RESEARCH ARTICLE | OCTOBER 22 2018

Low-frequency spectral analysis on passive seismic data to

identify the thickness of volcanic rock layer in Majalengka,
Indonesia 
S. R. Wibowo; A. H. Pratama; F. Adlan; S. Supriyanto 

AIP Conference Proceedings 2023, 020245 (2018)

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5064242

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 Low-Frequency Spectral Analysis on Passive Seismic Data
to Identify The Thickness of Volcanic Rock Layer
in Majalengka, Indonesia
S. R. Wibowo1, A. H. Pratama1, F. Adlan1, and S. Supriyanto2, a)
1
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA),

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Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
2
Geology and Geophysics Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA),
Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: supriyanto@sci.ui.ac.id

Abstract. The research have been conducted for identifying the thickness of volcanic rock layer that prohibits the
hydrocarbon potential in Majalengka District, Indonesia by using passive seismic method. The potential reservoir is
expected on sedimentary rock of Cinambo Formation below the volcanic layer. The hydrocarbon potential are proven by
the presence of oil seepage in the northern side of research area. Active sesimic survey showed unsatisfactory results
because the volcanic layer has scaterred the seismic wave propagation. This study aims to strengthen the previous results
and to determine the thickness of volcanic rock layer. Passive seismic is a method that can detect the thickness of layer
by utilizing low frequency. Measurements carried out on an area of 15 km-square with acquisition time around 1 - 2
hours for each station. The equipment is a digital broadband seismometer with 3-axis components. The horizontal to
vertical spectral ratio (H/V Spectral Ratio) showed that the natural frequency signal can correlate to the thickness of
volcanic rock layer. The thickness of volcanic rock layer have been estimated using the Bard (2000) equation about the
relation of natural frequency and the thickness of bedrock. A data inversion and 2D/3D modelling has been performed by
using velocity model to show the thickness of volcanic rock layer through a velocity value. The results showed that the
volcanic rock layer on the research area varies from 20 meters to 60 meters.

INTRODUCTION
The research has been performed in the hydrocarbon potential area of Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia.
According to Praptisih and Kamtono [1], Majalengka area has a source rock potential on the Cinambo Formation.
However the area has the topsoil layer formed by volcanic-magmatic that prohibits the hydrocarbon potential below.
The potential is also proven by the presence of oil seepage in the northern side of research area. To prove the
existence of hydrocarbon potential have been conducted an active seismic survey. Unfortunatelly the results of
active seismic survey showed unsatisfactory result.
To identify the thickness of volcanic rock layer that prohibit the hydrocarbon potential we used passive seismic
method. According to Bard [2] the frequency that appeared in the research area have a correlation with the thickness
of the weathered layer. Data processing technique has been done with the ratio of horizontal to vertical (H/V Ratio)
which can determine the frequency value at the research area[3, 4]. To identify the thickness of volocanic rock layer
have been done an inversion data technique using velocity model[5, 6]. The result of this research is expected to
determine the frequency anomaly that can identify the volcanic rock layer that prohibits the hydrocarbn potential.
Physiographycally, Majalengka area is the part of the eastern area of Bogor Zone. This zone is located in the
southern part of Jakarta Coastal Zone that strecthed from Bogor City, Purwakarta, Majalengka and ended in
Bumiayu City. Bogor Zone has a hilly morphology that generally extends from west to east towards Bogor City.
This zone is an anti-clinorium that consisting of neogenous layers of neogennous rock [7].

Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Current Progress in Mathematics and Sciences 2017 (ISCPMS2017)
AIP Conf. Proc. 2023, 020245-1–020245-5; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5064242
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1741-0/$30.00

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 Based on Geological Map of Arjawinangun sheet that modified by Djuri (1995) mention that the arrangements of
the rocks from oldest to the youngest regionally are: Cinambo Fm., Limestone of Mt. Kromong Complex, Halang
Fm., Subang Fm., Kaliwungu Fm., Citalang Fm., Folded Breccia, Old Volcanoes, Young Volcanoes, and
Alluvium[8]. While in the research area, the rock arrangement from youngest to oldest are:
• Young Volcanoes, consist of lava (Qyl) and undifferentiated volcanics rock (Qyu). Young volcanoes is
estimated come from the product of Ciremai and Tampomas Volcano that consist of lava breccia, sandstone
tuff, lapili, andesitic lava to basaltic from Upper Pleistocene to Lower Holocene.
• Old Volcanoes, consist of lava (Qvl), breccia (Qvb), undifferentiated volcanics rock (Qvu) from Middle
Pliestocene to Lower Pleistocene.
• Kaliwungu Formation (Tpk). This formation is consist of claystone containing molluscs, conglomerates
with sandstones-tuff and limestone from Lower Pleistocene.
• Lower Cinambo Foemation (Omtl). This formation come from Lower Miocene to Middle Miocene based
on fossil content of foraminifera. This formation consist of graywake with thick coating, thin claystone,
sandstone, limestone, tuff, claystone and siltstone.
Based on research by Praptisih and Kamtono [1] showed that the hydrocarbon potential is located on Cinambo
Formation that act as source rock. The source rock has a Total Organic Content (TOC) of 0.42 – 1.90 % and belongs

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to a low category which is good to for hydrocarbon [9]. Thermal maturity (T) has a range from 359 – 475 which can
be classified as immature to post-mature.
Furthermore, the Hydrogen Index (HI) values shows a large index of 12 – 114 mg HC/g TOC. Cinambo
Formation has an organic facies consisting of 2 types, CD and D Type. It shows that Cinambo formation can
produce gas with a relatively small quantity and includes oil prone and gas prone. Cinambo Formation has a
depositional enviromental conditions that the organic material comes from land based on CG-SM biomarker
analysis.

DATA AND METHODS

Data Acqusition
The measurement area has an area of 5 km x 3 km with 27 measurement point and the distance beetwen the
measurement pont as far as 1 km. The area located on the southwest side of the presence of oil seepage. The
measurement area is located in the area of uppermost volcanic layer produce by Mount Ciremai. Has been
performed calibration process before data recording to find out the response of the sensor. Calibration process
should performed in the area of low noise level. The data acquisition equipment used is TDV-5 seismograph sensor
consisting of three directional components.

Data Processing

The workflow of passive seismic data processing consisting of 5 main stages showed in Fig. 1. The first stage of
data processing is window selection using Geopsy Software to selecting the good quality data. Furthermore the H/V
ratio calculate the natural frequency of the research area. Calculation of H/V ratio using comparison of fourier
spectrum between H and V component based on Equation 1.
!! ! !!! (!)
!(!) !
= (1)
!(!) !(!)

Low- Low-
frequency Calculating of frequency 2D and 3D
Data Inversion
Window H/V Ratio Anomaly Modelling
Selection Maps

FIGURE 1. The workflow of data processing stage

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 The natural frequency (f0) value that calculate from H/V ratio can identify the thickness of volcanic layer using
Equation 2.
!"
!= (2)
!!

After obtained the natural frequency (f0) value can be continued by making the map of natural frequency value
distribution by using Surfer 12. If the value of natural frequency has not describe the geological condition of
research area then must be proceed to data inversion. The data inversion using ModelHVSR software that developed
using MATLAB GUI. The principle used is based on Monte Carlo inversion using velocity model of research area
[5]. The parameter used for velocity model are Velocity of P-wave and S-wave, thickness (H), density (rho), and
wave attenuation (Q).
The velocity model that generated by inversion process can be used to describe the subsurface condition of
research area. The modelling process of the subsurface condition can be performed by OpenHVSR software based
on MATLAB GUI that developed by Bignardi et al. [6]. This modelling is useful for constructing both 2D and 3D
subsurface condition of research area.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Natural Frequency (f0)

Spatially, a low natural frequency value or less then 6 Hz appears on the southern side of measurement area at
the measurement point of 1 to 8. Then the occurance of low frequency also appears at the measurement point of 19,
20, 23, 24, and 27 (Fig. 2b). Geologically the area is located in the region with the uppermost layer of the older
volcanic rock (Fig 2a). The low natural frequency value indicates the presence of a thickly wathered or volcanic
layer variation in the area.
High natural frequency value tends to appear in the middle region of the measurement area. The frequency
values that appear in this area range from 6-13 Hz. The measurement area lies on the young volcanic layer. The
appearance of these high natural frequency values physically describe the thickness conditions of the volcanic layer
as well as the thin layer of weather or the occurance of rock outcrops in the area of measurement. Geologically this
area does have a layer of young volcanic rocks with a hard layer, such as basalt, breccia, and andesite.

Data Inversion
The result of inversion shows the value of natural frequency has not much differencies from the observational
result. From the inversion process also obtained the value of velocity model in the measurement area that showed
the subsurface condition based on the velocity value (Fig. 3a). From Table 1, the velocity model from inversion
process showed a layering variation from 3 to 4 layers. Due to shallow depths then the analysis should be based on
the S-wave velocity value.
The uppermost layer of research area is distinguished by the presence of old volcanic and young volcanic layers.
Based on inversion result (Fig. 3b) showed the first layer has the value of S-wave velocity in the range of 50-400
m/s. According to the research of Babacan et al. [10] on the volcanic rock area showed that the S-wave velocity in
the range of 150-500 m/s can be classified as weathered basaltic rock.
Furthermore, in the second layer has a range of S-wave velocity values of 150-450 m/s and can be classified as
basaltic rock type. On the third layer, the S-wave velocity value rises to 300-500 m/s and on the next layer has 400-
550 m/s. Based on the value of the velocity can be expected that the layer is a rock that has been weathered and it
still basaltic. The range of S-wave velocity values is according to the research by Petrosino et al. [11] on the
volcanic rock layer.
TABLE 1. Velocity Model of the Research Area According to Data Inversion Process
Layer Vp (m/s) Vs (m/s)
1 175 - 750 50 – 400
2 200 - 800 150 - 450
3 400 - 900 300 - 500
4 500 - 1020 450 - 550
Bedrock 1040 600

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(a) (b)
FIGURE 2. (a) the measurement area consist of 27 points on the geological map (b) the natural frequency anomaly
on the research area which is match with the geological setting on the research area.

(a)

(b)
FIGURE 3. (a) The result of 2D modelling that showed the layering condition,
(b) The result of 3D modelling that describe the thickness of volcanic layer.

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 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the result of H/V calculation, inversion and modelling can be conclude that the low values of natural
frequency (less than 6 Hz) can be found in the southern and northeast side of measurement area. According to the
inversion and 2D/3D modelling showed that the thickness of volcanic or weathered layer varies by the range of 20 –
60 meters. The low values of natural frequency is also located in the uppermost layer of old volcanic that classified
as weathered basaltic rock. Furthermore, the higher values of natural frequency (more than 6 Hz) can be found in the
middle area of measurement area. The higher frequency is located in the geological setting as young volcanic that
can be classified as hard basaltic and andesite. So, in that area the weathered layer or volcanic layer showed a
thinner layer.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study was financially supported by Universitas Indonesia through PITTA (Publikasi Internasional
Terindeks untuk Tugas Akhir Mahasiswa) Grant 2018 with the contract number 686/UN2.R3.1/HKP.05.00/2017.

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We would like to thank the Indonesia Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agencies to support this
research by lending the research equipment such as seismograph.

REFERENCES
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