Skip to main content

Seismometer Self-Noise and Measuring Methods

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:

Synonyms

Coherence analysis; Instrument noise; Seismometer testing

Introduction

Seismometer self-noise is usually not considered when selecting and using seismic waveform data in scientific research as it is typically assumed that the self-noise is negligibly small compared to seismic signals. However, instrumental noise is part of the noise in any seismic record, and in particular, at frequencies below a few mHz, the instrumental noise has a frequency-dependent character and may dominate the noise. When seismic noise itself is considered as a carrier of information, as in seismic interferometry (e.g., Chaput et al. 2012), it becomes extremely important to estimate the contribution of instrumental noise to the recordings.

Noise in seismic recordings, commonly called seismic background noise or ambient Earth noise, usually refers to the sum of the individual noise sources in a seismic recording in the absence of any earthquake signal. Site noise (e.g., cultural sources, nearby tilt...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   1,799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   2,999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aki K, Richards PG (2002) Quantitative seismology. University Science, Sausalito

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson KE, Anderson JF, Anthony RE, Chaput J, McMahon ND, Morton EA, Aster R (2012) A site comparison between shallow vault-deployed and direct burial broadband seismometers, IRIS 2012 Workshop Abstracts. http://www.iris.edu/hq/iris_workshop2012/scihi/WebPages/0070.html

  • Berger J, Davis P, Ekstrӧm G (2004) Ambient earth noise: a survey of the global seismographic network. J Geophys Res 109, B11307

    Google Scholar 

  • Cauzzi C, Clinton J (2013) A high- and low-noise model for high-quality strong-motion accelerometer stations. Earthq Spectra 29:85–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaput JA, Zandomeneghi D, Aster RC, Hunter K, Kyle PR (2012) Imaging of Erebus volcano using body wave seismic interferometry of Strombolian eruption coda. Geophys Res Lett 39, L07304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans JR, Followill F, Hutt CR, Kromer RP, Nigbor RL, Ringler AT, Steim JM, Wielandt E (2010) Method for calculating self-noise spectra and operating ranges for seismographic inertial sensors and recorders. Seismol Res Lett 81:640–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forbriger T, Sidmer-Schnidrig R, Wielandt E, Hayman M, Ackerley N (2010) Magnetic field background variations can limit the resolution of seismic broad-band sensors. Geophys J Int 183:303–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerner A, Bokelmann G (2013) Instrument self-noise and sensor misalignment. Adv Geosci 36:17–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanka W (2000). Which parameters influence the very long period performance of a seismological station? GEOFON Program. http://geofon.gfz-potsdam.de/geofon/manual/welcome.html

  • Hart D, Merchant B, Chael E (2007) Seismic and infrasound sensor testing using three-channel coherence analysis. In: 29th monitoring research review: ground-based nuclear explosion monitoring technologies. LA-UR-07-5613, 935–944

    Google Scholar 

  • Havskov J, Alguacil G (2004) Instrumentation in earthquake seismology. Springer, Dordrecht

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Holcomb LG (1989) A direct method for calculating instrument noise levels in side-by-side seismometer evaluations. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, 89–214, 34 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Holcomb LG (1990) A numerical study of some potential sources of error in side-by-side seismometer evaluations. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, 90–406, 41 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutt CR, Evans JR, Followill F, Nigbor RL, Wielandt E (2010) Guidelines for standardized testing of broadband seismometers and accelerometers. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, 2009–1295, 62 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kromer RP (2006) Technology report evaluation of the Kinemetrics/Quanterra Q330HR Remote Seismic System for IRIS/GSN Q330HR/GainX1 Configuration, 32286.http://www.iris.edu/hq/files/programs/gsn/documents/IRIS_Progress_Report2_Q330HR.pdf

  • Peterson J (1993) Observations and modeling of seismic background noise. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, 93–322, 95 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringler AT, Hutt CR (2010) Self-noise models of seismic instruments. Seismol Res Lett 81:972–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ringler AT, Hutt CR, Evans JR, Sandoval LD (2011) A comparison of seismic instrument noise coherence analysis techniques. Bull Seismol Soc Am 101:558–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers PW (1994) Self-noise spectra for 34 common electromagnetic seismometer/preamplifier Pairs. Bull Seismol Soc Am 84:222–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Rӧhm AHE, Trampert J, Paulssen H, Snieder RK (1999) Bias in reported seismic arrival times deduced from the ISC Bulletin. Geophys J Int 137:163–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scherbaum F (2007) Of poles and zeros: fundamentals of digital seismology, 2nd edn. Springer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Sleeman R, Melichar P (2012) A PDF representation of the STS-2 self-noise obtained from one year of data recorded in the Conrad Observatory, Austria. Bull Seismol Soc Am 102:587–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sleeman R, van Wettum A, Trampert J (2006) Three-channel correlation analysis: a new technique to measure instrumental noise of digitizers and seismic sensors. Bull Seismol Soc Am 96:258–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stearns SD (1975) Digital signal analysis. Hayden Book Company, Rochelle Park

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Tasič I, Runovc F (2012) Seismometer self-noise estimation using a single reference instrument. J Seismol 16:183–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zürn W, Exß J, Steffen H, Kroner C, Jahr T, Westerhaus M (2007) On reduction of long-period horizontal seismic noise using local barometric pressure. Geophys J Int 171:780–796

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adam T. Ringler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Cite this entry

Ringler, A.T., Sleeman, R., Hutt, C.R., Gee, L.S. (2015). Seismometer Self-Noise and Measuring Methods. In: Beer, M., Kougioumtzoglou, I.A., Patelli, E., Au, SK. (eds) Encyclopedia of Earthquake Engineering. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35344-4_175

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics