- 1Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences , Israel (aiswarya@post.bgu.ac.il)
- 2Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
- 3Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Switzerland
- 4New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, New Mexico
- 5GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Germany
Understanding bedload transport is crucial for predicting sediment flux and managing fluvial systems. Previous studies, such as those by Burtin et al., (2016); Gimbert et al., (2016), and Piantini et al., (2022), have explored fluvial dynamics using dense arrays with up to 80 sensors in alpine regions like the Himalayas and Alps. However, these approaches are less adaptable to a wider variety of ecosystems. Our study addresses this gap by developing a seismic array geometry tailored to diverse fluvial environments, optimizing signal location while maintaining scalability and adaptability.
We introduce a framework for optimizing array geometry and integrating beamforming as well as directivity analyses to enhance accuracy of signal detection. Results indicate that strategic seismic sensor placement significantly improves location precision and minimizes ambiguities caused by overlapping signals. These findings establish a robust methodology for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of fluvial bedload transport, applicable across morphologically diverse river systems.
Preliminary results from the Arroyo de los Pinos, New Mexico—a semi-arid, flash-flood-prone environment— are promising with interactive positive components. An optimized array comprising 17 seismic nodes, covering frequencies from 1 Hz to 100 Hz, was deployed and optimized for signal processing with numerical modelling. Future efforts will extend this framework to other ecosystems, refining predictive capabilities and advancing sediment management strategies.
Reference
- Burtin, Arnaud, et al. "Spectral analysis of seismic noise induced by rivers: A new tool to monitor spatiotemporal changes in stream hydrodynamics." Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid EarthB5 (2008).
- Burtin, Arnaud, Niels Hovius, and Jens M. Turowski. "Seismic monitoring of torrential and fluvial processes." Earth Surface Dynamics2 (2016): 285-307.
- Gimbert, Florent. "Using array seismology to quantify river physics." AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. Vol. 2016. 2016.
- Piantini, Marco, et al. "Using a dense seismic array to study fluvial processes in a braided river reach under flood conditions." LHB1 (2022): 2053314.
How to cite: Padmadas, A., Laronne, J., Walter, F., Bilek, S., and Turowski, J.: Precision in Seismic Detection of Bedload Transport: Visualizing Array Geometry for Optimal Source Localization, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-16545, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-16545, 2025.