Performance of resonant seismometers

Abstract

A group of resonant vertical seismometers, each tuned to cover a part of the spectrum of microseism frequencies, has been operated for about one year. These instruments (a) clearly distinguish between simultaneous microseisms from two separate sources; (b) show an improved signal-to-noise ratio for microseisms from a single storm, permitting earlier detection of storm onsets; (c) show clearly the increase in period of frontal microseisms as cold fronts move seaward from the east coast of North America; (d) record only the envelope of the oscillations, which greatly facilitates measurement of intensity as a function of time; and (e) appear to be very useful tools in continued attempts at hurricane location by means of microseism amplitude studies. The performance of the instruments is demonstrated by seven case histories in which microseismic readings of seismometers tuned to different frequencies are related to the meteorological conditions which are apparently responsible for the microseismic activity.