@article{OverduinHaberlandRybergetal.2015, author = {Overduin, Pier Paul and Haberland, Christian and Ryberg, Trond and Kneier, Fabian and Jacobi, Tim and Grigoriev, Mikhail N. and Ohrnberger, Matthias}, title = {Submarine permafrost depth from ambient seismic noise}, series = {Geophysical research letters}, volume = {42}, journal = {Geophysical research letters}, number = {18}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1002/2015GL065409}, pages = {7581 -- 7588}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Permafrost inundated since the last glacial maximum is degrading, potentially releasing trapped or stabilized greenhouse gases, but few observations of the depth of ice-bonded permafrost (IBP) below the seafloor exist for most of the arctic continental shelf. We use spectral ratios of the ambient vibration seismic wavefield, together with estimated shear wave velocity from the dispersion curves of surface waves, for estimating the thickness of the sediment overlying the IBP. Peaks in spectral ratios modeled for three-layered 1-D systems correspond with varying thickness of the unfrozen sediment. Seismic receivers were deployed on the seabed around Muostakh Island in the central Laptev Sea, Siberia. We derive depths of the IBP between 3.7 and 20.7m15\%, increasing with distance from the shoreline. Correspondence between expected permafrost distribution, modeled response, and observational data suggests that the method is promising for the determination of the thickness of unfrozen sediment.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinHaberlandRietbrock2005, author = {Martin, Sebastian and Haberland, Christian and Rietbrock, Andreas}, title = {Forearc decoupling of guided waves in the Chile-Peru subduction zone}, year = {2005}, abstract = {The structure and alterations of subducted oceanic lithosphere ( e. g., thickness and seismic velocity of oceanic crust) can be obtained by analyzing guided seismic waves generated by earthquakes within the slab (Wadati- Benioff zone). In northern Chile prominent secondary phases from intermediate-depth seismicity, observed in the forearc region can be interpreted as guided waves. For the observation of guided waves it is usually required to have stations close to the wave guide, a fact which is not directly given for forearc stations in subduction zone environments. With the help of finite difference simulations we model the decoupling mechanism of guided waves at the contact between the descending oceanic plate and the upper plate crust where the wave guide is opened due to the equalization of seismic velocities. Provided that suited stations are available, this mechanism allows for the use of intermediate depth seismicity to study the shallow subduction zone structure ( <= 100 km depth)}, language = {en} } @article{MaercklinHaberlandRybergetal.2004, author = {Maercklin, Nils and Haberland, Christian and Ryberg, Trond and Weber, Michael H. and Bartov, Yosef}, title = {Imaging the Dead Sea Transform with scattered seismic waves}, issn = {0956-540X}, year = {2004}, abstract = {With controlled seismic sources and specifically designed receiver arrays, we image a subvertical boundary between two lithological blocks at the Arava Fault (AF) in the Middle East. The AF is the main strike-slip fault of the Dead Sea Transform (DST) in the segment between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. Our imaging (migration) method is based on array beamforming and coherence analysis of P to P scattered seismic phases. We use a 1-D background velocity model and the direct P arrival as a reference phase. Careful resolution testing is necessary, because the target volume is irregularly sampled by rays. A spread function describing energy dispersion at localized point scatterers and synthetic calculations for large planar structures provides estimates of the resolution of the images. We resolve a 7 km long steeply dipping reflector offset roughly 1 km from the surface trace of the AF. The reflector can be imaged from about 1 km down to 4 km depth. Previous and ongoing studies in this region have shown a strong contrast across the fault: low seismic velocities and electrical resistivities to the west and high velocities and resistivities to the east of it. We therefore suggest that the imaged reflector marks the contrast between young sedimentary fill in the west and Precambrian rocks in the east. If correct, the boundary between the two blocks is offset about 1 km east of the current surface trace of the AF}, language = {en} } @article{HaberlandRietbrockSchurretal.2003, author = {Haberland, Christian and Rietbrock, Andreas and Schurr, B. and Brasse, Heinrich}, title = {Coincident anomalies of seismic attenuation and electrical resistivity beneath the southern Bolivian Altiplano plateau}, issn = {0094-8276}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Reassessment of local earthquake data from the ANCORP seismological network allowed the calculation of 3D attenuation (Q(p)) tomographic images of crust and upper mantle beneath the southern Bolivian Altiplano around 21degrees S. The images reveal a low-Q(p) middle and lower crust and a moderate-Q(p) upper mantle beneath the southern Altiplano. Beneath the recent magmatic arc, Q(p) is not significantly decreased at this latitude. The distribution of crustal Q(p) coincides with the variation of electrical resistivity, thus limiting the possible mechanisms causing the anomalies. Our findings support the hypothesis that partial melts in middle and lower crust beneath the Altiplano are present on a large scale. We see no evidence for a shallow asthenosphere beneath the southern Altiplano}, language = {en} } @article{MuksinHaberlandBaueretal.2013, author = {Muksin, Umar and Haberland, Christian and Bauer, Klaus and Weber, Michael H.}, title = {Three-dimensional upper crustal structure of the geothermal system in Tarutung (North Sumatra, Indonesia) revealed by seismic attenuation tomography}, series = {Geophysical journal international}, volume = {195}, journal = {Geophysical journal international}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0956-540X}, doi = {10.1093/gji/ggt383}, pages = {2037 -- 2049}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The geothermal potential in Tarutung is controlled by both the Sumatra Fault system and young arc volcanism. In this study we use the spatial distribution of seismic attenuation, calculated from local earthquake recordings, to image the 3-D seismic attenuation of the area and relate it with the temperature anomalies and the fluid distribution of the subsurface. A temporary seismic network of 42 stations was deployed around Tarutung and Sarulla (south of Tarutung) for a period of 10 months starting in 2011 May. Within this period, the network recorded 2586 local events. A high-quality subset of 229 events recorded by at least 10 stations was used for the attenuation inversion (tomography). Path-average attenuation (t(p)*) was calculated by using a spectral inversion method. The spread function, the contour lines of the model resolution matrix and the recovery test results show that our 3-D attenuation model (Q(p)) has good resolution around the Tarutung Basin and along the Sarulla graben. High attenuation (low Q(p)) related to the geothermal system is found in the northeast of the Tarutung Basin suggesting fluid pathways from below the Sumatra Fault. The upper part of the studied geothermal system in the Tarutung district seems to be mainly controlled by the fault structure rather than by magmatic activities. In the southwest of the Tarutung Basin, the high attenuation zone is associated with the Martimbang volcano. In the Sarulla region, a low-Q(p) anomaly is found along the graben within the vicinity of the Hopong caldera.}, language = {en} } @article{BraeuerAschHofstetteretal.2012, author = {Braeuer, B. and Asch, G{\"u}nter and Hofstetter, Rami and Haberland, Christian and Jaser, Darweesh and El-Kelani, Radwan J.. and Weber, Michael H.}, title = {Microseismicity distribution in the southern Dead Sea basin and its implications on the structure of the basin}, series = {Geophysical journal international}, volume = {188}, journal = {Geophysical journal international}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Malden}, issn = {0956-540X}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05318.x}, pages = {873 -- 878}, year = {2012}, abstract = {While the Dead Sea basin has been studied for a long time, the available knowledge about the detailed seismicity distribution in the area, as well as the deeper structure of the basin, is limited. Therefore, within the framework of the international project DESIRE (DEad Sea Integrated REsearch project), a dense temporary local seismological network was operated in the southern Dead Sea area. We use 530 local earthquakes, having all together 26 730 P- and S-arrival times for a simultaneous inversion of 1-D velocity models, station corrections and precise earthquake locations. Jackknife tests suggest an accuracy of the derived hypocentre locations of about 1 km. Thus, the result is the first clear image of the absolute distribution of the microseismicity of the area, especially in depth. The seismicity is concentrated in the upper crust down to 20 km depth while the lower limit of the seismicity is reached at 31 km depth. The seismic events at the eastern boundary fault (EBF) in the southern part of the study area represent the northward transform motion of the Arabian Plate along the Dead Sea Transform. North of the Boqeq fault the seismic activity represents the transfer of the motion in the pull-apart basin from the eastern to the western boundary. We find that from the surface downward the seismic events are tracing the boundary faults of the basin. The western boundary is mapped down to 12 km depth while the EBF reaches about 17 km depth, forming an asymmetric basin. One fifth of the data set is related to a specific cluster in time and space, which occurred in 2007 February at the western border fault. This cluster is aligned vertically, that is, it is perpendicular to the direction of the dominating left-lateral strike-slip movement at the main transform fault.}, language = {en} } @article{BraeuerAschHofstetteretal.2014, author = {Braeuer, Benjamin and Asch, G{\"u}nter and Hofstetter, Rami and Haberland, Christian and Jaser, D. and El-Kelani, R. and Weber, Michael H.}, title = {Detailed seismicity analysis revealing the dynamics of the southern Dead Sea area}, series = {Journal of seismology}, volume = {18}, journal = {Journal of seismology}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1383-4649}, doi = {10.1007/s10950-014-9441-4}, pages = {731 -- 748}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Within the framework of the international DESIRE (DEad Sea Integrated REsearch) project, a dense temporary local seismological network was operated in the southern Dead Sea area. During 18 recording months, 648 events were detected. Based on an already published tomography study clustering, focal mechanisms, statistics and the distribution of the microseismicity in relation to the velocity models from the tomography are analysed. The determined b value of 0.74 leads to a relatively high risk of large earthquakes compared to the moderate microseismic activity. The distribution of the seismicity indicates an asymmetric basin with a vertical strike-slip fault forming the eastern boundary of the basin, and an inclined western boundary, made up of strike-slip and normal faults. Furthermore, significant differences between the area north and south of the Bokek fault were observed. South of the Bokek fault, the western boundary is inactive while the entire seismicity occurs on the eastern boundary and below the basin-fill sediments. The largest events occurred here, and their focal mechanisms represent the northwards transform motion of the Arabian plate along the Dead Sea Transform. The vertical extension of the spatial and temporal cluster from February 2007 is interpreted as being related to the locking of the region around the Bokek fault. North of the Bokek fault similar seismic activity occurs on both boundaries most notably within the basin-fill sediments, displaying mainly small events with strike-slip mechanism and normal faulting in EW direction. Therefore, we suggest that the Bokek fault forms the border between the single transform fault and the pull-apart basin with two active border faults.}, language = {en} } @article{ValesDiasRioetal.2014, author = {Vales, Dina and Dias, Nuno A. and Rio, Ines and Matias, Luis and Silveira, Graca and Madeira, Jose and Weber, Michael H. and Carrilho, Fernando and Haberland, Christian}, title = {Intraplate seismicity across the Cape Verde swell: A contribution from a temporary seismic network}, series = {Tectonophysics : international journal of geotectonics and the geology and physics of the interior of the earth}, volume = {636}, journal = {Tectonophysics : international journal of geotectonics and the geology and physics of the interior of the earth}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0040-1951}, doi = {10.1016/j.tecto.2014.09.014}, pages = {325 -- 337}, year = {2014}, abstract = {We present an analysis and characterization of the regional seismicity recorded by a temporary broadband seismic network deployed in the Cape Verde archipelago between November 2007 and September 2008. The detection of earthquakes was based on spectrograms, allowing the discrimination from low-frequency volcanic signals, resulting in 358 events of which 265 were located, the magnitudes usually being smaller than 3. For the location, a new 1-D P-velocity model was derived for the region showing a crust consistent with an oceanic crustal structure. The seismicity is located mostly offshore the westernmost and geologically youngest areas of the archipelago, near the islands of Santo Antao and Sao Vicente in the NW and Brava and Fogo in the SW. The SW cluster has a lower occurrence rate and corresponds to seismicity concentrated mainly along an alignment between Brava and the Cadamosto seamount presenting normal faulting mechanisms. The existence of the NW cluster, located offshore SW of Santo Antao, was so far unknown and concentrates around a recently recognized submarine cone field; this cluster presents focal depths extending from the crust to the upper mantle and suggests volcanic unrest No evident temporal behaviour could be perceived, although the events tend to occur in bursts of activity lasting a few days. In this recording period, no significant activity was detected at Fogo volcano, the most active volcanic edifice in Cape Verde. The seismicity characteristics point mainly to a volcanic origin. The correlation of the recorded seismicity with active volcanic structures agrees with the tendency for a westward migration of volcanic activity in the archipelago as indicated by the geologic record. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{BraeuerAschHofstetteretal.2012, author = {Br{\"a}uer, B. and Asch, G{\"u}nter and Hofstetter, Rami and Haberland, Christian and Jaser, D. and El-Kelani, R. and Weber, Michael H.}, title = {High-resolution local earthquake tomography of the southern Dead Sea area}, series = {Geophysical journal international}, volume = {191}, journal = {Geophysical journal international}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0956-540X}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-246X.2012.05668.x}, pages = {881 -- 897}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Local earthquake data from a dense temporary seismological network in the southern Dead Sea area have been analysed within the project DESIRE (Dead Sea Integrated Research Project). Local earthquakes are used for the first precise image of the distribution of the P-wave velocity and the vP/vS ratios. 65 stations registered 655 local events within 18 months of observation time. A subset of 530 well-locatable events with 26 730 P- and S-arrival times was used to calculate a tomographic model for the vP and vP/vS distribution. Since the study area is at first-order 2-D, a gradual approach was chosen, which compromised a 2-D inversion followed by a 3-D inversion. The sedimentary basin fill is clearly imaged through high vP/vS ratios and low vP. The basin fill shows an asymmetric structure with average depth of 7 km at the western boundary and depth between 10 and 14 km at the eastern boundary. This asymmetry is reflected by the vertical strike-slip eastern border fault, and the normal faulting at the western boundary, caused by the transtensional deformation within the last 5 Myr. Within the basin fill the Lisan salt diapir is imaged through low vP/vS ratios, reflecting its low fluid content. The extensions were determined to 12 km in EW and 17 km in NS direction while its depth is 56 km. The thickness of the pre-basin sediments below the basin fill cannot be derived from the tomography datait is estimated to less than 3 km from former investigations. Below the basin, down to 18 km depth very low P-wave velocities and low vP/vS ratios are observedmost likely caused by fluids from the surrounding crust or the upper mantle.}, language = {en} } @article{WeberHelwigBaueretal.2012, author = {Weber, Michael H. and Helwig, S. L. and Bauer, Klaus and Haberland, Christian and Koch, Olaf and Ryberg, T. and Maercklin, N. and Ritter, O. and Schulze, A.}, title = {Near-surface properties of an active fault derived by joint interpretation of different geophysical methods - the Arava/Araba Fault in the Middle East}, series = {Near surface geophysics}, volume = {10}, journal = {Near surface geophysics}, number = {5}, publisher = {European Association of Geoscientists \& Engineers}, address = {Houten}, issn = {1569-4445}, doi = {10.3997/1873-0604.2012031}, pages = {381 -- 390}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The motion of tectonic plates is accommodated at fault zones. One of the unanswered questions about fault zones relates to the role they play in controlling shallow and local hydrology. This study focuses on the Arava/Araba Fault (AF) zone, the southern portion of the Dead Sea Transform (DST) in the Middle East. We combine seismic and electromagnetic methods (EM) to image the geometry and map the petro-physical properties and water occurrence in the top 100 m of this active fault. For three profiles, P-velocity and resistivity images were derived independently. Using a neural network cluster analysis three classes with similar P-velocity and resistivities could then be determined from these images. These classes correspond to spatial domains of specific material and wetness. The first class occurs primarily east of the fault consisting of 'wet' sand (dunes) and brecciated sediments, whereas the second class composed of similar material located west of the fault is 'dry'. The third class lies at depth below ca. 50 m and is composed of highly deformed and weathered Precambrian rocks that constitute the multi-branch fault zone of the AF at this location. The combination of two independent measurements like seismics and EM linked by a stringent mathematical approach has thus shown the potential to delineate the interplay of lithology and water near active faults.}, language = {en} }