Underground coal mines imaging by high resolution seismic reflection

Abstract

In spite of the widespread development of high-resolution seismic reflection techniques (HRS) during recent years, the detection of underground cavities remains the task fundamentally unsolved. Except for some general principles, each case requires a particular study. This paper presents the successful application of the high resolution seismic reflection for the detection and location of old coal mines, appearing in the north of France and being now unexplored. The collapses of this voids imply the modification of the environment and represent a real danger for nature, water resources and building activities. The aim of this work is to check the capacity HRS for imaging of the mines and of the neighboring faults.