Investigating Seismic Signals From the Barry Arm Landslide
Barry Arm is a glacier carved fjord located in Prince William Sound, AK. The slopes are steep and unstable and have the potential for catastrophic failure and to cause landslide-driven tsunamis - a significant hazard for nearby coastal communities.
With the threat of major slope failure looming overhead, identifying and interpreting seismic signals seen on the Barry Arm Landslide is important to rapid warning of tsunamis. We analyze seismic signals in this region beginning in the summer of 2020 to better understand slope mechanisms and possible precursor signals that may assist with warning time. Local glaciers and frequent earthquakes in the area add to the complexity of the problem.
Utilizing two seismic stations, one positioned atop the slide and the other situated about 3 km away - across the fjord, we identify different styles of seismic signals associated with the Barry Arm Landslide. These signals differ from each other in terms of their shape, duration, amplitude and frequency. We are able to distinguish these signals from glacier noise by waveform style, comparing amplitudes on different sides of the fjord, and by infrasound backazimuth. Our seismic station situation is unique as we have two local stations that provide detailed insight into the activities occurring in the area.
We use detection algorithms (like STA/LTA) to develop time histories of each event type. These time histories can be compared to other environmental factors including precipitation, temperature, and deformation of the slope. By comparing seismicity with movement of the slope (identified though ground-based radar and remote sensing observations) and possible triggering factors our goal is to identify seismic signals that may indicate deep-seated movement of the slope that can be potentially associated with catastrophic failure. This study contributes to effective risk mitigation and the protection of coastal communities.
Session: Detecting, Characterizing and Monitoring Mass Movements [Poster Session]
Type: Poster
Room: Exhibit Hall
Date: 5/2/2024
Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)
Presenting Author: Gabrielle Davy
Student Presenter: Yes
Additional Authors
Gabrielle Davy Presenting Author Corresponding Author gdavy@alaska.edu University of Alaska Fairbanks |
Ezgi Karasozen ekarasozen@alaska.edu University of Alaska Fairbanks |
Michael West mewest@alaska.edu University of Alaska Fairbanks |
John Lyons jlyons@usgs.gov U.S. Geological Survey |
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Investigating Seismic Signals From the Barry Arm Landslide
Category
Detecting, Characterizing and Monitoring Mass Movements
Description