Theoretical Solution and Applications of Ocean Bottom Pressure Induced by Seismic Seafloor Motion

Seismic signals captured by ocean bottom pressure sensors, which are designed to record tsunami waves, are largely ignored. In this paper, we derive a simple theoretical solution of the ocean bottom pressure as a function of prescribed seafloor motion. All the assumptions are clearly stated and anal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2017-10, Vol.44 (20), p.10,272-10,281
Main Authors: An, Chao, Cai, Chen, Zheng, Yong, Meng, Lingsen, Liu, Philip
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bottom pressure
Displacement
Earthquakes
focal mechanism
Gauges
Measuring instruments
Ocean bottom
ocean bottom pressure
Ocean bottom seismometers
Ocean floor
Oceans
Parameter estimation
Pressure
Pressure gages
Pressure gauges
Pressure sensors
Seismic activity
seismic waves
Seismographs
Seismometers
Sensors
tsunami warning
Tsunamis
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Summary:Seismic signals captured by ocean bottom pressure sensors, which are designed to record tsunami waves, are largely ignored. In this paper, we derive a simple theoretical solution of the ocean bottom pressure as a function of prescribed seafloor motion. All the assumptions are clearly stated and analyzed. The solution is checked by comparing the seafloor displacement and pressure from three M7+ earthquakes, recorded by ocean bottom seismometers and pressure gauges located off the Japanese coast. We then show two applications. First, using the seafloor displacement data recorded by an ocean bottom seismometer, the pressure amplitude recorded by the associated pressure gauge is corrected, and vice versa. Second, pressure recordings from Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake are converted to seafloor displacements, which are then utilized to estimate the earthquake focal mechanism. Thus, we demonstrate that seismic signals recorded by pressure sensors have great potential for fast estimate of earthquake source parameters. Key Points We derive the theoretical equation of ocean bottom pressure induced by seismic waves propagating on seafloor The equation is checked using observations of three earthquakes recorded by ocean bottom seismometers and pressure gauges The equation has two applications: correction between seafloor displacements and pressure and estimate of focal mechanism using pressure data
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1002/2017GL075137