tremortyp

Tremortyp is a term used in seismology to describe a classification scheme for tremor signals. It is intended to organize the variety of tremor phenomena into a common framework by focusing on origin, duration, and spectral content. The term is not universally standardized and its usage varies among research groups and regions.

Origin distinguishes tremor sources into categories such as tectonic tremor (slow slip on faults), volcanic tremor (continuous signals related to magma movement), atmospheric or meteorological tremor (influenced by pressure systems and wind), and anthropogenic tremor (caused by human activities such as mining or construction). This axis helps researchers link tremor observations to underlying physical processes.

Duration classifies tremors as transient (lasting from seconds to minutes), episodic (repeating bursts over longer intervals), or persistent (extending for hours to days). The duration often correlates with the mechanism and the stability of the source region.

Spectral content refers to the frequency characteristics of the tremor signal, typically described as low-frequency, mid-frequency, or high-frequency. Low-frequency tremor is commonly associated with slow or large-scale processes, while high-frequency tremor tends to reflect localized, rapid source activity. Harmonic components may be noted in volcanic settings.

Applications of tremortyp include improving seismic monitoring, comparing tremor records across regions, and informing models of fault mechanics and volcanic systems. Limitations arise from inconsistent definitions, overlapping categories, and data quality, which can complicate classification and cross-study comparisons.