Dong, S., Wu, H., Li, D. and Huang, Y., 2016. Experimental study of ultrasonic velocity and anisotropy in coal samples. Journal of Seismic Exploration, 25: 131-146. Measurements of ultrasonic velocities in coal samples have been limited until recently. In this study, we collected anthracite samples with high mechanical strength from the Qinshui Basin, China, and measured their ultrasonic velocities perpendicular, parallel, and at 45° to the bedding planes under triaxial stress conditions. Considering the depositional features of coal, combined with observations of the coal block, microscopic observations of the bedding, and analyses of the qS wave velocities, we approximated the samples as vertical transverse isotropy (VTI) media. Subsequently, the calculation of anisotropic coefficients demonstrated that the test samples have weak anisotropy with anisotropic coefficients < 0.2. Additionally, the variations of ultrasonic velocities and anisotropic coefficients under various confining pressures were analyzed. The confining pressure has a critical value below which the ultrasonic velocities increase and the anisotropic coefficients decrease significantly, which corresponds to the dynamic process of microfracture closure. The velocities and anisotropic coefficients change minimally and tend to be constant when the confining pressure is greater than the critical value, exhibiting the characteristics of the mineral matrix. Additionally, this critical value is affected by the axial stress and the coal type. Specifically, different axial pressures were set in this study, and the results illustrate this feature unambiguously. Finally, the data and results from this experiment may provide a reference for further rock physics research into coalbed methane.