Seismic Refraction Method

Applications:

depth of weathering zone (used

for statics correction to seismic
reflection data), i.e., depth to bedrock
depth of groundwater table
depth of basement
depth of Moho
depth of any faster unit

For our purposes, assume flat (not necessarily

horizontal), homogeneous layers. In order to get
a head wave, V2>V1!

The critical angle is the incident angle where the

head wave begins:

Snell's law for multiple parallel layers

Refracted angle into one layer becomes incident

angle into next layer:

Travel-time curve for single horizontal layer on a half-space:

so velocities gotten from reciprocal of

the slopes of the direct and refracted
segments, and depth gotten from
reflected time intercept (or cross-over

distance). However, often only first

arrivals are recorded:
Single horizontal layer on a half-space, V2>V1:

Alternatively, in terms of Ti2, the intercept time

from the second travel-time segment,

Two horizontal layers on a half-space, V3>V2>V1

where the depth to the lower interface is the sum

of z1 and z2, where z1 is computed by the singlelayer formula above.
Single dipping layer on a half-space, V2>V1:

Example of ambiguity problem: Shooting up-dip

gives apparent velocity that is too fast; viceversa. VA, up-dip velocity, is too fast (shallow

slope), VB, down-dip velocity is too slow (steeper

dip). Note that, without reversing the profile,
could not distinguish from horizontal case. Note
also the total travel-time from end to end is same
in either direction: reciprocity theorem.

Ambiguity Problem! Low Velocity Layers

never get a refracted head-wave from a

slow layer underlying a fast layer
eventually get head-wave when faster
layer (V>V1) encountered: e.g., V2<V1<V3

The travel time curve will look like this (another

example of ambiguity):

 interpreter assumes a layer-over--halfspace model (can't "see" layer 2)

t0 (delay in getting down to layer 3 and
back) is large because V2 is slow
causes layer to be interpreted thicker
than it really is
Typical Reversed Seismic Refraction Profile