The seismic structure under the Central Midland Valley from refraction measurements

Sola, Mustafa Amer (1985) The seismic structure under the Central Midland Valley from refraction measurements. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The geology of the Midland Valley is outlined with special reference to the Central Coalfield and its sub-Carboniferous foundation within which, previous interpretations propose, lies a dense, magnetic, body near Bathgate. Seismic velocity structures within (LOWNET), across (LISPB) and south of (SUSP) the Midland Valley are shown together with existing data on velocities in local rocks of Carboniferous age. The purpose of the present seismic refraction study is defined and its reliance on commercial quarry operations and their suitability are discussed. The recording playback systems developed in the Department during this survey, their utilisation and accuracy in determining travel times are described. The measured travel time profiles are used first to derive velocity depth profiles and correlated with geological formations (Carboniferous to Lower Palaeozoic) known at outcrop within the region. An unseen crystalline basement is deduced probable at 4 to 5 km depth. This is the a0 LISPB refractor. Its velocity and associated delays are assessed using all available data. Ray traced models have been used both across Bathgate and on parts of the LISPB line where steep structures are shown to contravene TIME-TERM/PLUS-MINUS assumptions. The structure on a0 is described and discussed in terms of two delay o components with different velocities attributed to post-Lower Old Red Sandstone and pre-Upper Old Red Sandstone strata. The seismic delays on a0 are used to 'strip' the Bouguer gravity to a Regional Gravity map from which further conclusions are drawn. The data tables, cross-sections with reduced T-X graphs and the geological maps showing the recording sites, with the reduced record sections are included in the Appendices.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Powell, Dr. D.W.
• Date of Award: 1985
• Depositing User: Alastair Arthur
• Unique ID: glathesis:1985-76756
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 09 Dec 2019 12:06
• Last Modified: 09 Dec 2019 16:42
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.76756
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76756