Combining near‐surface seismic reflection and ground‐penetrating radar data in the depth domain

Abstract

Shallow seismic reflection (SSR) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data of approximately the same wavelength were collected over a coincident volume of geologic material in an effort to image the water table at a test site near Clay Center, KS. Although the top of the saturated zone was successfully imaged using both techniques, no significant reflectors were imaged above the water table using SSR or below the water table using GPR. The SSR and GPR data sets were depth converted and vertically stacked to provide a more complete image of the subsurface. Instead of having two different sections representing depths of ~0-5 m (GPR) and ~4-30 m (SSR), the combined section includes the near-surface stratigraphy, water table, and bedrock, among other geologic features. It is important to note, however, that this method of data combination is intended for qualitative purposes only because the two methods measure different physical properties of the subsurface and quantitative analysis of the vertically stacked section may lead to erroneous results.