Shear-Wave Seismic Imaging using Small-Scale Broadband Electromagnetic Vibrators: A Case Study from Slovak Karst Mountains

Researchers successfully employed small-scale broadband electromagnetic vibrators to map shear-wave seismic activity in the Slovak Karst Mountains, revealing potential new extensions of cave systems. The study tested modified ElViS VII and eVibe Lightning vibrators, both generating high-quality signals within a 4–120 Hz frequency band during a CTBTO On-Site Inspection field test. While the modified ElViS showed higher harmonic distortion, it achieved a 15 dB signal increase in reflection-dominated bands, producing a stacked seismic section with a notable anomaly suggesting further cave exploration. This approach demonstrates the viability of broadband near-surface S-wave seismic imaging for karst environments.

Brodic, B., Koivisto, E., ElGabry, M., & Labak, P. (2026). Shear-Wave Seismic Imaging using Small-Scale Broadband Electromagnetic Vibrators: A Case Study from Slovak Karst Mountains. NSG 2026: 2nd Geohazards Assessment and Risk Mitigation Conference, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202620189