Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) Measurements and Depth-to-Bedrock Estimates in the Cattaraugus Creek Valley between Springville and Arcade in Erie, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming Counties, New York, 2019-2023

This data release contains 43 horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) seismic measurements in Erie, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming Counties, New York collected between 2019 and 2023, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The HVSR passive seismic method (Lane and others, 2008; Fairchild and others, 2013) is a non-invasive and cost-effective technique for estimating the thickness of unconsolidated deposits and depth-to-bedrock. This technique uses a single broadband three-component (x, y, and z directions) seismometer to record ambient seismic noise. The ratio of the averaged horizontal (x, y) to vertical (z) frequency spectrum is used to produce a spectral ratio curve and determine a site’s peak resonance frequency. This frequency can be empirically related to sediment thickness using an average local sediment shear-wave velocity or through a power-law regression of peak resonance frequency versus known depths to bedrock (Ibs-von Seht and Wohlenberg, 1999; Lane and others, 2008; Chandler and Lively, 2014; Johnson and Lane, 2016). Data were collected at each site for 30 minutes using a Tromino Model TEP-3C three-component seismometer. Raw and processed HVSR data for each measurement are presented in the attached files. The HVSR data-collection sites are designated by a county sequential numbering systems (EHVSR1, EHVSR2, EHVSR3, etc.; where “E” indicates Erie County, “CT” indicates Cattaraugus County, and “WY” indicates Wyoming County).