Comment on essd-2022-378

Abstract

Abstract. Passive seismic datasets are a key technology for exploration and monitoring of subsurface reservoirs. Searching for alternative resources in the framework of the energy transition creates a surge for identifying as many potential sites as possible suitable for geothermal exploitation. The Lower Rhine Embayment, at the western border of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, is an extensional system with a very high potential for geothermal exploitation. The area experiences moderate but continuous natural seismicity. Here, we report on a passive seismic dataset recorded with 48 seismic stations centred at and around Eschweiler-Weisweiler. Background seismic noise levels are high at this site due to high levels of anthropogenic noise and thick unconsolidated sedimentary layers. The final station layout is a compromise between targeted network design and suitably quiet locations. We show that the network design allows the application of state-of-the-art methods including waveform-based source location methods and ambient noise velocity imaging methods.

Authors 11

1. Claudia Finger corresponding

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer IEG, Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems, Bochum, Germany

2. Marco P. Roth

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany

3. Marco Dietl

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG · Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer IEG, Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems, Bochum, Germany

   Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany

4. Aileen Gotowik

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG · Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer IEG, Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems, Bochum, Germany

   Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany

5. Nina Engels Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Germany

6. Rebecca M. Harrington

   Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany

7. Brigitte Knapmeyer‐Endrun

   University of Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   Bensberg Observatory, University of Cologne, Germany

8. Klaus Reicherter Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Germany

9. Thomas Oswald

   RWE (Germany)

   Affiliation as printed

   RWE Power Aktiengesellschaft, Germany

10. Thomas Reinsch

    Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG

    Affiliation as printed

    Fraunhofer IEG, Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems, Bochum, Germany

11. Erik H. Saenger

    Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG · Bochum University of Applied Sciences · Ruhr University Bochum

    Affiliation as printed

    Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Germany

    Fraunhofer IEG, Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems, Bochum, Germany

    Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany