Optimal configuration of a micro-earthquake network

• Published in: Advances in Geosciences
• Main Authors: O. Valtonen, M. Uski, A. Korja, T. Tiira, J. Kortström
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2013
• Subjects: Science; Q; Geology; QE1-996.5; Dynamic and structural geology; QE500-639.5; Fennoscandian
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-34-33-2013; https://doaj.org/article/33eb3f61ebb74f86915eb1a16a558245

This study simulates automatic event detection and location performance of a micro-earthquake network centred around a future power plant site in Finland, Fennoscandian Shield. Simulation of the event location capability is based on a relationship derived between event magnitude and maximum detection distance. Azimuthal coverage and threshold magnitude are computed for different station configurations and the results are presented as contour maps. An optimal configuration of ten seismograph stations is proposed for further on-site survey. The network fulfils the preconditions of automatic event location capability down to M L 0.0 and azimuthal coverage better than 180° within 25 km radius from the study site. Annual number of earthquakes ( M L ≥ 0.0) detected by the network is estimated to be 2 and 8 within 25 and 50 km radius from the power plant site.