Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Boise State University

2011

Geosciences

Articles 1 - 8 of 8

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

3-D Transient Hydraulic Tomography In Unconfined Aquifers With Fast Drainage Response, Michael Cardiff, Warren Barrash Dec 2011

3-D Transient Hydraulic Tomography In Unconfined Aquifers With Fast Drainage Response, Michael Cardiff, Warren Barrash

CGISS Publications and Presentations

We investigate, through numerical experiments, the viability of three-dimensional transient hydraulic tomography (3DTHT) for identifying the spatial distribution of groundwater flow parameters (primarily, hydraulic conductivity K) in permeable, unconfined aquifers. To invert the large amount of transient data collected from 3DTHT surveys, we utilize an iterative geostatistical inversion strategy in which outer iterations progressively increase the number of data points fitted and inner iterations solve the quasi-linear geostatistical formulas of Kitanidis. In order to base our numerical experiments around realistic scenarios, we utilize pumping rates, geometries, and test lengths similar to those attainable during 3DTHT field campaigns performed at …


Hydrological Parameter Estimations From A Conservative Tracer Test With Variable-Density Effects At The Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site, B. Dafflon, Warren Barrash, Michael Cardiff, T. C. Johnson Dec 2011

Hydrological Parameter Estimations From A Conservative Tracer Test With Variable-Density Effects At The Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site, B. Dafflon, Warren Barrash, Michael Cardiff, T. C. Johnson

CGISS Publications and Presentations

Reliable predictions of groundwater flow and solute transport require an estimation of the detailed distribution of the parameters (e.g., hydraulic conductivity, effective porosity) controlling these processes. However, such parameters are difficult to estimate because of the inaccessibility and complexity of the subsurface. In this regard, developments in parameter estimation techniques and investigations of field experiments are still challenging and necessary to improve our understanding and the prediction of hydrological processes. Here we analyze a conservative tracer test conducted at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site in 2001 in a heterogeneous unconfined fluvial aquifer. Some relevant characteristics of this test include: variable-density …


Co2 Sequestration In Basalt: Carbonate Mineralization And Fluid Substitution, Thomas L. Otheim, Ludmila Adam, Kasper Van Wijk, Michael L. Batzle, Travis Mcling, Robert Podgorney Dec 2011

Co2 Sequestration In Basalt: Carbonate Mineralization And Fluid Substitution, Thomas L. Otheim, Ludmila Adam, Kasper Van Wijk, Michael L. Batzle, Travis Mcling, Robert Podgorney

CGISS Publications and Presentations

Geologicalsequestration of carbon dioxide in deep reservoirs may provide alarge-scale option for reducing the emissions of this gas intothe atmosphere. The effectiveness of sequestration depends on the storagecapacity and stability of the reservoir and risk of leakageinto the overburden. Reservoir rocks can react with a CO2-watermixture, potentially resulting in the precipitation of minerals in theavailable matrix pore space and within pre-existing fractures. This inducedmineralization may form internal seals that could help mitigate theleakage of CO2 into the overburden. For basaltic host rocks,carbonic acid partially dissolves minerals in the host rock, suchas the calcium plagioclase mineral, freeing various …


Theory And Laboratory Experiments Of Elastic Wave Scattering By Dry Planar Fractures, Thomas E. Blum, Roel Snieder, Kasper Van Wijk, Mark E. Willis Aug 2011

Theory And Laboratory Experiments Of Elastic Wave Scattering By Dry Planar Fractures, Thomas E. Blum, Roel Snieder, Kasper Van Wijk, Mark E. Willis

CGISS Publications and Presentations

Remote sensing of fractures with elastic waves is important in fields ranging from seismology to nondestructive testing. In many geophysical applications, fractures control the flow of fluids such as water, hydrocarbons or magma. While previous analytic descriptions of scattering mostly deal with very large or very small fractures (compared to the dominant wavelength), we present an analytic solution for the scattering of elastic waves from a fracture of arbitrary size. Based on the linear slip model for a dry fracture, we derive the scattering amplitude in the frequency domain under the Born approximation for all combinations of incident and scattered …


Estimating The Rayleigh-Wave Impulse Response Between Seismic Stations With The Cross Terms Of The Green Tensor, Kasper Van Wijk, T. Dylan Mikesell, Vera Schulte-Pelkum, Josh Stachnik Aug 2011

Estimating The Rayleigh-Wave Impulse Response Between Seismic Stations With The Cross Terms Of The Green Tensor, Kasper Van Wijk, T. Dylan Mikesell, Vera Schulte-Pelkum, Josh Stachnik

CGISS Publications and Presentations

The development of ambient noise tomography has provided a powerful tool to investigate the Earth's subsurface with increased resolution. Most commonly, surface-wave tomography is performed on inter-station estimates of the vertical component of Rayleigh waves, stemming from crosscorrelations of ocean-generated noise. Here, we estimate the cross terms of the Rayleigh-wave Green tensor, and show this is less sensitive to signal not in-line with the seismic stations. We illustrate this result with the Batholiths temporary seismic deployment, showing estimates of the Rayleigh wave with a higher signal-to-noise ratio and a consequently better phase-velocity dispersion curve. This approach provides an opportunity for …


Establishing Confidence In Surface Wave Determined Soil Profiles, Paul Michaels Jun 2011

Establishing Confidence In Surface Wave Determined Soil Profiles, Paul Michaels

CGISS Publications and Presentations

Surface waves can be used to determine the shear velocity profile from the ground surface to some depth limited by the spectral band of the seismic source. A number of factors influence the uncertainties of the determined profile. The field acquisition factors include the deployment geometry of geophones, the spectral characteristics of the geophones, recording instruments, and seismic source. A key data processing factor is the determination of a dispersion curve from the field recordings. Finally, there are important choices in conducting the inversion of the dispersion curve which leads to the final soil profile. Even if the field factors …


Interpretation Of Rayleigh-Wave Ellipticity Observed With Multicomponent Passive Seismic Interferometry At Hekla Volcano, Iceland, Matthew M. Haney, Andrew Nies, Tim Masterlark, Sarah Needy, Rikke Pedersen May 2011

Interpretation Of Rayleigh-Wave Ellipticity Observed With Multicomponent Passive Seismic Interferometry At Hekla Volcano, Iceland, Matthew M. Haney, Andrew Nies, Tim Masterlark, Sarah Needy, Rikke Pedersen

CGISS Publications and Presentations

The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull has drawn increased attention to Iceland’s Eastern Volcanic Zone (EVZ) due to the threat it poses to the heavily used air-traffic corridors of the northern Atlantic Ocean. Within the EVZ, Hekla is historically one of the most active volcanoes and has exhibited a decadal eruption pattern for the past 40 years. Hekla most recently erupted in 2000 and is thus ripe for another decadal eruption. Because Hekla is generally aseismic, except for a brief time period (hours) leading up to an eruption, monitoring has previously depended on precursory deformation signals (Linde et al., 1993). As …


Hammer Seismic Reflection Imaging In An Urban Environment, Lee M. Liberty Feb 2011

Hammer Seismic Reflection Imaging In An Urban Environment, Lee M. Liberty

CGISS Publications and Presentations

Subsurface characterization within urban centers is critically important for city planners, municipalities, and engineers to estimate groundwater resources, track contaminants, assess earthquake or landslide hazards, and many other similar objectives. Improving geophysical imaging methods and results, while minimizing costs, provides greater opportunities for city/project planners and geophysicists alike to take advantage of the improved characterization afforded by the particular method. Seismic reflection results can provide hydrogeologic constraints for groundwater models, provide slip rate estimates for active faults, or simply map stratigraphy to provide target depth estimate. While many traditional urban seismic transects have included the use of vibroseis sources to …