NEW FILTERING METHODS WITH “VIBROSEIS”*

In order to obtain high resolution correlograms, it is of importance amongst other things to get reflection signals with large bandwidth. An advantage of the VIBROSEIS *** *** Trade Mark and Service book of the Continental Oil Company.
method is that the frequencies radiated by the vibrators can be matched to the transmission response of the subsurface involved. By choosing the right frequency range, the highest possible amplitude and most favourable form may be given to the reflection signals. In a reflection correlogram, individual signals cannot be considered in isolation. Signals of different origin are interfering with one another. They very often have different amplitudes, so that it may be desirable in many cases to filter out events of certain apparent velocity. With the VIBROSEIS method this may be achieved quite simply. All frequencies of the noise signal are uniformly suppressed. The advantage is that noise signals, e.g. refraction signals, which cannot be sufficiently attenuated by wavelength filtering, may be completely eliminated by this velocity filtering without affecting the bandwith of the desired signal. The total dynamic range of the tape recording can be used for the registration of wanted events. To perform this kind of filtering several vibrators are necessary in the field; each of them is controlled by an individual signal. There is an unavoidable error of static and dynamic corrections which causes the results of reflection measurements to deteriorate when using multiple coverage. High frequency components especially are seriously affected by destructive interference. This difficulty can be avoided by using a VIBROSEIS signal with high frequency component amplitudes supported. For the probability of error of corrections a normal distribution is assumed. A smoothed amplitude characteristic may be achieved after stacking. The amplitude characteristic of seismic devices is commonly reduced to about 100 cps bandwidth. For further improvement of resolution of VIBROSEIS correlograms it is necessary to apply special filtering methods. This is of particular interest when any kind of gain control is used to display weak events more clearly. With increasing amplification the sidelobes of the strong signals may reach the size of the weak events. In order to eliminate this effect, the amplitude characteristic of the VIBROSEIS signal is adjusted for optimum suppression of side-lobes.     

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.     

HOW TO WRITE FOR “GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING”*

The acceptance of articles in Geophysical Prospecting is strictly based on the originality and relevance of the contents. In order to be published a paper has to satisfy additional requirements on its external form and on its style and language: it should be written preferably in English though articles in French and German are permitted. A paper should consist of (i) a title page, (ii) an abstract, (iii) the text, (iv) list of references, (v) captions to illustrations, if any, (vi) tables, if any, and (vii) illustrations, if any. These seven parts should be mailed together but be physically separable and should be prepared according to rules which are either based on printing necessities or on the editorial style of the Journal. Failure to comply with these rules may result in delay in further processing of the article. Since Geophysical Prospecting is edited with a minimal budget correspondence with authors is kept to a minimum.     

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.     

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”.     

COMPUTER REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEX 3-D GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES USING A NEW “SOLID MODELING” TECHNIQUE*

During our recent work with 3-D dynamic ray-tracing and velocity inversion problems, a new 3-D model generation system has been developed using a so-called “solid modeling” technique. The term “solid modeling” refers to the fact that the logical system governing the internal geometrical properties of the model describes the model as a combination of “solids” or “volumes” in 3-D space. In each of these volumes the physical parameters (such as seismic velocity, density) vary continuously. Discontinuous changes occur only across the model interfaces separating the volumes. The model is constructed by firstly forming a number of “simple volumes” from the given interfaces and then combining these simple volumes into more complex volumes which represent the physical volumes of the model. It is easy to make changes to the model, by adding volumes or subtracting volumes and perform more composite operations, all by simple use of Boolean expressions. Every time a model has been specified (or changed), the internal logic automatically carries out a check of physical consistency of the 3-D model space (no overlapping volumes, no holes). By including various types of coordinate transformations, different kinds of complex structures can be handled, such as salt domes and vertical and near vertical faulting.     

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.