Experimental Data Set of Mining-Induced Seismicity for Studies of Full-Scale Topographic Effects

Abstract

This paper describes two large, high-quality experimental data sets of ground motions collected with locally dense arrays of seismometers deployed on steep mountainous terrain with varying slope angles and topographic features. These data sets were collected in an area of central-eastern Utah that experiences frequent and predictable mining-induced seismicity as a means to study the effects of topography on small-strain seismic ground motions. The data sets are freely available through the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation data repository ( NEEShub.org ) under the DOI numbers 10.4231/D34M9199S and 10.4231/D3Z31NN4J. This paper documents the data collection efforts and metadata necessary for utilizing the data sets, as well as the availability of supporting data (e.g., high-resolution digital elevation models). The paper offers a brief summary of analyses conducted on the data sets thus far, in addition to ideas about how these data sets may be used in future studies related to topographic effects and mining seismicity.

Investigating the Influence of a Pre-Existing Shear Band on the Seismic Response of Ideal Step-like Slopes Subjected to Weak Motions: Preliminary Results

“…Additionally, in Case II, a more pronounced amplification of the first natural frequency can be observed near and beyond the crest area when weakened zones of 1 and 2 m are included in the numerical model, while the 8 m thick shear band causes a peak in the Af0 profile just above the crest. Referring to slopes without a pre-existing shear band or, in general, without a quiescent landslide body, other researchers (e.g., [83,84,86,87]) have proved that the profiles of Af0 from numerical analysis are in satisfactory agreement with the Af0 profiles obtained through ambient noise measurements (e.g., HVSR). On the other hand, no example of Af0 profiles for slopes with a pre-existing shear band has been provided by other authors who, instead, have focused their attention on the directivity effect on the HVSR measurement induced by a buried morphology [52,54,55,82,88].…”

“…Moreover, for a fixed thickness of the weakened zone and a fixed slope inclination, different geometries of the shear band are expected to provide different Af0 profiles. In this context, bearing in mind that rapid population growth often forces the urbanisation of quiescent or unstable areas, the comparison between ambient noise measurements (e.g., HVSR) and preliminary Referring to slopes without a pre-existing shear band or, in general, without a quiescent landslide body, other researchers (e.g., [83,84,86,87]) have proved that the profiles of Af 0 from numerical analysis are in satisfactory agreement with the Af 0 profiles obtained through ambient noise measurements (e.g., HVSR). On the other hand, no example of Af 0 profiles for slopes with a pre-existing shear band has been provided by other authors who, instead, have focused their attention on the directivity effect on the HVSR measurement induced by a buried morphology [52,54,55,82,88].…”

Comparison of Field Data Processing Methods for the Evaluation of Topographic Effects

“…The majority of the event hypocenters were located directly above the long wall mining operation (see Figure 1). For further information on the experimental setup, data processing, and recorded events, please see Wood and Cox (2015) and Wood (2013). The data used in this study is freely available for reuse.…”

“…The data used in this study is freely available for reuse. Those interested in reuse should see Wood and Cox (2012) and Wood and Cox (2015) for more information on the data set.…”

Seismic wave amplification by topographic features: A parametric study

“…They reported amplification as large as 4.5 at specific frequencies. More recently, Wood and Cox (2015) [58] exploited ground shaking generated in a coal mine in central Utah and reported significant amplitude changes due to topography. Similar field experiments can also be found in [23,38,40].…”