Objective Given the lithological characteristics and geological structure distribution of coal−bearing strata in southern coalfields, traditional methods face significant limitations and challenges in identifying small faults with a displacement of ≤5 m. Seismic physical modeling is currently the most promising technique for systematically studying small faults.

Methods Taking the southern coalfield—Liupanshui Coalfield in Guizhou Province, as an example, a seismic physical model was designed based on field exploration and data collection. Due to the complexity and specificity of constructing small faults, a unique spatial scale ratio of 1∶2000 and a velocity ratio of 1∶1.74 were adopted. For the first time in China, small faults at different burial depths of 5 m, 3 m, and 1 m were successfully simulated, leading to the completion of a seismic physical model of small faults in coal−bearing strata. Seismic data were then acquired, and the raw seismic data from the model were analyzed and processed to obtain the stacked seismic profile.

Results By applying similarity principles and selecting specific scaling factors, raw materials were proportioned to successfully construct a seismic physical model incorporating small faults with a displacement of ≤5 m. This model provides an experimental platform for acquiring seismic data, identifying small faults in coalfields, and studying their wavefield characteristics.

Conclusions This study establishes a seismic physical modeling system suitable for identifying small faults in southern coalfields, demonstrating the feasibility of constructing fault models based on the similarity principle. The developed model overcomes the technical limitations of conventional methods in detecting small faults, and offers a reliable experimental foundation for investigating wavefield responses and seismic recognition mechanisms. It provides theoretical support for the refined interpretation of geological structures in southern coal-bearing stratas.