Edges of overlying seams as a factor responsible for strong mining tremors occurrence during underground hard coal extraction in the light of seismic moment tensor inversion method

Abstract

Physical processes occurring in the focus of tremor can be identified by solving a focal mechanism via the seismic moment tensor inversion method. In this article the estimation of focal mechanisms of strong mining tremors (according to Polish law tremors of energy higher or equal 1·105 J), which occurred during longwall mining of coal seam no. 507 in one of the hard coal mines in the Polish part of Upper Silesian Coal Basin was performed. Totally 7 strong mining tremors with the local magnitude from 1.84 to 2.52 were analysed. The most probable geomechanical processes in the foci of these tremors have been reconstructed. An attempt to determine the correlation between the edges of overlying seams no. 502, 504 or 506 and strong mining tremors occurrence has been made. The strike of determined nodal planes is in accordance with the azimuth of mentioned edges. The difference between them (absolute value) varies from 0.3° to 34.1° (on average approximately 19°).