Seismic Refraction at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal

During 2015 a geophysical team from G-tec carried out a very successful seismic refraction soil investigation campaign at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. This survey enabled our clients (members of SIB) to directly investigate the hardness of the geological formations present in the areas which have to be dredged for the widening of this last part of the channel.

Unlike other geophysical methods, refraction seismic provides seismic velocities of the formations present in the survey area. These velocities can be accurately linked to hardness and even dredgeability and are a great tool to decrease operational dredging cost and optimize productivity.