From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne

Abstract Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) are primarily designed to record seismic signals in marine environments. However, the fundamental principles of their operation as broadband instruments enable a wider range of applications. Here, we demonstrate that OBS systems can also effectively monitor t...

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Main Authors: M.D Wamba, G. Sauter, A. Shynkarenko, D. Bouffard, M.C Schmidt-Aursch, K. Kremer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07186-0
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author M.D Wamba
G. Sauter
A. Shynkarenko
D. Bouffard
M.C Schmidt-Aursch
K. Kremer
author_facet M.D Wamba
G. Sauter
A. Shynkarenko
D. Bouffard
M.C Schmidt-Aursch
K. Kremer
author_sort M.D Wamba
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) are primarily designed to record seismic signals in marine environments. However, the fundamental principles of their operation as broadband instruments enable a wider range of applications. Here, we demonstrate that OBS systems can also effectively monitor the impact of sudden strong wind events on lakes. We conducted an experiment in Lake Lucerne (Switzerland), at the Muota Delta, using five OBS equipped with hydrophones. In addition, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was moored to record current speed and direction. Comprehensive data analysis of weather measurements reveals a link between a strong wind and seismic signature. A foehn event that occurred on October 10th, 2023 in Switzerland caused a wind-lake interaction that triggered an internal current in the lake, with intensified deep near-bed velocity flowing in the upwind direction. Seismic signals induced by foehn winds correlate strongly with recorded increased sediment load, likely from resuspension or erosion, demonstrating how ocean-bottom seismometer networks can enhance environmental monitoring.
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spelling doaj-art-89c4eea4a9a64a2a88faf842fc50997b2025-08-20T03:03:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-07186-0From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake LucerneM.D Wamba0G. Sauter1A. Shynkarenko2D. Bouffard3M.C Schmidt-Aursch4K. Kremer5Institute of Geological Sciences, University of BernInstitute of Geological Sciences, University of BernSwiss Seismological Service, ETH ZürichEawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Surface Waters – Research and ManagementAlfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und MeeresforschungInstitute of Geological Sciences, University of BernAbstract Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) are primarily designed to record seismic signals in marine environments. However, the fundamental principles of their operation as broadband instruments enable a wider range of applications. Here, we demonstrate that OBS systems can also effectively monitor the impact of sudden strong wind events on lakes. We conducted an experiment in Lake Lucerne (Switzerland), at the Muota Delta, using five OBS equipped with hydrophones. In addition, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was moored to record current speed and direction. Comprehensive data analysis of weather measurements reveals a link between a strong wind and seismic signature. A foehn event that occurred on October 10th, 2023 in Switzerland caused a wind-lake interaction that triggered an internal current in the lake, with intensified deep near-bed velocity flowing in the upwind direction. Seismic signals induced by foehn winds correlate strongly with recorded increased sediment load, likely from resuspension or erosion, demonstrating how ocean-bottom seismometer networks can enhance environmental monitoring.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07186-0
spellingShingle M.D Wamba
G. Sauter
A. Shynkarenko
D. Bouffard
M.C Schmidt-Aursch
K. Kremer
From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne
Scientific Reports
title From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne
title_full From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne
title_fullStr From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne
title_full_unstemmed From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne
title_short From wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake Lucerne
title_sort from wind to seismic signature captured by seismometers in lake lucerne
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07186-0
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