Seismic interpretation

Principles of seismic stratigraphic

interpretation
 Seismic interpretation
Seismic stratigraphy is a technic for
interpreting stratigraphic information from
seismic data..
The resolution of the seismic reflection
follow gross bedding and as such they
approximate time lines.
 The key is that the contrast represented by seismic
lines come from bedding surface and not lateral
variations (facies changes).
Resolution of seismic data
Understanding the
resolution is
importantfor the
seismic method.
A) a single cycle
sine 30Hz in
medium of velocity
2000 m/s
B) Big Ben, 380 ft
C) a gama ray log.
 Vertical resolution
Can be difined as the minimum vertical distance
between two interface needed to give rise to a
single reflection that can be observed on a seismic
section.
In a single noise-free seismic trace this is
governed by the wavelength of the seismic signal.
The shorter the wavelength (and hence the higher the
frequency) the greater the vertical resolution.
 In adition to bed thickness constrains
there are three other factors that limit
final resolution of the seismic data.
1- the Earth acts as a filter that progressively
attenuates the high-frequency components of the
seismic data.
2- Acoustic velocity increases with depth due to
compaction and increased cementation. This
increases the wavelength of the signal with
detrimental effect on the resolution.
3- If there is high ambient noise on the raw data,
the processing stream may include a high-cut filter
which has the effect of removing the high
frequency necessary for finer resolution.
 Seismic reflection termination
patterns
The first step in the stratigraphic
interpretation is to determine the vertical
and horizontal scale of the section.
To find out on the header or the seismic
data if the section has been migrated, and
weather it is marine or land data.
Seismic data from the Outer
Moray Firth, North Sea
Water-bottom
multiple
caused by the
sound waves
bouncing twice
between the
sea-surface and
the sea-bed,
and being
recorded at a
two-way
time(TWT).
Seismic data from the Outer
Moray Firth, North Sea
The next step is to divide
the seismic data into the
discrete natural
stratigraphic packages that
make up the section.
Identify and mark
reflection terminations.
It is a good idea to ignored
zones of broken or chaotic
reflections and to
concentrate on better data.
They can be interpreted
later.
Seismic data from the Outer
Moray Firth, North Sea
Where reflection
terminate in a
consistent manner
they define a line
on the section (a
seismic surface).
 Reflection termination
Lapout vs
truncation
Baselap
Downlap
Onlap

Downlap- commonly seen at the base of prograding clinoforms

It usually represent progradation of the basin margin.
Onlap- termination of low-angle reflections against a steeper
seismic surface. Two types: marine and coastal.
Toplap- is the termination of inclined reflections against an
Overlying lower angle surface.
 Truncation
Erosional truncation - The termination of
strata against an overlying erosional surface.
Fault truncation- termination of reflections
agains a syn- or post-depositional fault,
slump, or intrusion plane.
 Seismic facies

Figure shows type of clinoforms.

Once the seismic data has been divided into its
component depositional packages further geological
interpretation may be attempt.
Geometry of the reflections. Prograding basin-margin are
usually seen on seismic data to consist of topsets and
clinoforms.
 Offlap break

Well-developed
topsets and
clinoforms Shelf
and slope.

Clinoforms with
minor or absent
topsets.
 Seimic facies
classification
Ramasayer
(1979).
Methodology for
two-dimensional
seismic facies
mapping, known
as the A,B,C,
technique. Three
characteristic of
each seimic
package is
These are the nature of the reflection termination
recorded, given
Against the upper boundary, the nature of the
code letters.
Reflection agianst the lower boundary and the
Internal configuration of the reflection.
Proximal: C-On/P
Distal: C-Dwn/Ob
 These code are marked to a map, and
distributions of the various seismic facies
can be constructed using the entire seismic
grid.
Together with log data it is possible to make
a geological facies map from seismic lines.
For example the eocene line presented here
has not been drill but it probably represent a
basin margin slope assemblage.
 Seismic
faies map;
the map is
deliniated
by SBs
 Recognition of stratigraphic
surface
The key surface that divide stratigraphy into
component systems tracts are sequence
boundaries, transgressive surface, maximun
flooding surface and marine onlap/downlap
surfaces between the lowstand fans and the
lowstand wedge.
 A sequence boundary can be
recognized on seismic data on two
ways:
From the develoment of high relief
truncation surface, particularly one that
erodes the topsets of older units; and
By a downward shift of coastal onlap across
the boundary.
 High-relief
erosion surface
These are
sequences
boundaries,
associated with
glacial lowstand
and fluvial
erosion
 Stratigraphic surface
Coatal onlaps is the proximal onlap of topset
reflections. They formed at or near sea-level
within shallow marine processes.
Adownward shift in coastal onlap imlies a fall in
relative sea-level, accompanied by subaerial
exposure and erosion over the topset area.
In type 1 sequence boundaries the topset
reflections onlap an older clinoform. In type 2 SB
the topset reflections onlap an older topset
boundary.
 Sequence boundary,
Three topset
reflection agains an
older clinoform.
Type 1. A fall in
relative sea-level of
around 100 m =0.1 s
TWT.
 Stratigraphic surface
Transgressive surface- marks the end of
lowstand progradation, and the onset of
transgression. It need not be associated with
any reflection terminations, but will mark
the boundary between a topset-clinoform
interval and an interval of only topsets.
 Stratigraphic surface
Maximun flooding surface- is recognized on
seismic data as a surface where clinoforms
downlap on to underlying topsets, which
may display backstepping and apparent
truncation. Not every downlap surface is a
maximun flooding surface.
Seimic surface within a sequence