Insights from mining-induced seismic occurrence and migration signals based on surface subsidence and overburden movement

Abstract In recent years, there has been an increasing incidence of overburden movements, resulting in surface subsidence, triggered by deep coal mining operations. Furthermore, an observed annual increase in the frequency of mining-induced seismic events has been documented. These phenomena pose a direct threat to the ecological environment and result in significant socioeconomic losses. Consequently, the correlation between overburden movement and strong mining-induced seismicity has gradually become a subject of growing concern. The present study analyses surface monitoring data from a typical mining area in the Ordos Basin, summarising the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of surface subsidence induced by adjacent goaf. The present study employs a theoretical model of subsidence parameters transitioning from a single-peak funnel shape to a double-peak shape in order to elucidate the influence of adjacent goaf on surface subsidence. Furthermore, employing Overburden Structure Detection Technology, this study examines the movement patterns of overburden prior to and following significant mining-induced seismic events. Utilising mathematical statistics, it is consistent with the idea that there is a correlation between surface subsidence and strong mining-induced seismicity. This study also examines the migration evolution of typical mining-induced seismic sequences within strata overlying goaf. The discussion further explores the reliability of the Coordinated Breaking of Multiple Overlying Strata Theory, presenting a representative empirical case study. This findings provides novel insights for the process of overburden-breaking type mining-induced seismicity.