Technology and specificity of surface seismic in the Upper Kama Potash Salt Deposit

Exploration surveys at the Upper Kama Potash Salt Deposit widely use the surface seismic method by the common reflection point at depth. Based on the implemented research, a technology is developed for shallow seismic using an explosion source of elastic vibrations for the purposes of geological exploration. The research involved the comparative analysis of the main elastic wave sources used in the shallow seismic. It is highlighted that it is important to consider carefully the near-surface section structure and the surface relief. The accuracy of the velocity analysis procedure in the high-velocity section of salt strata is analyzed. The specificity of acquisition in the shallow seismic with an explosion source is discussed. The actual test data show a considerable increment in the energy of reflections from the roof and floor of the salt strata, which, in the absence of a priori geological information and geophysical logging data (acoustic logging and vertical seismic profiling), affects the velocity analysis precision and, as a consequence, the accuracy of reflection identification at depth. It is found that the explosion source has a much higher signal/noise ratio as against a pulse cartridge, which greatly improves neutrality of interpretation results. The use of a pulse cartridge in the surveys in the depth interval of 200–400 m is only justified when the surface conditions are perfect and the low velocity layer is not thick.