Statistical Characteristics of the Background Microseismic Field

G. I. Dolgikh1, S. G. Dolgikh1, 2, M. P. Ivanov1, 2, ✉, E. N. Pelinovsky3, 4, 5, T. G. Talipova3

1 V. I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russian Federation

2 Institute of Automation and Control Processes, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russian Federation

3 A. V. Gaponov-Grekhov Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation

4 Higher School of Economics University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation

5 Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University n. a. R. E. Alekseev, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation

✉ e-mail: Ivanov.mp@poi.dvo.ru

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to investigate the statistical characteristics of the background microseismic field recorded by horizontal unequal-arm laser strainmeters and to assess deviations of the data from a normal distribution.

Methods and Results. The study involved data from two laser strainmeters developed using modern laser-interferometry techniques and installed at the Cape Shults Marine Experimental Station of POI FEB RAS (Primorsky Krai). The analysis focused on microdeformations of the Earth’s crust upper layer measured by laser strainmeters with measuring arm lengths of 52.5 m (North – South orientation) and 17.5 m (West – East orientation). The microseismic noise field was statistically analyzed using data from these laser-interferometric devices for 2019–2020. The considered frequency range (0.05–0.5 Hz) includes microseisms generated by both terrestrial and marine processes (wind and swell waves). The statistical properties of the signals were comprehensively analyzed, including evaluation of skewness and kurtosis coefficients. Deviations from normal distribution were identified, and the Gram-Charlier series, which demonstrated the best correlation with empirical data, was applied to describe the probability density function. Kurtosis was predominantly positive for both components, indicating a high likelihood of large-amplitude outliers.

Conclusions. The performed analysis enabled quantitative assessment of background signal deviations from normal distribution and revealed their key statistical features. These results are crucial for analyzing microseismic background characteristics, as deviations from normality facilitate the study of physical mechanisms underlying the generation and interaction of oceanic, atmospheric and lithospheric processes.

Keywords

microseismic oscillations, laser strainmeter, noise characteristics, statistical characteristics, skewness coefficient, kurtosis coefficient, Fourier transform, Gram-Charlier series

Acknowledgements

The study was carried out with partial financial support from grant No. 075-15-2024-642 “Study of the processes and patterns of occurrence, development and transformation of catastrophic phenomena in the oceans and at the continents using seismoacoustic monitoring methods”.

Original russian text

Original Russian Text © The Authors, 2025, published in MORSKOY GIDROFIZICHESKIY ZHURNAL, Vol. 41, Iss. 5, pp. 611-630 (2025)

For citation

Dolgikh, G.I., Dolgikh, S.G., Ivanov, M.P., Pelinovsky, E.N. and Talipova, T.G., 2025. Statistical Characteristics of the Background Microseismic Field. Physical Oceanography, 32(5), pp. 624-642.

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