Recently, there has been increased interest in the use of seismic refraction surveys for the exploration of groundwater investigations. The aim of this study is to delineate groundwater potential zones using the seismic refraction technique. SmartSeis ST, with 12 channels seismograph was selected for seismic refraction data acquisition in Phonhong district of Vientiane Province, Laos. | VNU Journal of Science Earth and Environmental Sciences Vol. 36 No. 4 2020 90-101 Original Article Seismic Refraction Exploration for Groundwater Potential Evaluations A Case Study of Vientiane Province Laos Viengthong Xayavong1 3 Vu Duc Minh1 Nguyen Anh Duong2 Vu Minh Tuan2 1 VNU University of Science 334 Nguyen Trai Hanoi Vietnam. 2 Institute of Geophysics Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Hanoi Vietnam. 3 Faculty of Natural Science National University of Laos Dongdok Campus 7322 Vientiane Laos. Received 25 June 2020 Revised 24 August 2020 Accepted 31 August 2020 Abstract Recently there has been increased interest in the use of seismic refraction surveys for the exploration of groundwater investigations. The aim of this study is to delineate groundwater potential zones using the seismic refraction technique. SmartSeis ST with 12 channels seismograph was selected for seismic refraction data acquisition in Phonhong district of Vientiane Province Laos. The seismic velocities distribution analysis indicated that there are three different subsurface lithological zones ranging between 300 750m s 700 1650m s and 1500 2100m s . Gradual increase of seismic velocity indicates changes of lithological layers with vertical depth. This velocity increase is due to the dense lithological formation which changes vertically deep from alluvial sediments to dry sand and then to siltstone and gravel layers according to the borehole data. The seismic refraction results show that the aquifer is a sand and gravel aquifer with a thickness of unclear. The depth to the groundwater saturated layers ranging from 10 m to 25 m. The results of this study have indicated that the application of the seismic refraction exploration method to find groundwater is feasible and effective and can delineate groundwater potential zones in Laos. Keywords Groundwater aquifers seismic refraction exploration Vientiane Laos. ____ Corresponding author. E-mail address .
