Ground motion characteristics induced by high-magnitude events with different source mechanisms of longwall mining

Rockbursts have become one of the most serious hazards in underground mines worldwide. While the characteristics of ground motions before rockbursts (or high-magnitude events (HMEs)) have not been studied. In this study, the peak ground velocity (PGV) and cumulative absolute displacement (CAD) before HMEs were examined based on seismic monitoring in a coal mine. It’s found that the source mechanisms vary significantly across different zones of the longwall, attributed to the low correlation between rock fracture types, stress levels, and seismic intensity. This correlation is mainly related to the distribution of primary fractures within the rock mass. The non-overlap of CAD peak with HME and the induction of delayed rockbursts are mainly caused by the unavoidable creep and additional energy input into the coal mass under disturbances before instability. The energy conversion process of the entire system is determined to be controlled by the stiffness ratio between the roof-floor system and the loaded coal, in accordance with the concept of dynamic and static load superposition. A high static load, strong dynamic disturbances, and a low rigidity ratio between surrounding rock and coal are identified as the most hazardous factors.