A NEW METHOD OF CANCELLING MULTIPLE REFLECTIONS: “SOUSTON”*

Cancelling of multiple reflections by CDP stacking is generally incomplete. When the order of coverage is low, an improvement may be obtained by the use of special filters (e.g. Schneider et al: Geophysics 1965; D'Hoeraene: Geophysics 1966). But when the order of coverage is high, the efficiency of these filters is less obvious. On the other hand, the higher the order of coverage, the higher the efficiency in the solution presented. Schematically, our method includes three steps: Firstly: Searching for the multiple reflections. For this purpose Move Out corrections corresponding to the multiples are applied to each individual record, then CDP stacking is carried out. Secondly: Cleaning up of the individual records. “Decorrections” are firstly applied, then multiples are subtracted. For this, subtraction is weighed versus the energy of the multiples, that is to say versus the correlation between the original record and the pure multiple reflections. Thirdly: Normal processing with the cleaned records which have been obtained. The different steps of this method are illustrated with the help of theoretical examples. Its efficiency improvement in regard to normal CDP stacking is then demonstrated by means of true examples.     

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE “AIRPULSER” AS A SEISMIC ENERGY SOURCE*

During the last few years the airpulser, or air gun, has become very common as an energy source for marine seismic surveys. This paper describes the physical processes which take place during the operation of the pulser and develops theoretical results concerning the energy and frequency of the radiated signal and the amplitude decay of the secondary bubble pulses. The theory takes into account the presence of the airpulser itself which is assumed to be a rigid sphere within the bubble of released air. The theoretical results are combined and compared with measurements made of the pressure within the airpulser, the acceleration of the body of the pulser, and the amplitude and frequency of the signal radiated into the surrounding water. A formula for calculating the bubble frequency is given and a diagram made of the energy partition between mechanical losses, radiated energy, etc. Finally, a comparison is made of the energy release from the airpulser with that from TNT.     

Magmatismes basiques dits “orogeniques” et “anorogeniques” et teneurs entro2: Les associations “Isotitanees” et “anisotitanfes”

The patterns of variation of TiO₂ conent during magmatic evolution are different in the so called “orogenic” and “anorogenie” basic associations; these last terms, which are the cause of much misunderstanding, can be replaced by the terms “isotitaniferous” and “anisotitaniferous”.     

“REMOTE SENSING”— AN EVALUATION OF ITS IMPACT ON EARTH SCIENCE—*

“Remote sensing” techniques have been used for many years as an exploration tool; broadly speaking, any method using sensors not directly connected to the earth's surface falls into this group. It is preferable, however, to use the term solely with reference to a number of new sensors which have recently become available to earth scientists for the detection of various radiations of the electromagnetic spectrum in the wave length range from 0.1 micron (UV) to some centimeters including the visible and infrared regions. Radiations artificially induced in the earth (active sensing) or spontaneous radiations (passive sensing) can be detected. Some of the bands investigated seem promising for application to geological surveys, especially using sensors on aircraft and satellites, which allow synoptic and large scale investigations. A brief account is given of the results already achieved and of future developments such as the ERTS and manned satellite (post Apollo) “earth observation” programmes. The potential role of Europe in the field is discussed. Details are given of some applications of thermal I.R. imagery to geological and vulcanological problems, with special emphasis on the research carried out in Italy.     

The “wave turbopause”

The “wave turbopause” is defined as the mesospheric altitude level where the temperature fluctuation field indicates a substantial increase in wave amplitudes in the vertical direction.The turbopause altitude is analyzed on the basis of four years of SABER data (2002–2005, Version 1.06). Substantial seasonal and latitudinal variations are found, with some interannual variability also present. Seasonal changes are annual at high latitudes, semi-annual at low latitudes, and a mixture of both at middle latitudes. Southern hemisphere data are similar as in the North if shifted by half a year. Latitudinal variations show a minimum in the tropics and two relative maxima at middle latitudes.The “wave turbopause” is found near to zero-wind lines or low-wind zones (zonal wind). It is compared to rocket and other measurements, and interesting similarities are obtained. The wave turbopause can also be found in the HAMMONIA GCM. A preliminary analysis shows results similar to those of the SABER measurements.     

COMPARISON OF “AQUAFLEX” WITH CONVENTIONAL EXPLOSIVE FOR SEISMIC REFRACTION MEASUREMENTS AT SEA*

A seismic refraction line fired using conventional explosive charges was repeated using a seismic cord, “Aquaflex”. It was found that travel times and frequencies were the same for both kinds of source and that amplitudes from “Aquaflex” were comparable with those produced using conventional explosives more than ten times the weight. This advantage carries with it gains in cost and efficiency and reduces damage to fishing.