Monitoring induced distributed double-couple sources using Marchenko-based virtual receivers

• Published in: arXiv.org 2019-01
• Main Authors: Brackenhoff, Joeri, Thorbecke, Jan, Wapenaar, Kees
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth surface; Green's functions; Monopoles; Point sources; Receivers; Retrieval; Seismicity; Signal reflection
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1901.03287

We aim to monitor and characterize signals in the subsurface by combining these passive signals with recorded reflection data at the surface of the Earth. To achieve this, we propose a method to create virtual receivers from reflection data using the Marchenko method. By applying homogeneous Green's function retrieval, these virtual receivers are then used to monitor the responses from subsurface sources. We consider monopole point sources with a symmetric source signal, where the full wavefield without artefacts in the subsurface can be obtained. Responses from more complex source mechanisms, such as double-couple sources, can also be used and provide results with comparable quality as the monopole responses. If the source signal is not symmetric in time, our technique that is based on homogeneous Green's function retrieval provides an incomplete signal, with additional artefacts. The duration of these artefacts is limited and they are only present when the source of the signal is located above the virtual receiver. For sources along a fault rupture, this limitation is also present and more severe due to the source activating over a longer period of time. Part of the correct signal is still retrieved, as well as the source location of the signal. These artefacts do not occur in another method which creates virtual sources as well as receivers from reflection data at the surface. This second method can be used to forecast responses to possible future induced seismicity sources (monopoles, double-couple sources and fault ruptures). This method is applied to field data, where similar results to synthetic data are achieved, which shows the potential for the application on real data signals.