The AlpArray Seismic Network: A Large-Scale European Experiment to Image the Alpine Orogen

The AlpArray programme is a multinational, European consortium to advance our understanding of orogenesis and its relationship to mantle dynamics, plate reorganizations, surface processes and seismic hazard in the Alps-Apennines-Carpathians-Dinarides orogenic system. The AlpArray Seismic Network has been deployed with contributions from 36 institutions from 11 countries to map physical properties of the lithosphere and asthenosphere in 3D and thus to obtain new, high-resolution geophysical images of structures from the surface down to the base of the mantle transition zone. With over 600 broadband stations operated for 2 years, this seismic experiment is one of the largest simultaneously operated seismological networks in the academic domain, employing hexagonal coverage with station spacing at less than 52 km. This dense and regularly spaced experiment is made possible by the coordinated coeval deployment of temporary stations from numerous national pools, including ocean-bottom seismometers, which were funded by different national agencies. They combine with permanent networks, which also required the cooperation of many different operators. Together these stations ultimately fill coverage gaps. Following a short overview of previous large-scale seismological experiments in the Alpine region, we here present the goals, construction, deployment, characteristics and data management of the AlpArray Seismic Network, which will provide data that is expected to be unprecedented in quality to image the complex Alpine mountains at depth.

Keyword(s)

Seismology, Alps, Seismic network, Geodynamics, Seismic imaging, Mountain building

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Hetenyi Gyorgy, Molinari Irene, Clinton John, Bokelmann Gotz, Bondar Istvan, Crawford Wayne C., Dessa Jean-Xavier, Doubre Cecile, Friederich Wolfgang, Fuchs Florian, Giardini Domenico, Graczer Zoltan, Handy Mark R., Herak Marijan, Jia Yan, Kissling Edi, Kopp Heidrun, Korn Michael, Margheriti Lucia, Meier Thomas, Mucciarelli Marco, Paul Anne, Pesaresi Damiano, Piromallo Claudia, Plenefisch Thomas, Plomerova Jaroslava, Ritter Joachim, Rumpker Georg, Sipka Vesna, Spallarossa Daniele, Thomas Christine, Tilmann Frederik, Wassermann Joachim, Weber Michael, Weber Zoltan, Wesztergom Viktor, Zivcic Mladen, Abreu Rafael, Allegretti Ivo, Apoloner Maria-Theresia, Aubert Coralie, Besancon Simon, de Berc Maxime Bes, Brunel Didier, Capello Marco, Carman Martina, Cavaliere Adriano, Cheze Jerome, Chiarabba Claudio, Cougoulat Glenn, Cristiano Luigia, Czifra Tibor, D'Alema Ezio, Danesi Stefania, Daniel Romuald, Dannowski Anke, Dasovic Iva, Deschamps Anne, Egdorf Sven, Fiket Tomislav, Fischer Kasper, Funke Sigward, Govoni Aladino, Groschl Gidera, Heimers Stefan, Heit Ben, Herak Davorka, Huber Johann, Jaric Dejan, Jedlicka Petr, Jund Helene, Klingen Stefan, Klotz Bernhard, Kolinsky Petr, Kotek Josef, Kuhne Lothar, Kuk Kreso, Lange Dietrich, Loos Jurgen, Lovati Sara, Malengros Deny, Maron Christophe, Martin Xavier, Massa Marco, Mazzarini Francesco, Metral Laurent, Moretti Milena, Munzarova Helena, Nardi Anna, Pahor Jurij, Pequegnat Catherine, Petersen Florian, Piccinini Davide, Pondrelli Silvia, Prevolnik Snjezan, Racine Roman, Regnier Marc, Reiss Miriam, Salimbeni Simone, Santulin Marco, Scherer Werner, Schippkus Sven, Schulte-Kortnack Detlef, Solarino Stefano, Spieker Kathrin, Stipcevic Josip, Strollo Angelo, Sule Balint, Szanyi Gyongyver, Szucs Eszter, Thorwart Martin, Ueding Stefan, Vallocchia Massimiliano, Vecsey Ludek, Voigt Rene, Weidle Christian, Weyland Gauthier, Wiemer Stefan, Wolf Felix, Wolyniec David, Zieke Thomas (2018). The AlpArray Seismic Network: A Large-Scale European Experiment to Image the Alpine Orogen. Surveys In Geophysics. 39 (5). 1009-1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-018-9472-4, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00690/80173/

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