ANALYSIS OF DIFFRACTION PATTERN FILTERING OF VARIABLY DENSITY AND VARIABLY AREA RECORDINGS

When a small, transparent replica of a seismic section is illuminated by a homogeneous beam of coherent, monochromatic parallel light a diffraction pattern is created that is representation of the double Fourier spectrum of the recorded seismic waves, i.e. their spectrum in terms of frequency, f, and apparent wave number, k. Masking selected parts of this diffraction pattern causes the spectrum to be filtered: the recomposition of the filtered spectrum then provides a filtered section. The ideal seismic section for this purpose would be a continuous variable density section obtained from recording made at every point of the seismic line. The light transmission coefficient (in terms of light amplitude) at each spot of the replica should be linearly related to the instantaneous seismic signal strength at the spot on the seismic section to which it refers. Unfortunately we cannot make recordings at every point of a seismic line and in our practically realisable recordings we have to be content with sampling in the direction of the location coordinate x. This means that with variable density recordings aliasing will be present and evident in the spectrum obtained in the direction of k; furthermore, the aliased spectrum is also multiplied by a sine function of k because the recording obtained at a given station is not presented on the seismic section as a single line along the time axis, but occupies the entire width of the trace. The diffraction patterns created by variable density recordings of dipping sine waves, including clipped recordings, and of the effect of dip filtering in such sections are discussed. The efficiency of dip rejection is shown to decrease with increasing dip. The diffraction pattern of a variable density recording is found to be characterised by a relationship between point pairs in the pattern. No such simple relationship has been found for the diffraction pattern of a variable area section; the spectra of such VAR sections belong to a very special class, because the amplitude transmission coefficient has only two values, viz. 0 and 1. Consequently, selective masking of the diffraction pattern of a VAR section may give rise to a filtered profile that does not look like a VAR section at all. General statements about the diffraction pattern of VAR sections are hard to give, because the transmission coefficient at a given point in the replica is not proportional to the signal level in the seismic section at the relevant point. In the case of VAR presentation of harmonic waves it was found that, as well as the aliasing effect in the k direction, higher harmonics of the frequency are also introduced. Some synthetic examples are given that show dip filtering to be less effective with VAR than with variable density recordings. Some arguments are advanced in favour of the opinion that high-pass filtering of VAR sections will have less success than low-pass filtering. This is demonstrated by two synthetic examples.     

Shallow reflection seismic evidence of tectonic activity in the Cheb Basin,NW Bohemia

With a high-resolution seismic survey, we targeted the shallow structural features of the Cheb Basin, Northwest Bohemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate these features’ relation to seismic activity below the Cheb Basin with the first reflection seismic image of parts of the basin. We recorded a densely sampled, 3200 m long seismic survey stretching from Kopanina towards SE, into the basin. From the recordings of 170 shots at 192 geophones with 384-m total spread, we obtained a reflection seismic image down to the basement at 300-m depth, supplemented by a shallow tomographic velocity model for the uppermost 40 m. Strong lateral velocity contrasts indicate Quaternary river terraces, into which the Plesná river incises. We observe reverse faults in the lower basin sediments, which we interpret as signs of a push-up structure related to the N-S oriented Po?átky-Plesná Zone (PPZ). However, we do not observe any vertical fault offsets in the younger sedimentary layers, which suggests that any normal or reverse faulting must be older than 20 Ma. The image agrees well with previous lithostratigraphic borehole data and previous sedimentological and tectonic models. Our explanation for the formation of the escarpment at the eastern bank of the Plesná valley, previously interpreted as outcrop of the PPZ, relies solely on incision of the Plesná river into weak sediments.     

AN EFFICIENT METHOD OF OPERATING THE AIR-GUN*

A new technique is developed for generating a short seismic pulse from the bubble pulses which are radiated by an air-gun. The new technique, which is useful in well velocity surveys and vertical seismic profiling, can be implemented by firing a single air-gun several times at the same depth but with different chamber pressures. A record obtained by this procedure from a well-geophone clamped at a depth of 2450 m gave a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude within the first 100 ms of the effective seismic pulse at least ten times any later peak-to-peak amplitude.     

Combining Seismic Noise Techniques for Landslide Characterization

A strong topographic relief and the presence of weakly consolidated sediments create favorable conditions for the development of landslides around the eastern rim of the Fergana Basin (Central Asia). In summer 2012, a field experiment employing small aperture seismic arrays was carried out on an unstable slope, using ambient vibration recordings. The aim of the study was to constrain the seismic response of a potential future landslide and to map lateral and vertical changes in the shear-wave velocity of the surficial soil layers. Strong variations of horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios in terms of amplitude and directionality indicated clear differences in local site effects, probably reflecting the stability of different sections of the slope. Results further showed resonant frequencies of both the entire unstable block, as well as for smaller, individual parts. The use of an ad hoc, passive seismic tomography approach based on noise correlograms allowed for the mapping of the shear-wave velocities of the sliding material, even in cases of significant topography relief. Based on the recording of seismic noise only, we clearly identified a low-velocity body of weakly consolidated claystone and limestone material, which can be interpreted as the landslide body, with laterally varying thickness.     

Sediment Thicknesses and Q<Subscript>s</Subscript> vs. Q<Subscript>p</Subscript> Relations in the Kachchh Rift Basin,Gujarat, India Using Sp Converted Phases

Delineation of the top sedimentary structure and its Q_s vs. Q_p relationship using the travel-time difference of direct S and converted Sp phase is key to understanding the seismic hazard of any sedimentary basin area. We constructed filtered displacement waveforms from local ETNA Episensor acceleration recordings as well as local velocity recordings of aftershocks of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake recorded by the Kachchh seismological network of the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, India during 2001–2004. Stations are within 15–70km of epicenters, and the resulting displacement waveforms are generally simple, displaying prominent P, Sp, and S wave pulses. Particle motion of P and S waves suggest near-vertical raypaths consistent with preliminary depth estimates. The direct S wave on the horizontal component is characterized by lower frequency content than the converted Sp phase on the vertical component. This difference in frequency content between S and Sp phases can be explained in terms of different attenuation effects for P and S waves in the unconsolidated sediments. The Sp phase is generated by S-to-P phase conversion at the base of Mesozoic sediments of the Kachchh basin. Travel-time inversion (VELEST) of 2565 P and 2380 S arrivals from 658 well located aftershocks recorded at 8–14 three-component local seismic stations led to 1 D velocity models indicated very slow sediments in the upper 0–2 km depth range (Vp: 2.92 km/s and Vs: 0.90 km/s) and an increasing trend of velocities with depth at 2–40 km depth. The estimated sediment thicknesses beneath 12 accelerograph and 6 seismograph sites from the estimated velocity model and the travel-time difference between S and converted Sp phases reaches a maximum of (1.534 ± 0.117) km beneath Bandri (near the location of 2001 Bhuj mainshock) and attains a minimum sediment thickness of (0.858 ± 0.104) km beneath Ramvav and Burudia. The spectral ratios between Sp and S from 159 three-component accelerograms have been used to study seismic wave attenuation in the Kachchh rift basin. The estimated Q_s vs. Q_p relations for 12 accelerograph sites vary from Q_s = 0.184 Q_p (at Chobari) to Q_s = 0.505 Q_p (at Dudhai). For stations Chobari, Chopdwa, Jahawarnagar, Vondh and Tapar, the spectral ratio slopes and hence the calculated Q_s vs. Q_p relations are effectively the same, and the correlation coefficients are quite high (0.91–0.93). Stations Adhoi, Manfara, New Dudhai, Dudhai and Sikara have similar Q_s vs. Q_p relationships to each other and also have high correlation coefficients (0.78–0.87). The spectral ratios for stations Anjar and Ramvav are small and poorly constrained, resulting in less reliable Q_s vs. Q_p relations. This could be due to noisy data, fewer available waveforms, or scattering due to velocity heterogeneities and/or interface irregularities.     

MEASUREMENTS OF EARTH ATTENUATION FROM DOWNHOLE AND SURFACE SEISMIC RECORDINGS*

Frequency-dependent attenuation of compressional waves within the earth has been estimated in the vicinity of wells from

• 1 spectral power ratios of the coherent events in separate time gates on the seismic section
• 2 matching a broadband synthetic trace with seismic data at the well, and
• 3 determining the operator that transforms one down(up) going pulse recorded in the well into another recorded at a deeper (shallower) level.

The accuracy of estimation of all three methods was insufficient to estimate attenuation over small depth intervals, and it was not possible to distinguish between the contribution due to internal multiples and that of genuine absorption with much confidence. Spectral ratios from (1) showed a smoother variation with frequency—and one more consistent with other estimates—when they were compensated for the spectra of the reflectivities over the time gates employed, but they did not provide more than a broad indication of attenuation over a substantial depth interval. Approach (2) was hampered by the restricted durations over which synthetic trace and seismic data can be reliably matched; approach (3) gave the best results. Here matching is a much more powerful tool than the spectral-ratio techniques that are commonly applied since it can yield the form of the attenuation operator, i.e., both its amplitude and phase response, together with properly defined measures of its accuracy, while at the same time it minimizes the influence of noise and local interference effects at each recording level. For seismic target depths where internal multiple activity was low the logarithms of the amplitude responses of the estimated attenuation operators decreased approximately linearly with frequency and the phase responses showed no significant dispersion. Application of approach (3) to downgoing and upgoing waves estimated from a vertical seismic profile revealed the importance of changes in frequency-dependent geophone coupling and their effect on values of Q determined from downgoing pulses only.     

Realistic Modeling of Seismic Wave Ground Motion in Beijing City

— Algorithms for the calculation of synthetic seismograms in laterally heterogeneous anelastic media have been applied to model the ground motion in Beijing City. The synthetic signals are compared with the few available seismic recordings (1998, Zhangbei earthquake) and with the distribution of observed macroseismic intensity (1976, Tangshan earthquake). The synthetic three-component seismograms have been computed for the Xiji area and Beijing City. The numerical results show that the thick Tertiary and Quaternary sediments are responsible for the severe amplification of the seismic ground motion. Such a result is well correlated with the abnormally high macroseismic intensity zone in the Xiji area associated with the 1976 Tangshan earthquake as well as with the ground motion recorded in Beijing city in the wake of the 1998 Zhangbei earthquake.     

Application of common reflection angle migration for imaging deformation structures in an inner accretionary wedge,Nankai Trough,Japan

To better image deformation structures within the inner accretionary wedge of the Nankai Trough, Japan, we apply common reflection angle migration to a legacy two-dimensional seismic data set acquired with a 6 km streamer cable. In this region, many seismic surveys have been conducted to study the seismogenic zone related to plate subduction. However, the details of the accreted sediments beneath the Kumano forearc basin are still unclear due to the poor quality of seismic images caused by multiple reflections, highly attenuated signals, and possibly complex geological structures. Generating common image gathers in the subsurface local angle domain rather than the surface offset domain is more advantageous for imaging geological structures that involve complex wave paths and poor illumination. By applying this method, previously unseen structures are revealed in the thick accreted sediments. The newly imaged geometric features of reflectors, such as the folds in the shallow part of the section and the deep reflectors with stepwise discontinuities, imply deformation structures with multiple thrust faults. The reflections within the deep accreted sediments (approximately 5 km) are mainly mapped to far angles (30°–50°) in the common reflection angles, which correspond to the recorded offset distances greater than 4.5 km. This result indicates that the far offset/angle information is critical to image the deformation structures at depth. The new depth image from the common reflection angle migration provides seismic evidence of multiple thrust faults and their relationship with the megathrust fault that is essential for understanding the structure and evolution of the Nankai Trough seismogenic zone.     

张北6.2级地震预报纪实：地震活动性试验预报纪实之五

根据对华北地震活动性分析研究,在１９９７年１０月下旬举行的１９９８年度地商会上笔者提出了本年度地震活动趋势意见,其中的空间预测区就包括了今年１月１０日张北地震活动区,１９９７年１１月１３日根据震情三分律和对称模式作出了１９９７年１１月１３日到１９９８年１月２３日共７３天的短期预报,到１９９７年１２月至１９９８年１月２日又出现了第二个层次的三分律图象,又进一步作出了第二个层次从１月３日到２月３日为时     

用地震反射剖面研究汤阴地堑上地壳结构与断裂特征

汤阴地堑位于太行山脉与华北平原的过渡带,是太行山前重要的地质构造单元。为研究汤阴地堑上地壳结构和断裂特征,利用安阳市与新乡市活断层探测获得的深、浅地震反射剖面,结合研究区已有地震、地质资料,对汤阴地堑浅部结构、汤东断裂特征进行分析研究。结果表明,汤阴地堑北部与南部地壳结构差异明显。地堑北部是由汤东断裂控制的半地堑,地堑内反射震相丰富、反射波层组关系清晰,多组新生代、古生代沉积层强反射不整合地覆盖在自西向东倾伏的结晶基底反射T_g上,且随着深度增加,地层倾角增大,显示出明显的多期掀斜运动特征。地堑南部表现为由汤东、汤西断裂共同控制的断陷型地堑,地堑内新近系底界面反射波TN自西向东倾伏,其下为一些横向呈水平或东倾、延续性较短的反射震相。地堑南部与北部不同的反射震相特征表明,测线控制区域内的汤阴地堑沉积环境与运动特征可能有所差异。汤东断裂为走向NE,倾向NW的铲型正断层,汤西断裂为走向NE、倾向SE的正断层,北部中深层地震反射剖面上未发现该断层的存在。     

Small inflation sources producing seismic and infrasonic pulses during the 2000 eruptions of Miyake-jima, Japan

During the 2000 activity of Miyake-jima volcano, Japan, we detected long period seismic signals with initial pulse widths of 1-2 s, accompanied by infrasonic pulses with almost the same pulse widths. The seismic signals were observed from 13 July 2000, a day before the second summit eruption. The occurrences of the seismic signals were intermittent with a gradual increase in their magnitudes and numbers building toward a significant explosive eruption on 18 August. After the eruption, the seismic and infrasonic events ceased. The results of a waveform inversion show that the initial motions were excited by an isotropic inflation source beneath the south edge of the caldera at a depth of 1.4 km. On the other hand, the sources of the infrasonic pulses were located in the summit caldera area. The times at which the infrasonic pulses were emitted at the surface were delayed by about 3 s from the origin times of the seismic events. It is suggested that small isotropic inflations excited seismic waves in the crust and simultaneously caused acoustic waves that traveled in the conduit and produced infrasonic pulses at the crater bottom. Considering the observed time differences and gas temperatures emitted from the vent, the conduit should have been filled with vapor mixed with SO₂ gas and volcanic ash. The change of the time differences between the seismic and infrasonic signals suggests that the seismic source became shallower within half a day before the August 18 explosive eruption. We interpret the source process as a fragmentation process of magma in which gas bubbles burst and quickly released part of the pressure that had been sustained by the tensional strength of magma.     

地质观测、地震剖面和重力测量的综合方法在前陆褶皱冲断带的应用：以天山北麓呼图壁河剖面为例

褶皱逆冲带的几何学研究是造山带研究的热点,但是无论是传统构造地质学方法还是地球物理学方法都在研究褶皱逆冲带几何特征时存在多解性.为了制约这种多解性,本文以天山北麓的呼图壁河剖面为列,介绍一种地质与地球物理相结合的研究方法.该方法首先沿呼图壁河剖面进行详细的地表观测,获取地表的构造地质数据形成初步的地质模型,其次结合地表构造和钻井分层数据,对收集到的石油地震剖面进行重新解释.然而,地震反射数据只分布在盆地内部,在盆山结合带缺失或者不清晰,因此对该剖面进行了重力测量并计算出布格重力异常.结合盆地各沉积地层和基底密度值,用重力正演方法模拟呼图壁河剖面的密度结构.研究结果显示沿呼图壁河剖面并不存在天山北缘断裂,盆地的沉积盖层可以从准噶尔盆地连续过度到天山内部并不整合覆盖在天山古生代基底之上.这一结果与西段金钩河剖面的天山基底逆冲到准噶尔盆地显然不同,说明了天山北缘盆山结合带构造的多样性.利用平衡剖面技术,恢复的呼图壁河平衡剖面缩短量约为4.8 km,对比前人研究,说明了天山北缘的缩短量沿东西方向存在显著的不均一性.本研究也说明这种构造地质与地震及非震地球物理相结合的方法可以广泛地被应用于褶皱逆冲带.     

Velocity anisotropy characteristics and pre-stack time migration imaging of the marine sedimentary strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin

The South Yellow Sea is a superimposed basin overlying Mesozoic-Cenozoic continental sediments, which in turn overlie Paleozoic-Mesozoic marine deposits that are now the target of hydrocarbon exploration. Strongly modified by multiple tectonic events, the marine sediments feature a large tectonic relief, with obvious horizontal anisotropy in seismic velocity, which significantly affects the seismic image quality. In this study, the sedimentary velocity anisotropy and its influence on image quality were analyzed using an analytical theory method, assuming transversely isotropic medium with vertical axis of symmetry (VTI), and using seismic and well-log data. Additionally, an anisotropic prestack time migration was used for the imaging of the field data. The results showed that the anisotropic pre-stack time migration processing could be used to significantly improve the accuracy of the seismic images in areas with distinct faults, offering clear images of accurately located fault planes and fault edges, thereby improving the lateral resolution of the seismic data and its signal-to-noise ratio.     

Preliminary seismic microzonation of Sivas city (Turkey) using microtremor and refraction microtremor (ReMi) measurements

Sivas city, located in the inner east part of Anatolia (Turkey), is far from seismic sources. However, the city is under risk owing to strong earthquakes occurring around the area, and different soil conditions that can produce variation in the ground motion amplification. Microzonation of cities provides a basis for site-specific hazard analysis in urban settlements. In particular, seismic microzonation can be achieved by means of detailed seismic assessment of the area, including earthquake recordings and geological studies. In this paper, we propose a preliminary microzonation map for the city of Sivas, based on the variation in the dominant periods of the sediments covering the area. The periods are retrieved from microtremor measurements conducted at 114 sites, using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio technique. The results of microtremor analysis were compared with those obtained from refraction microtremor measurements at two profiles crossing the studied area. According to the classification of dominant periods, Sivas area can be divided into four zones, probably prone to different levels of seismic hazard. However, specific studies including analysis of weak earthquakes are required in the future to validate our microzonation map.     

基于双相介质理论的AVO属性交汇图识别天然气水合物

天然气水合物(gas hydrates)作为一种新的潜在能源 是目前世界范围内研究的热点和难点之一。目前 普遍认为拟海底反射(简称BSR)是天然气水合物存 在的重要标志之一,但有关水合物的识别仍有很 多问题需要解决。例如世界各地已发现水合物的 例证表明在没有BSR的情况下仍然存在水合物,在 没有BSR的情况下如何识别水合物仍是没有解决 的研究课题。本文以天然气水合物的识别为研究 目的,以AVO属性交汇图为研究手段,通过双相介 质正演理论模型研究了当地层含有天然气水合物 或游离气时的AVO属性特征,并与由双相介质的 交错网格有限差分法得到的合成地震记录所反演 得出的AVO交汇图进行了对比,得到高度一致的 对比结果,表明利用AVO属性交汇图是识别天然 气水合物和游离气并能估测其含量的有效技术。     

Gas chromatographic analyses of Argo Merchant oil and sediment hydrocarbons at the wreck site

Hydrocarbon concentrations were determined in surface sediments in the vicinity of the Argo Merchant wreck site. Of the 4000 km² area surveyed, contaminated sediments were found in a 10–15 km² section around the wreck site in February 1977. The contamination was in the form of small tar particles (or oil droplets) inhomogeneously mixed into the sandy sediments by the turbulent shoal tidal currents. Although there was no clear trend of hydrocarbon concentrations as a function of depth, contamination extended at least to 8–13 cm in depth. Stations which were contaminated in February were reoccupied on a cruise in July 1977. Only one station showed any trace of hydrocarbon contamination and this level was significantly lower than found at this site in February.     

Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Ground Motion Deduced from Ambient-Noise Measurements in the Town of Avellino, Irpinia Region (Italy)

The effects of surface geology on ground motion provide an important tool in seismic hazard studies. It is well known that the presence of soft sediments can cause amplification of the ground motion at the surface, particularly when there is a sharp impedance contrast at shallow depth. The town of Avellino is located in an area characterised by high seismicity in Italy, about 30?km from the epicentre of the 23 November 1980, Irpinia earthquake (M?=?6.9). No earthquake recordings are available in the area. The local geology is characterised by strong heterogeneity, with impedance contrasts at depth. We present the results from seismic noise measurements carried out in the urban area of Avellino to evaluate the effects of local geology on the seismic ground motion. We computed the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) noise spectral ratios at 16 selected sites in this urban area for which drilling data are available within the first 40?m of depth. A Rayleigh wave inversion technique using the peak frequencies of the noise H/V spectral ratios is then presented for estimating Vs models, assuming that the thicknesses of the shallow soil layers are known. The results show a good correspondence between experimental and theoretical peak frequencies, which are interpreted in terms of sediment resonance. For one site, which is characterised by a broad peak in the horizontal-to-vertical spectral-ratio curve, simple one-dimensional modelling is not representative of the resonance effects. Consistent variations in peak amplitudes are seen among the sites. A site classification based on shear-wave velocity characteristics, in terms of Vs30, cannot explain these data. The differences observed are better correlated to the impedance contrast between the sediments and basement. A more detailed investigation of the physical parameters of the subsoil structure, together with earthquake data, are desirable for future research, to confirm these data in terms of site response.     

On fault evidence for a large earthquake in the late fifteenth century,Eastern Kunlun fault,China

The EW-trending Kunlun Fault System (KFS) is one of the major left-lateral strike-slip faults on the Tibetan Plateau. It forms the northern boundary of the Bayan Har block. Heretofore, no evidence has been provided for the most recent event (MRE) of the ~70-km-long eastern section of the KFS. The studied area is located in the north of the Zoige Basin (northwest Sichuan province) and was recognized by field mapping. Several trenches were excavated and revealed evidence of repeated events in late Holocene. The fault zone is characterized by a distinct 30–60-cm-thick clay fault gouge layer juxtaposing the hanging wall bedrock over unconsolidated late Holocene footwall colluvium and alluvium. The fault zone, hanging wall, and footwall were conformably overlain by undeformed post-MRE deposits. Samples of charred organic material were obtained from the top of the faulted sediments and the base of the unfaulted sediments. Modeling of the age of samples, earthquake yielded a calibrated 2σ radiocarbon age of A.D. 1489 ± 82. Combined with the historical earthquake record, the MRE is dated at A.D. 1488. Based on the over ~50 km-long surface rupture, the magnitude of this event is nearly M _w ~7.0. Our data suggests that a ~200-km-long seismic gap could be further divided into the Luocha and Maqu sections. For the last ~1000 years, the Maqu section has been inactive, and hence, it is likely that the end of its seismic cycle is approaching, and that there is a potentially significant seismic hazard in eastern Tibet.     

Well tie,fluid substitution and AVO modelling: a North Sea example

Accurate well ties are essential to practical seismic lithological interpretation. As long as the geology in the vicinity of the reservoir is not unduly complex, the main factors controlling this accuracy are the processing of the seismic data and the construction of the seismic model from well logs. This case study illustrates how seismic data processing to a near-offset stack, quality control of logs and petrophysical modelling improved a well tie at an oil reservoir. We demonstrate the application of a predictive petrophysical model in the preparation and integration of the logs before building the seismic model and we quantify our improvements in well-tie accuracy. The data for the study consisted of seismic field data from a 3D sail line through a well in a North Sea oilfield and a suite of standard logs at the well. A swathe of fully processed 3D data through the well was available for comparison. The well tie in the shallow section from first-pass seismic data processing and a routinely edited sonic log was excellent. The tie in a deeper interval containing the reservoir was less satisfactory: the phase errors within the bandwidth of the seismic wavelet were of the order of 20°, which we consider too large for subsequent transformation of the data to seismic impedance. Reprocessing the seismic data and revision of the well-log model reduced these phase errors to less than 10° and improved the consistency of the deep and shallow well ties. The reprocessing included densely picked iterative velocity analysis, prestack migration, beam-forming multiple attenuation, stacking the near-offset traces and demigration and remigration of the near-offset data. The petrophysical model was used to monitor and, where necessary, replace the P-wave sonic log with predictions consistent with other logs and to correct the sonic log for mud-filtrate invasion in the hydrocarbon-bearing sand. This editing and correction of the P-wave transit times improved the normal-incidence well tie significantly. The recordings from a monopole source severely underestimated the S-wave transit times in soft shale formations, including the reservoir seal, where the S-wave velocity was lower than the P-wave velocity in the drilling mud. The petrophysical model predicted an S-wave log that matched the valid recordings and interpolated between them. The subsequent seismic modelling from the predicted S-wave log produced a class II AVO anomaly seen on the CDP gathers around the well.     

Experience from the Ecors program in regions of complex geology

The French Ecors program was launched in 1983 by a cooperation agreement between universities and petroleum companies. Crustal surveys have tried to find explanations for the formation of geological features, such as rifts, mountains ranges or subsidence in sedimentary basins. Several seismic surveys were carried out, some across areas with complex geological structures. The seismic techniques and equipment used were those developed by petroleum geophysicists, adapted to the depth aimed at (30–50 km) and to various physical constraints encountered in the field. In France, Ecors has recorded 850 km of deep seismic lines onshore across plains and mountains, on various kinds of geological formations. Different variations of the seismic method (reflection, refraction, long-offset seismic) were used, often simultaneously. Multiple coverage profiling constitutes the essential part of this data acquisition. Vibrators and dynamite shots were employed with a spread generally 15 km long, but sometimes 100 km long.Some typical seismic examples show that obtaining crustal reflections essentialy depends on two factors: (1) the type and structure of shallow formations, and (2) the sources used. Thus, when seismic energy is strongly absorbed across the first kilometers in shallow formations, or when these formations are highly structured, standard multiple-coverage profiling is not able to provide results beyond a few seconds. In this case, it is recommended to simultaneously carry out long-offset seismic in low multiple coverage.Other more methodological examples show: how the impact on the crust of a surface fault may be evaluated according to the seismic method implemented (vibroseis 96-fold coverage or single dynamite shot); that vibrators make it possible to implement wide-angle seismic surveying with an offset 80 km long; how to implement the seismic reflection method on complex formations in high mountains.All data were processed using industrial seismic software, which was not always appropriate for records at least 20 s long. Therefore, a specific procedure adapted to deep seismic surveys was developed for several processing steps. The long duration of the vibroseis sweeps often makes it impossible to perform correlation and stack in the recording truck in the field. Such field records were first preprocessed, in order to be later correlated and stacked in the processing center. Because of the long duration of the recordings and the great length of the spread, several types of final sections were replayed, such as: (1) detailed surface sections (0–5 s), (2) entire sections (0–20 s) after data compression, (3) near-trace sections and far-trace sections, which often yield complementary information.Standard methods of reflection migration gave unsatisfactory results. Velocities in depth are inaccurate, the many diffractions do not all come from the vertical plane of the line, and the migration software is poorly adapted to deep crustal reflections. Therefore, migration is often performed graphically from arrivals picked in the time section. Some line-drawings of various onshore lines, especially those across the Alps and the Pyrenees, enable to judge the results obtained by Ecors.