Physical Properties and Structure of the Near Subsurface in the Săcel Area, Romania, from Shallow Seismic Measurements

Abstract

Results are presented for shallow seismic reflection measurements performed southwest of Săcel village in Romania for the purpose of obtaining information about the geological structure in the near subsurface. The P-wave and S-wave velocity distributions were also obtained below the soil surface. The measurements were performed along a nearly linear profile on the top of an elongated hill. Most of the shot gathers were characterized by a good signal-to-noise ratio. A depth-converted migrated section was obtained after the processing of shot gathers, on which an image of sedimentary deposits with various thicknesses, separated by shallow faults until a depth of about 80 m, were observed. The P-wave and S-wave velocity-depth models for two segments were of considerable interest for a geotechnical study proposed for the construction of a windmill park. The two- and three-layered P-wave velocity-depth models were comparable until depths of about 10 m after first-arrival traveltime inversions. The lateral variations in the subsurface geological structure and lithology reflected the variations in the P-wave velocity values from both models. The S-wave velocity-depth models for comparable depth intervals were similar to those from the P-wave velocity-depth models. Reliable S-wave velocity distributions were obtained after inversion of fundamental-mode and higher-mode surface waves.