The Time Term Approach to Refraction Seismology

Abstract

In all seismic refraction surveys, the problem is to determine the constants in a system of equations of the type where ai and bj are "time terms" which are characteristic of the shotpoint and seismograph station respectively, Δij is the distance between the shot point and the seismograph, tij is the time of propagation of a refracted wave and υ is the velocity of propagation of seismic waves in an underlying marker layer. It is shown that the equations can be solved for interpenetrating networks of shot-points and seismographs provided that certain general conditions are satisfied. Factors which determine the uncertainties of the final solution are discussed, and methods of correcting for the effects of steeply dipping boundaries are included.