Executive Summary: Seismic methods provide high-resolution images of geologic structures hosting mineral deposits and, in a few cases, can be used for direct targeting of deposits. Active reflection techniques have been successfully used in the minerals sphere, especially for structural control on deep targets. Although useful, a disadvantage of this methodology is that it is expensive and logistically difficult in locations without easy access for source generation. In contrast to active seismology, passive methods exploit ambient seismic noise and do not require specific seismic sources. In this report, we compare active and passive seismic methods in general and discuss different data processing sequences that have been used in previous passive seismic studies. The quality of the results in passive seismic methods strongly depends on (1) the spatial-temporal properties of the noise source distribution and (2) the number and disposition of seismic receiver pairs on which the noise correlation is performed. We then discuss how to apply these processing sequences to extract body-waves in the PACIFIC project, with a view to developing reflection seismic images analogous to active reflection seismic work.

Executive summary: Active seismic sources such as explosives, air guns and vibroseis generate energetic P-waves well suited for reflection seismic studies. However, they can have negative environmental impacts and are expensive, both of which have motivated the development of passive seismic methods. Passive seismic methods utilise ambient noise from meteorological and anthropogenic activity. They have been successful for surface wave recovery but extracting body waves for reflection imaging is still a challenge. A key goal of the PACIFIC project is to develop methodologies for extracting body waves from passive seismic data, and for using these body waves for subsurface imaging. This report describes the development of synthetic velocity models that characterise the geological structure and seismic reflectivity at the Marathon Cu-PGE prospect Ontario, Canada. Synthetic seismic signals generated in these models will then be used to develop and test processing procedures for body wave recovery and body wave imaging. A first velocity model consists of two vertical sections obtained by interpolation of lithological contacts identified in drillholes. One section is perpendicular to the dip of the main gabbro intrusion, the other is parallel. A second model is obtained by blind 3D interpolation between drillholes and uses velocities measured on hand samples and drill core. Work in progress uses dedicated geological modelling software to generate a 3D block model that honors geological structures and cross-cutting relationships. A recently acquired downhole acoustic log avoids negative velocity biases from microfractures that can be introduced during depressurisation (e.g. of drill core). This will be used to calibrate a new velocity forward model.

Noise-based ballistic wave passive seismic monitoring – Part 2: surface waves

We develop a new method to monitor and locate seismic velocity changes in the subsurface using seismic noise interferometry. Contrary to most ambient noise monitoring techniques, we use the ballistic Rayleigh waves computed from 30 d records on a dense nodal array located above the Groningen gas field (the Netherlands), instead of their coda waves. We infer the daily relative phase velocity dispersion changes as a function of frequency and propagation distance with a cross-wavelet transform processing. Assuming a 1-D velocity change within the medium, the induced ballistic Rayleigh wave phase shift exhibits a linear trend as a function of the propagation distance. Measuring this trend for the fundamental mode and the first overtone of the Rayleigh waves for frequencies between 0.5 and 1.1 Hz enables us to invert for shear wave daily velocity changes in the first 1.5 km of the subsurface. The observed deep velocity changes (±1.5 per cent) are difficult to interpret given the environmental factors information available. Most of the observed shallow changes seem associated with effective pressure variations. We observe a reduction of shear wave velocity (–0.2 per cent) at the time of a large rain event accompanied by a strong decrease in atmospheric pressure loading, followed by a migration at depth of the velocity decrease. Combined with P-wave velocity changes observations from a companion paper, we interpret the changes as caused by the diffusion of effective pressure variations at depth. As a new method, noise-based ballistic wave passive monitoring could be used on several dynamic (hydro-)geological targets and in particular, it could be used to estimate hydrological parameters such as the hydraulic conductivity and diffusivity.

Executive summary: This report describes events that took place in collaboration with other research projects during the second year of the PACIFIC project, from June 2019 to June 2020. Clustering activities are central to Work Package 7 “Collaboration and clustering with other research initiatives”. To that end, the PACIFIC project has initiated and completed a number of activities with multiple research initiatives. In the second year of the project, clustering activities significantly accelerated, and the earlier links made with other European projects started to yield concrete results and concrete plans for further activities. This report is an update to D7.2 (M12)—Report on joint events with other research projects in the first year.

During this year PACIFIC has established a very strong collaboration with the H2020 project INFACT and this is reflected throughout this report. 

Executive summary: The physical properties of rocks and minerals, particularly their density and elasticity, control the velocitywith which they transmit seismic waves. The acoustic impedance, which is the product of density and seismic velocity, is a useful property to characterize different lithologies. Available data indicates that there are strong contrasts in acoustic impedance between common types of rock and, most importantly, between common rocks and ore minerals. These differences provide a basis for relating passive seismic tomographic models with models based on geological and previously acquired geophysical data.

PACIFIC develops mineral exploration techniques that have a relatively low impact on the environment. This document is an assessment of this impact, but also of the environmental footprint of all activities related to the project. PACIFIC environmental footprint is still significant because of plane travels linked to transnational meetings. Learn more about it by reading the following document.

https://www.pacific-h2020.eu/wp-content/uploads/pacific_documents-on-impact_the-environmental-impact-of-pacific-report-1.pdf