Characteristics of transmitting channel wave in a coal seam

An embedded underground coal seam carries channel waves of low seismic velocity along a stratigraphic rock-coal-rock sequence. In a homogeneous and isotropic seam, seismic waves propagate as trapped waves within the seam, which leads to propagation of channel waves. We describe how to set up a field test for transmission in order to acquire channel waves in a coal seam. Because channel wave signals are non-stationary in their frequencies and amplitudes, a necessary velocity spectrum and wavelet transformation analysis are applied to interpret the characteristics of channel waves. The advantage of using a wavelet transformation is that different resolutions can be obtained at different times and different frequencies. According to analysis of the seismic signals acquired in the S7 sensor hole, it was clearly shown that the characteristics of channel waves are lower frequencies and attenuation which can guide an effective wave for detecting voids, boundaries and faults in coal seams with strong roofs and floors.