2014 TY-CERRIG FIELD SURVEY REPORT

STUDENT ID: 200890546

(SOEE 5141M: NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS)

STUDENT ID: 200890546

ABSTRACT
A refraction seismic survey has been conducted on 24 October 2014 at Morfa Harlech,
Gwynedd, North Wales (BNGR: 258570.1 easting, 334298.7 northing) to determine the
depth and topography of the Paleozoic rock surface, and the overlaying extension of
Quaternary and Tertiary sediments. A seismic refraction line with 188m spread has been
set up with 48 geophones and 4m spacing. A shorter 6m spread line with 24 geophones
and 0.25m spacing has been set up later to cover the direct wave. The totals of 8
forward-reverse shots at different offset positions have been conducted to determine the
topography layers of the sub-surface. A 40kg elastic weight-drop has been used for 7
offsets shots while a hammer is used for the shorter 6m spread. The result is then
analyzed by collecting the first break pick time from the raw SEG-Y data and plotted
against geophone spacing. The slopes for the plot are retrieved and the velocity and
intercept time are used to derive the depth of the layer from the critical angle equation.
For undulating boundary, the General Reciprocal Method (GRM) is used to analyze the
depth and velocity of the layer. The seismic refraction survey result shows the depth for
the first layer is 1.9 0.1m and the corresponding velocity is 0.22 0.17 m/ms. The
average depth for the second layer is 32 0.1m and the corresponding velocity is 1.59
0.05 m/ms while the velocity for the third layer is 4.69 0.03 m/ms. The velocity crossreference shows the first layer consists of the unconsolidated weathering soils, the
second layer is Quaternary sediments, and the third layer is weathered unconsolidated
Cambrian rock. The results also prove the existence of Paleo-valley and the extension
of the Quaternary sedimentary rift basin over the faulting Paleo-valley system
underneath the survey area.

STUDENT ID: 200890546

CONTENTS LIST

Contents
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................2
CONTENTS LIST..........................................................................................................................3
1.0

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................4

1.1

PURPOSE.......................................................................................................................4

1.2

GEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND.................................................................................4

1.3

THEORY........................................................................................................................10

2.0

PROCEDURES................................................................................................................15

2.1

SURVEY DESIGN........................................................................................................15

2.2

INSTRUMENTATION...................................................................................................16

2.3

SHOTS TECHNIQUE..................................................................................................16

3.0

RESULTS..........................................................................................................................19

3.1

The Direct Wave (Shot ID: FFID1110)....................................................................20

3.2

The Head Wave (Shot ID: FFID 1101, 1104, 1106, 1107, 1108).........................20

3.3

THE UNDULATING BOUNDARY.............................................................................21

4.0

DISCUSSIONS.................................................................................................................23

4.1

SUB-SURFACE CROSS SECTION..........................................................................23

4.2

THE QUARTENARY SECOND LAYER...................................................................24

4.3

THE UNDULATING BOUNDARY.............................................................................26

4.4

DATA QUALITY............................................................................................................26

5.0

CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................27

6.0

REFERENCES.................................................................................................................28

7.0

APPENDIX..29

STUDENT ID: 200890546

1.0
1.1

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE

The purpose of the seismic survey is to determine and interpret the geophysical
measurement i.e. depth and subsurface topography of the Quaternary and Tertiary
sediments over Paleozoic Cambrian rock at Ty-Cerrig Farm, Morfa Harlech, Gwynedd,
North Wales (GR: 258570.1, 334298.7). The aim is extended to study the spatial and
lateral formation of Mochras fault system which forms the boundary between
Quaternary and Tertiary sedimentary topography to the west and Paleozoic Cambrian
rock to the east. The latter determines the location of the Paleo-valley which is
discovered from the previous boreholes as well as gravity and seismic survey (Blundell,
1969; Woodland, 1971}. The current survey also acts to determine the extension of
tertiary and quaternary layer depth on the survey location which can prove the existence
of the paleo-valley.
1.2

GEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

The survey is conducted at local farm called Ty-Cerrig which is located at Morfa
Harlech, Gwynedd, North Wales (SEE FIGURE 1). The area is an English countryside
setting with northern side stands a Paleo-Island hill called Llanfihangel-y-Traethau
Ynys (in Welsh Ynys is literally means island which interestingly relates the hill to the
sea surrounding setting few centuries ago) and further south and east are surrounded
by Cambrian mountains range.
The geological properties surrounding the survey area consist of Cambrian grits and
volcanic rock to the east and Quaternary and Tertiary sedimentary to the west. The
distinctive regions are separated by Mochras fault which runs through north-south
direction (Allen et al., 1985).The full coverage of the geological map of the survey area
around Morfa Harlech is shown in FIGURE 1C.

STUDENT ID: 200890546

FIGURE 1A: The location of the survey area at North Wales. Location British National
Grid of 258570.1 easting and 334298.7. (Source map: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/roam/os)

STUDENT ID: 200890546

FIGURE 1B: The location of the survey area at Morfa Harlech. Location British National
Grid of 258570.1 easting and 334298.7. (Source map: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/roam/os)

STUDENT ID: 200890546

FIGURE 1C: The geological property of Morfa Harlech. Noted the major Mochras fault
divides the region into with sedimentary layer on the west and Cambrian outcrop in the
east. Survey area is denoted in red square. (Map source: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/)

STUDENT ID: 200890546

FIGURE 1D: The location of Ty-Cerrig in Morfa Harlech, Gwynedd, North Wales. The
location is located at British National Grid of 258570.1 easting and 334298.7 northing in
small red rectangular. (Map source: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/)

The previous boreholes conducted at Mochras, Llbander survey indicates the existence
of channel ran southward from Tremadog Bay (west of the survey area) which creating
bay and lagoon in the vicinity during Mesozoic period (Woodland, 1971). The boreholes
evidence also shows the existence of peat soil (lignite) which indicates the
establishment of fauna estuary during Quaternary age. However, following the deglaciation of Welsh Ice and Irish Ice around 5000MA, the sea-level increased and
inundated the delta-channel system. Over time, the glaciation process deposited glacial
clay (sediments) and overlaying the Paleo-Cambrian valley which runs aligned to the
pre-existed valley and created post-rift basin system (Allen et al., 1985, Woodland,
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1971).By finding the glacial composites like silt and clay from the Quaternary age over a
dipping valley-shaped Paleo Cambrian rock, the existence of delta-channel system few
millennia away will be proven in this survey as depicted in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2: The figure shows the result from the Mochras borehole during Quaternary
period. The boulder clay and varved clay proves the existence deglaciation and deltachannel system during the period. (Allen et al., 1985, Woodland, 1971)

Recent geological survey in 2013 proves the earlier borehole hypothesis when they
conducted a seismic survey near Cardigan Bay (Hesselbo et al., 2013). The seismic
reflection survey shows the existence of deposition sedimentary during Mesozoic until
Quaternary period over the Paleo-Cambrian valley as depicted in FIGURE 3.

STUDENT ID: 200890546

FIGURE 3: The figure shows the topography map of seismic survey conducted in 2013 at
the previous Mochras borehole. Noted the Mochras fault divides the Paleo-Cambria rock
to the east and creating the rift basin system deposited Quaternary sediments to the
west. This proves the existence of channel ran southward created fauna estuary during
Mesozoic and Quaternary period (Allen et al., 1985, Hesselbo et al., 2013).

1.3

THEORY

The refraction method measures the seismic waves travel times generated by an
impulsive energy source such as hammer or weight drop. The wave is refracted based
on the Snells Law where diffraction occurred at certain angle when propagating through
different density layers. Therefore, the density associated with the layer governs the
speed of the propagating wave. EQUATION 1 shows the relationship between the
refracted angle and speed of the wave:

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(EQUATION 1)
where 1 is the angle of incidence wave and 2 is the angle of refracted wave. The
energy carried by the wave refracted is then detected by geophones, amplified, and
recorded by special equipment designed for this purpose called geodes. The instant of
the energy reaching the device is recorded as arriving pulses. The raw data consist of
travel times and distances, is then manipulated to derive the velocity variations with
depth (Lankston, 1990). The process of the wave propagation till the recording is
illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 4: The figure shows the travelling wave propagates through different layers with
different speed. The wave is refracted and eventually reflected back to the surface. The
geophones pick the energy refracted and store them as a travel time impulse.
(Source: http://www.engr.uconn.edu/~lanbo/G228Lect0604Refract.pdf, 2014)

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From the direct wave, the information about the velocity of the first layer can be derived
using EQUATION 2.
(EQUATION 2)
where m is the slope of the line and representing the slowness of the direct wave. For
the refraction survey, the critical angle (minimum angle for refractions to take place) is
the fundamental value to derive the formula relating the speed of wave propagation and
depth. As such, the critically refracted wave is presumed to travels along the boundary
between two layers with different velocity properties. As it travels, the wave releases the
energy to the upper layer in form of seismic wave, travelling upward at critical angle and
detected as the first arrival in each geophones. These first arrivals are widely known as
the head wave (Redpath, 1973). There will be distinctive slopes appear at any given
refractor in the seismic records associated with the head wave arrival which more
information such as time intercepts and slowness (inverse of velocity) can be derived.
The depth of the layer with the respective velocity can be calculated based on the
EQUATION 3.

(EQUATION 3)
where T is the intercept time for the nth refractor layer. V n is the speed of the nth layer, Vj
is the velocity for n-1 layer, h j is the depth for n layer and x is the calculated depth. From
equation 3, the depth can be determined when all parameters involved derived from the
head wave slope.
Overall, the preceding cases apply on the assumption that the boundary layer consists
of infinite horizontal planar. However, not all boundaries in the real world consist of
infinite horizontal planar. In fact, most boundary layers dealt in the real world consist of
undulating boundary which needs specific rule in dealing with them as portrayed in
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EQUATION 4 and EQUATION 5. The derivations of these equations come from the
simple numerical method called Palmer Generalized Reciprocal Method (GRM)
(Palmer, 1981).

(EQUATION 4)

(EQUATION 5)
where tv is the time velocity function which corresponds to the time taken for wave to
travels from the surface refractor to the geophones and t g is the corrected time depth for
any given XY spacing and apparent velocity. The travelling wave time over the refractor
layer are better depicted in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5: The GRM is a method to find the optimum XY spacing for the corresponding
time-depth function from the undulating boundary. The t v and tg are plotted and the
straightest curve for tv corresponds to the optimum XY. From the curve, the apparent
velocity vn is determined by inversing the slope. t v and tg parameters e.g. tB1 and tA2 are
obtained from the seismic shot time vs offset (Clark, 2014).

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EQUATION 4 and EQUATION 5 are the manifest of one of the most important tool
when dealing with undulating boundary. The GRM delineates the undulating refractors
by recording forward and reverse travel time. These travel times will be used to find the
optimum XY spacing (geophones spacing) which the upward travelling rays
geometrically emerge from a single Common Midpoint (CMP) on the refractor layer
(Palmer, 1981). The GRM method will produce smoother undulating boundary on the
refractor by accumulating the different depths for each CMP. Inevitably, the method can
be only used successfully when two conditions are fulfilled (Palmer, 1981):
a) The head wave refractor calculated using the Hawkins Time-Depth Method must
be the deepest layer detected.
b) The reverse coverage shots are implemented which means both forward and
backward shot at the same site recorded.
Later, the depth for the refractor is then determined from the EQUATION 6.

(EQUATION 6)
where z is the calculated depth, vn is the apparent velocity, and v1 is the velocity for the
first layer. The velocity for the nth layer is determined by EQUATION 7.
(EQUATION 7)
where is the dipping angle for the refractor.

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2.0
2.1

PROCEDURES

SURVEY DESIGN

The survey is conducted to determine the depth and stratigraphy of the QuaternaryMesozoic sedimentary over Paleozoic Cambrian rock. With the amount of resources
available with the survey team, the decision is made to apply 188m spread line with 4m
geophones spacing. This is fair due to predicted depth of Quaternary layer at Mochras
borehole which is around ~80m. The survey layout on the field is depicted in the
FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6: The survey design at the location. The survey line is marked with the red line
on the map. The survey line runs from east to west. The line spread is 188m with
geophone spacing 4m. The total numbers of 48 geophones are used on the survey line.
There are forward-reverse offset shots at -80m and 286m to map deeper refractor. The
British Grid coordinates for the offsets are denoted in the legend. The full BG
coordinates for each geophone are provided in Appendix. (Map source:
http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/)

2.2

INSTRUMENTATION
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FIGURE 7 shows the instruments setup for the refraction survey. The survey uses two
24-channel geodes (seismic recorder) to records the seismic signal from the
geophones. A software package called Multiple Geode Operating Software (MGOS) is
used to operate the Geodes. Table 1 lists out all the equipments needed to conduct the
survey.
INSTRUMENT
Geodes
Geophones
Trigger cable and strike plate
Towed Elastic Weight Drop 40kg
Seismic Cables (reels)
Ethernet Cable (reels)
Toughbook with pre-installed software
Battery
Hammer

QUANTITY
2
48
1
1
4
2
1
6
1

Table 1: The table shows the equipments needed for the survey.

2.3

SHOTS TECHNIQUE

The reverse-forward shot technique is used to comply with the condition of GRM and to
find dipping at any refractor. The procedure begins with the laying of 48 geophones out
on the field connected through 2 geodes in a straight line according to the FIGURE 8.
The geophones spacing is set to be 4m apart. The totals of 6 shots using elastic weight
drop and hammer have been conducted with different source locations. The last shot
uses a hammer for shorter 6m spread to record the direct wave. Table 2 shows the
different shots denoted with various SEG-Y filename and the respective source location.
Multiple stacks have been used for each shot to improve S/N. The average of 6 stacks
per shot has been recorded during the survey.

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Figure 7: The setup of the instruments during the survey (Unknown, 2014)

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Figure 8: The shots location with the respective SEG-Y file ID (Clark, 2014)

BG SOURCE COORDINATES

SHOT

SHOT TYPE

FFID 1101

Zero offset

258570.12, 334298.69

FFID 1109

Far Offset

258490, 334298

FFID 1108

Quarter length offset

258618, 334299.1

FFID 1106

Mid offset

258666.48, 334299.52

FFID 1107

Reverse quarter length offset

258710.71, 334299.9

FFID 1104

Reverse zero offset

258758.67, 334300.31

FFID 1105

Reverse far offset

258839, 334301

FFID 1110

Short Spread

258666.48, 334299.52

(Easting, Northing)

Table 2: The table shows the shot ID with the respective location coordinate

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3.0

RESULTS

The results are divided into 3 parts to ease the derivation of the time intercept and
slowness. Based on FIGURE 9, all shots from the first picks show 3 observable layers
which have distinctive slopes.

FIGURE 9: The graph shows the first arrival picks from the seismic data. The first arrival
picks are denoted with their respective shot ID. The blue region shows the first pick for
the first layer, the yellow region is the first picks for the second layer and the red region
is the first picks for the third layer (Clark, 2014) (Raw SEG-Y data are in Appendix).

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3.1

THE DIRECT WAVE (Shot ID: FFID1110)

Ty Cerrig 14-15 4m spacing spread Direct Wave:

Shot FFID 1110 v1 slope
30
f(x) = 4.64x

20

time (ms) 10
0
0

coordinate along profile (m)

Figure 10: The graph shows the first arrival picks FFID 1110. The shot is taken with 0.25m
XY spacing to derive just the direct wave from the survey. From equation 2, the velocity
for the first layer is equivalent to 0.22 0.17 m/ms. (Raw SEG-Y data are in Appendix)

3.2

THE HEAD WAVE (Shot ID: FFID 1101, 1104, 1106, 1107, 1108)

TY-CERRIG 4m SPACING SPREAD V2 SLOPE/Ti HEAD WAVE PICKS

100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
time (ms)
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0

FFID 1101
FFID 1104
FFID 1106
FFID 1107
FFID 1108
Q1 fwd
Q2 fwd
Q3 fwd
Q4 fwd
0

24

48

72

96

120 144 168

coordinate along profile (m)

Figure 11A: The graph shows the first arrival picks FFID 1101, FFID 1106, FFID 1107, and
FFID 1108. The slope for the head wave is derived from the first picks to measure the
velocity of the second layer of the survey area. The 4 slopes data denoted as Q1, Q2, Q3,
and Q4 are 0.61 ms/m, 0.61 ms/m, 0.57 ms/m, and 0.64 ms/m. The totals of 4 slopes which
represent the slowness are derived from the graph above. Raw SEG-Y data are available
in APPENDIX (Clark, 2014).

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STUDENT ID: 200890546

0.06m/ms
FIGURE 11B: The absolute average slope for all 4 slopes data denoted as Q1, Q2, Q3, and
Q4 are 0.22 ms/m. From equation 2, the velocity for the second layer is 1.59 0.05 m/ms
and the average depth for the layer 1 using Equation 3 is 1.9 0.1 m (Clark, 2014).

3.3

THE UNDULATING BOUNDARY

Ty Cerrig 4m Spacing Spread V3 slope/ti First Arrival Picks

100.0
90.0
80.0
time (ms)

FFID 1105

70.0

FFID 1109

60.0
50.0
40.0
0

24

48

72

96

120 144 168

coordinate along profile (m)

FIGURE 12: The figure shows the first arrival picks for survey FFID 1105 and FFID 1109.
Those surveys are the far offset forward-reverse shot at -80m and 286m. The shots are
taken to determine the depth of the undulating boundary using GRM. The forwardreverse first break refraction lines show they are not intercepted symmetrically at the
middle of CMP. This proves the refractor is dipping from east to the west (Clark, 2014)
(Raw SEG-Y data are in Appendix).

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The third layer first break picks show the unconformity layout of the surface refractor
which have been portrayed by uneven slope in forward-reverse far offset shots. These
undulating refractor conditions are treated with the Generalized Reciprocal Method
(GRM) to find each common midpoint (CMP) velocity and undulating depth. Using
equation 4 and equation 5, Tv and Tg are plotted for XY=0m until XY= 40m with interval
of 4m. The standard deviation for the Tv slopes are determined and the values are
plotted against the XY as depicted in FIGURE 13.

Tv Standard Deviation per CMP vs. XY Spacing

0
0
0
Standart Deviation per number of CMP

0
0
0
0
4

12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40

XY SPACING
Figure 13: The graph shows the Tv standard deviation per CMP vs. XY spacing. This
graph indicates the least error for the Tv slope based on the RSS error propagation.
Based on the statistical calculation of the graph, the least RSS error per geophones for
slope Tv goes to XY spacing equal to 16m. The RSS per geophones for XY=16m is the
least which make the line the straightest among all XY spacing curves.

Further calculation using Equation 6 and Equation 7 derive the depth for each CMP and
the velocity anticipated for layer 3 which is 4.69 0.03 m/ms. The full depth calculations
with the CMP data at XY=16m are shown in Appendix. In addition, there is a dipping
anticipation at the refractor which runs from east to the west due to unsymmetrical
forward-reverse shots at midpoint. The calculation made deduced that the dipping angle
is equal to 2 degrees. This undulating dipping sub-surface play critical role in
answering the main objective of this survey which will be further discussed in the next
section.
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4.0
4.1

DISCUSSIONS

SUB-SURFACE CROSS SECTION

Based on the data analysis, the cross sections of the sub-surface for the 3 layers
boundary are shown in FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 14: The 3 layer sub-surface separated by the refractor boundary. The velocity for
each layer and the corresponding depth are shown in the MATLAB graphic generator.

The analysis of the stratigraphy is conducted and the velocity for each layer is
compared with the anticipated velocity from the geological background of the surveyed
area. FIGURE 15 shows the comparison between the anticipated velocity and the
velocity from the survey.
The existence of the dipping sub-surface between the sedimentary second layer and
third layer top Cambrian rock also proves the earlier hypothesis from the previous
borehole survey where the area was part of the delta-channel system. The existence of
the Quaternary layer also suggests that the surveyed area was the extension of the
delta-channel system basin over Palaeozoic fault valley (Allen et al., 1985).
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Figure 15: The velocity result for surveyed area is compared with the data set from the
earlier report. The velocity for each layer in the refraction survey matches the velocity
predicted by (BLUNDELL et al., 1964). The red square shows the approximate location for
the current refraction survey to the east of the fault. The first layer is deduced to be
unconsolidated weathering soils which the velocity 0.22 0.17 m/ms fits the data from
(Reynolds, 2011). The diagram also proves the first hypothesis that sedimentary layer
overlay the Palaeozoic Cambrian is Quaternary sediment and passing through the
Mochras fault (Blundell et al., 1969). The Quaternary sediments created post-rift basin in
this fault system. The absence of the tertiary layer in the surveyed area suggests that the
tertiary sediments was part of the syn-rift which is halted just before the post-rift
Quaternary evolved (it might due to new smaller fault triggered the post-rift basin system
before the deposition of tertiary over the surveyed area)

4.2

THE QUARTENARY SECOND LAYER

An analysis of the second refractor is conducted to detect any hidden layers within the
second layer to further refine the result and match the multiple Quaternary layers of
Mochras borehole (See Figure 2). The critical distance for the third refractor is
calculated based on the second layer depth calculated from the GRM. This critical
distance is considered the optimum XY spacing predicted for any given depth. The
result shows the average predicted XY spacing is 30.5 meter, more than the calculated
XY value of 16m from GRM. This discrepancy between predicted XY and calculated XY
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STUDENT ID: 200890546

spacing proves the presence of few hidden layers within layer 2. The Mochras borehole
result in FIGURE 2 shows few layers consist of sand and gravels, boulder clay, and
varved clay intertwined to create the Quaternary succession. Cross-relating the result
with the borehole data, inference can be made that the hidden layer is due to the
possibility of thin layering silt and varved clay or the possibility of velocity inversion in
the case of higher velocity boulder clay underneath the slower velocity varved clay.
Apart from that, the previous Electrical Resistivity Tomography ERT survey conducted
by MSC students at Leeds University in 2012 reveals the presence of very low resistivity
region within the second layer Quaternary region. Based on the cross reference with the
other publication (Nizam, 2012), water table portrays very low resistivity which ranging
from 1-150 ohm.m. The ERT survey conducted shows the thin water table running
parallel to the present seismic line as depicted in FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 16: The figure shows the result from the ERT survey conducted by MSc students
in 2012. The current refraction survey runs perpendicular to the ERT array at the location
denoted as blue cross. The presence of ultra-low resistivity inside the red square can be
assumed to be a thin layer of water table based on the resistivity data of underground
water from (Nizam, 2012).

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4.3

THE UNDULATING BOUNDARY

The de-glaciation process few millennia back deposited boulder and till clay during
Quaternary period. The deposition and glaciation process during Quaternary period also
eroded the surface of top Cambrian rock which created undulated and unconsolidated
Cambrian layer. The data from (Allen et al., 1985, Blundell et al., 1969) shows the pwave velocity for Cambrian rock formation has the range between 3.90- 6.31 m/ms. As
the top surface Cambrian formation eroded, the layer became unconsolidated and the
p-wave velocity is expected to be in the lower range (which is proven with p-wave
velocity from seismic refraction is around 4.69 0.03 m/ms).
4.4

DATA QUALITY

The reciprocity check has been conducted to test for consistency of the forward-reverse
shot undertaken. This step is essential to verify the forward shot seismic data obtained
are matching with the reverse shot. Moreover, the step will further improve the accuracy
and precision of the seismic data at any shot direction taken. The reciprocity check is
vital to be conducted during the survey after each set of forward-reverse shot taken to
make sure the data acquired are viable to be processed. The reciprocity check step is
taken by finding the intercept time for each reverse and forward shot. The timeintercepts are then deducted and the differences are analyzed statistically as depicted
in in the APPENDIX. In general, the data shows a high degree of precision when the
average of ~5% difference between forward and reverse shots reciprocity test
conducted.

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STUDENT ID: 200890546

5.0

CONCLUSION

In summary, the survey proves:

The extension of Quaternary sediments over the Paleozoic Cambrian rock at the
survey area. There is no evidence of the Tertiary layer extension even though
the previous survey (e.g. Mochras borehole) at the nearby location shows the
presence of the Tertiary. This is due to the formation of a newer smaller fault
(fraction of Mochras fault) in the rift basin system which halting the deposition of
the syn-rift Tertiary sedimentary and started the post-rift Quaternary deposition
onto Paleozoic Cambrian rock basin at the surveyed area.

There is significant presence of the superficial Quaternary layer over the

Paleozoic Cambria rock with average depth of 22 to 37 0.1m. There is also
high probability of hidden layer in this superficial sedimentary layer based on the
following previous survey evidences:

a) The thin layer of silt and varved clay mapped on Mochras borehole
data. (Woodland, 1971)

b) The presence of slower velocity layer of varved clay underneath the

much higher velocity of boulder clay clay mapped on Mochras
borehole data. (Woodland, 1971)
c) The presence of water table on the second layer from the resisitivity
survey conducted in 2012. (Cited SOEE, University of Leeds, 2012)

The existence of the Paleo-valley and delta-channel system is proven by the

effect of de-glaciation and deposition of sediments eroded the surface of the top

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STUDENT ID: 200890546

Cambrian layer; creating undulating boundary layer and setting the p-wave
velocity in the lower range of 4.69 0.03 m/ms.
There are several ways to improve the outcome of this survey which refining the
information gathered. The hidden layer expected needs to be treated to match the
Mochras borehole result. Thus, the velocity-depth model prediction needs to be done to
lay the possible velocity for any given depth for the second Quaternary layer. This step
is essential to refine the lithography of the second layer and give better understanding
of the rift-basin system in this area.

6.0

REFERENCES

ALLEN, P. M., JACKSON, A. & DUNKLEY, P. 1985. Geology of the country around Harlech,
Natural Environment Research Council.
BLUNDELL, D., GRIFFITHS, D. & KING, R. 1969. Geophysical investigations of buried river
valleys around Cardigan Bay. Geological Journal, 6, 161-180.
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