GEOS 469/569: SEISMIC DATA PROCESSING

Spring Semester 2006. MWF 11:00 AM - 12:50 PM; Gould-Simpson Rm 213. (3 Credits)

Instructor: Dr. Roy A. Johnson, Department of Geosciences, Gould-Simpson Room 556

Pre- or Corequisites: GEOS 434A (Exploration Seismology) or instructor consent. Recommended: Math 322
or Math 422

This course is designed to give students theoretical background and hands-on experience in seismic
reflection data processing (and analysis of other geophysical data) as used in exploration, engineering and
deep-crustal reflection seismology. Part I will focus on fundamental theory and practice in data processing,
starting with a simple data set that will be used as an example to demonstrate the steps involved. Throughout
the course, students will have the opportunity to try various processing combinations on other data sets from
areas of interesting geologic structure.

Part II will give students the chance to try more advanced processing concepts and techniques on
seismic data to target specific processing problems, and will emphasize the interaction between interpretation
and data processing. This part of the course will involve more hands-on examples, class discussions and
presentations.

PART I
Overview of Seismic Data Processing and Computer Systems
Introduction and Review of fundamentals of seismic data acquisition and other factors affecting
processing.
Fundamentals of Time Series Analysis
Fourier theory, Fourier transforms, sampling and aliasing, the convolutional model of the seismic
trace, spectral analysis and filtering.
Basic Data Processing Sequence
First-order data processing steps from treatment of field data to intermediate stacks, marine and land
seismic data.
Processing Refinements
Essential refinements to improve the seismic image including relative amplitude recovery,
deconvolution, velocity analysis and residual statics.

PART II
Advanced Processing
Wavelet processing, filter design, velocity filtering, and other sophisticated (and sometimes
dangerous) techniques for data enhancement.
Seismic Data Inversion - Migration
Migration techniques, generalized inversion, refraction statics and seismic tomography.
Seismic Modeling
Techniques in forward modeling, interpretive processing.
Text
Sheriff, R.E., and Geldart, L.P., Exploration Seismology, (2nd Edition), Cambridge University Press.

Optional, but highly recommended:

Yilmaz, O., 1987, Seismic Data Processing: Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa Oklahoma.
526 pp.
Yilmaz, O., 2001, Seismic Data Analysis: Processing, Inversion and Interpretation of Seismic Data
(Vols. 1 & 2): Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa Oklahoma. 2027 pp. (Note: These books
are available directly from the SEG at a considerable savings; they havent been ordered through the
bookstore. Delivery time usually is about 1 week.)

Reference Books
Several useful books on digital filtering and geophysical signal analysis can be found in the Science
library. Here are just a few that you might find helpful.

QA403.5. B7 Bracewell, R. N., 1986, The Fourier Transform and Its

Applications.
TN269. D6 Dobrin, M. B., and Savit, C. H., Introduction to Geophysical
Prospecting, (4th edition).
QE538.5. H37 Hatton, L., Worthington, M. H., and Makin, J., 1986, Seismic Data
Processing.
TN269 .R55 Robinson, E. A., and Treitel, S., 1980, Geophysical Signal Analysis.
TN269 .S52415 Sheriff, R. E., and Geldart, L. P., 1982, Exploration Seismology,
Vols. 1 & 2.
TN269 .W37 Waters, K.H., Reflection Seismology : a tool for energy resource
exploration. (3rd edition).
TN269. Y55 Yilmaz, O., 1987, Seismic Data Processing.

Grading
Homework: 25%
Quizes: 35%
Final Exam: 20% (Thursday, May 11, 11:00 AM 1:00 PM).
Processing Projects and Presentations: 20%
In-Class Participation: 10%
Office Hours
Open-door policy. Specific times by appointment
Computer Accounts
Each student will be assigned an account on the Reflection Seismology computer systems. (Some
students with existing accounts will continue to use those as normal). These are UNIX-based
systems, so developing some familiarity with basic UNIX commands will be helpful. Please use the
accounts responsibly! Note that there are restrictions on several of the software products that we will
use; generally, the most important restriction is that these products may not be used for any
commercial activity without the express (written) consent of the vendors. Disk space is always
limited so do not let useless files accumulate. Clean out your files regularly, and avoid making
duplicate seismic data files.