Modern sonic logging tools designed for shallow environmental and
engineering applications allow for P-wave phase velocity measurements
over a wide frequency band. Methodological considerations indicate
that, for saturated unconsolidated sediments in the silt to sand
range and source frequencies ranging from approximately 1 to 30 kHz,
the observable poro-elastic P-wave velocity dispersion is sufficiently
pronounced to allow for reliable first-order estimations of the underlying
permeability structure. These predictions have been tested on and
verified for a surficial alluvial aquifer. Our results indicate that,
even without any further calibration, the thus obtained permeability
estimates as well as their variabilities within the pertinent lithological
units are remarkably close to those expected based on the corresponding
granulometric characteristics.