THE USE OF SEISMIC SHEAR WAVES AND COMPRESSIONAL WAVES FOR LITHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF SHALLOW SEDIMENTS*

From a great variety of in situ shear wave experiments, i.e., reflection, refraction and borehole surveys in the shallow sediments of the north German plains, several specific properties have been derived. Shear waves (S) differ from compressional waves (P) in that:

• 1 they are not affected by the degree of water saturation. Thus, they provide a better correlation between the velocity V_s and (solid) lithology;
• 2 they generally have lower frequencies, but shorter wavelength and, hence, a better resolution of thin layers;
• 3 they have lower absorption Q_s^?1 and hence a better penetration in partially saturated and gas-containing sediments than P-waves.

Correlations have been established between V_s and the confining pressure and between reduced V_s values and several lithological parameters like the grain size of sandy material. More lithological and hydrological information is obtained by using S- and P-wave surveys along the same profile. The best information on a sedimentological structure is obtained by the simultaneous observation of V_s, V_p, Q_s and Q_p.