Anisotropy of seismic waves velocity due to the fracturing in chosen rock mass

In the present research a relationship between seismic wave velocity anisotropy and the distribution of crack orientation parameters was studied using interpretation methods based on tensor calculus. Objects of the research were limestone and sandstone deposits located within the Polish Carpathians. The relationship between velocity and azimuth of seismic profile was established. It was found that the average strike azimuth of separated vertical crack systems determined by direct fracture measurements agreed with the direction of maximum velocity. Results of the present research were compared with the results of earlier measurements carried out in carbonate rocks from the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The existence of relationships between seismic wave velocity anisotropy and fracture parameters make it possible to use seismic methods for determining the fracture density and the orientation of fracture systems.