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Investigating the Detectability of Body Wave Phases From Tidal Ice Cracking Events on Titan With the Dragonfly Short‐Period Seismometer.

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Title: Investigating the Detectability of Body Wave Phases From Tidal Ice Cracking Events on Titan With the Dragonfly Short‐Period Seismometer.
Authors: Delaroque, L.1 (AUTHOR) delaroque@ipgp.fr, Kawamura, T.1 (AUTHOR), Lucas, A.1 (AUTHOR), Rodriguez, S.1 (AUTHOR), Onodera, K.2 (AUTHOR), Shiraishi, H.3 (AUTHOR), Yamada, R.4 (AUTHOR), Tanaka, S.3 (AUTHOR), Panning, M. P.5 (AUTHOR), Lorenz, R. D.6 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Apr2026, Vol. 131 Issue 4, p1-21. 21p.
Subject Terms: Body waves (Seismic waves), Titan (Satellite), Attenuation (Physics), Seismometers, Imaging systems in seismology
Abstract: Detecting seismic activity on Saturn's icy moon Titan during the Dragonfly mission could provide crucial information on its internal structure. The geological complexity of the moon's surface suggests significant cyclic tidal deformation, likely leading to the fracturing of the ice shell. Considering realistic source locations and fault geometries, we assess whether a vertical short‐period seismometer can detect body waves from a Mw ${M}_{w}$ 4.0 icequake. Signal‐to‐noise ratios are evaluated by comparing the high‐frequency content with the expected background noise and instrument capabilities for several ice attenuation scenarios and 1D interior models. Our results indicate that the high‐frequency content (≥1 ${\ge} 1$Hz) of Mw≤4.0 ${M}_{w}\le 4.0$ tidal‐induced icequakes is likely undetectable under the most unfavorable attenuation scenarios and atmospheric conditions. However, seismic signals in the 0.5–1 Hz band—where P wave reflections dominate—may still be observable for events occurring in potential seismically active regions at ∼800–1,000 km from the Dragonfly's landing site. These signals could provide constraints on the thickness of Titan's outer ice shell, provided that intrinsic attenuation is low and environmental conditions are favorable. Plain Language Summary: As part of the upcoming Dragonfly mission, a seismometer will be deployed on Titan to allow passive seismic monitoring of Titanquakes. The satellite's surface exhibits complex geological features shaped by periodic solid tides exerted by Saturn—a phenomenon widely recognized as a driver of seismic activity. This paper shows the conditions under which icequakes or "cracks" (in particular, body waves generated by these quakes) can be detected by Dragonfly seismic instrumentation and if their seismic signals are of sufficient amplitude to extract information from the internal structure. We find that high‐frequency seismic signals (≥1 ${\ge} 1$ Hz) generated by Marsquake‐sized icequake events (Mw≤ ${M}_{w}\le $ 4.0) from potential seismogenic zones on Titan may be difficult to detect if the ice shell is strongly attenuating. However, lower‐frequency signals (0.5–1 Hz), which include clear signatures of P‐wave reverberations, may still be recorded, only if the environmental conditions and the crustal attenuation scenario are favorable. If such an event occurs, it might be possible to estimate the thickness of the outer ice shell from the seismic recordings. Key Points: High‐frequency simulations were performed to analyze seismic phases transmitted through the ice shell in synthetic seismogramsTidal icequakes detectability was assessed against instrumental and atmospheric ground noise for several attenuation and 1D ice scenariosObservations of body waves could provide valuable insights into Titan's ice shell thickness and structure [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Detecting seismic activity on Saturn's icy moon Titan during the Dragonfly mission could provide crucial information on its internal structure. The geological complexity of the moon's surface suggests significant cyclic tidal deformation, likely leading to the fracturing of the ice shell. Considering realistic source locations and fault geometries, we assess whether a vertical short‐period seismometer can detect body waves from a Mw ${M}_{w}$ 4.0 icequake. Signal‐to‐noise ratios are evaluated by comparing the high‐frequency content with the expected background noise and instrument capabilities for several ice attenuation scenarios and 1D interior models. Our results indicate that the high‐frequency content (≥1 ${\ge} 1$Hz) of Mw≤4.0 ${M}_{w}\le 4.0$ tidal‐induced icequakes is likely undetectable under the most unfavorable attenuation scenarios and atmospheric conditions. However, seismic signals in the 0.5–1 Hz band—where P wave reflections dominate—may still be observable for events occurring in potential seismically active regions at ∼800–1,000 km from the Dragonfly's landing site. These signals could provide constraints on the thickness of Titan's outer ice shell, provided that intrinsic attenuation is low and environmental conditions are favorable. Plain Language Summary: As part of the upcoming Dragonfly mission, a seismometer will be deployed on Titan to allow passive seismic monitoring of Titanquakes. The satellite's surface exhibits complex geological features shaped by periodic solid tides exerted by Saturn—a phenomenon widely recognized as a driver of seismic activity. This paper shows the conditions under which icequakes or "cracks" (in particular, body waves generated by these quakes) can be detected by Dragonfly seismic instrumentation and if their seismic signals are of sufficient amplitude to extract information from the internal structure. We find that high‐frequency seismic signals (≥1 ${\ge} 1$ Hz) generated by Marsquake‐sized icequake events (Mw≤ ${M}_{w}\le $ 4.0) from potential seismogenic zones on Titan may be difficult to detect if the ice shell is strongly attenuating. However, lower‐frequency signals (0.5–1 Hz), which include clear signatures of P‐wave reverberations, may still be recorded, only if the environmental conditions and the crustal attenuation scenario are favorable. If such an event occurs, it might be possible to estimate the thickness of the outer ice shell from the seismic recordings. Key Points: High‐frequency simulations were performed to analyze seismic phases transmitted through the ice shell in synthetic seismogramsTidal icequakes detectability was assessed against instrumental and atmospheric ground noise for several attenuation and 1D ice scenariosObservations of body waves could provide valuable insights into Titan's ice shell thickness and structure [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699097
DOI:10.1029/2025JE009432