Characterization of seismic signals recorded in Tethys Bay, Victoria land (Antarctica): Data from atmosphere-cryosphere-hydrosphere interaction

Abstract

In this paper, we analysed 3-component seismic signals recorded during 27 November 2016-10 January 2017 by two stations installed in Tethys Bay (Victoria Land, Antarctica), close to Mario Zucchelli Station. Due to the low noise levels, it was possible to identify three different kinds of signals: teleseismic earthquakes, microseisms, and icequakes. We focus on the latter two. A statistically significant relationship was found between microseism amplitude and both wind speed and sea swell. Thus, we suggest that the recorded microseism data are caused by waves at the shore close to the seismic stations rather than in the deep ocean during storms. In addition, we detected three icequakes, with dominant low frequencies (below 2 Hz), located in the David Glacier area with local magnitude of 2.4-2.6. These events were likely to have been generated at the rock-ice interface under the glacier. This work shows how seismic signals recorded in Antarctica provide insights on the interactions between the atmosphere-cryosphere-hydrosphere. Since climate patterns drive these interactions, investigations on Antarctic seismic signals could serve as a proxy indicator for estimating climate changes.