Abstract
The interaction between shallow aquifers and local rivers in the West Lafayette, Indiana area remains poorly understood. While surface water levels in the Wabash River and its tributaries are monitored at several USGS stream gauges, groundwater fluctuations are less well documented. Methods using seismic recordings, sensitive to subtle ground vibrations and subsurface structure, provide an alternative to characterize groundwater levels and river discharge. This project analyzes the temporal variations of ambient noise seismic data, examining the relationship to USGS river discharge, precipitation records, and other environmental factors. We currently focus on 1) changes in maximum amplitudes and peak frequencies within 0.1-5 Hz, and 2) variations of subsurface seismic velocities. The continuous waveform was converted into the frequency domain using Fourier transforms on 2-hour windows, followed by detection of peak frequencies and the corresponding amplitudes. In addition, we examine temporal changes in seismic wave velocity using the autocorrelation of vertical component recordings, a method previously linked to groundwater fluctuations in other regions. The preliminary analysis is focused on data from a seismometer located approximately 30 meters from the Tippecanoe River. Given that spring is typically the season with the most precipitation in Indiana, we first looked at seismic data from March to June 2022 to identify potential correlations with peaks in river discharge. A simple, direct relationship between river discharge and seismic signals was not observed; instead, the data suggests a more complex connection. For example, peaks in discharge consistently corresponded to troughs in maximum amplitude and their frequencies in the 1-3 Hz range, although not every trough correlates to a peak in discharge. We plan to expand the analysis to 4 other seismometer sites and incorporate data from other seasons to better understand seasonal variability. Our approach highlights the potential of ambient noise seismic monitoring to contribute to hydrologic studies in regions where groundwater–surface water interactions are not well constrained.
Keywords
Hydrology, Seismology, Aquifer, Geophysics
Date of this Version
11-19-2025
Recommended Citation
Cyr, Jessica M.; Yang, Xiaotao; and Frisbee, Marty D., "Characterization of River Discharge and Interaction with Shallow Groundwater Aquifers Along the Wabash River Using Seismological Methods" (2025). Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship. Paper 81.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/duri/81