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Notes: Seismic and geoelectric methods are often used in the exploration of near-surface structures. Generally, these two methods give, independently of one other, a sufficiently exact model of the geological structure. However, sometimes the inversion of the seismic or geoelectric data fails. These failures can be avoided by combining various methods in one joint inversion which leads to much better parameter estimations of the near-surface underground than the independent inversions.  In the companion paper (Part I: basic ideas), it was demonstrated theoretically that a joint inversion, using dispersive Rayleigh and Love waves in combination with the well-known methods of DC resistivity sounding, such as Schlumberger, radial dipole-dipole and pole-pole arrays, provides a better parameter estimation.  Two applications are shown: a five layer structure in Borsod County, Hungary, and a three-layer structure in Thüringen, Germany. Layer thicknesses, wave velocities and resistivities are determined. Of course, the field data sets obtained from the ‘real world’ are not as complete and as good as the synthetic data sets in the theoretical Part I.  In both applications, relative model distances, in percentages, serve as quality control factors for the different inversions; the lower the relative distance, the better the inversion result.  In the Borsod field case, Love wave group slowness data and Schlumberger, radial dipole-dipole and pole-pole (i.e two-electrode) data sets are processed. The independent inversion performed using the Love wave data leads to a relative model distance of 155%. An independent Schlumberger inversion results in 41%, a joint geoelectric inversion of all data sets in 15%, a joint inversion of Love wave data and all geoelectric data sets in 15% and the robust joint inversion of Love wave data and the three geoelectric data sets in 10%.  In the Thüringen field case, only Rayleigh wave group slowness data and Schlumberger data were available. The independent inversion using Rayleigh wave data results in a relative model distance of 19%. The independent inversion performed using Schlumberger data leads to 34%, the joint and robust joint inversion of Rayleigh wave and Schlumberger data gave results of 18% and 20%, respectively.

Notes: The detection and resolution of a thin layer closely situated above a high-impedance basement are predominantly determined by both the frequency content of the incident seismic wavelet and the existence of the nearby high-impedance bedrock.The separation of the thin layer and the basement arrivals is investigated depending on the low-frequency content of the wavelet. The high-frequency content of the wavelet is kept constant. The initial wavelet spectrum with low frequencies has a rectangular shape. All wavelets used have zero-phase characteristics. Numerical and analogue seismic modelling techniques are used. The study is based on the geology of the Pachangchi Sandstone in West Taiwan.Firstly the resolution of a thin layer between two half-spaces is examined by applying the Ricker and De Voogd-Den Rooijen criteria. The lack of low-frequency components of the incident seismic wavelet reduces the shortest true two-way traveltime by about 20%. In addition, low-frequency components of the wavelet diminish the deviation between true and apparent two-way traveltime by about 65% for layer thicknesses in the transition from a thick to a thin layer.The second step deals with the influence of a high-impedance basement just below a thin layer on the detection and resolution of that thin layer. Reflected signal energies and apparent two-way traveltimes are considered. The reflected signal energy depends on the low-frequency content of the incident wavelet, the layer's thickness and the distance between the basement and the layer. This applies only to layers with thicknesses less than or equal to one-third of the mean wavelength in the layer, and a distance to basement in the range of one to one-half of the mean wavelength in the rock material between layer and basement.The minimum thin-layer thickness resolvable decreases with increasing distance to the basement; i.e. for a layer thickness of one-third of the mean wavelength in the layer the relative error of the two-way traveltime increases from 5% to 30%, if the distance is reduced from one to one-half of the mean wavelength in the material between the basement and the thin layer.Finally, a combination of vertical seismic profiling and downward-continuation techniques is presented as a preprocessing procedure to prepare realistic data for the detection and resolution investigation.

Notes: Field data from two-component in-seam seismic measurements are used to study roadway modes and their interaction with reflected seam waves. Using the multiple-filter technique to investigate the dispersion behaviour of the different waves, it can be shown that the roadway modes disperse very similarly to the related transmitted seam waves. However, because of the free surface of the coal face, the dispersion curves of the roadway modes show a velocity reduction and a slight shift to lower frequencies compared to those of the related transmitted seam waves. Polarization analysis using hodograms, rectilinearity and polarization angle confirms these results. The parameters found by polarization analysis can be used to design polarization filters which help to separate roadway modes and reflected events in the traveltime range of superposition in the presented field case.

Notes: Until the present time the ‘ rock-coal-rock’ layer sequence and offsets in coal-seams in underground coal mines have been detected with the aid of seismic waves and geoelectric measurements. In order to determine the geometrical and petrophysical parameters of the coal-seam situation, the data recorded using seismic and geoelectric methods have been inverted independently. In consequence, the inversion of partially inaccurate data resulted in a certain degree of ambiguity. This paper presents the first results of a joint inversion scheme to process underground vertical seismic profiling data, geolectric resistivity and resistance data.The joint inversion algorithm makes use of the damped least-squares method and its weighted version to solve the linearized set of equations for the seismic and geolectric unknowns. In order to estimate the accuracy and reliability of the derived geometrical and petrophysical layer parameters, both a model covariance matrix and a correlation matrix are calculated. The weighted least-squares algorithm is based on the method of most frequent values (MFV). The weight factors depend on the difference between measured data and those calculated by an iteration process.The joint inversion algorithm is tested by means of synthetic data. Compared to the damped least-squares algorithm, the MFV inversion leads to smaller estimation errors as well as lower sensitivities due to the choice of the initial model. It is shown that, compared to an independent inversion, the correlation between the model parameters is definitely reduced, while the accuracy of the parameter estimation is appreciably increased by the joint inversion process. Thus the ambiguity is significantly reduced.Finally, the joint inversion algorithm using the MFV method is applied to underground field data. The model parameters can be derived with a sufficient degree of accuracy, even in the case of noisy data.

Notes: Channel waves generated in coal-seams and their reflections from discontinuities are widely used to indicate the tectonic and stratigraphic features of coal deposits, resulting in greater efficiency and safety in coal-mining. In the mining area of Ibbenbüren (F.R.G.) seam structures sometimes contain so-called mylonite zones, which are crushed coal deposits capable of binding gas. If mining hits a mylonite zone this would probably not only reduce output of the mine, but could even cause gas explosions. To investigate the influence of a mylonite zone on the propagation of channel waves, Rayleigh channel wave measurements for 2D analogue models were performed and synthetic seismograms of Love channel waves were calculated.Analogue modelling of the mylonite zone using Rayleigh seam waves within the seam was carried out using a perforation technique. Calculations were made to obtain an estimate of velocity reduction due to perforation. The results agree well with velocity values measured up to a perforation of 25% in a 2D epoxy resin model. Reflected channel wave energy was found by applying dispersion analysis in the case where the impedance reduction between the mylonite seam structure and the undisturbed seam was approximately 5%. The horizontal width of the mylonite structure was detectable from the time lag between reflected channel wave signals from both in-seam borders of the mylonite zone. Resolution of two discrete borders was possible for a width of 1.5 λ's. The influence of a vertical fault, positioned within the mylonite zone, could only poorly be resolved.Numerical model investigations of Love seam waves were concerned mainly with the variation of the horizontal width of the mylonite zone. Mylonite zones with dimensions of the order of 0.4 λ's allow definite statements about their widths from dispersion and spectral analyses. For zones with smaller widths down to 0.2 λ's, it was found that reflectivity and transmissivity analyses give a qualitative criterion for distinguishing a mylonite structure surrounding a fault from a pure fault.

Notes: For the exploration of near-surface structures, seismic and geoelectric methods are often applied. Usually, these two types of method give, independently of each other, a sufficiently exact model of the geological structure. However, sometimes the inversion of the seismic or geoelectric data fails.These failures can be avoided by combining various methods in one joint inversion which feads to much better parameter estimations of the model than the independent inversions.A suitable seismic method for exploring near-surface structures is the use of dispersive surface waves: the dispersive characteristics of Rayleigh and Love surface waves depend strongly on the structural and petrophysical (seismic velocities) features of the near-surface Underground.Geoelectric exploration of the structure Underground may be carried out with the well-known methods of DC resistivity sounding, such as the Schlumberger, the radial-dipole and the two-electrode arrays.The joint inversion algorithm is tested by means of synthetic data. It is demonstrated that the geoelectric joint inversion of Schlumberger, radial-dipole and two-electrode sounding data yields more reliable results than the single inversion of a single set of these data. The same holds for the seismic joint inversion of Love and Rayleigh group slowness data. The best inversion result is achieved by performing a joint inversion of both geoelectric and surface-wave data.The effect of noise on the accuracy of the solution for both Gaussian and non-Gaussian (sparsely distributed large) errors is analysed. After a comparison between least-square (LSQ) and least absolute deviation (LAD) inversion results, the LAD joint inversion is found to be an accurate and robust method.

Notes: A hybrid seismic modelling technique has been developed to investigate complex geological phenomena. Those parts of a geological structure which are too complicated to be treated theoretically are studied by two-dimensional physical models; other sections of the structure which can be treated theoretically, i.e., inhomogeneities in the vertical direction, are modelled by computer methods. A feedback process is used to combine the results of both physical and computer modelling.Horizontally layered coal-seam models are presented to test the hybrid modelling technique for normal incidence. A comparison of the hybrid seismograms with pure synthetic seismograms shows an acceptable conformity for normal incidence. A hybrid zero-offset section is shown to investigate a complex geological structure in the Ruhr coalfield in Germany.

Notes: Three-component seismic and geoelectrical in-mine surveys were carried out in Lyukobanya colliery near Miskolc, Hungary to determine the in situ petrophysical parameter distributions and to detect inhomogeneities in the coal seam. The seismic measurements comprise an underground vertical seismic profile, using body waves, and an in-seam seismic amplitude-depth distribution and transmission survey, using channel waves. The geoelectrical measurements are based on the drift- and seam-sounding method.Interval traveltime-, amplitude-, multiple-filter- and polarization analysis methods are applied to the seismic data. They lead to a five-layer model for the strata including the coal seam. The coal seam and two underlying beds act as a seismic waveguide. The layer sequence supports the propagation of both normal and leaky mode channel waves of the Love- and Rayleigh type. A calculation of the total reflected energy for each interface using Knott's energy coefficients shows that the velocity ranges of high reflection energy and of normal and leaky mode wavegroups coincide. The excitation of wavegroups strongly depends on the seismic source. A simultaneous inversion of a geoelectrical drift- and seam-sounding survey prevents misinterpretations of the seismic data by clearly identifying the low-velocity coal seam as a high-resistivity bed. Calculations of dispersion and sounding curves improve the resolution of the slowness and resistivity in each layer.Both diminished amplitudes and distortions in the polarization of transmission seismo-grams and decreasing resistivities in a geoelectrical pseudosection of the coal seam are related to an inhomogeneity.A calculation of synthetic seismograms for Love and Rayleigh channel waves with the finite-difference and the Alekseev-Mikhailenko method agrees well with the field data for the main features, i.e., particular arrivals in the wave train, wavegroups, velocities and symmetries or asymmetries.This in-mine experiment demonstrates that the simultaneous acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic and geoelectrical data improve the lithological interpretation of petrophysical parameter distributions. Coal seam inhomogeneities can also be detected more reliably by the two independent surveys than by one alone.

Notes: The propagation of Love seam-waves across washouts of coal seams was studied by calculating synthetic seismograms with a finite-difference method. Seam interruption, seam end and seam thinning models were investigated. The horizontal offset, the dip of the discontinuities and the degree of erosion served as variable parameters. Maximum displacement amplitudes, relative spectral amplitudes and phase and group slowness curves were extracted from the synthetic seismograms.Both seam interruption and seam thinning reduce the maximum displacement amplitudes of the transmitted Love seam-waves. The degree of amplitude reduction depends on the horizontal offset and the degree of erosion. It is four times greater for a total seam interruption than for an equivalent seam thinning with a horizontal offset of four times the seam thickness. In a seam cut vertically, the impedance contrast between the coal and the washout filling determines the maximum displacement amplitudes of the reflected Love seam-waves. They diminish by a maximum factor of four in oblique interruption zone discontinuities with a dip of maximum 27°, and by a maximum factor of ten in a seam thinning with a degree of erosion of at least 22%.The analysis of the relative spectral amplitudes indicates a preferential transmission of those phases with frequencies below, and a preferential reflection of those phases with frequencies above the first mode Airy-phase. The relative spectral amplitudes of the reflected Love seam-waves show a distinct interference pattern of the waves reflected at both interruption zone discontinuities.The dispersion analysis reveals a flattening of the phase and group slowness curves with increasing frequencies, horizontal offset and degrees of erosion.These results imply that a detection of washouts in-mine will be possible in a frequency range including at least the first mode Airy-phase. An interference pattern and a flattening of the dispersion curve indicate a washout rather than other seam obstructions and leads to an estimate of the washout dimension.

Notes: We present dispersion curves, and amplitude-depth distributions of the fundamental and first higher mode of Love seam waves for two characteristic seam models. The first model consists of four layers, representing a coal seam underlain by a root clay of variable thickness. The second model consists of five layers, representing coal seams containing a dirt band with variable position and thickness. The simple three-layer model is used for reference.It is shown that at higher frequencies, depending on the thickness of the root clay and the dirt band, the coal layers alone act as a wave guide, whereas at low frequencies all layers act together as a channel. Depending on the thickness, and position of the dirt band and the root clay, in the dispersion curves of the group velocity, secondary minima grow in addition to the absolute minima. Furthermore, the dispersion curves of the group velocity of the two modes can overlap. In all these cases, wave groups in addition to the Airy phase of the fundamental mode (propagating with minimum group velocity) occur on the seismograms recorded in in-seam seismic surveys, thus impeding their interpretation. Hence, we suggest the estimation of the dispersion characteristics of Love seam waves in coal seams under investigation preceding actual field surveys.All numerical calculations were performed using a fast and stable phase recursion algorithm.