Uses of Explosives and Detonators in the
Seismic.
Castiblanco Pirabán, David Gerardo, 5500155; Cortes Rubiano, Carlos Andrés, 5500053.
Cajicá, Colombia.
 which areas are more stable and conducive to do so, on
Resumen— El fenómeno de las vibraciones por
efecto de una voladura nos puede producir ondas
elásticas, en las cuales, a la hora de analizar sus
efectos, las ecuaciones no son las más adecuadas.
Debido a los problemas que pueden tener como los
son la superposición de ondas, dispersión,
atenuación, cambio de longitud, etc. Por estas
razones hablaremos y discutiremos sobre la
propagación de onda sobre la zona exterior o elástica
en torno del barreno.
Palabras Claves: Propagación de onda, Ondas
elásticas, Dispersión, Superposición de ondas.
Abstract— The phenomenon of the vibrations by
effect of a blast we can produce elastic waves, in which,
at the time of analysing its impact, the equations are not
the most suitable. Because of the problems they may
have, such as the superposition of waves, scatter and
attenuation, length, etc. For these reasons we will talk
and discuss about the spread of wave on the outer zone
or elastic around the hole.
Keywords: Wave propagation of elastic waves,
dispersion, superposition of waves.
I. INTRODUCTION
Thebehaviour
seismology is the study of earthquakes and the
of waves which have a spread across the
surface to study. By the middle of the exams you can
determine the internal structure and composition of the
terrestrial environment almost successful, also giving the
study for the prevention of and response to natural
disasters.
In civil engineering, seismic exploration could have a
decision-making role in the construction of roads,
tunnels and in general for the construction of
infrastructure and commercial buildings, to determine
the mining, when evaluating the quality of the rock, the
seismic can assist in designing the most appropriate plan
of exploration for mineral deposits, in the geotechnics,
provides an overview of the subsoil to know their
properties, conditions and quality of the rocks, in
addition to determining the presence of geological faults
and caves and in other uses, the seismic is also a tool to
the hydrogeology, as it facilitates the finding of water
sources and groundwater.
In general, the seismic data can provide information on
foreign materials into the soil that are buried as
abandoned, waste elements and archaeological remains.
The branches of the Seismology are the following:
 Earthquakes: detection, location, magnitude, time,
energy, movement along faults.
 The study of the internal structure of the earth and
other planets through seismic waves.
 The delineation of the geology of sedimentary basins
in the search for oil, gas and coal. The delineation of
mineral deposits. The determination of the thickness
of the ice in the glaciers using explosives and other
energy sources.
 The recognition of the upper crust in the hydrology
and groundwater exploration. The study of the
subsoil for the construction of buildings, curtains of
dams and roads using explosives and other energy
sources.
 The seismology theoretical or mathematical and the
processing of the data.
The RICHTER SCALE expresses and quantifies the
magnitude of an earthquake from the registration of the
amplitudes of the seismic waves by means of a
seismograph.
The MERCALLI scales and ROSSI-FOREL, quantify
the intensity of an earthquake on the basis of observation
and classification of the damage caused by it.
 II. SEISMIC EXPLORATION.
Is to cause a vibration of the ground using a variety of
techniques such as the detonation of an explosive, or in
the case less damaging the pounding of a hammer or a
seismic vibrator, that what it does, is to produce a
seismic wave that like any other wave generated by the
refraction and reflection, this taking paths and times
determined by the geometry and composition of the
surface and sub-surface.
Figure 1. Graphic explanation of the method.
Source. STEEMIT.
The seismic waves that can occur have different
behaviours.
Figure 2. Propagation of l waves.
Source. Universidad Nacional de Medellin.
Surface Waves: Only is transmitted over the surface of
the material and among which are: the Rayleigh waves R
and The Waves Love L; they are the main, although it
has already been noted that there are calls hydrodynamic
waves and waves.
Internal Waves: Spread through the interior of the solid
rock in our case and inside of which are: the longitudinal
waves, compression or main P and the transverse waves,
shear or secondary S.
The difference between P and S-waves, is that the
oscillation of the P-waves caused between the particles
in the same direction that the wave propagates, while the
swing caused the S waves between the particles your
address is cross-cutting in the direction that the wave
propagates.
When the internal waves generated in the interior of a
rocky massif reach the surface, are influenced by this
discontinuity and surface waves appear.
If it is considered for its analysis that the X-axis is the
corresponding to the main direction of propagation, the
horizontal axis and perpendicular to the X, Y, and Z axis
vertical perpendicular to the previous two:
Rayleigh waves: are propagated in the ZX, originating in
that plane Elliptical oscillations. The effect of
compression, dilation and shear. Its speed is about 0.9 of
the transverse waves.
Waves Love: Spread in the XY plane, giving rise to
oscillations ellipticals contained in that plane. Its speed
is similar to that of the Rayleigh scattering. The
existence of the waves Love, is restricted to layers of
ground in contact with the atmosphere and under which
there are other layers in that the speed of the transverse
waves is greater than the layer in question. Also, there
may be waves Love when the speed of the S waves
increases with depth for the different materials.
Figure 3. Propagation of internal waves and surface.
Source. GMAS LAB.
The detonators used in the seismic are Seismic Electric
detonators that are as initiators of an explosion, these
triggers are ignored if they are sensitive, insensitive or
highly insensitive since there is no certificate attached to
the packing slip.
Taking into account that it must comply with the
requirements of security standards, where the most
important characteristic is its sensitivity, since this must
comply and ensure the delays of time acceptable to the
seismic industry. The detonator will be more secure in
their handling, when it is more sensitive, but you will
need to use more energy to ensure the time delays.
Seismic electric detonators, are contained in an
aluminium cap which is connected with the external
power source (blaster), which is connected by copper
wires.
Figure 4. Seismic Electric Detonator (BLASTER).
Source. GMAS LAB.
You should always have the antistatic protection device,
where the cables pass through two small holes of a metal
plate which is in contact with the aluminium cap. The
distance is so minimal between each wire and the
membrane, in such a way that generates a low electrical
discharge, this will not affect already that there will be
an electrical arc by diverting the download to set it down
on the ground.
Figure 5. Seismic protection.
Source. GMAS LAB.
III. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS.
A. Seismic refraction.
This technique has as its end, estimate the speed of the
seismic waves in its transmission medium, usually in the
basement. On the basis of the response times of the
waves that reach each of the seismograph. In the
engineering, you get a layered model of the subsoil, and
thus be able to determine the elastic properties and
quality of the rock. The interpretation of the data can be
obtained from the following chart.
 The oldest method.
 Profiles of 100km in length and more.
 Greater distance between tire and GEOPHONES
 The relevant parameter is the speed of the waves
corresponding to a lithological layer. An interface
that is characterized by a change in the density of the
rocks, where the speed of the waves does not
change, it can't be detected by applying the seismic
refraction. The speeds corresponding to the different
layers, in which the seismic waves spread, are
obtained through the seismic refraction.
 Is used low frequency energy between
approximately 1 to 25Hz. The dominant frequencies
are between 5 and 20Hz.
 Is used natural frequency geophones normally less
than 5 Hz, sensitive to vibrations of 5 to 100Hz.
 The configuration of the geophones is relatively
simple.
 The processing of data and its interpretation is
difficult.
 It is applied in the detection of deep layers, in the
study of the internal structure of the Earth, on the
principles of exploration before 1930, in areas of
morphology pronounced, in areas with a layer of
high-speed reference is covered by layers of lower
speeds.
Figure 6. Result of Seismic Refraction.
Source. GMAS LAB.

B. Seismic reflection.
When the seismic wave strikes an interface between two
dissimilar media in a basement, this collides and
generates a reflection that allows the return of the wave
toward the surface. These waves produce the soil
description, which are interpreted by geologists and
geophysicists that determine the composition and
geological history of the subsoil. After the study by
geologists, it is also possible to determine the possible
existence of petroleum systems, hydrological and
geological structures that do not emerge on the surface.
 Modern Method more and more common.
 Generally, the profiles are groupings of geophones
from 300m to 5000m in length. The length of the
grouping of geophones determines the length of the
horizon of reflection covered: (length of the horizon
of reflection covered = average length of the
grouping of geophones installed on the surface). Is
reached structures located at depths of up to 10km
away. By Multiple coatings can be covered
continuously the horizon of reflection.
 Less distance between tire and GEOPHONES.
 Determines the impedance = product of velocity and
density corresponding to a layer. You get
information about the geometry of geological
formations (location of interfaces).
 The seismic energy is used often around 30Hz. The
dominant frequencies are in the range of 15 to 50Hz.
 Is used geophone strings of natural frequency of 6Hz
or more sensitive to vibrations between 10 and
150Hz.
 The configuration of the geophones is relatively
complex.
 The processing and interpretation of the data is
simpler compared to the seismic refraction.
 Applied in the marine seismic, exploration,
prospecting and mining in the underground seismic.
The seismic record is possible seismic traces of
reflection.
Figure 7. Result of Seismic Reflection.
Source. GMAS LAB.
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE USE OF
EXPLOSIVES IN THE SEISMIC.
The environmental damage caused by this practice,
produces a type of radial joints at the point where the
detonation, diverting and affecting water courses,
groundwater, and in turn affecting the water table, break
the seals of the free and confined aquifers, making them
more profound and generating flows that exceed the
limits of water and thus produce flooding of surrounding
land.
The study conducted in hillside areas, usually produces a
fracture in the surface layers, which in times of winter
are erosion and slippage.
Currently, the 2D seismic and 3D is governed under a
resolution number 1023 regulation of 2005, for the 2D
seismic (formerly required environmental licensing),
where the volume of explosive used does not exceed
1,000 grams and the distances between explosions was
200 meters away. According to official information from
the National Hydrocarbons Agency, on average are used
1,800 grams of sismigel in each well, with average of 60
meters between wells, making it impossible for the
fulfilment of the distances to aquifers, hatching
machines, houses of adobe and ponds.
The National Hydrocarbons Agency also recognizes that
in each project 3D seismic or block, use on average 50
tons, which indicates that in the municipalities of
Andaman and Nicobar Islands where they died more
than 20 thousand chigüiros in the drought of the
beginning of the year, were more than 500 tons of
explosives.
There are studies in the United States, France, Australia, http://www.medellin.unal.edu.co/~rrodriguez/geolog
England and Canada (where they are forbidden ia/sismica.htm
explosives), which show the effects of this exploratory [5]
practice. Similarly, in Colombia there are failures of [6] R. Lorenzo, STEEMIT beta, Diagrama esquemático
justice condemning the companies to pay millions in del Método Sísmico, 2018, Available:
compensation for the damage. https://steemit.com/stem-
espanol/@lorenzor/analisis-estratigrafico-del-
These effects have caused widespread discontent, subsuelo-a-partir-de-la-impedancia-acustica-y-
leading to social chaos and public disorder, generating a coeficientes-de-reflexion
significant increase of locks and clashes between the [7] Motospeda, Tecnología Aliada, Construcción del
population and the authorities, simply because the Eurotúnel, 2011, Available:
current regulations trample the people and benefits the https://tecnologiaaljada.wordpress.com/page/23/.
multinationals, or just to the characters that have been in
management to Colombia, that 1% that passes into the
hands of known and with same interests and economic.

V. CONCLUSION.

The connectivity and continuity of the detonators you

should always use a multimeter special security, to
ensure that the flow of security above the electric current
that will flow through the filament.

Keep in mind the sensitivity of the ordnance is

important, bearing in mind that the more insensitive is
the detonator, more energy is required for its detonation.

For security reasons it is required that the detonator is as

insensitive as possible, but that in turn can be detonated
with time delay less than a millisecond.

VI. REFERENCES.

[1] José Bernaola; Jorge Castilla; Juan Herrera,

Perforación y voladura de rocas en minería,
Departamento de explotación de recursos minerales
y obras subterráneas, Madrid, 2013.

[2] GMAS LAB: ¿Cómo se hace la exploración

sísmica?, Colombia, 2017. Available:
http://gmaslab.com/2017/02/21/se-la-exploracion-
sismica/.

[3] Ing. Oscar Vanegas Angarita, “Impactos de la

sísmica con explosivos,” Bucaramanga, 2014.
Available:
http://www.vanguardia.com/opinion/columnistas/mo
vimiento-civico-conciencia-ciudadana/274793-
impactos-de-la-sismica-con-explosi.

[4] Rodríguez, R. Universidad Nacional de Medellín,

Métodos geofísicos. Medellín, 2008. Available: