Colorado School of Mines Resources
Colorado School of Mines Resources

Colorado School of Mines Resources

1. Seismic Wave Propagation, Acoustics, and Material Resonance at CSM

A. Colorado School of Mines Department and Lab Resources

  • CSM Geophysics Department — Seismic and Acoustic Research Group
    • Seismic Research at Mines
    • Focuses on how sound/seismic waves travel through rock layers, using laboratory and field experiments.
  • Center for Rock Abuse (CSM)
    • About the Center
    • World-renowned for research on rock properties, including elastic, acoustic, and seismic attributes (ringing, resonance, vibration).

B. Faculty Research

Dr. Roel Snieder — W.M. Keck Distinguished Professor of Basic Exploration Science

  • Specializes in mathematical modeling of seismic waves, resonance, and wave propagation.
  • Snieder, R. (2002). “Extracting the Green’s function of attenuating heterogeneous acoustic media from uncorrelated waves.” Journal of the Acoustic Society of America, 114(5), 2823-2832.
    Abstract

Dr. David A. Benson (Affiliate Faculty, previously CSM)

  • Studies acoustic wave propagation and diffusion in porous media—relevant to both geology and engineered structures.
  • Benson, D. A., Wheatcraft, S. W., & Meerschaert, M. M. (2000). “Application of a Fractional Advection-Dispersion Equation.” Water Resources Research, 36(6), 1403–1412.
    Link

C. Material Resonance and Applied Engineering

  • Clark, J. A., Zhang, J., & Lekic, V. (2019). “Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy for High-Throughput Elastic Measurements of Rocks.” Geophysics, 84(3).
    Abstract
    • While not always exclusive to CSM, this technique is widely used at Mines and referenced in their graduate work.
  • Geophysical Monitoring of Environmental Problems (CSM/USGS collaboration)
    • Uses seismic/acoustic sensors for mining safety, monitoring, and environmental impact—showing the role of resonance in both natural and human systems.

D. Seismic Wave Attenuation and Natural “Ring” Phenomena

  • Mavko, G., Mukerji, T., & Dvorkin, J. (2009). “The Rock Physics Handbook.” Cambridge University Press.
    • Frequently cited by CSM faculty; covers the mathematics of vibration, resonance, echoes, and wave damping in geology and engineering.

E. Educational and Summary Texts

  • Colorado School of Mines Geophysics Department — Course Offerings:
  • Mines Magazine (CSM): “Cracking the Code: What We Hear in the Cracking of Rock” (2018)
    • Public-facing summary of applied research in acoustic resonance and the science of “rock ringers.”
    • Read here

2. Application to Natural and Engineered Harmonics

  • Wave Propagation Research at Mines:
    • Integrates field seismology (earthquake waves, ringing rocks) with laboratory material science (how crystal lattices and minerals absorb, echo, or transmit vibrational energy).
    • Use in monitoring mines, tunnels, and environmental sites for stability and resonance/damping.
  • Industry Partnerships:
    • CSM collaborates with major engineering and mining firms to apply signal processing, resonance, and acoustic monitoring for safe construction, effective resource extraction, and environmental protection.