On the Use of the Microtremor HVSR for Tracking Velocity Changes: A case study in Campo de Dal\'ias basin (SE Spain)

TL;DR

This study investigates the stability of low-frequency HVSR peaks in the Campo de Dalías basin over time, exploring their potential for seismic monitoring and their sensitivity to groundwater level changes.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the microtremor HVSR method remains stable over long periods and can be used for autonomous seismic monitoring, especially for S-wave modifications.

Findings

HVSR peaks are stable over at least two years.

Groundwater level correlates with HVSR shape changes.

HVSR method is robust for seismic engineering applications.

Abstract

The stability of the low-frequency peaks (< 1 Hz) obtained in the passive seismic survey of Campo de Dal\'ias basin (CDB) by applying the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method was investigated. Three temporary seismic stations were installed in remote sites that enabled studying the stationarity of their characteristic microtremor HVSR (MHVSR) shapes. All stations began to operate in mid-2016 and recorded at least one year of continuous seismic ambient noise data, having up to two years in some. Each seismic station counted with a monitored borehole in their vicinity, registering the groundwater level every 30 minutes. The MHVSR curves were calculated for time windows of 150 s and averaged hourly. Four parameters have been defined to characterize the shape of the MHVSR around the main peak and to compare them with several environmental variables. Correlations between MHVSR characteristics and the groundwater level showed to be the most persistent. The robustness of MHVSR method for applications to seismic engineering was not found to be compromised since the observed variations were within the margins of acceptable deviations. Our results widen the possibilities of the MHVSR method from being a reliable predictor for seismic resonance to also being an autonomous monitoring tool, especially sensitive to the S-wave modifications.