The effects of seismic anisotropy on mining seismology

Summary

Microseismics – the detection and characterisation of mining-induced fracture events in the rockmass – is widely used to improve geotechnical understanding of the rockmass response to mining, and for hazard assessment of rockbursts and roof falls. These uses of microseismics require that the seismic events be accurately located, which can only be done using an accurate velocity model.

In sedimentary environments, seismic velocity is typically anisotropic, usually being somewhat faster in a horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. However, anisotropy is seldom taken into account when processing microseismic data, resulting in locations of seismic events which can be significantly in error.

This paper presents a technique for inverting a set of calibration shots with known location, along with a set of mining-induced seismic events, for an anisotropic velocity model. An example of the differences in event location is shown, illustrating the potential geotechnical significance.

• seismic anisotropy
• mining seismology