschätzen, wo welche Schäden zu erwarten sind. Die Erarbeitung des Modells wird mit Beiträgen des BAFU, des BABS und der ETH finanziert. |
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Project Leader at SED | Stefan Wiemer |
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SED Project Members | D. Fäh, F. Haslinger, M. Marti, P. Kästli, L. Danciu, P. Roth, P. Bergamo |
Funding Source | BAFU, BABS und ETH |
Duration | 2017 - 2022 |
Key Words | Seismische Gefährdung, seismisches Risiko, Standort-amplifikation, Vulnerabilität, finanzielle Verlustmodelle, nationale Databanken, Gebäudetypologie, Verletzbarkeit, Risk Governance, Software-Entwicklung |
Research Field | Seismisches Risiko, Ingenieurseismologie |
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Our present knowledge about earthquakes does not yet allow us to reliably forecast earthquakes. Therefore, the study of precursors is an essential step in the direction of earthquake forecasting. Precursors can be anomalous seismic patterns or other phenomena such as peculiar animal behavior, or electromagnetic anomalies etc., which indicate the incidence of a large event. We focus in our studies on seismic precursors, namely quiescence, which is expressed through reduced seismic activity, accelerated seismicity (ASR) and short term foreshocks. The mentioned precursors are observed in many selected earthquake sequences in the past. However, there is skepticism if these precursors happen systematically; some studies explain their occurrence rather as a random temporary perturbation of normal seismicity which is accidentally followed by a large earthquake. We believe that systematic investigations on the occurrence of precursors give essential evidence for or against their existence. We chose to perform these investigations with statistical tools, hence by evaluating location, time and magnitudes of earthquakes from several regional earthquake catalogs of the world, to obtain representative precursor statistics. We find that small earthquakes, as they occur more frequently, could facilitate the detection of precursory patterns (Mignan, 2014). We study statistical models used to describe earthquake occurrence and the impact of the choice of the lowest magnitude on them (Seif et al, 2016, submitted). Using these models we evaluate if foreshock occurrence differs from normal seismicity. We also want to specify how often foreshock patterns are followed by large events or not (true/false alarm rate). In the future remaining precursory patterns, quiescence and accelerated seismicity, will be investigated in the same way. We hope that the statistical analysis will allow us to better understand the physical processes which lead to the occurrence of precursors. |
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Project Leader at SED | Dr. Arnaud Mignan |
SED Project Members | Stefanie Seif, Dr. Jeremy Zechar, Prof. Stefan Wiemer |
Funding Source | ETH Grants |
Duration | 2013 - August 2018 |
Key Words | Precursors, foreshocks, cut-off magnitude, ETAS |
Research Field | Earthquake Statistics, Earthquake Forecasting |
Publications |
Mignan, A. (2014). The debate on the prognostic value of earthquake foreshocks: A meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 4:4099. doi: 10.1038/srep04099 |
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Statistical seismology is the application of rigorous statistical methods to earthquake science with the goal of improving our knowledge of how the earth works. Within statistical seismology there is a strong emphasis on the analysis of seismicity data in order to improve our scientific understanding of earthquakes and to improve the evaluation and testing of earthquake forecasts, earthquake early warning, and seismic hazards assessments. Given the societal importance of these applications, statistical seismology must be done well. Unfortunately, a lack of educational resources and available software tools make it difficult for students and new practitioners to learn about this discipline. The goal of the Community Online Resource for Statistical Seismicity Analysis (CORSSA) is to promote excellence in statistical seismology by providing the knowledge and resources necessary to understand and implement the best practices. CORSSA covers a wide variety of themes: Introductory Material Each of these themes includes a series of articles that are listed in the CORSSA Table of Contents. The series of themes was devised to make it easy for the reader to focus on their personal requirements to get an introduction to statistical seismology, or to learn about the basics of earthquakes, statistics, and/or the intricacies of seismicity catalogs before moving onto applications. |
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Project Leader at SED | Dr. J. Douglas Zechar |
SED Project Members | Stefan Wiemer |
Funding Source | |
Duration | 2011-present |
Key Words | Statistical seismology, aftershocks, declustering |
Research Field | Earthquake Hazard & Risk, Earthquake Statistics |
Publications |
Zechar, J.D., Hardebeck, J., Michael, A., Naylor, M., Steacy, S., Wiemer, S. and Zhuang, J. (2011). Community Online Resource for Statistical Seismicity Analysis. Seismological Research Letters. doi: 10.1785/gssrl.82.5.686 |
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This is the 1st subproject of the „ENSI – SED-Erdbebenforschung zu Schweizer Kernanlagen“ project. This subproject aims to improve source-scaling and attenuation models and to develop methods for the prediction of strong ground motion in Switzerland both at the surface as well as at depth. Two main approaches are investigated: ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and stochastic simulation models. Both approaches require adaptions to the local seismicity and careful consideration of their calibration to Swiss conditions. The Fourier spectral and stochastic models correspond to the current state of research and have some advantages over the empirical attenuation relationships, as it is possible to adjust the model to specific local site conditions. The complete understanding in terms of physical parameterization of such models is crucial in order to decouple different effects, which allow building robust predictive models that scale appropriately to large magnitude events. In this regard, variability in source parameter such as stress drop is crucial. Similarly, variability in site-related attenuation parameter kappa is also need to be well understood. Fourier and duration models from Japanese data are now being developed that will allow the review of the Swiss model for large magnitudes in the different distance ranges and at various rock sites which have, as yet, not been instrumentally recorded in Switzerland. Moreover, we will use recordings of local seismicity in addition to numerical modeling results of related projects to calibrate the predictive models. The long-term goal is to develop an improved stochastic simulation model for Switzerland allowing existing uncertainties to be reduced. In future, such models will also allow an assessment of ground motion caused by induced seismicity due to the activation of existing fractures and/or the generation of new fractures. |
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Project Leader at SED | Donat Fäh |
SED Project Members | Sanjay Bora |
Involved Institutions | Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool |
Funding Source | Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate - ENSI |
Duration | 2014-2022 |
Key Words | Ground motion prediction equations, Fourier spectral models, stochastic ground motion models, ground motion duration models. |
Research Field | Swiss Seismicity, Earthquake Hazard & Risk |
Publications |
Edwards, B. & Fäh, D. (2014). Ground motion prediction equations. Link doi: 10.3929/ethz-a-010232326 Edwards, B., Ktenidou, O.-J., Cotton, F., Abrahamson, N., Van Houtte, C. and Fäh, D (2014). Epistemic Uncertainty and Limitations of the Kappa0 model for Near-surface Attenuation at Hard Rock Sites. Geophysical Journal International 202(3). doi: 10.1093/gji/ggv222 Edwards, B. and Fäh D. (2013). A Stochastic Ground‐Motion Model for Switzerland. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 103, 78-98. doi: 10.1785/0120110331 Edwards, B., Michel, C., Poggi, V. and Fäh, D. (2013). Determination of Site Amplification from Regional Seismicity: Application to the Swiss National Seismic Networks. Seism. Res. Lett. 84(4), 611-621. doi: 10.1785/0220120176 Poggi, V., Edwards, B. and Fäh, D (2013). Reference S-wave velocity profile and attenuation models for ground-motion prediction equations: application to Japan. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 103(5), 2645-2656. doi: 10.1785/0120120362 Poggi, V., Edwards, B. and Fäh, D. (2012). Characterizing the vertical to horizontal ratio of ground-motion at soft sediment sites. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 102(6), 2741-2756. doi: 10.1785/0120120039 Poggi, V., Edwards, B. and Fäh, D. (2011). Derivation of a Reference Shear-Wave Velocity Model from Empirical Site Amplification. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 101(1), 258-274. doi: 10.1785/0120100060 |
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This is the 2nd subproject of the „ENSI – SED-Erdbebenforschung zu Schweizer Kernanlagen“ project. Realistic modeling of earthquake ground motions can be achieved only if the causative fault and the medium where waves propagate are described accurately. To efficiently simulate high-frequency earthquake scenario in Switzerland, we develop a hybrid broadband simulation technique combining state-of-the-art rupture models along irregular fault surfaces and wave propagation in complex heterogeneous media taking into account station-specific scattering parameters. Significant efforts are made to extend the validity of our technique to model ground motion at depth for possible applications at underground repositories. A thorough validation and calibration of sensitive parameters is based on Japanese and Swiss datasets. Along with source and path effects, near-surface site conditions represent an important factor controlling ground motions since soft sediments can significantly amplify the shaking observed during an earthquake. Depending on the level of input ground motion, liquefiable soils have the potential to generate excess water pressure resulting in high-frequency acceleration pulses. Advanced constitutive models of liquefiable soils require the knowledge of so-called dilatancy parameters that describe the potential to generate excess water pressure. These parameters can be determined from field observations by analyzing cone penetration test (CPT) measurements. Accurate modeling of liquefiable soils subject to high-amplitude Mach waves is essential to explore the physical limits of ground motion. |
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Project Leader at SED | Donat Fäh |
SED Project Members | Walter Imperatori |
Involved Institutions | |
Funding Source | Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate – ENSI |
Duration | 2010-2014 (1st phase), 2014-2018 (2nd phase), 2018-2022 (3rd phase) |
Key Words | Ground motion, scattering, hybrid broadband, non-linearity, site effects, CPT |
Research Field | Engineering Seismology |
Publications |
Imperatori, W. and Mai, M. (2015). The role of topography and lateral velocity heterogeneities on near-source scattering and ground-motion variability. Geophys. J. Int. 202(3), 2163-2181. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggv281 Gallovic, F., Imperatori, W. and Mai, M. (2015). Effects of three-dimensional crustal structure and smoothing constraint on earthquake slip inversions: Case study of the Mw6.3 2009 L’Aquila earthquake. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth. 120(1), 428–449. doi: 10.1002/2014JB011650 Roten, D., Olsen, K.B., Day, S.M. and Fäh, D. (2014). Expected seismic shaking in Los Angeles reduced by San Andreas fault zone plasticity. Geopys. Res. Lett. 41(8), 2769-2777. doi: 10.1002/2014GL059411 Roten, D., Fäh, D. and Bonilla, L.F. (2014). Quantification of cyclic mobility parameters in liquefiable soils from inversion of vertical array records. Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 104(6), 3115-3138. doi: 10.1785/0120130329 |