Application of Seismic Refraction Tomography to Map Bedrock: A Case Study from Al-Amrat, Oman

Abstract

In this study, a seismic refraction survey was conducted to map the topography of bedrock in Al-Amrat, North of Sultanate of Oman. The targeted rock lies beneath unconsolidated rocks. A number of seismic profiles in the area were acquired, analyzed, and interpreted. The tomographic inversion of the data produced high resolution velocity models that contributed to understand the formations of interest. The formations are found to be characterized by variation in thickness and velocity which indicates variation in lithology and consolidation. The velocity sections were then used to build 3-D depth map that helped to understand the distribution of porous and permeable formations responsible for charging a water-producing well in the area. To support our interpretation, the data were calibrated with the exposed rocks in the survey area and showed good correlation.