Analysis and application of coal-seam seismic waves for detecting abandoned mines

Two in-seam reflection surveys and one transmission survey were acquired at an abandoned underground mine near Hurley, Virginia, to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting abandoned-mine voids utilizing coal-seam seismic waves. Standard, commonly available tools for seismic reflection processing were used. The mine was detected and located by using trapped coal-seam seismic waves observed in both the transmission and reflection data. Detecting the void, however, was not good enough to replace drilling entirely. We conclude that in-seam seismic methods can be used for detection; but if a potential void is detected, focused drilling should be applied for accurate mapping and to circumvent potentially hazardous areas.

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Characterization of Abandoned Mine Voids Under Roadway with Land-Streamer Seismic Waves

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.3141/2580-09 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2580 (1) ◽

pp. 71-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Brian Sullivan ◽

Khiem T. Tran ◽

Brian Logston

Keyword(s):

Seismic Waves ◽

Abandoned Mine ◽

Mine Voids

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Avoiding pitfalls in shallow seismic reflection surveys

Geophysics ◽

10.1190/1.1444422 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 1213-1224 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Don W. Steeples ◽

Richard D. Miller

Keyword(s):

Seismic Reflection ◽

Seismic Waves ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Digital Processing ◽

Petroleum Exploration ◽

Near Surface ◽

Surface Reflection ◽

Oil And Gas Exploration ◽

Reflection Data ◽

Shallow Seismic

Acquiring shallow reflection data requires the use of high frequencies, preferably accompanied by broad bandwidths. Problems that sometimes arise with this type of seismic information include spatial aliasing of ground roll, erroneous interpretation of processed airwaves and air‐coupled waves as reflected seismic waves, misinterpretation of refractions as reflections on stacked common‐midpoint (CMP) sections, and emergence of processing artifacts. Processing and interpreting near‐surface reflection data correctly often requires more than a simple scaling‐down of the methods used in oil and gas exploration or crustal studies. For example, even under favorable conditions, separating shallow reflections from shallow refractions during processing may prove difficult, if not impossible. Artifacts emanating from inadequate velocity analysis and inaccurate static corrections during processing are at least as troublesome when they emerge on shallow reflection sections as they are on sections typical of petroleum exploration. Consequently, when using shallow seismic reflection, an interpreter must be exceptionally careful not to misinterpret as reflections those many coherent waves that may appear to be reflections but are not. Evaluating the validity of a processed, shallow seismic reflection section therefore requires that the interpreter have access to at least one field record and, ideally, to copies of one or more of the intermediate processing steps to corroborate the interpretation and to monitor for artifacts introduced by digital processing.

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AMPLITUDES OF SEISMIC WAVES—A QUICK LOOK

Geophysics ◽

10.1190/1.1440565 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

pp. 745-762 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Fred J. Hilterman

Keyword(s):

Wave Equation ◽

Seismic Reflection ◽

Seismic Waves ◽

Graphical Method ◽

Seismic Reflection Data ◽

Potential Equation ◽

Seismic Amplitude ◽

Reflection Data ◽

Reflection Amplitude ◽

Boundary Curvature

A form of Kirchhoff’s wave equation is presented which is useful to the geophysicist doing an amplitude interpretation of seismic reflection data. A simple rearrangement of Kirchhoff’s retarded potential equation allows the reflection process to be evaluated as a convolution of the derivative of the source wavelet with a term called the “wavefront sweep velocity”. The wavefront sweep velocity is a measure of the rate at which the incident wavefront covers the reflecting boundary. By comparing wavefront sweep velocities for geologic models with different curvature, one obtains an intuitive feeling for the relation of diffraction and reflection amplitudes to boundary curvature. Also, from this convolutional form of the wave equation, the geometrical optics solution for the reflection amplitude is easily obtained. But more important, from the wavefront sweep velocity approach, a graphical method evolves which allows the geophysicist to use compass and ruler to estimate the effects of curvature and diffraction on seismic amplitude.

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Areal seismic methods for determining the extent of acoustic discontinuities

Geophysics ◽

10.1190/1.1441135 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 2-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John A. McDonald ◽

G. H. F. Gardner ◽

J. S. Kotcher

Keyword(s):

Seismic Reflection ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Structural Features ◽

Seismic Reflection Data ◽

Structural Problems ◽

Reflection Data ◽

Seismic Methods

The collection of areal seismic reflection data is becoming fairly routine. It is now generally realized that the solution of three‐dimensional (3-D) structural problems is only possible when the target has been adequately sampled and the data have been correctly migrated to produce an accurate image of the subsurface. However, many of our exploration prospects are associated with lithological changes or stratigraphic features rather than structural features. We show how areal seismic techniques can provide an added dimension in determining the extent of acoustic discontinuities in areas where the strata are generally flat.

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