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A Curated Database of High Quality Microtremor HVSR From U.S. Permanent Seismic Stations

Description: 

The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio of ambient noise (mHVSR) has been used to develop proxies for site effects for many decades. Recent studies have considered the use of mHVSR as a predictor of site effects and parameters derived from mHVSR (e.g., the frequency corresponding to the peak amplitude) have been implemented into ground motion models for predicting site effects. These advancements create a need for obtaining mHVSR at strong motion recording sites. Recording ambient noise, using temporary broadband seismometers, at each of the strong motion stations would be ideal, but it would require an enormous manual effort. Moreover, studying time-dependent variations in ambient noise requires deployment of the seismometer for an extended duration. Alternatively, continuous noise measurements from the permanent seismic stations can be used for obtaining mHVSR. Using the continuous noise measurements from permanent seismic stations drastically reduces the manual effort in data collection as the noise data are continuously archived for most of the seismic networks. The objective of this research is to compile a database of mHVSR obtained from noise measurements at permanent seismic stations in the United States. In the light of the development of new generation of ground motion models for shallow crustal earthquakes (NGA West 3), the compiled HVSR data could be useful for modeling site response. In this research, we compile the three-component noise recordings from approximately 4,200 permanent seismic stations. Three-hour noise recordings were processed using the open source HVSR processing tool hvsrpy. Quality control checks are necessary to identify cases in which the computed HVSR is affected by non-stationary effects or by potential instrument malfunction. However, the quality control checks are difficult to automate, and often requires manual examination. After comprehensive quality control checks, the resulting database containing HVSR curves and noise time series will be published in DesignSafe data repository. It is hoped that the database will aid in the development of robust site response models.

Session: Modern Waveform Processing and Engineering Datasets - Accessibility, Quality Control, and Metadata [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/17/2025

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Balakumar

Student Presenter: Yes

Invited Presentation: No

Poster Number: 48

Authors