Rayleigh wave ellipticity from ambient noise: A practical method for monitoring seismic velocity variations in the near-surface

This study explores the feasibility and limitations of using Rayleigh wave (Rg) ellipticity for noise-based seismic monitoring at near-surface depths (4–70 m). We use the degree of polarization (DOP) method to extract the Rayleigh wave ellipticity from seismic noise recordings, employing normalized cross-correlation and cross-covariance coefficients to quantify ellipticity variations over time. Synthetic models and field data from three distinct case studies—Garner Valley, California; Riotinto mine, Spain; and the 2011 submarine volcanic eruption on El Hierro Island, Canary Islands—validate our approach. In these field applications, our method effectively tracks the seasonality of the shallow groundwater levels in Garner Valley, monitors pore pressure variations at the tailings dam of Riotinto mine, and detects volcanic induced changes on El Hierro, demonstrating robust performance even with variable noise sources. Our results indicate that Rayleigh wave ellipticity is a versatile tool for subsurface monitoring, capable of detecting velocity changes across a broad depth range. Our methodology represents a new independent and non-interferometric approach that enhances the detection of subsurface changes while improving resolution and exploration depth in seismic monitoring techniques.