While the trenches penetrated 3 to 10 feet, seismic tests show valleys buried in as much as 1,000 feet of sediment.

Now Ann has started an investigation into methods for determining aquifer pressures by the echoes they give back in the seismic tests.

In late June planned seismic tests were apparently scaled back.

In 1963, exploration activities started in this field with carrying out seismic tests and the first exploration well was completed in 1967.

This year's vehicle is an innocuous-looking measure authorizing seismic tests that, if they showed oil, would inevitably strengthen the case for drilling.

Interior officials say the violations were minor, involving only seismic tests on the plateau, and that they would not have authorized drilling without environmental reviews.

If a company makes a narrow enough road for its seismic tests, it does not have to pay Al-Pac for the trees they cut down.

As a bizarre post-script to the underground activity, in 1960 the Atomic Energy Authority used the mine for seismic tests.

The Bari lands are also threatened by coal mining, and national oil company Maraven has begun seismic tests in the area.

In 2005, the Belize government announced that it was permitting a Guatemalan-based oil company to conduct seismic tests in the national park.