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Abstract This study integrates data from all broadband seismic stations in Alaska and northwestern Canada in 1999–2022 to construct a shear‐wave velocity model for south‐central Alaska and northwesternmost Canada, using ambient noise wave propagation simulation and inversion. Our model reveals three key features, including (a) the presence of the subducting Yakutat slab with apparent velocity reductions near the trench and within its flat segment, (b) two slab segments beneath the Wrangell volcanic field, differing in steepness, depth, and seismic velocity, and aligning spatially with the northwestern and southeastern volcano clusters, and (c) the existence of slab windows between the Yakutat and Wrangell slabs and between the northwestern and southeastern portions of the Wrangell slab. Our findings reinforce that the Wrangell volcanoes are predominantly influenced by subduction‐related magmatism. Furthermore, the two slab windows could have induced asthenospheric upwelling, contributing to the volcanism in the Wrangell clustered volcanoes.
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Bear Encounters with Seismic Stations in Alaska and Northwestern Canada
ABSTRACT A typical seismic experiment involves installing 10–50 seismometers for 2–3 yr to record distant and local earthquakes, along with Earth’s ambient noise wavefield. The choice of the region is governed by scientific questions that may be addressed with newly recorded seismic data. In most experiments, not all stations record data for the full expected duration. Data loss may arise from defective equipment, improperly installed equipment, vandalism or theft, inadequate power sources, environmental disruptions (e.g., snow covering solar panels and causing power outage), and many other reasons. In remote regions of Alaska and northwestern Canada, bears are a particular threat to seismic stations. Here, we document three recent projects (Southern Alaska Lithosphere and Mantle Observation Network, Fault Locations and Alaska Tectonics from Seismicity, and Mackenzie Mountains EarthScope Project) in which bears were regular visitors to remote seismic stations. For these projects, there were documented bear encounters at 56 out of 88 remote stations and 6 out of 85 nonremote stations. Considering bear‐disrupted sites—such as dug‐up cables or outages—there were 29 cases at remote stations and one case at nonremote stations. We also compile bear encounters with permanent stations within the Alaska Seismic Network, as well as stations of the Alaska Transportable Array. For these two networks, the stations are designed with fiberglass huts that house and protect equipment. Data losses at these networks because of bears are minor (<5%), though evidence suggests they are regularly visited by bears, and data disruptions are exclusively at remote stations. The primary goal of this study is to formally document the impacts of bears on seismic stations in Alaska and northwestern Canada. We propose that the threat of damage from bears to a station increases with the remoteness of the site and the density of bears, and it decreases with the strength and security of materials used. We suggest that low‐power electric fences be considered for seismic stations—especially for temporary experiments—to protect the equipment and to protect the bears. With the goal of 100% data returns, future seismic experiments in remote regions of bear country should carefully consider the impacts of bears.
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- PAR ID:
- 10202257
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Seismological Research Letters
- ISSN:
- 0895-0695
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1785/0220190081
