Seismic Interpretation: The Physical Aspects

Book excerpt: In this course we shall assume that all participants are familiar with the essentials of seismic prospecting. Thus A the rudiments of the field work -- spreads, sources, arrays B and digital recording -- are assumed known. So also are the C rudiments of processing -- such processes as gain recovery, D filtering, deconvolution, velocity analysis, and display. E Just as important, we shall assume that all participants F have some feeling for the realities of seismic work -- in the l(B) field, under real conditions. Elementary signal theory and the basic techniques of interpretation are also assumed known. However, for certainty, the following pre-course notes include sections reviewing basic signal theory, geophysical aspects of interpretation, and geological aspects of interpretation. These reviews are not intended to be comprehensive. Their function is solely to cover, with the minimum possible discussion, the essential features which will be assumed to be known in the course. None of the course time will be spent on the material of these pre-course notes. Participants are advised that they will not derive full benefit from the course if this background is not known. Most course participants will be already familiar with this material, and will need to do little more than read it through. If, before the course, any participant requires further discussion of signal theory in the same non-rigorous style, he will find it in other writings of the present author, particularly: "Wiggles", Journal of the CSEG, December 1965, pp.l3-43.