f Surface waves: Nothing but noise?

In exploration geophysics, seismic surface techniques have been developed to a high degree. Information about the underground is solely based on body waves. Dispersive surface waves are believed to be undesired noise. Thus, field layouts try to avoid surface waves, and data processing metbods are used to attack Love- and Rayleigh-waves. Methods to generate and process dispersive surface waves to search tbe underground, as well known from earthquake observations or in-seam seismic techniques, are most unusual in exploration geophysics. However, ignoring surface waves means not seeing valuable signaIs, at least from the near surface underground.