The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method is a passive seismic technique that uses a three-component seismometer to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise. Seismic noise in the range of ~0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz) is caused by ocean waves, large regional storms, and tectonic sources. A resonance frequency (f0) is induced in the unconsolidated when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2:1) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between the overburden and the bedrock. The f0 is determined from the analysis of the spectral ratio of the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic data. The thickness of the overburden can be related to the f0. In general, lower f0 relates to thicker sediments, and higher f0 relates to relatively thinner overburden. At the former Callahan MIne site the resonance frequency can be related to the depth of the overburden using an average shear-wave velocity that is measured or estimated from locations where there is a known depth to rock and/or using a direct measurement of the shear-wave velocity.

In June 2018, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collected geophysical measurements to help evaluate the suitability of a proposed landfill site for disposing mine-waste materials in Fredericktown, MO. A total of 35 horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) passive seismic measurements were collected at the site. The HVSR technique uses a three-component seismometer to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise. Seismic noise in the range of approximately 0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz) is caused by ocean waves, large regional storms, and tectonic sources. A resonance frequency (f0) is induced in the unconsolidated sediments when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2 to 1 ratio) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between the overburden and the bedrock. The HVSR data were interpreted to determine the f0 from analysis of the spectral ratio of the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic data. The thickness of the overburden can be related to f0. In general, lower f0 relates to thicker sediments, and higher f0 relates to relatively thinner overburden. At the Fredericktown, MO, site the resonance frequency was related to the depth of the overburden using an average shear-wave velocity that was measured at the site using active seismic source measurements. About two thirds of the HVSR surveys exhibited low to zero amplitude peaks, which is consistent with either a low amplitude acoustic impedance, an overburden layer, or a combination of both that is too thin to measure. The median value of the depth to bedrock for the 10 reliable measurements was 1.6 meters.

In June 2018, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collected geophysical measurements to help evaluate the suitability of a proposed landfill site for disposing mine-waste materials in Fredericktown, MO. A total of 35 horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) passive seismic measurements were collected at the site. The HVSR technique uses a three-component seismometer to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise. Seismic noise in the range of approximately 0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz) is caused by ocean waves, large regional storms, and tectonic sources. A resonance frequency (f0) is induced in the unconsolidated sediments when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2 to 1 ratio) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between the overburden and the bedrock. The HVSR data were interpreted to determine the f0 from analysis of the spectral ratio of the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic data. The thickness of the overburden can be related to f0. In general, lower f0 relates to thicker sediments, and higher f0 relates to relatively thinner overburden. At the Fredericktown, MO, site the resonance frequency was related to the depth of the overburden using an average shear-wave velocity that was measured at the site using active seismic source measurements. About two thirds of the HVSR surveys exhibited low to zero amplitude peaks, which is consistent with either a low amplitude acoustic impedance, an overburden layer, or a combination of both that is too thin to measure. The median value of the depth to bedrock for the 10 reliable measurements was 1.6 meters.

This dataset contains passive seismic data collected using a three-component seismometer during 2018-2020 at Pinnacles National Park, California. The data were acquired for the purpose of estimating depth to the bedrock surface underlying alluvial deposits, using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique. Data were collected along ten transects, with 3 to 14 points collected along each transect, and at the locations of 6 existing or abandoned wells. A total of 81 passive seismic measurements were collected and the raw data are included in this dataset. The passive seismic data record ambient seismic noise in the range of approximately 0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz), which is caused by ocean waves, large regional storms, and tectonic sources. The HVSR method analyzes the spectral ratio of the vertical and horizontal components of the passive seismic data to determine the fundamental seismic resonance frequency (f0), which is induced in unconsolidated sediments when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2 to 1 ratio) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between these sediments and the bedrock. The thickness of the sediments is a function of f0.

This dataset contains passive seismic data collected using a three-component seismometer during 2018-2020 at Pinnacles National Park, California. The data were acquired for the purpose of estimating depth to the bedrock surface underlying alluvial deposits, using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique. Data were collected along ten transects, with 3 to 14 points collected along each transect, and at the locations of 6 existing or abandoned wells. A total of 81 passive seismic measurements were collected and the raw data are included in this dataset. The passive seismic data record ambient seismic noise in the range of approximately 0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz), which is caused by ocean waves, large regional storms, and tectonic sources. The HVSR method analyzes the spectral ratio of the vertical and horizontal components of the passive seismic data to determine the fundamental seismic resonance frequency (f0), which is induced in unconsolidated sediments when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2 to 1 ratio) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between these sediments and the bedrock. The thickness of the sediments is a function of f0.

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Tug Hill Commission, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Tug Hill Land Trust collected horizontal-to-vertical seismic soundings at 139 locations in the Northern and Central parts of the Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer. The goal of the project was to help determine thickness of the unconsolidated deposits and depth to bedrock. The HVSR technique, commonly referred to as the passive-seismic method, is used to estimate the thickness of unconsolidated sediments and the depth to bedrock (Lane and others, 2008). The passive-seismic method uses a single, broad-band three-component (two horizontal and one vertical) seismometer to record ambient seismic noise. In areas that have a strong acoustic contrast between the bedrock and overlying sediments, the seismic noise induces resonance at frequencies that range from about 0.3 to 40 Hz. The ratio of the average horizontal-to-vertical spectrums produces a spectral-ratio curve with peaks at fundamental and higher-order resonance frequencies. The spectral ratio curve (the ratio of the averaged horizontal-to-vertical component spectrums) is used to determine the fundamental resonance frequency that can be used along with an average shear-wave velocity or a power-law regression equation to estimate sediment thickness and depth to bedrock (Lane and others, 2008; Brown and others, 2013; Fairchild and others, 2013; Chandler and others, 2014; and Johnson and Lane, 2016). The HVSR data presented in this data release were collected at each site in 30 minute intervals using a Tromino Model TEP-3C1 three-component seismometer. The data were processed with Grilla 2012 version 6.21 software to 1) remove anthropogenic noise, 2) convert the time-domain data to frequency domain, 3) compute and plot the spectral ratio curve, and 4) determine the resonance frequency. This data release presents the peaks of resonance frequency identified from the HVSR measurements. Also presented are reported depth-to-bedrock data for wells located at or near HVSR data-collection sites overlying the aquifer in Jefferson and Oswego counties. This exercise is for use in comparison of HVSR forward model depths to reported well depths. Raw and processed data for HVSR measurements are presented in the attached. The HVSR data-collection sites are designated by a county sequential numbering system (JHVSR33, OWHVSR50, etc. where ‘J’ and ‘OW’ indicate Jefferson and Oswego counties, respectively). 1Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Tug Hill Commission, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Tug Hill Land Trust collected horizontal-to-vertical seismic soundings at 139 locations in the Northern and Central parts of the Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer. The goal of the project was to help determine thickness of the unconsolidated deposits and depth to bedrock. The HVSR technique, commonly referred to as the passive-seismic method, is used to estimate the thickness of unconsolidated sediments and the depth to bedrock (Lane and others, 2008). The passive-seismic method uses a single, broad-band three-component (two horizontal and one vertical) seismometer to record ambient seismic noise. In areas that have a strong acoustic contrast between the bedrock and overlying sediments, the seismic noise induces resonance at frequencies that range from about 0.3 to 40 Hz. The ratio of the average horizontal-to-vertical spectrums produces a spectral-ratio curve with peaks at fundamental and higher-order resonance frequencies. The spectral ratio curve (the ratio of the averaged horizontal-to-vertical component spectrums) is used to determine the fundamental resonance frequency that can be used along with an average shear-wave velocity or a power-law regression equation to estimate sediment thickness and depth to bedrock (Lane and others, 2008; Brown and others, 2013; Fairchild and others, 2013; Chandler and others, 2014; and Johnson and Lane, 2016). The HVSR data presented in this data release were collected at each site in 30 minute intervals using a Tromino Model TEP-3C1 three-component seismometer. The data were processed with Grilla 2012 version 6.21 software to 1) remove anthropogenic noise, 2) convert the time-domain data to frequency domain, 3) compute and plot the spectral ratio curve, and 4) determine the resonance frequency. This data release presents the peaks of resonance frequency identified from the HVSR measurements. Also presented are reported depth-to-bedrock data for wells located at or near HVSR data-collection sites overlying the aquifer in Jefferson and Oswego counties. This exercise is for use in comparison of HVSR forward model depths to reported well depths. Raw and processed data for HVSR measurements are presented in the attached. The HVSR data-collection sites are designated by a county sequential numbering system (JHVSR33, OWHVSR50, etc. where ‘J’ and ‘OW’ indicate Jefferson and Oswego counties, respectively). 1Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

On May 10, 2017 a land-based seismic survey was collected to obtain a shear- wave velocity (Vs) and compressional velocity (Vp). The Vs was used for estimating with the HVSR data to determine the depth to rock. A secondary objective was to obtain Vs and Vp measurements of the overburden sediments at the toe of the impoundment and adjacent to the stream for geotechnical applications. Four collections were made with a 34.5-m long array of 48 electrodes with one vertical and one horizontal phone every 1.5 m along the survey line. A hammer and two strike plates were used to generate the compressional and shear-wave sound sources.

In 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) made 107 horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) passive seismic geophysical measurements at four transportation infrastructure sites in New Hampshire to determine the benefits of HVSR as an enhancement to traditional geotechnical site characterizations performed by NHDOT. Typically, data are obtained from the subsurface during borings to characterize geotechnical properties but often borings are spaced hundreds of feet apart. Geotechnical site characterization guided by geophysical surveys (such as the HVSR method) between borings will help provide a more thorough characterization. By combining analysis of geophysical and boring data, transportation projects can produce a more comprehensive representation of geotechnical subsurface conditions than can be determined using conventional borings alone. The HVSR method measures the resonance frequency (f0) induced by ambient seismic noise in unconsolidated sediments overlying bedrock when there is a substantial contrast in shear-wave acoustic impedance between the two layers (> 2:1). Spectral ratio analysis of the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic data is used to determine f0. Overburden thickness can be related to f0 with thicker overburden related to lower frequencies, and higher frequencies with thinner overburden. A three-component seismometer was used to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise using the HVSR method. This data release contains raw HVSR data and measurement locations.

In summer 2018, a total of 43 passive seismic surveys were conducted in the Des Moines River floodplain. The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method is a passive seismic technique that uses a three-component seismometer to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise. A resonance frequency (f0) is induced in the unconsolidated deposits when there is a substantial contrast (greater than 2:1) in shear-wave acoustic impedance between the overburden and the bedrock. The f0 is determined from the analysis of the spectral ratio of the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic data. The thickness of the overburden can be related to the f0. In general, lower f0 relates to thicker sediments, and higher f0 relates to relatively thinner overburden. This data release contains a text file (Readme_HVSR.txt) that explains data files and processing references, 6 .zip folders 5 related to survey line(s) on a given date and one for individual measurements not related to survey lines with each zip folder containing measurement site folders and original data files and resultant measurement report (.trc, .saf or .dat, and .doc) , a notes file for archiving surface-geophysical data (HVSR_Archive_Notes_DesMoinesIA.csv), and another comma-separated values file (HVSR_Index_DesMoinesIA.csv) that can be used to help navigate the data files. Field notes taken at the time of data collection are not included in this data release but are available upon request.