Applicability of the Welch method for examining self-noise level parameters for broadband seismometers

Seismometer self-noise levels were determined using Sleeman’s three-sensor method in combination with the Welch method for different parameter combinations. The self-noise levels decreased with the increasing segment window length, which is equivalent to the subwindow length, and with the increasing segment overlap rate for different frequency points at a fixed band. After the statistical examination of 9800 different parameter combinations, a zone of reasonable self-noise calculation parameter combinations was identified. Reasons for the unsuitability of certain parameter combinations were explored with respect to their distortion of the seismometer’s self-noise levels.