Investigation of the low-depression velocity layer in desert area by multichannel analysis of surface-wave method

The multichannel analysis of surface-wave method (MASW) is a newly development method. The method has been employed in various applications in environmental and engineering geophysics overseas. However, It can only be found a few case studies in China. Most importantly, there is no application of the MASW in desert area in China or abroad. We present a case study of investigating the low-depression velocity in Temple of North Taba Area in Erdos Basin. The MASW method successfully defined the low-depression velocity layer in the desert area. Comparing results obtained by the MASW method with results by refraction seismic method, we discussed efficiency and simplicity of applying the MASW method in the desert area. It is proved that the maximum investigation depth can reach 60m in the study area when the acquisition and procession parameters are carefully chosen. The MASW method can remedy the incompetence of the refraction method and the micro-seismograph log method in low-depression velocity layer's investigation. The MASW method is also a powerful tool in investigation of near-surface complicated materials and possesses many unique advantages.