Seismic Reflection Data Analysis of the Orient and Swan Fracture Zones Bounding the Cayman Trough

Author(s):  
Mary N. Tinker
Geophysics ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. B149-B160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cedric Schmelzbach ◽  
Heinrich Horstmeyer ◽  
Christopher Juhlin

A limited 3D seismic-reflection data set was used to map fracture zones in crystalline rock for a nuclear waste disposal site study. Seismic-reflection data simultaneously recorded along two roughly perpendicular profiles (1850 and [Formula: see text] long) and with a [Formula: see text] receiver array centered at the intersection of the lines sampled a [Formula: see text] area in three dimensions. High levels of source-generated noise required a processing sequence involving surface-consistent deconvolution, which effectively increased the strength of reflected signals, and a linear [Formula: see text] filtering scheme to suppress any remaining direct [Formula: see text]-wave energy. A flexible-binning scheme significantly balanced and increased the CMP fold, but the offset and azimuth distributions remain irregular; a wide azimuth range and offsets [Formula: see text] are concentrated in the center of the survey area although long offsets [Formula: see text] are only found at the edges of the site. Three-dimensional dip moveout and 3D poststack migration were necessary to image events with conflicting dips up to about 40°. Despite the irregular acquisition geometry and the high level of source-generated noise, we obtained images rich in structural detail. Seven continuous to semicontinuous reflection events were traced through the final data volume to a maximum depth of around [Formula: see text]. Previous 2D seismic-reflection studies and borehole data indicate that fracture zones are the most likely cause of the reflections.


1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Nichols Jr. ◽  
Kenneth W. King ◽  
Donley S. Collins ◽  
Robert A. Williams

Shallow seismic-reflection data are presented to demonstrate their usefulness for locating and showing the continuity and lateral extent of rebound fracture zones in the Pierre Shale. Rebound fracture zones, identified in boreholes near Hayes, South Dakota, have variable depth, thickness, and character, thus making questionable the correlation of these zones between holes. Thus, the subsequent determination of dip and of continuity of the zones is somewhat tenuous, especially if the fracture characteristics change significantly between holes. Once rebound fracture zones have been identified and located by borehole geotechnical and geologic data, seismic profiles can reveal the extent and geometry of fractures in these zones, thus providing valuable preconstruction information without the cost of additional drilling. Key words: seismic reflection, fracture zones, fracture mapping, shale.


2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avihu Ginzburg ◽  
Moshe Reshef ◽  
Zvi Ben-Avraham ◽  
Uri Schattner

Data Series ◽  
10.3133/ds496 ◽  
2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice A. Subino ◽  
Shawn V. Dadisman ◽  
Dana S. Wiese ◽  
Karynna Calderon ◽  
Daniel C. Phelps

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