Modeling the Impact of Seasonal Water Table Fluctuations on Ambient Noise Interferometry Using Acousto‐Elastic Effect

Abstract Ambient noise interferometry has become a common technique for monitoring slight changes in seismic velocity in a variety of contexts. However, the physical origin of the resolved small velocity fluctuations is not well established for long‐term seasonal effects. Here we propose a physical forward model of scattered waves in a deformable medium that includes acousto‐elastic effect, which refers to non‐linear elasticity with third‐order elastic constants. The model shows that small pressure perturbations of a few kPa due to seasonal variations in the water table can induce seismic velocity changes compatible with those measured at the surface by ambient noise interferometry. The results are consistent with field observations near the deep geothermal site of Rittershoffen (France). They illustrate the capability in modeling the diffuse wavefield from scattering synthetic waves to reproduce ambient noise signals for monitoring environmental and/or deep reservoir signals.