Laboratory of Seismic Research

Head: Jerzy Dec, Kamil Cichostępski

The Department of Geophysics has a modern seismic system for both engineering and exploration seismic surveys. We perform refraction measurements and refraction tomography of P-waves (SRT-P) and S-waves (SRT-S), multi-channel analysis of Rayleigh (MASW) and Love (MALW) surface waves as well as high-resolution shallow reflection profiling and borehole measurements (downhole, crosshole, VSP). A high energy (4088 J) Gisco ESS 500 TURBO mobile system is used as the wave source as well as sledgehammers and shear wave sources. We use a 72 channel Geometrics Geode-72 seismograph and 4.5 Hz, 14 Hz and 100 Hz sensors to record field data.  Additionally, we have high-sensitivity 4.5 Hz horizontal receivers for S-wave and Love wave surveys. For borehole surveys we use a hydrophone streamer, 3C geophone and sparker as seismic wave source. We also perform passive seismic measurements – ReMi (Refraction Microtremor), SPAC/ESAC (Spatial Autocorrelation/Extended Spatial Autocorrelation) and HVSR (Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio).

We perform data processing and interpretation using modern tools:
– reflection seismic – VISTA Desktop Seismic Data Processing,
– seismic refraction tomography – ZondST2D, SeisImager,
– surface wave methods – Geogiga Surface Plus, ZondST2D, winMASW,

We perform the following work:

– Structural and reservoir exploration to a depth of approximately 500 m,
– Mapping depth to bedrock and its topography,
– Identification of fault zones, fractures and rock loosening,
– Subsurface investigations for land construction,
– Determining the depth of the groundwater table,
– Recognition of landslide zones, determination of thicknesses and slip planes,
– Detection of voids, caverns and sinkholes,
– Surveys of embankments, dams, dykes and other geotechnical objects,
– Determination of the thickness and classification of soils,
– Seismic site characterization using Vs30 parameter according to NEHRP and UBC classification,
– Determination of dynamic geomechanical parameters such as Young and Kirchhoff moduli and Poisson’s ratio,
– Support of research in geotechnical and geology engineering,