Seismic Data Quality

Seismic analysis plays a big part in the day to day operations of most deep underground mines. This is mostly due to the high risk large seismic events pose to the stability of underground excavations.
Seismic analysis techniques are used to identify areas with high risk and determine the appropriate geotechnical controls to mitigate this risk. Therefore, these analysis results could be vital in reducing the impact of seismic events on operations. However, when seismic datasets have data quality concerns, those results could end up being meaningless.

Interested in learning how your dataset stands up? Take this quick survey below:

What was your database result? Not so good? Below are some futher reading materials on the topic.

Morkel, IG, Wesseloo, J & Harris, P 2015, 'Highlighting and quantifying seismic data quality concerns', in PM Dight (ed.), Proceedings of the Ninth Symposium on Field Measurements in Geomechanics, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 539-549.

Morkel, IG & Wesseloo, J 2017, 'A technique to determine systematic shifts in microseismic databases', in J Wesseloo (ed.), Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 105-116.

Morkel, IG, Wesseloo, J & Potvin, Y 2019, 'The validity of Es/Ep as a source parameter in mining seismology', in W Joughin (ed.), Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining, The Southern Africa Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Johannesburg.

Morkel, I.G. and Wesseloo, J. (2017). The Effect of Sensor Bandwidth Limitations on the Calculation of Seismic Hazard for Mines. Proceedings of Ninth International Symposium on Rocbursts and Seismicity in Mines. Vallejos, J.A., (ed.), Ediarte S.A., pp. 42-49.

IGM geotechnical specialises in seismic data quality analysis and fault finding and is widely considered industry best. We offer the following data quality services:

• Seismic density plots

• Systematic shift determination

• Under-recording of seismic source parameters for large events

• Detection of blast type events

• Detection of seismic data quality artefacts.

We strive to help you fix your data quality problems and to ensure the quality of your seismic database. This will ensure seismic analysis results that can be trusted to add value to your mining operations. If you are interested in this service, please contact us through our contact page, or email us at info@igmgeotechnical.com.