We applied the seismic interferometry technique to characterize the subsurface velocities of the Planchón-Peteroa Volcanic Complex, Argentina-Chile, down to a depth of about 350 m. Ambient seismic noise data were recorded by an array of six stations deployed in the eastern flank of the current active volcano of this volcanic complex—the Peteroa. To ensure retrieval of accurate surface-wave Green’s functions, we analyzed the directivity of the recorded ambient noise and then selected the noise windows containing source directions in line with the stationary-phase area for each station pair. Then, we obtained dispersion curves and further utilized them for the estimation of the S-wave velocity profile for the area enclosed by the stations. We inferred two layers above the investigation depth limit. In the first 70 m, a lowvelocity layer (300–400 m=s) is present, which is followed by a higher velocity layer (450–570 m=s) down to, at minimum, a depth of about 350 m. Higher velocities are observed at the northeast and the very southwest of the area under investigation, and lower velocities are observed between these areas. The S-wave velocity structure is consistent with the known near-surface lithologies of the area. The results along the western side of the area corroborate previous results obtained from geochemical studies. Velocity variations in the area are potentially caused by changes in lithology, porosity, and water saturation. This work contributes to the understanding of the subsurface of Peteroa volcano and provides useful information to the authorities for decision- making. Furthermore, these results are expected to be used by studies preceding risk analysis and hazard-assessment investigations. ... Read more

Seismic interferometry (SI) retrieves virtual seismic signals from measurements at two receivers from surrounding sources. Studies have demonstrated that SI can image subsurface reflectivity. Claerbout (1968) showed that the reflection response can be obtained by autocorrelating the transmission response assuming a 1-D acoustic medium. Migration techniques using primary and multiple reflections in the autocorrelogram effectively imaged the subsurface structure (Schuster et al., 2003; Yu et al., 2003). This research aims to contribute to the knowledge of the subsurface structure at Planchón-Peteroa Volcano Complex (PPVC) by using SI. Inspired by the theory and applications in Wapenaar (2003) and Ruigrok and Wapenaar (2012), this work applies SI to fracture seismicity originated at PPVC or in active geologic faults located nearby this volcanic complex. Autocorrelating an extracted time window for selected events, zero-offset reflection responses were retrieved for each station. This response is further used to image shallow subsurface reflectors underneath each station. This application uses seismic data recorded by stations deployed in Argentina and Chile. The Argentine data was recorded by a temporary array of six 2-Hz 3-component stations deployed in 2012 on the eastern flank of the volcano. The Chilean data is provided by OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN (South Andes Volcanic Observatory, Chile). OVDAS has a permanent array of six 30-seconds 3-component stations. Three of these stations recorded data simultaneously with the Argentine stations and were used for this research. Very local seismicity is required for this study, therefore event selection procedure is of great importance. The two arrays were initially used independently to locate fracture events (Casas, 2014; RAV-SERNAGEOMIN, 2012). In order to obtain accurate locations, the two datasets were used together to relocate the detected events (Casas et al., 2016; Olivera Craig et al., 2016). This preprocessing step enhances the resolution of the subsurface images obtained by application of SI at PPVC since appropriate wave paths are selected for processing ... Read more

Seismic interferometry (SI) studies the interference phenomenon between pairs of signals in order to obtain information from the differences between them. SI is now regularly used in exploration and global seismology with active and/or passive sources, i.e., artificial sources (dynamite, vibroseis, sledge hammer, etc.) or natural sources (earthquakes, anthropogenic noise, ocean microseisms, etc.). SI allows one to extract subsurface information from complicated or random wavefields.This research aims to contribute to the knowledge of the subsurface structure at Planchón-Peteroa Volcano Complex (PPVC) by using SI technique. Inspired by the theory and applications in Wapenaar (2003) and Ruigrok and Wapenaar (2012), this work applies SI to fracture seismicity originated at PPVC or in active geologic faults located nearby this volcanic complex. Applying autocorrelation to a selected time window at each event, zero-offset reflection responses were obtained for each station. This response can be used to determine the location of shallow subsurface reflectors underneath each station.This application uses seismic data recorded by stations deployed in Argentina and Chile. The Argentine data was recorded by an array of six 2-Hz 3-component stations on the eastern flank of the volcano, deployed during the MalARRgue project in 2012. The Chile data is provided by OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN (South Andes Volcanic Observatory, Chile). OVDAS has six 3-component 30-seconds stations located on the western flank of the volcano; these stations overlap in the same time period as the Argentine data.Events had been identified and located independently by the arrays deployed in each of the flanks (Casas, 2014; RAV SERNAGEOMIN, 2012). In order to obtain accurate locations of the detected events, the two datasets were used together to relocate them. This result constitutes a necessity for enhancing the resolution of subsurface images obtained by application of SI at PPVC.Preliminary results of this research will be presented. ... Read more