Back انكسار زلزالي Arabic Refraktionsseismik German Seismik refraksi ID Sismica a rifrazione Italian Refractieseismiek Dutch Seismisk refraksjon NB Sejsmika refrakcyjna Polish Метод преломлённых волн Russian Địa chấn khúc xạ Vietnamese
Seismic refraction is a geophysical principle governed by Snell's Law of refraction. The seismic refraction method utilizes the refraction of seismic waves by rock or soil layers to characterize the subsurface geologic conditions and geologic structure.
Seismic refraction is exploited in engineering geology, geotechnical engineering and exploration geophysics. Seismic refraction traverses (seismic lines) are performed using an array of seismographs or geophones and an energy source.
The methods depend on the fact that seismic waves have differing velocities in different types of soil or rock. The waves are refracted when they cross the boundary between different types (or conditions) of soil or rock. The methods enable the general soil types and the approximate depth to strata boundaries, or to bedrock, to be determined.