Practical Seismology and Seismic Prospecting

Abstract

BOTH from an academic and a commercial point of view, the exploration of the crust of the earth by explosion waves has assumed considerable importance in recent years. Of great geological interest, for example, are Prof. Ewing's seismic exploration of the continental shelf of the northeastern part of the United States and Dr. Bullard's recent delineation of the Palæozoic floor of East Anglia, whilst on the industrial side seismic prospecting has been employed in the search for oil and in supplying data required in the construction of highways, bridges and dams. A treatise giving more than a mere outline of the technique is therefore of considerable interest, especially as actual surface strata by no means conform to the idealized uniform sheet usually depicted in works on seismology; it is all the more acceptable since it is written by a practical seismologist who is equally familiar with the geological, geophysical and technical aspects of the work.

Practical Seismology and Seismic Prospecting

By Prof. L. D. Leet. (Century Earth Science Series.) Pp. x + 430 + 5 plates. (New York and London: D. Appleton-Century Co., Inc., 1938.) 25s. net.