Our research utilizes seismic nodes to collect field data with tailored array designs. This allows us to better understand the natural systems with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Field experiments are difficult but fun! For example, it could be in environments with temperatures from -27 to 40 degrees C (-17 to 105 degrees F), from winters in Yellowstone to summers near Death Valley. It can be close to active or cooling volcanos like theraml areas in Hengill (Iceland) or Kīlauea on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Each of the field work is definitely an unique and memorable experience, not to mention the fantastic scenery that can only be seen from the fields!
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SEISMIC NODES
SEISMIC NODES
The seismic instrument (node) is a three-component ground velocity recorder (right). The node is portable, handy, and very versatile. So that it allows quick and dense campaign-style array deployments, which enable high spatiotemporal resolution studies. In addition, as the installation is environmentally-friendly (simply sitting on the ground of spike-in the soil), it creates opportunities on studying the protective areas. Below I introduce a few deployments that were within distinct environments and had different targets of interest.
KILAUEA VOLCANO, HAWAII
KILAUEA VOLCANO, HAWAII
An active eruption sequence on the Kīlauea summit since December 2024. As of now, there have been 37 eruption episodes. Each of the eruption has produced phenomenal lava fountains (the tallest ~450 meters, ~1500 feet!) and is related to complicated interplay between magma and volatile. The eruptions behave episodically, where periodic ground deformation can be observed related to the recharging/eruption cycles.
In response to the active eruption sequence on the Kīlauea summit, we deployed a dense nodal array surrounding the summit caldera to capture the dynamic evolution of the crust as well as the magmatic/volatile activity within its plumbing system. During one of the field campaigns, we encountered a relatively 'small' eruption -- episode 31 -- the fountain height is around 100 meters (300 feet). It's already a magnificent eruption seeing it in person! Definitely recommend catching an eruption! There's wonderful scientific data USGS updates regularly.
UPPER GEYSER BASIN, YELLOWSTONE
UPPER GEYSER BASIN, YELLOWSTONE
Including the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, Upper Geyser Basin (UGB) in Yellowstone hosts the highest concentration of hydrothermal systems (geysers, springs, fumaroles) in the world. Resulting from the heat and pressure built-up beneath the surface, hydrothermal features are extremely dynamic and the high boiling temperature at the surface (~93 degrees C) is hazardous to human/wildlife.
To understand the nature of the hydrothermal systems, the University of Utah in collaboration with Yellowstone National Park Service to conduct a series of deployments (normally) after the park closure in November. Same as (or more strict than) the tourists, we had extra precaution about the wearing and the protocol during the fieldwork. Every place we went in the park was assisted or accompanied by a Park associate, to make sure we finish the work safely and successfully within the extreme environment.
Yellowstone's weather in winter is very unpredictable. Cold temperature and snow storm are the classic starters, stuck truck is something unwelcome, and the buried (white) nodes by (white) snow will definitely cost you hours of digging. Despite that, it is truly heaven to place yourself within a steaming but white-covered surrounding (and tons of geyser eruptions!).
HENGILL, ICELAND
HENGILL, ICELAND
Iceland, this nordic country is no stranger to high-temperature geothermal resources from the ubiquitous magmatic sources. In Hengill, SW Iceland, the geothermal energy has been harnessed since the 1990s, providing the heated water and electricity for the majority of the energy needs. The Hengill geothermal field in Iceland is the next target site under the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP, https://iddp.is), whose aim is to find deep geothermal resources that meet supercritical conditions. To understand the details of subsurface structure, seismic field experiments led by ETH Zurich, GFZ, and NORSAR employed a 500-node dense array, a ~45 station densified backbone siesmic network, and two tens-of-kilometers-long fiber optic cables in Hengill.
The nature in Iceland is beyond beauty. The prominent divergence of the plate tectonics interacting with glaciers and volcanoes has built incredible landscapes across the entire country. What's more? During our field campaign in summer of 2021, we were able to catch up the active Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption! The red-orange-ish glow mapped in the mid-night sky was unforgettable!
Interested in the project? Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1785/0220220073
Do you know our dense array captured shock waves from meteoroid ablation? Check this out! https://doi.org/10.1785/0220220236
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