High-resolution Reflection Method Research Articles

Performing high resolution seismic reflection for mapping Bauxite layers

The seismic method is able to produce highly accurate images of the Earth's subsurface. Having such detail is not only an important factor in mining, but also in civil engineering. Bauxite exploration attracts both government and industrialists to invest in it because of the high percentage of aluminum present. The economic importance of extracting aluminum from bauxite encouraged us to take this challenge; to image bauxite layers by using a high-resolution seismic reflection method at Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Since the subsurface structure of the area is complex, this high-resolution reflection method was carried out along a 2D line with geophone and source interval, with settings at 5 m. The result for the seismic section shows that the depth and thickness of the bauxite layer varied from 20 to 34 m, and 3 to 7 m respectively. In addition, the bauxite layer was sandwiched between clay layers. In order to achieve an even more precise depth than presented by seismic section alone, we tied the drilled wells to the seismic data and we accomplished a well match with an approximation error of 1 - 2 m, which may have been caused by the upper clay layer or by very shallow loose subsurface material. The seismic method thus applied shows the ability to detect significant details within the near surface of the earth, and considers more cost-effective than only drilled wells.

Imaging bauxite layers using the high-resolution seismic reflection method

The seismic method is able to produce highly accurate images of the Earth’s subsurface. Having such detail is not only an important factor in mining, but also in civil engineering. Bauxite exploration attracts both government and industrialists to invest in it because of the high percentage of aluminum present. The economic importance of extracting aluminum from bauxite encouraged us to take this challenge; to image bauxite layers by using a high-resolution seismic reflection method at Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Since the subsurface structure of the area is complex, this high-resolution reflection method was carried out along a 2D line with geophone and source interval, with settings at 5 m. The result for the seismic section shows that the depth and thickness of the bauxite layer varied between 20 to 34 m, and 3 to 7 m respectively. In addition, the bauxite layer was sandwiched between clay layers. In order to achieve an even more precise depth than presented by seismic section alone, we tied the drilled wells to the seismic data and we accomplished a well match with an approximation error of 1-2 m, which may have been caused by the upper clay layer or by very shallow loose subsurface material. The seismic method thus applied shows the ability to detect significant details within the near surface of the earth, and is considered more cost- effective than only drilled wells.

Performing High Resolution Seismic Reflection for Mapping Bauxite Layers

The seismic method is able to produce highly accurate images of the Earth's subsurface. Having such detail is not only an important factor in mining, but also in civil engineering. Bauxite exploration attracts both government and industrialists to invest in it because of the high percentage of aluminum present. The economic importance of extracting aluminum from bauxite encouraged us to take this challenge; to image bauxite layers by using a high-resolution seismic reflection method at Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Since the subsurface structure of the area is complex, this high-resolution reflection method was carried out along a 2D line with geophone and source interval, with settings at 5 m. The result for the seismic section shows that the depth and thickness of the bauxite layer varied from 20 to 34 m, and 3 to 7 m respectively. In addition, the bauxite layer was sandwiched between clay layers. In order to achieve an even more precise depth than presented by seismic section alone, we tied the drilled wells to the seismic data and we accomplished a well match with an approximation error of 1 - 2 m, which may have been caused by the upper clay layer or by very shallow loose subsurface material. The seismic method thus applied shows the ability to detect significant details within the near surface of the earth, and considers more cost-effective than only drilled wells.

Evaluation of resistivity and seismic methods for hydrogeological mapping in karst terrains

A water exploration in a karst area can be hardly imagined without the application of electrical and seismic methods, but karst areas are very difficult environments for any geophysical exploration due to very high surface nonhomogeneities. Dual gradient mapping (measurements performed at two depth levels), two-dimensional (2-D) resistivity imaging, refraction methods and high-resolution reflection methods have been applied on a characteristic karst case in Croatia. General overview on the subsurface resistivity distribution has been reached by using the gradient mapping measurements. This revealed low-resistivity zone points of the fractured rock filled with water. Map of relative changes of apparent resistivities with depth discovers two different zones: resistivity increases with depth in the eastern part and resistivity decreases with depth in the western part of the area. Weak reflections are seen in the stacked seismic reflection section placed with the 2-D resistivity imaging profile, but they can be followed along the entire profile. By combining refraction and reflection data, faulted and fractured zones can be determined at surface as well as at greater depths, which will enable a precise definition of their extensions. Two-dimensional inverse seismic modelling have been carried out to clarify significance of the main reflection horizon, which is probably caused by a lithologic boundary, meaning a contact of dolomites and compact limestones. The model of acoustic impedancies has been derived on the basis of refraction velocities, reflection velocities and geological data from borehole. An accurate geological model has been established on the basis of all the data. Two-dimensional resistivity surveying can be used very efficiently in karst water explorations of shallow targets, but for deeper targets the seismic methods can be very useful by reason of poor resolution of the electrical resistivity methods.