Change in the Physical Properties of Rocks Resulting from Quarry Blasts in South Yakutia

Abstract

In order to estimate the influence of seismic effects from quarry blasts on the state of rock massif by means of electrotomography, magnetometry, and seismological observations, the variations in the physical properties of rocks before and after massive blasts have been studied. Experimental monitoring along the geophysical profile directed across one of the regional faults crossing the quarry field of the Neryungri open-pit coal mine has revealed no significant changes in the magnetic field after blasts. The revealed features include an increase in the electrical resistivity of rocks in the blast-directed wall of the tectonic fault and a decrease in the fault zone; the change in electrical resistivity in the hanging wall is insignificant. It has been found that the change in physical properties of the rock massif is determined mostly by the state (frozen or thawed) of the rocks, rather than by the power of the blast.