Abstract: | The hidden layer problem in seismic refraction work has been studied for three velocity configurations – the intermediate layer having (a) lower, (b) intermediate and (c) higher velocity than the underlying and overlying beds. It has been shown that conventional methods fail to locate the presence of the intermediate layer for the cases (a) and (c) and lead to errors in calculating the depth to the bedrock. For the case (b), it is possible to interpret the first arrival travel time analytically as an alternative to Green's graphical approach. It has been suggested that the hidden layer may be detected in all the three cases if converted S waves are also recorded in the seismogram. |