Prospects for studies into transversal waves in salt rock mines

Abstract

The article discusses a disputable method proposed by some researchers (Zhukov, Prigara, 2019) for underground seismics with seismic images of transversal waves reflected from opposite sides. The conclusions on the behavior of the transversal waves in excitation of oscillations in underground excavations contradict to the numerous research findings obtained by different scientists in different seismic conditions. The reason for such contradictions lies in the erroneous idea of uniformity of rock mass enclosing underground openings. This idea neglects the actual conditions of excitation and recording of elastic waves, the great influence of the openings and the altered adjacent rock mass, as well as the velocity thin-layering. The validity of the method suggested for separation of oppositely directed wave fields recorded in the uniform space-and-time domain of a seismogram is evaluated. Artificiality of the wave fields in the upper and lower half-spaces due to admixture of ghost signals discordant to the geoseismic profile is demonstrated. Finally, the structure of the seismic cross-sections obtained by the suggested method contradicts both objective estimates of resolving power and the common geological understanding of the tectonic structure of a mineral deposit.