Three-dimensional location and waveform analysis of microseismicity in multi-anvil experiments

We present an acoustic emission (AE) monitoring technique to study high-pressure (P > 1 GPa) microseismicity in multi-anvil rock deformation experiments. The application of this technique is aimed at studying fault mechanisms of deep-focus earthquakes that occur during subduction at depths up to 650 km. AE monitoring in multi-anvil experiments is challenging because source locations need to be resolved to a submillimetre scale due to the small size of the experimental assembly. AEs were collected using an 8-receiver array, located on the back truncations of the tungsten carbide anvils. Each receiver consists of a 150–1000 kHz bandwidth PZT transducer assembly. Data were recorded and processed using a high-speed AMSY-5 acquisition system from Vallen-Systems, allowing waveform collection at a 10 MHz sampling rate for each event signal. 3-D hypocentre locations in the assembly are calculated using standard seismological algorithms. The technique was used to monitor fault development in 3 mm long × 1.5 mm diameter olivine cores during axisymmetric compression and extension. The faults were generated during cold compression to ~2 GPa confining pressure. Subsequent AEs at 2–6 GPa and 900 °C were found to locate near these pre-existing faults and exhibit high pressure stick-slip behaviour.