| Abstract: | Seismic velocity anisotropy is predicted for cracked rocks containing either a naturally-occurring or an artificially-induced preferred orientation of cracks. Methods developed for the study of velocity anisotropy in the uppermost mantle have been applied to the in situ measurement of P-wave velocity anisotropy in fractured Carboniferous Limestone in Northwest England. At three different sites, first-arrival travel-time data has been obtained using conventional refraction equipment and a weight-drop source. Velocity anisotropy of 15–29% is identified with directions of maximum and minimum velocities that can be broadly related to previously mapped orientations of joints. |
