A Midsummer Flights’ Dream: Balloon-borne infrasound-based aerial seismology

• DOI: 10.1121/10.0008050
• Publication Date: 2021-11-18T22:11:46Z
• Authors: Léo Martire; Siddharth Krishna...; Attila Komjathy; Daniel Bowman; Michael Pauken; Jamey Jacob; Brian R. Elbing; Emalee Hough; Zach Yap; Molly Lammes; Hannah Linzy; Zachary Morrison; Taylor Swaim; Alexis Vance; Payton Simmons; James Cutts
• Keywords: Seismometer; Microseism

Aerial seismology (AS) consists in detecting and characterizing atmospheric infrasound induced by ground displacements. Several studies have demonstrated that seismo-acoustic is highly similar to the seismic motion, making it a viable alternative for on planetary bodies where deploying seismometers technologically challenging. Until recently, such experiments were restricted artificially-generated events. However, July 22, 2019, Brissaud et al. detected first time infrasonic signature of magnitude 4.2 earthquake from high-altitude solar-heated balloon. In order further demonstrate feasibility AS, additional detections are needed. Using balloons payloads, stratospheric flights launched several times per week during summer 2021 over Oklahoma’s seismogenic zone. this work, we present campaign its initial results. We describe flight system, instrumentation, details design. focus possible earthquakes using numerical simulations. For selected events, balloon pressure data extract potential arrivals. perform full-waveform simulations SPECFEM2D-DG confirm those conclude with statistical arguments recommendations future flights. Earthquakes numerous Oklahoma, but low decreasing magnitudes. Nonetheless, campaign’s dataset unique development AS.