Interpretation of Raw Seismic Records

Overview ta3520Introduction to seismics

• Fourier Analysis• Basic principles of the Seismic Method• Interpretation of Raw Seismic Records• Seismic Instrumentation• Processing of Seismic Reflection Data• Vertical Seismic Profiles

Practical:• Processing practical (with MATLAB)

Signal and Noise

Signal: desiredNoise: not desired

So for reflection seismology:- Primary reflections are signal- Everything else is noise!

Signal and Noise (2)

Direct wave: noise

Refraction: noise

Reflection: (desired) signal

Signal and Noise (3)

Direct wave: noise

Refraction: noise

Reflection: signal

Multiply reflected : noise

Signal and Noise for P-wave survey

Noise:• direct wave through first layer• direct air wave• direct surface wave• S-wave• Multiply reflected wave• Refraction / Head wave

Desired signal:• primary reflected P-waves

Signal and Noise for P-wave survey

Signal

Noise=

Primary P-wave Reflected Energy

All but Primary Reflection Energy

Goal of Processing:Remove effects of All-but-Primary-Reflection Energy

Processing of Signal (Primary-reflected energy)

Goal of processing:Focus energy to where it comes from

Understanding signal and noise:wave theory

Basic physics underlying signal is captured by wave equation

Ray theory: approximation of wave equation (“high-frequency”) Resonances: modes expansion of wave equation

S-waves, P-waves: elastic form of wave equation

The seismicrecord

Body waves:

Surface waves:

A seismic shot record on land

Linear event:Direct/refraction

Linear event:Slower, Direct

Slightly hyperbolicevent: Reflection

Linear event:Very slow, Direct

A seismic shot record on land

Linear event:Direct/refraction

Linear event:Slower, Direct

Slightly hyperbolicevent: Reflection

Linear event:Very slow, Direct

Interpretation of seismic land record

thickn

ess 200 m

source detector

offset

air wave

surface wave(velocity 1850 m/s)

refraction

velocity 340 m/s

velocity 3500 m/s(P waves)

velocity 4800 m/s

thickn

ess 200 m

source detector

offset

air wave

surface wave(velocity 1850 m/s)

refraction

velocity 340 m/s

velocity 3500 m/s(P waves)

velocity 4800 m/s

Picture made within PowerPoint

Modelling of seismic land record

Observed data Modelled data

(ray theory approx.)

Modelling of seismic land record

Observed data Modelled data

(ray theory approx.)

refraction

direct P-wave

surface wavereflection

reflectiondirect air w

ave

Wassenaar-beach data: Wednesday

Wassenaar-beach data: Wednesday

Wassenaar-beach data: array data (Thursday)

A seismic shot record at Wassenaar beach

Linear event:Direct/refraction

Linear event:Slower, Direct

Many slightly hyperbolicevents: Reflections !

Linear event:Slow, Direct

Interpretation of Wassenaar record

Modelling of Wassenaar record

Observed data Modelled data

(ray theory approx.)

A seismic shot record at sea

Linear event:Refraction

Many Hyperbolic events: Reflections

Linear event: Direct

First hyperbolic event: primary reflection

Hyperbolic event at twice timeof primary reflection: multiple

Interpretation of marine record

300 msource detector

offset

direct P wave

refraction velocity 240 m/s

velocity 1500 m/s(P waves)

velocity 1500 m/s(density different)

250 m

reflection

multiple

reflection

Picture made with PowerPoint

300 m

source detector

offset

direct P wave

refraction velocity 240 m/s

velocity 1500 m/s(P waves)

velocity 1500 m/s(density different)

250 mreflection

multiple

reflection

Old: Modelling of marine record

Observed data Modelled data

(ray theory approx.)

Modelling of marine record

Observed data Modelled data

(ray theory approx.)

refractiondirect P-wave (water)

reflectionsmultiple reflectionmultiple reflection