Methods for detecting seismic events at known locations using NORESS (Norwegian Experimental Seismic System) data

The difficulty of detecting, locating and identifying low-magnitude seismic events has been an ongoing problem. In this note, we describe processing methods that help us to find low-magnitude seismic events. A series of algorithms with beamforming has been developed and has proven effective in helping to discover very low yield events. The beamforming technique consists of determining the array element time delays for the specific source region using previously established events. This allows us to concentrate the array to look at the specified source location. Examples of this type of analysis are provided. In the analysis of seismic data one may be in possession of other information, e.g., newspaper reports of an earthquake. Using this information to concentrate the search for an event will often identify an otherwise overlooked signal. The algorithms for this type of search are incorporated into computer software that includes capabilities for plotting, spectral and signal-to-noise estimation, direction finding, and other functions. 2 refs., 25 figs.