This paper presents results from a study of the deep structure of the Elbrus edifice and adjacent areas using geophysical techniques. We confirmed the existence of a shallow magma chamber, derived a...

This paper presents results from a study of the Lomonosov volcanic pipe as derived from anomalies of the microseismic field. Microseismic sounding revealed that this volcanic pipe is a cone-shaped body with a small gradient of microseismic intensity motion (2 to 5 dB). Discontinuities generally show greater contrasts compared with the variations of microseismic motion in the pipe body. Comparison of the results of this microseismic sounding with other geological and geophysical data showed that the intensities of the microseismic field along lines that traversed the pipe reflect realistic structures of a kimberlite pipe and the host rocks. The method of microseismic sounding was used to reconstruct the deeper structure of the volcanic pipe and the host rocks down to depths greater than 2 km. We estimated the velocity contrast and the errors involved in the identification of vertical boundaries of the pipe. The volcanic pipe has a shape that is consistent with a nearly vertical source situated at a depth of a few hundred meters. This is hypothesized to be a typical occurrence for other diamond-bearing pipes as well.

A description of the Data Analysis Kit (DAK) software package that was developed specially for processing large arrays of digital recordings of microseismic vibrations is presented. Much attention is paid to the possibility of using the described software package to study the upper layers of the earth’s crust via the microseismic sounding method. An alternative algorithm that obviates the need to cross-check the station recordings is proposed. Such additional procedures as averaging and enveloping the spectra are analyzed. The results of applying the described procedures are presented.

This paper presents results from a study of several pipes in the Arkhangelsk Diamond Province (ADP) based on anomalies of the microseism field. The test pipes were the nonproductive S10 pipe...