Microseismic event identification is of great significance for enhancing our understanding of underground phenomena and ensuring geological safety. This paper employs a literature review approach to summarize the research progress on microseismic signal identification methods and techniques over the past decade. The advantages and limitations of commonly used identification methods are systematically analyzed and summarized. Extensive discussions have been conducted on cutting-edge machine learning models, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and their applications in waveform image processing. These models exhibit the ability to automatically extract relevant features and achieve precise event classification, surpassing traditional methods. Building upon existing research, a comprehensive analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of deep learning in microseismic event analysis is presented. While emphasizing the potential of deep learning techniques in microseismic event waveform image recognition and classification, we also acknowledge the future challenges associated with data availability, resource requirements, and specialized knowledge. As machine learning continues to advance, the integration of deep learning with microseismic analysis holds promise for advancing the monitoring and early warning of geological engineering disasters.

Identifying and classifying microseismic signals is essential to warn of mines’ dangers. Deep learning has replaced traditional methods, but labor-intensive manual identification and varying deep learning outcomes pose challenges. This paper proposes a transfer learning-based convolutional neural network (CNN) method called microseismic signals-convolutional neural network (MS-CNN) to automatically recognize and classify microseismic events and blasts. The model was instructed on a limited sample of data to obtain an optimal weight model for microseismic waveform recognition and classification. A comparative analysis was performed with an existing CNN model and classical image classification models such as AlexNet, GoogLeNet, and ResNet50. The outcomes demonstrate that the MS-CNN model achieved the best recognition and classification effect (99.6% accuracy) in the shortest time (0.31 s to identify 277 images in the test set). Thus, the MS-CNN model can efficiently recognize and classify microseismic events and blasts in practical engineering applications, improving the recognition timeliness of microseismic signals and further enhancing the accuracy of event classification.