Fault detection in coal by channel wave seismology: some case histories

Abstract

Coal mining in the United Kingdom is mainly by means of highly capital intensive, longwall faces. With such methods it is almost axiomatic that mine planners should have a good knowledge of the stratigraphy of the ground which is about to be mined. All too often this information is unavailable. Channel wave, or in-seam, seismology offers a method for the advance exploration of coal seams. Recent work in a number of countries has resulted in the development of specialised recording and processing techniques, and the method has been shown to be viable. In this paper we concentrate on a number of case histories, paying particular emphasis to those predictions that have been verified by mining. In one instance a fault at a range of 500 m has been predicted.