Numerical computation of methane migration effect on seismic survey results in permafrost zones

Intense methane emission from permafrost soil into the atmosphere has long been observed in Arctic shelf and coastal zones. Due to the potential danger of this phenomenon for the environment and infrastructure, there is a need for periodic monitoring of gas pockets, including by means of land seismic exploration. In the present paper, this process is studied using numerical simulation methods. In order to reflect the main specific features of the region, a model of layered permafrost sandy soil with curved boundaries between the layers is constructed. Vertical and horizontal gas migration is represented by an increase in the number of methane reservoirs. The hyperbolic equations of linear elasticity are used as a governing system. The problem is solved by applying the grid-characteristic method in the two-dimensional case. The elastic parameters of the layers are specified in each grid cell. Wave structures exhibited by the resulting synthetic wave patterns and seismograms are analyzed in detail, allowing the direction of gas migration to be determined. The results can be used to interpret similar in situ measurements.