Modelling rough interfaces on seismic reflection profiles - the application of fractal concepts
Modelling rough interfaces on seismic reflection profiles - the application of fractal concepts
The distortion of reflection continuity and amplitude by overburden structure in seismic reflection images of the sub- surface is easily recognised and modelled when the wavelength of the shallower structure is relatively large. The effects of shorter wavelength structure although giving rise to little reflective response itself, cause significant distortion of the propagating wavefield, particularly when a moderate or strong acoustic impedance contrast is present in the shallow sub-surface. Here we show how short as well as long spatial wavelengths of horizon roughness affect deeper reflection continuity, and develop a new method using fractal interpolation techniques to predict the total roughness of sub-surface horizons from information contained in seismic reflection sections. Fractally complete depth-velocity models are used in forward models, using the finite difference technique, to produce synthetic seismic profiles. The technique is illustrated with data from the Edoras Bank area of the Rockall Plateau, NE Atlantic, where apparently discontinuous reflectors underlying basalt flows are shown to be from continuous sedimentary horizons distorted by overlying rough horizons.
2067-2070
Walia, Rakesh K.
cae65c86-0c54-4724-a3b3-e639f05eeec9
Bull, Jonathan M.
974037fd-544b-458f-98cc-ce8eca89e3c8
15 August 1997
Walia, Rakesh K.
cae65c86-0c54-4724-a3b3-e639f05eeec9
Bull, Jonathan M.
974037fd-544b-458f-98cc-ce8eca89e3c8
Walia, Rakesh K. and Bull, Jonathan M.
(1997)
Modelling rough interfaces on seismic reflection profiles - the application of fractal concepts.
Geophysical Research Letters, 24 (12), .
(doi:10.1029/97GL01962).
Abstract
The distortion of reflection continuity and amplitude by overburden structure in seismic reflection images of the sub- surface is easily recognised and modelled when the wavelength of the shallower structure is relatively large. The effects of shorter wavelength structure although giving rise to little reflective response itself, cause significant distortion of the propagating wavefield, particularly when a moderate or strong acoustic impedance contrast is present in the shallow sub-surface. Here we show how short as well as long spatial wavelengths of horizon roughness affect deeper reflection continuity, and develop a new method using fractal interpolation techniques to predict the total roughness of sub-surface horizons from information contained in seismic reflection sections. Fractally complete depth-velocity models are used in forward models, using the finite difference technique, to produce synthetic seismic profiles. The technique is illustrated with data from the Edoras Bank area of the Rockall Plateau, NE Atlantic, where apparently discontinuous reflectors underlying basalt flows are shown to be from continuous sedimentary horizons distorted by overlying rough horizons.
Text
Walia_et_al-1997-Geophysical_Research_Letters.pdf
- Accepted Manuscript
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Published date: 15 August 1997
Organisations:
Geology & Geophysics
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Local EPrints ID: 386807
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/386807
ISSN: 0094-8276
PURE UUID: 236c040a-37f6-4fc8-9bfd-20343d581058
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Date deposited: 03 Feb 2016 09:26
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:44
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Author:
Rakesh K. Walia
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