An environmentally-friendly integrated seismic imaging for coal exploration in the Miocene Soma Basin, Western Turkey

Seismic reflection data from target depths of several hundred metres have been acquired and processed as an aid for lignite exploration in the Miocene Soma Basin, western Turkey. An environmentally-friendly approach was followed by acquiring the data with mini-vibroseisseismic source along crooked lines, using available mountain/forest and village roads; quality control tests were conducted to determine optimal field parameters that would yield dataset with best signal-to-noise (SN) ratio prior to real data acquisition; and stratigraphic interfaces giving rise to reflection events in the seismic data were identified from the vertical seismic profiling (VSP). Stacked seismic sections were successfully correlated with geological cross-sections drawn based on available borehole data. Thus, it is shown that decreasing time and the cost for coal exploration is possible by utilising surface and VSP. Environment friendly approach of the seismic method applied in this study is also beneficial in regard to environmental concerns.