Articles | Volume 17
https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-17-31-2014
https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-17-31-2014
Progress report
 | 
29 Apr 2014
Progress report |  | 29 Apr 2014

The shallow boreholes at The AltotiBerina near fault Observatory (TABOO; northern Apennines of Italy)

L. Chiaraluce, C. Collettini, M. Cattaneo, and G. Monachesi

Abstract. As part of an interdisciplinary research project, funded by the European Research Council and addressing the mechanics of weak faults, we drilled three 200–250 m-deep boreholes and installed an array of seismometers. The array augments TABOO (The AltotiBerina near fault ObservatOry), a scientific infrastructure managed by the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The observatory, which consists of a geophysical network equipped with multi-sensor stations, is located in the northern Apennines (Italy) and monitors a large and active low-angle normal fault.

The drilling operations started at the end of 2011 and were completed by July 2012. We instrumented the boreholes with three-component short-period (2 Hz) passive instruments at different depths. The seismometers are now fully operational and collecting waveforms characterised by a very high signal to noise ratio that is ideal for studying microearthquakes. The resulting increase in the detection capability of the seismic network will allow for a broader range of transients to be identified.

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