Analysis of Hypocenter Relocation by Using Double Difference Method in a Deep Underground Mining

Abstract

Hypocenter relocation is one of the keys to success in the analysis of seismicity induction in underground mines. Overburden thickness, topography, geological complexity, and mining activities can result in newly induced seismicity that can endanger the safety of underground mine workers. The relatively narrow underground mine area requires the most accurate hypocenter location information possible. The double-difference algorithm approach is one of the keys to overcoming this problem. The double-difference method is a relative location method that tries to minimize the residuals between the observed and calculated travel time differences for pairs of microseismic events at each station, by adjusting the differences between all pairs of events at each station repeatedly. In this study, we utilized microseismic measurement data in the deepest underground mine in Indonesia. A total of 1783 seismic events were successfully relocated. The relocation results show the rock mass stress which is illustrated by the distribution of events around the cave, especially the abutment area and underground mining tunnels.