AccScience Publishing / AJWEP / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/AJWEP026170114
Submit to AJWEP
Cite this article
8
Download
77
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Broadband shear wave velocity profiling to evaluate subsidence vulnerability: A combined multichannel analysis of surface waves approach in Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Nguyen Nhat Kim Ngan1,2* ,  Nguyen Thanh Hai3,4 ,  Nguyen Van Thuan1,2
Show Less
1 Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2 Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3 Department of Seismology, Institute of Earth Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam
4 Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
AJWEP, 026170114 https://doi.org/10.36922/AJWEP026170114
Received: 23 March 2026 | Accepted: 18 May 2026 | Published online: 10 June 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
XML
Cite
Abstract

As urban centers expand into geologically complex and hazardous terrains, accurately characterizing deep subsurface stiffness becomes critical for disaster mitigation. Traditional active multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) provides excellent near-surface resolution but struggles to penetrate beyond 30 m. Conversely, passive MASW captures deep geological interfaces but lacks high-frequency data for shallow soil profiling. We addressed this limitation by deploying a combined active and passive MASW framework to extract broadband dispersion curves (2–11 Hz) in Quang Hanh, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam—a region currently facing severe subsidence risks. Seismic data were acquired using a fixed 24-channel array (3 m spacing, 69 m length) utilizing both a sledgehammer source and ambient urban noise. Data processing was conducted using ParkSEIS v2.0, applying a phase-shift algorithm for active data and the extended spatial autocorrelation method for passive data. Through constrained iterative least-squares inversion, we generated one-dimensional shear wave velocity profiles down to a depth of 50 m. The results revealed a highly distinct stratigraphic profile correlating with local borehole data: a semi-stiff clayey topsoil (m/s), a transition zone (m/s), and a basal layer of fractured limestone (m/s). The time-averaged shear wave velocity of 408–517 m/s classifies the area as National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program site class C. Crucially, the results identified a sharp impedance contrast at the 15 m soil–rock interface. This structural discontinuity indicates a zone of high susceptibility to internal erosion (piping) within the fractured limestone, significantly elevating the risk of karst sinkholes during extreme weather events. This study demonstrates that integrating active and passive MASW provides a robust, non-destructive diagnostic tool for engineers to assess deep geohazards in complex transitional geologies.

Keywords
Geohazards
Karst
Multichannel analysis of surface waves
Shear wave velocity
Subsurface characterization
Funding
This research is funded by Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) under a project (grant number CB2025-18-11) within the framework of the Program titled “Strengthening the capacity for education and basic scientific research integrated with strategic technologies at VNU-HCM, aiming to achieve advanced standards comparable to regional and global levels during the 2025–2030 period, with a vision toward 2045.”
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
References
  1. Park CB, Miller RD, Xia J. Multichannel analysis of surface waves. Geophysics. 1999;64(3):800-808. doi: 10.1190/1.1444590

 

  1. Taipodia J, Dey A. A review of active and passive MASW techniques. In: Proceedings of the National Workshop on Engineering Geophysics for Civil Engineering and Geo-Hazards (EGCEG 2012); 2012; Roorkee, India. Accessed May 19, 2026. https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/280977953_A_Review_of_Active_and_ Passive_MASW_Techniques

 

  1. Park CB, Miller RD, Xia J, Ivanov J. Multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW)-active and passive methods. Leading Edge. 2007;26(1):60-64. doi: 10.1190/1.2431832

 

  1. Okada H, Suto K. The Microtremor Survey Method. Tulsa, OK: Society of Exploration Geophysicists; 2003. doi: 10.1190/1.9781560801740

 

  1. Asten MW. On bias and noise in passive seismic data from finite circular array data processed using SPAC methods. Geophysics. 2006;71(6):V153-V162. doi: 10.1190/1.2345054

 

  1. Morton SL, Ivanov J, Peterie SL, Miller RD, Livers-Douglas AJ. Passive multichannel analysis of surface waves using 1D and 2D receiver arrays. Geophysics. 2021;86(6):EN63-EN75. doi: 10.1190/geo2020-0104.1

 

  1. Eikmeier CN, Prado RL, Taioli F. Combined use of active and passive surface waves for shallow subsurface investigation in noisy urban area of Sao Paulo City, Brazil. Rev Bras Geofís. 2016;34(1):13-24. doi: 10.22564/rbgf.v34i1.779

 

  1. Park CB, Miller RD, Ryden N, Xia J, Ivanov J. Combined use of active and passive surface waves. J Environ Eng Geophys. 2005;10(3):323-334. doi: 10.2113/jeeg10.3.323

 

  1. Lontsi AM, Ohrnberger M, Kruger F. Shear wave velocity profile estimation by integrated analysis of active and passive seismic data from small aperture arrays. J Appl Geophys. 2016;130:37-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2016.03.034

 

  1. Cheng F, Xia J, Luo Y, et al. Multichannel analysis of passive surface waves based on crosscorrelations. Geophysics. 2016;81(5):EN57-EN66. doi: 10.1190/geo2015-0505.1

 

  1. Mahajan AK, Galiana-Merino JJ, Lindholm C, et al. Characterization of the sedimentary cover at the Himalayan foothills using active and passive seismic techniques. J Appl Geophys. 2011;73(3):196-206. doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2011.01.002

 

  1. Malovichko AA, Anderson NL, Malovichko DA, Shylakov DY, Butirin PG. Active-passive array surface wave inversion and comparison to borehole logs in southeast Missouri. J Environ Eng Geophys. 2005;10(3):243-250. doi: 10.2113/jeeg10.3.243

 

  1. Ariffin J, Ismail MAM, Tan CG, Murtadza NM. Site characterization of marine clay deposits in South Seberang Prai, Penang using combined active and passive multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW). IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng. 2016;136:012032. doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/136/1/012032

 

  1. Ning L, Dai T, Liu Y, Xi C, Zhang H, Zhou C. Application of multichannel analysis of passive surface waves method for fault investigation. J Appl Geophys. 2021;192:104382. doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2021.104382

 

  1. Hu S, Zhao Y, Ma Z, et al. Combined analysis of active and passive surface waves for 2D characterization of a landfill. J Appl Geophys. 2022;206:104832. doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2022.104832

 

  1. Widyaningrum Y, Sungkono S, Husein A, Santosa BJ, Bahri AS. Combination of active and passive seismic analyses for embankment characterization. Appl Mech Mater. 2015;771:179-182. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.771.179

 

  1. Karsli H, Babacan AE, Akin O. Subsurface characterization by active and passive source geophysical methods after the 06 February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey. Nat Hazards. 2024;120(6):5257-5286. doi: 10.1007/s11069-024-06422-6

 

  1. Adly A, Poggi V, Fah D, Hassoup A, Omran A. Combining active and passive seismic methods for the characterization of urban sites in Cairo, Egypt. Geophys J Int. 2017;210(1):428-442.doi: 10.1093/gji/ggx176

 

  1. Budi AP, Ginting RA, Sunardi B, Sukanta IN. Combination of passive seismic (HVSR) and active seismic (MASW) methods to obtain shear wave velocity model of subsurface in Majalengka. J Phys Conf Ser. 2021;1805(1):012002. doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1805/1/012002

 

  1. Eker AM, Akgun H, Kockar MK. A comparison of local site conditions with passive and active surface wave methods. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Recent Advances in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics; May 24-29, 2010; San Diego, CA. Accessed May 19, 2026. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/ icrageesd/05icrageesd/session06b/1/

 

  1. Eker AM, Akgun H, Kockar MK. Local site characterization and seismic zonation study by utilizing active and passive surface wave methods: a case study for the northern side of Ankara, Turkey. Eng Geol. 2012;151:64-81. doi: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.09.002

 

  1. Ladak S, Molnar S, Palmer S, Atkinson GM. Application of active and passive seismic methods for determining the shear wave velocity profile at hard rock sites in Eastern Canada. In: Proceedings of the 12th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering; 2019; Quebec City, QC, Canada. Accessed May 19, 2026. https://www.caee. ca/12CCEEpdf/192-bN89-149.pdf

 

  1. Philley PD, Taipodia J, Pana T. Subsurface investigation analysis using combined MASW survey. In: Proceedings of the Indian Geotechnical Conference 2022. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. Singapore: Springer Nature; 2024:313- 324. doi: 10.1007/978-981-97-1737-8_27

 

  1. Zaki MFM, Ghazaly ZM, Bawadi NF, Ahmad MM, Nujid MM. Indicative microzonation map of the contact zone between the Kenny Hill and limestone formation using active, passive and hybrid MASW methods. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2024;1369(1):012023. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1369/1/012023

 

  1. Abdelbaset M, Mohamed A, Sawires R, Omran AAA, Thabet M. Passive and active seismics to identify geotechnical site characterization at industrial zone, Aswan, Egypt. J Appl Geophys. 2025;243:105948. doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2025.105948

 

  1. Nguyen NKN. Deriving geotechnical parameters for foundation design in Ea Trang, Vietnam, through combined seismic methods. Econ Environ Geol. 2025;58(4):351-359. doi: 10.9719/eeg.2025.58.4.351

 

  1. Nguyen NNK, Le CVA, Vu TM, et al. Determination of shear wave velocity using multichannel analysis of surface wave in M’Drak District, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. IEEJ Trans Electr Electron Eng. 2025;20(11):1896-1900. doi: 10.1002/tee.70089

 

  1. Nguyen TH. Consulting, survey and overall assessment of areas at risk of subsidence, sliding, and landslide after Typhoon Yagi in Quang Hanh Ward, Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh Province. Technical report. Department of Seismology, Institute of Earth Sciences, Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology; 2024.

 

  1. Akin O, Sayil N. Soil characterization in landslide-prone areas using ground shear strain based on active and passive source surface wave methods. Pure Appl Geophys. 2025;182(4):1579-1600. doi: 10.1007/s00024-025-03696-0

 

  1. Hayashi K, Suzuki H. CMP cross-correlation analysis of multi-channel surface-wave data. Explor Geophys. 2004;35(1):7-13. doi: 10.1071/EG04007

 

  1. Wang Z, Juhlin C, Lu Q, et al. High-resolution seismic reflection surveying to delineate shallow subsurface geological structures in the karst area of Shenzhen, China. Solid Earth. 2025;16(8):761-773. doi: 10.5194/se-16-761-2025

 

  1. Wang Z, Zhu T. Characterizing fractured zones in urban karst geology using leaky surface waves from distributed acoustic sensing. J Geophys Res Solid Earth. 2025;130(7):e2025JB031477. doi: 10.1029/2025JB031477

 

  1. Islam N, Xu L, Usman AB, Raza B, Li Y, Li S. Study on field and numerical analysis of karst collapse as railway hazard. Proc Inst Civ Eng Geotech Eng. 2025;178(3):324-338. doi: 10.1680/jgeen.24.00242
Next article in this issue
Share
Back to top
Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, Electronic ISSN: 1875-8568 Print ISSN: 0972-9860, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept