 

Vantage x Bloomberg
Media Studios
Download Free Trading e-Book Now

Download Now

*T&Cs Apply

Home  Geology Branches  Geophysics  T he Seismic Method

G eophysics

The Seismic Method

Modified date: 03/12/2023

     

The seismic method is a crucial technique in geophysics that plays a significant role in
understanding the subsurface structure of the Earth. It is widely employed in various fields
such as oil and gas exploration, environmental studies, civil engineering, and geological
research. Seismic methods involve the use of artificially generated seismic waves and their
interaction with subsurface materials to create detailed images of the Earth’s interior.

The seismic method

The seismic met hod is a geophysical t echnique t hat ut ilizes t he propagat ion of seismic waves
t hrough t he Eart h t o gat her informat ion about it s subsurface st ruct ure. Seismic waves can be
art ificially generat ed by various means, including st riking t he ground wit h a heavy weight , det onat ing
explosives, or using specialized vibrat ional sources. These waves t ravel t hrough t he Eart h and are
recorded by sensors (geophones or acceleromet ers) at t he surface or in boreholes.

The recorded dat a is t hen processed and analyzed t o creat e seismic images, providing valuable
insight s int o t he composit ion, densit y, and geomet ry of subsurface layers. The seismic met hod is
based on t he principle t hat seismic waves t ravel at different velocit ies t hrough different t ypes of
rocks and geological format ions.

Importance in Geophysics and Exploration:

1. Subsurface Imaging: Seismic methods are essential f or creating detailed images of the subsurf ace,
helping geophysicists and geologists understand the distribution of rocks, sediments, and other
 geological f eatures. This inf ormation is crucial f or a wide range of applications, including resource
exploration and environmental assessments.
2. Hydrocarbon Explorat ion: In the oil and gas industry, seismic surveys are f undamental f or locating
potential hydrocarbon reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surf ace. By analyzing the reflected seismic waves,
exploration teams can identif y structures that may contain oil and gas deposits.
3. Civil Engineering: Seismic methods are employed in civil engineering to assess the geological
conditions of a site bef ore construction. This helps engineers understand potential risks related to
earthquakes and design structures that can withstand seismic f orces.
4. Environment al St udies: Seismic techniques are used in environmental studies to investigate
subsurf ace conditions, including groundwater aquif ers, soil properties, and potential contamination.
This inf ormation is critical f or environmental impact assessments and remediation projects.
5. Nat ural Hazard Assessment : Seismic methods are vital f or studying and monitoring natural hazards
such as earthquakes and volcanic activity. Understanding the subsurf ace structure and f ault lines helps
in assessing seismic risks and implementing measures to mitigate potential disasters.

In summary, t he seismic met hod is a versat ile and powerful t ool in geophysics and explorat ion,
providing valuable informat ion about t he Eart h’s subsurface for a wide range of applicat ions across
various indust ries.
 Search for

1. FREE ONLINE GEOLOGY COURSES ❯

2. ONLINE GEOLOGY DEGREE ❯
3. FIRE OPAL STONE ❯
4. GEOLOGIST'S DIRECTORY ONLINE ❯
5. FLUORITE CRYSTALS FOR SALE ❯
Ad Inside r Choic e s

Contents

Basic Principles of Seismic Method

Seismic Instruments and Equipment
Seismic Data Acquisition
Seismic Data Processing
Applications of Seismic Method

Basic Principles of Seismic Method

 Basic Principles of Seismic Method

The seismic met hod relies on t he principles of seismic wave propagat ion t hrough t he Eart h’s
subsurface. These waves are generat ed art ificially and t hen recorded t o creat e images of t he
subsurface st ruct ure. The basic principles of t he seismic met hod include:
1. Generat ion of Seismic Waves: Seismic waves are typically generated by a controlled source, which
could be a weight dropped on the ground, explosives, or a specialized vibrational device. The goal is to
create a disturbance that produces waves capable of penetrating the Earth.
2. Propagat ion of Seismic Waves: Once generated, seismic waves travel through the Earth, penetrating
dif f erent layers and reflecting back to the surf ace at interf aces where there are changes in subsurf ace
properties, such as rock types or geological structures. The two main types of seismic waves are
compressional waves (P- waves) and shear waves (S- waves), each with distinct properties and
velocities.
3. Recording Seismic Waves: Seismic waves are recorded by sensors known as geophones or
accelerometers, which are strategically placed on the Earth’s surf ace or in boreholes. These sensors
detect ground motion caused by the seismic waves passing through the subsurf ace.
4. Travel T ime Analysis: The recorded data, known as seismic traces, are analyzed to determine the
arrival times of seismic waves at dif f erent receivers. By measuring the travel times and understanding
the velocity of the waves, geophysicists can inf er the depth and properties of subsurf ace structures.
5. Velocit y Variat ion and Layering: Seismic waves travel at dif f erent velocities through dif f erent
materials. This variation in velocity is used to distinguish between various subsurf ace layers and
geological f ormations. The analysis considers both the vertical and lateral distribution of materials.
6. Reflect ion and Refract ion: Reflections occur when seismic waves encounter a boundary between
two layers with dif f erent acoustic properties. Ref ractions occur when waves change direction due to
variations in subsurf ace velocity. Both reflection and ref raction data are crucial f or constructing
detailed images of the subsurf ace.
7. Dat a Processing and Imaging: Seismic data undergoes extensive processing to enhance signal
quality, remove noise, and convert it into a meaningf ul representation of the subsurf ace. Advanced
imaging techniques, such as seismic tomography and migration, are employed to create detailed three-
dimensional models.
8. Int erpret at ion: Geoscientists interpret the processed seismic images to identif y geological
structures, such as f aults, f olds, and stratigraphic layers. This interpretation provides valuable
inf ormation f or applications like resource exploration, environmental studies, and geological mapping.

By applying t hese basic principles, t he seismic met hod allows geophysicist s and geologist s t o gain
insight s int o t he Eart h’s subsurface, enabling a bet t er underst anding of geological feat ures and
support ing various scient ific and indust rial applicat ions.

Seismic Instruments and Equipment

Seismic cables and geophones

Seismic surveys rely on specialized inst rument s and equipment t o generat e seismic waves, record
t he result ing dat a, and analyze t he subsurface st ruct ure. Here are key seismic inst rument s and
equipment used in t he seismic met hod:

1. Seismic Sources:
Explosive Charges: Controlled explosions, of ten using dynamite or other explosives, are used to
generate powerf ul seismic waves.
Vibrat ors: Specialized trucks equipped with vibrational devices generate seismic waves by vibrating
the ground. These are commonly used in urban areas or environmentally sensitive locations.
2. Geophones:
Geophones are sensors placed on the ground surf ace or in boreholes to detect ground motion
caused by seismic waves.
They convert ground vibrations into electrical signals, which are recorded f or f urther analysis.
Geophones come in various designs, including vertical and horizontal components, depending on the
type of seismic waves being measured.
 3. Acceleromet ers:
Similar to geophones, accelerometers measure ground acceleration during seismic events.
They are of ten used in structural monitoring and can be more sensitive than traditional geophones.
4. Seismic Cables (Spread):
Seismic sensors are connected by cables to a central recording unit.
The layout of these sensors, known as the spread, determines the geometry of the seismic survey
and influences the quality of the data.
5. Recording Syst ems:
Seismic Recorders: These electronic devices record the signals f rom geophones or
accelerometers.
Dat a Acquisit ion Syst ems: These systems collect and store the recorded data f or later
processing.
Modern recording systems use digital technology, allowing f or more efficient data handling and
storage.
6. Energy Sources (Air Guns for Marine Surveys):
In marine seismic surveys, air guns are of ten used as the energy source.
These devices release compressed air into the water, creating underwater acoustic waves that
penetrate the seafloor and provide inf ormation about subsurf ace structures beneath the ocean
floor.
7. Navigat ion Syst ems:
Accurate positioning is crucial f or seismic surveys, especially in marine environments.
GPS (Global Positioning System) and inertial navigation systems help ensure precise location data
f or each recorded seismic trace.
8. Seismic Processing Soft ware:
Specialized sof tware is used to process and analyze seismic data.
Processing steps include filtering, stacking, migration, and inversion to enhance the quality and
interpretability of seismic images.
9. Seismic Int erpolat ion Tools:
In some cases, interpolation tools are used to fill in the gaps between seismic lines, creating a more
comprehensive image of the subsurf ace.
10. Drilling Equipment (for Borehole Seismology):
In borehole seismology, equipment such as drilling rigs and casing materials are used to create
boreholes f or the placement of geophones or accelerometers at depth.

These inst rument s and equipment work t oget her t o collect and process seismic dat a, providing
valuable insight s int o t he subsurface st ruct ure for applicat ions ranging from oil and gas explorat ion
t o environment al st udies and geological research.
Seismic Data Acquisition

Seismic dat a acquisit ion is a crit ical st ep in t he seismic met hod, involving t he collect ion of
measurement s from seismic sensors t o creat e a det ailed image of t he Eart h’s subsurface. The
process t ypically includes t he following key st eps:

1. Survey Design:
Bef ore acquiring seismic data, geophysicists design a survey plan to determine the layout of
seismic sources and receivers.
Factors such as the desired resolution, depth of investigation, and the nature of the subsurf ace
influence the survey design.
2. Deployment of Seismic Sources:
Seismic sources, whether explosive charges or vibrational devices, are deployed according to the
survey design.
Explosive charges are strategically placed on the ground or within boreholes, while vibrators are
mounted on specialized trucks.
3. Spread Configurat ion:
Geophones or accelerometers are placed in a predetermined pattern, known as the spread.
The spread configuration influences the geometry of the survey and af f ects the quality of the
acquired data.
4. Recording Set up:
Seismic sensors (geophones or accelerometers) are connected to recording units via cables. The
recording units may be distributed across the survey area.
 The recording setup is designed to capture the arrival times and amplitudes of seismic waves at
each sensor location.
5. Dat a Acquisit ion:
Seismic data acquisition involves activating the seismic sources to generate waves that propagate
through the subsurf ace.
The sensors detect the ground motion caused by the seismic waves, and the resulting signals are
converted into electrical data.
6. T iming and Synchronizat ion:
Precise timing and synchronization are crucial f or accurate data interpretation.
A master clock is used to ensure that seismic sources and sensors are triggered simultaneously,
allowing f or accurate measurement of wave arrival times.
7. Qualit y Cont rol:
Real- time quality control measures are implemented during data acquisition to identif y and address
issues promptly.
This may include checking f or sensor malf unctions, cable connectivity, and ensuring proper source
activation.
8. Navigat ion and Posit ioning:
For land surveys, GPS systems are used to accurately position seismic sources and receivers.
In marine surveys, additional navigation systems, such as inertial navigation, are employed to ensure
precise positioning in the dynamic marine environment.
9. Recording and St orage:
Seismic recorders or data acquisition systems collect and store the recorded data f or subsequent
processing.
Modern systems use digital recording, allowing f or efficient storage, retrieval, and analysis of large
volumes of data.
10. Repeat Surveys (4D Seismic):
In some applications, such as reservoir monitoring in the oil and gas industry, seismic surveys are
repeated over time to observe changes in the subsurf ace (4D seismic). This provides insights into
reservoir dynamics.

Aft er seismic dat a acquisit ion, t he recorded dat a undergoes ext ensive processing t o enhance it s
qualit y and ext ract valuable informat ion about t he subsurface st ruct ure. Advanced imaging
t echniques are t hen applied t o creat e det ailed t hree-dimensional models for int erpret at ion and
analysis.

Seismic Data Processing

Seismic dat a processing is a crucial st ep in t he seismic met hod t hat involves t he applicat ion of
various t echniques t o enhance t he qualit y, accuracy, and int erpret abilit y of t he recorded seismic
dat a. The goal is t o creat e det ailed images of t he subsurface st ruct ure for geological int erpret at ion
and explorat ion. The seismic dat a processing workflow t ypically includes t he following key st eps:

1. Field Dat a Qualit y Cont rol:

The first step involves checking the quality of the data collected during the seismic survey.
Quality control measures address issues such as sensor malf unctions, cable problems, and any
other anomalies that may af f ect data accuracy.
2. Dat a Preprocessing:
T iming Correct ions: Adjustments are made to correct f or variations in timing, ensuring that
seismic events are accurately synchronized.
Gain Correct ion: The recorded seismic traces may undergo gain corrections to account f or
variations in source- receiver distances and sensor sensitivities.
3. Filt ering:
Various filters are applied to the seismic data to remove unwanted noise and enhance the signal of
interest.
Common filters include bandpass filters to isolate specific f requency ranges and eliminate noise.
4. Deconvolut ion:
Deconvolution is a process that aims to sharpen seismic wavelets and improve resolution.
It is particularly usef ul in removing the ef f ects of the seismic source f rom the recorded data.
5. Velocit y Analysis:
Velocity analysis is perf ormed to estimate the subsurf ace velocity profile.
 Dif f erent velocities of seismic waves through dif f erent subsurf ace materials can af f ect the
recorded seismic data.
6. Normal Moveout (NMO) Correct ion:
NMO correction is applied to correct f or the curvature of seismic events caused by variations in
subsurf ace velocities.
This correction helps to align events in the seismic data and produce a more accurate
representation of subsurf ace structures.
7. St acking:
Stacking involves combining multiple seismic traces to improve signal- to- noise ratio.
It enhances the overall quality of the seismic data and increases the reliability of subsurf ace
imaging.
8. Migrat ion:
Migration is a critical step that corrects f or the distortions in the position of subsurf ace reflections
caused by the complex geometry of the Earth’s subsurf ace.
Common migration techniques include time migration and depth migration.
9. Post -St ack Processing:
Additional processing steps may be applied af ter stacking to f urther enhance the seismic data.
These steps may include amplitude corrections, f requency balancing, and other adjustments to
improve the overall quality of the seismic image.
10. Inversion:
Inversion techniques are employed to transf orm seismic data into quantitative subsurf ace
properties, such as acoustic impedance.
This step provides more detailed inf ormation about the subsurf ace composition and f acilitates
geological interpretation.
11. Int erpret at ion:
Geoscientists interpret the processed seismic data to identif y geological f eatures, including f aults,
stratigraphic layers, and potential hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Seismic dat a processing is a complex and it erat ive process t hat requires expert ise in signal
processing and geophysics. Advanced algorit hms and comput at ional met hods are used t o handle
large volumes of dat a and produce accurat e and high-resolut ion images of t he Eart h’s subsurface.
The processed dat a serves as a valuable t ool for decision-making in various indust ries, including oil
and gas explorat ion, environment al st udies, and geot echnical invest igat ions.

Applications of Seismic Method

The seismic met hod finds diverse applicat ions across various scient ific, indust rial, and environment al
fields. Some of t he key applicat ions include:

1. Oil and Gas Explorat ion:

Seismic surveys are extensively used in the oil and gas industry to locate potential hydrocarbon
reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surf ace.
The method helps identif y subsurf ace structures, map geological f ormations, and estimate the size
and characteristics of potential reservoirs.
2. Mineral Explorat ion:
Seismic methods are employed in mineral exploration to characterize the subsurf ace and identif y
potential ore bodies.
The technique helps in mapping geological structures, determining rock types, and assessing the
composition of the Earth’s crust.
3. Environment al and Engineering St udies:
Seismic surveys are used f or environmental and engineering applications, including assessing
subsurf ace conditions f or construction projects.
The method helps evaluate soil properties, identif y potential geological hazards, and assess
groundwater resources.
 4. Civil Engineering and Infrast ruct ure Development :
Seismic studies are crucial in civil engineering f or evaluating the geological conditions of a site
bef ore construction.
The method helps assess the seismic risk of an area, design structures that can withstand
earthquakes, and plan inf rastructure projects.
5. Geot hermal Resource Explorat ion:
Seismic methods are employed in the exploration of geothermal resources to identif y subsurf ace
structures and assess the potential f or geothermal energy extraction.
6. Groundwat er Explorat ion:
Seismic surveys are used to investigate subsurf ace conditions and locate potential groundwater
aquif ers.
Understanding the geological f ormations helps in sustainable groundwater management and
resource planning.
7. Nat ural Hazard Assessment :
Seismic methods play a crucial role in assessing and monitoring natural hazards such as
earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity.
The inf ormation gathered helps in understanding the subsurf ace dynamics and potential risks
associated with these hazards.
8. Carbon Capt ure and St orage (CCS):
Seismic surveys are used in CCS projects to monitor the injection and storage of carbon dioxide in
underground reservoirs.
The method helps ensure the integrity of storage sites and assess the potential f or leakage.
9. Archaeological and Cult ural Herit age St udies:
Seismic methods are applied in archaeological studies to non- invasively explore subsurf ace
structures and detect buried archaeological f eatures.
This can aid in the preservation and documentation of cultural heritage sites.
10. Reservoir Monit oring (4D Seismic):
In the oil and gas industry, repeated seismic surveys (4D seismic) are conducted to monitor changes
in reservoir properties over time.
This helps optimize production strategies, assess reservoir perf ormance, and identif y potential
production issues.
11. Tect onic and Eart hquake Research:
Seismic studies contribute to understanding the Earth’s tectonic processes, f ault systems, and
earthquake mechanisms.
This inf ormation is vital f or seismic hazard assessments and earthquake preparedness.
The seismic met hod’s versat ilit y makes it a valuable t ool in various disciplines, providing essent ial
insight s int o t he Eart h’s subsurface for scient ific research, resource explorat ion, and environment al
management .

     

Previous article Next article

Blueschist Yellow Chalcedony

RELATED ARTICLES

Electromagnetic (EM) Methods

Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Electrical Resistivity Surveys

 Magnetic Surveys

Gravity Surveys

Geophysical Methods

Home Branches Gallery Videos Rocks Minerals Disast ers Forum

© Copyright © 2018 All right s reserved.

Exit mobile version