What do our seismic velocities measure?

Geophysics Forum

http://forum.detectation.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

Geophysics Forum
Explore the myth underground, underwater and behind walls ... Skip to content

Advanced search Subscribe in a reader Board index General Geophysics Change font size Print view FAQ Register Login

What do our seismic velocities measure?

Ads by Google
Geophysics Formula Seismic 2D Seismic Survey Formula Ford Racing

Post a reply

6 posts Page 1 of 1

What do our seismic velocities measure?

by Mohamed Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:46 pm Even assuming horizontal reflectors, the velocity calculated from the moveout hyperbolas doesn't correspond to the true average velocity. This first model shows just five layers with an increasing interval velocity in each layer. The velocity computed from the moveout hyperbolas is always faster than the actual average velocity down to each layer. The plot of the left is scaled in depth (4000 m), whilst the right-hand velocity plot is scaled in time (4s).

1.gif (7.34 KiB) Viewed 897 times

If we add a sharp break in the interval velocity (They have been made much faster in this model), the difference

1 de 6

22/04/2011 10:51

What do our seismic velocities measure? Geophysics Forum

http://forum.detectation.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

between the two functions becomes even more extreme.

2.gif (7.45 KiB) Viewed 897 times

Even with an inversion in interval velocities (the green layer is slower than that above it), the velocities that we would pick from the seismic data are still faster than the true averages.

3.gif (7.39 KiB) Viewed 897 times

Can we use the velocities determined from the moveout curves for anything? Well, with some fairly gross assumptions, we can use the formula derived by the American Geophysicist C. Hewitt Dix. This formula (known funnily enough as the Dix Formula) gives us an approximation of the interval velocity between any two points on our time/velocity graph established from the hyperbolas.

4.gif (2.71 KiB) Viewed 897 times

Taking V1 and V2 respectively as the velocities at times T1 and T2, VI is the interval velocity between these layers. This is an approximation, however, and works best for horizontal layers and small offsets. This table shows the first few points in a velocity function, and the calculation of interval velocity using the formula shown above.

2 de 6

22/04/2011 10:51

What do our seismic velocities measure? Geophysics Forum

http://forum.detectation.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

6.png (5.29 KiB) Viewed 897 times

The time is (typically) shown in milliseconds, and the "Vel" column shows the velocity that we have established for one particular location - the velocity that best "flattens" the moveout hyperbolas. The VI column shows the computed interval velocity between each point and the next, and the plot of the far right shows the complete sequence of interval velocities for the whole function. In general we can only use the interval velocities derived from the Dix formula as a rough guide. Under conditions of steeply dipping events or complex geology, the velocities we derive are not much more meaningful than just a set of numbers that "best-correct" the moveout hyperbola.

5.gif (6.09 KiB) Viewed 897 times

Now we've established what these velocities mean, how do we measure them? (My next post). .. Mohamed Gold Member Posts: 52 Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:48 pm Location: Houston, USA Top

3 de 6

22/04/2011 10:51

What do our seismic velocities measure? Geophysics Forum

http://forum.detectation.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

New Resolution Geophysics Specialist airborne gravity and magnetic contractor www.airbornegeophysics.com National GPR Service Inc. A company with national reach offering subsurface investigations www.ngprs.com Brain Training Games Improve memory and attention with scientific brain games. www.lumosity.com

Re: What do our seismic velocities measure?

by john09 Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:08 pm Very nice presentation, you made it by yourself? Look forward to see your next post. john09 Silver Member Posts: 44 Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:36 pm Top

Re: What do our seismic velocities measure?

by Mohamed Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:28 pm ... Glad you liked it, john09, but no; I did not do it myself . I should have given a credit to the original publisher: Robertson Training Center Ltd and WDP Computer Services Ltd. I got these intensive reflection seismology course notes when I was in Libya. I will try to share as much as I can with all of you because this course is really worth spreading. ... Mohamed Gold Member Posts: 52 Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:48 pm Location: Houston, USA Top

Re: What do our seismic velocities measure?

by marken Sat Feb 05, 2011 11:43 am Very good reading materials. In modern exploration seismology, all kinds of ray-tracing techniques have been used for the forward modeling based on Snell's Law. They are not only for layered earth, but also for models with 2D and 3D modeling. In global geophysics, the layers are not even flat, you have to consider the curvature of the earth layers. marken Silver Member Posts: 29 Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:38 pm Top

4 de 6

22/04/2011 10:51

What do our seismic velocities measure? Geophysics Forum

http://forum.detectation.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

Re: What do our seismic velocities measure?

by john09 Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:12 pm It's not just for seismic reflection. For seismic refraction surveys, we have the same problem. That's why seismic refraction tomography is useful sometimes. john09 Silver Member Posts: 44 Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:36 pm Top

Re: What do our seismic velocities measure?

by marken Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:16 pm john09 wrote:It's not just for seismic reflection. For seismic refraction surveys, we have the same problem. That's why seismic refraction tomography is useful sometimes. Exactly. Seismic reflection tomography is used often in petroleum exploration while refraction tomography is used often in engineering applications. marken Silver Member Posts: 29 Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:38 pm Top Display posts from previous: Post a reply 6 posts Page 1 of 1 Similar topics Replies Views Author Typical Seismic Velocities for Earth materials in General Geophysics 2 284 by Mohamed Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:22 pm seismic waves in General Geophysics 6 1052 by Tri_Wulandari Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:28 am Sort by

5 de 6

22/04/2011 10:51

What do our seismic velocities measure? Geophysics Forum

http://forum.detectation.com/viewtopic.php?t=940

Seismic migration in practice in General Geophysics 2 48 by Mohamed Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:25 pm Marine seismic data filtering in General Geophysics 14 260 by Mohamed Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:48 am Seismic reflection data from refraction in Near Surface Geophysics 1 84 by tekarmah Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:56 pm Return to General Geophysics Jump to:
Heat Transmission Easy to use Simulation Software for steady and transient Heat Transfer www.smartcae.de Geoscience by Eriksfiord borehole image, geomechanics, reservoir modeling, sedi/frac/struc www.eriksfiord.com Potential field modelling 3D gravity and magnetic models. Geophysical Software Solutions P/L www.geoss.com.au

Ads by Google

SMA Infant Formula

Aptamil Baby Formula

Buy WIC Formula

Nan HA1 Formula

Organic Soy Formula

Top Board index The team Delete all board cookies All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ] Copyright 2009-2011 detectation.com. All rights reserved. info@detectation.com Powered by phpBB

6 de 6

22/04/2011 10:51