From seismic noise to ocean wave parameters: General methods and validation

Abstract

[1] Seismic noise is an indirect source of information on ocean waves. Using a model of noise generation and propagation, seismic stations can be separated into those that are mostly sensitive to local sea states, and those that integrate sources from a large oceanic area. The model also provides a classification of noise-generating sea states into three classes. The analysis of Central California seismic noise data, well correlated with local waves, reveals that class I events dominate in summer, caused by a single wind-sea system, and for which ocean wave spectral levels are proportional to seismic spectral levels to an exponent b ≃ 0.9. In winter, noise is dominated by class II generation, for which coastal reflection is important, with a wave spectral density roughly proportional to the seismic spectral density to an exponent b ≃ 0.7. Sporadic events of class III probably produce some of the strongest noise events in Central California and need to be properly screened. These events are caused by opposed wave systems that are usually the wind-sea and a swell. This noise classification can be used to improve on the correlation between measured and estimated wave heights (up to r = 0.93 for daily averages). For other locations, where remote oceanic sources are recorded, a significant wave height estimated from the seismic noise compares well with area-averaged satellite data or wave model results (r > 0.85 for daily averages). These analyses pave the way for quantitative uses of seismic records, including the reconstruction of past wave climates, and the calibration of wave hindcasts.Citation: Ardhuin, F., A. Balanche, E. Stutzmann, and M. Obrebski (2012), From seismic noise to ocean wave parameters: General methods and validation,

Continental microseismic intensity delineates oceanic upwelling timing along the west coast of North America

“…In summary, microseismic records of vertical ground velocity from land-based seismological stations can be used to delineate the spring and fall transitions in the northern California Current upwelling system where microseisms are dominated by the double frequency wave reflection generation mechanism in winter [Ardhuin et al, 2011[Ardhuin et al, , 2012. By extension, it might be possible to use the global network of seismic stations to …”

“…Numerical simulations of wind-generated microseisms by Ardhuin et al [2011Ardhuin et al [ , 2012 show that the wave reflection mechanism generally dominates in eastern boundary regions and is particularly dominant off central California in winter. Microseisms recorded at seismological stations typically represent sources within a few hundred kilometers of the coast [Bromirski et al, 2013].…”

Wave Dissipation and Balance - NOPP Wave Project

“…Seismic noise: Based on the numerical noise mode of have explained how loud seismic noise events can be associated with relatively moderate sea states. That understanding has been further exploited by Ardhuin et al (2012a) to propose a generic method for estimating ocean wave spectra from seismic noise data.…”

Wave height quantification using land based seismic data with grammatical evolution

“…Both Bromirski [6] and Ardhuin et al [7] determined ocean wave heights at a buoy located off the Californian coast using seismic data from a single inland station quite successfully. Empirical methods were used [6] for this inversion which required time series information for the buoy including directional properties of the ocean wave field and microseism source location.…”

“…More recently a model of microseism noise generation and propagation was introduced to determine possible source locations and, using empirical methods to retrieve the ocean wavefield frequency spectrum from seismic noise spectrum it is possible to estimate SWH at that buoy location [7].…”