ALBERT

Notes: This is the first of a series of papers giving the solution of the inverse problem in seismic exploration. The acoustic approximation is used together with the assumption that the velocity field has the form 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu1" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR998:GPR_998_mu1"/〉 . The forward problem is then linearized (thus neglecting multiple reflected waves) and the inverse problem of estimating δ is set up. Its rigorous solution can be obtained using an iterative algorithm, each step consisting of a classical Kirchhoff migration (hyperbola summation) plus a classical forward modeling step (circle summation).

Notes: The response of a seismic model to excitation by a source can be represented in terms of the action of reflection and transmission operators for portions of the structure. This approach provides a flexible framework for both modeling and processing problems.The operator development provides a physical description of the wave propagation process and, via the expansion of reverberation operators, gives a mechanism for assessing the accuracy of approximate developments. The representation suggests new ways of developing modeling algorithms by balancing the computational effort expended on minor and major features of the model.For processing problems, the operator representation shows the relation of processing stages to the seismic wave field and thereby indicates effective sequences of operations. For migration it is possible to specify an ideal pre-stack migration procedure in terms of the inverse of the propagation operators and to examine the problems which need to be overcome by practical algorithms.

Notes: A numerical method is presented for direct interpretation of resistivity sounding measurements. The early part of the resistivity transform curve derived from field observations by standard methods is approximated by a two-layer curve. The resistivity of the first layer is determined from the arithmetic mean of the successive computations which are carried on each of three successive discrete values of the resistivity transform curve. Using this mean value of the resistivity, the thickness of the first layer is computed from the sample values in pairs of the resistivity transform curve. After these determinations, the top layer is removed by Pekeris's reduction equation. The parameters of the second layer are obtained from the discrete values of the reduced transform curve (which corresponds to the second part of the resistivity transform curve) by the same procedure as described for the first layer.The same computational scheme is repeated until the parameters of all intermediate layers are obtained. The resistivity of the substratum is determined from the reduction equation.

Notes: In odd-depth structure the two-way traveltime to each boundary is constrained to be an odd integer. The odd-depth property of a model is exposed to possible refutation under a seismogram test. Test function is a simple transformation of a synthetic seismogram. For an odd-depth model the test function has identically the value 1.The testability of a synthetic seismogram over an odd-depth structure provides a method of deterministic deconvolution. There is no need of specialized assumptions, like the minimum-phase property, about the source wavelet. The deconvolution may be performed in the absence of the early segment of a seismogram.

Notes: Zero-offset-source VSP surveys provide information about the subsurface only within the Fresnel zone centered at the well. Offsetting the source location moves the reflection zones away from the well thus providing lateral cover.Conventional processing of this type of data gives rise to a distorted image of the subsurface. Using a simple ray-tracing scheme, this image may be reconstructed into the more familiar coordinate system of the surface seismic section. This simple data-independent mapping is based on the assumption of horizontal layering and requires a vertical velocity profile.The technique of placing the source away from the borehole was first applied to the single-offset-source VSP survey. However, data from any survey geometry (such as deviated well with rig source, walkaway VSP, etc.) can be mapped to the coordinate system defined by the appropriate seismic section.To obtain the best results from this type of survey the target area must be defined and simple modeling techniques used to optimize the source location(s). These pre-survey modeling methods may also be used to anticipate—and hence avoid a number of problem areas which experience has highlighted.The data from any VSP survey is the result of a realizable experiment and as such obeys the wave equation. This implies that the wave equation may be used to migrate the data to its true subsurface location. Theoretically, such a process is more secure than ray-tracing techniques, although its practice presents many difficulties.

Notes: A mathematical expression for potential of a direct current point source in an inhomoge-neous anisotropic earth is derived. The coefficient of anisotropy is given by f= (σr/σz), where σr and σz are the conductivities parallel and perpendicular to the bedding plane. It is assumed that σz varies with depth, whereas σr varies transversely. This potential may be useful in interpretation of geoelectrical data in specified geological situations. Master curves for Wenner and Schlumberger configurations are presented

Notes: Total magnetic intensity contour maps for the study region (between 2°E to 10°E and 56°N to 60°N) were digitized and converted to a regular grid of 285 × 285 points. The study area measures approximately 444 km × 444 km and the grid spacing is thus 1. 56 km. The International Geomagnetic Reference Field for 1975 was gridded for the above-used net, and from the two data sets a further grid of the ▵T field was generated. A large number of profiles were constructed which were suitable for depth determinations. The regular grid ▵T data is also convenient for the computation of the second vertical derivative. Using the method of vertical prisms of Vacquier et al. (1963), a large suite of curvature-depth indices was measured to complement the depths obtained from the intensity slopes and from boreholes which reach the crystalline basement. The depth to the magnetic basement has been contoured, and the resulting map is shown to be in good agreement with what is known about the deeper geology of the study area.The work reported here is part of a research project supported by Amoco Norway, BP Petroleum Development Ltd, Elf Aquitaine, Esso Exploration and Production, Norwegian Gulf, Norsk Hydro, Mobil Exploration Norway, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Royal Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (NTNF), Norske Shell, and Statoil.

Notes: Geophysical inversion involves the estimation of the parameters of a postulated earth model from a set of observations. Since the associated model responses can be nonlinear functions of the model parameters, nonlinear least-squares techniques prove to be useful for performing the inversion. A common type of inversion applies iterative damped linear least squares through use of the Marquardt-Levenberg method. Traditionally, this method has been implemented by solving the associated normal equations in conventional ways. However, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) produces significant improvements in computational precision when applied to the same system of normal equations. Iterative least-squares modeling finds application in a wide variety of geophysical problems. Two examples illustrate the approach: (1) seismic wavelet deconvolution, and (2) the location of a buried wedge from surface gravity data. More generally, nonlinear least-squares inversion can be used to estimate earth models for any set of geophysical observations for which an appropriate mathematical description is available.

Notes: In this study we derive expressions for particle displacement or particle velocity anywhere inside a stratified earth and at its surface due to horizontal torque source located in the top layer. Equivalently, invoking Green's function reciprocity theorem, the solution applies also to the case of a surface or subsurface source when the resulting displacement or velocity is measured within the top layer.In order to evaluate the closed-form analytical solution economically and accurately it is advisable to introduce inelastic attenuation. Causal inelastic attenuation also lends the necessary realism to the computed seismic trace. To provide proof that the analytical solution is indeed correct and applicable to the multilayer case, a thick uniform overburden was assumed to consist of many thin layers. The correctness of the computed particle velocity response can be very simply verified by inspection. The computed response can also serve as a check on other less accurate methods of producing synthetic seismograms, such as the techniques of finite differences, finite elements, and various sophisticated ray-tracing techniques.It is not difficult to construct horizontal surface torque source. It appears that such source is well suited for seismic exploration in areas with a high-velocity surface layer. A realistic source function is analyzed in detail and normalized displacement response evaluated at different incidence angles in the near and the far fields.In an effort to distinguish the features of an SH torque seismogram from a pressure seismogram two models with identical layerings and layer parameters have been set up. As expected the torque seismogram is very different from the compressional seismogram. One desirable feature of a torque seismogram is the fast decay of multiples.Exact synthetic seismograms have many uses; some of them, such as the study of complex interference phenomena, phase change at wide angle reflection, channeling effects, dispersion (geometrical and material), absolute gain, and inelastic attenuation, can be carried out accurately and effortlessly. They can also be used to improve basic processing techniques such as deconvolution and velocity analysis.The numerical evaluation of the analytical solution of the wave equation as described in this paper has a long history. Most of the work leading to this paper was carried out by one of us (M. J. K.) in the years 1957 to 1968 at the Geophysical Research Corporation. However, the full testing of the various computer codes was carried out only very recently at the Phillips Petroleum Company.

Notes: In South and Central Goa iron ore occurs in two parallel belts with the general NW-SE Dharawar trend. The ore occurrence, however, is not continuous. There are barren zones as well as zones of very high concentration in some of which there are mining activities.Landsat MSS data have been interpreted over a zone covering both mineral belts in order to delineate the ore occurrences. As a guide line a known ore-bearing area has been considered along with the unknown zones.On the basis of two-dimensional plotting of gray level values it has been found that the MSS bands 4 and 7 are most suitable for the studies over iron-rich areas in Goa. Two techniques are described here for the processing of the MSS data; the separation of residual from the regional and MSS band-ratioing. It is observed that (i) the gray level residual maps of MSS bands 4 and 7 are of use in demarcating the iron-ore-bearing zones, and (ii) an existing mine, an abandoned mine, and a proved iron ore zone could be delineated by MSS band-ratioing. On the basis of the latter technique, a few areas with ore occurrence potential have been indicated.

Notes: The most common source of seismic energy is an explosion at some depth in a borehole. The radiated waves are reflected not only at the subsurface layers but also at the free surface. The earth's surface acts as a generator of both P- and S-waves.If the source depth is much less than the dominant wavelength the reflected waves resemble closely the waves generated by a single force. Theoretical seismograms were computed with different methods to look for the relevance of the surface-reflected waves. The numerical experiments show reflected shear waves even for small shotpoint—receiver distances. Due to their polarization these waves can be detected most easily on in-line horizontal geophones. The existence of these waves was examined during a conventional survey in Northern Germany. Conventional data analysis shows a large variability in the νp/νs ratio. The method used here produced a shear-wave section with a rather good signal-to-noise ratio down to 4 s S-wave reflection time.

Notes: We describe the concept of physico-geological models (PGMs) in geophysical exploration. They represent a “general model”, a spatial combination of a set of particular models (disturbing bodies). The modeling is called complete, incomplete or approximate, depending on the degree of characterization of the PGM by parameters such as dimension, shape and petrophysical property. Each of the three modeling types can be realized as a conceptual, and analytical, or a material PGM. Both deterministic and stochastic PGMs exist; deterministic models are mainly used to investigate the possibilities of a geophysical method, while stochastic models serve to substantiate complex geophysical interpretations.Depending on the geological problem, PGMs are subdivided into multi-alternative models (geological mapping, prediction, general prospecting) and double alternative models (specialized prospecting).An exploration-oriented classification of the PGMs of mineral deposits is discussed. According to this classification the variety of known genetic deposit types is reduced to a limited number of generalized PGM types. The development of typical PGMs is illustrated with examples of magnetitic deposits of Siberia.

Notes: An inverse problem is one in which the parameters of a model are determined from measured seismic data. Important to the solution of inverse problems is the issue of whether or not a solution exists. In this paper we show, in a constructive manner, that a solution does exist to the specific inverse problem of determining the parameters of a horizontally stratified, lossless, isotropic and homogeneous layered system that is excited by a non-normal incidence (NNI) plane wave. Mode conversion between P- and S-waves is included.We develop a seven-step layer-recursive procedure for determining all of the parameters for layer j. These parameters are P-wave and S-wave velocities and angles of incidence, density, thickness, traveltimes, and reflection- and transmission-coefficient matrices. Downward continuation of data from the top of one layer to the top of the next lower layer is an important step in our procedure, just as it is in normal incidence (NI) inversion. We show that, in order to compute all parameters of layer j, we need to (and can) compute some parameters for layer j+ 1. This is a non-causal phenomenon that seems to be necessary in NNI inversion but is not present in NI inversion.

Notes: The suitability of VLF ground surveys in the investigation of shallow two-dimensional structures is analyzed. For such structures the polar formalism is derived, necessary in practice since the transmitters are generally not in the structural strike or profile. A simple vertical dike is considered to demonstrate the striking anisotropy which can be expected over such a structure, in particular the high apparent resistivity along the direction of a well-conducting dike and the low resistivity across it. The theory is then confronted with the practical example of an asymmetrical vertical dike resulting from a strike-slip fault. Modelling of the survey results is very successful and yields good confirmation of the polar behaviour. VLF ground surveys thus provide a quick and powerful tool for the study of geological accidents within about 100 m of the surface.

Notes: A new mode of operation for the Turam electromagnetic exploration system is proposed in which the transmitter loop is placed across the expected trend of a conductor and the receiver is operated along lines parallel to one side of the transmitter. The concept appears to offer several benefits which include greatly extended traverse length, the use of large coil spacing, rejection of the effects of conductive environments, and consistency in the indication of target dip.

Notes: Determination of thickness of sediments (usually of high conductivity) overlying a high-resistivity basement is one of the basic problems of electrical exploration methods. This paper proposes to determine horizontal electrical conductance on the basis of impedance calculated from electrical and magnetic fields of distant quasi-static (low-frequency) point sources. Using the proposed method, horizontal conductance of the sediments can be determined also from artificial quasi-static noise-impulses coming from sources of unknown position and intensity. The results of analogue modeling and field examples prove the potential of the proposed technique.

Notes: Since the early years of seismic surveying, field engineers and observers have been faced with the appearance of interference at power-line frequency (and harmonics) on seismic records: 60 Hz in the Americas, 50 Hz in Eurasia; and 16 2/3 Hz (the train supply frequency in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) in part of Europe. Such interference is picked up from the ground surface through electric leakage between geophone leads and ground.To minimize power-line interference, the autobalancer automatically performs a balancing procedure by adjusting two potentiometers on each channel—essentially the same operation as manually performed by seismic operators for decades. The first 24-channel system became operational in 1977.The first-generation design comprised two 256-position electronic switching potentiometers. Over 4 years of experience with this system in all parts of the world has shown its value under a variety of field conditions. Improvements up to 30 dB were often found, sometimes even up to 40 dB. Balancing time was about 30 s.A second-generation design was field-tested in 1981. Potentiometer stepping is now performed at three levels: coarse, medium, and fine. This leads to faster operation and better resolution: balancing time is about 10 s; improvements up to 60 dB are occasionally found.A later modification gives a further reduction of the balancing time to 5 s in 60 Hz areas or 6 s in 50 Hz areas.

Notes: The technique of digital linear filtering is used for transformation of apparent resistivity data from one electrode configuration into another. Usually filter spectra are determined via the discrete Fourier transforms of input and output functions: the filter characteristic is the quotient of the spectra of the output function and input function.In this paper, the transformation of the apparent resistivities is presented for four electrode configurations (Wenner, the two-electrode, Schlumberger, and dipole configurations). In our method, there is no need to use the discrete Fourier transform of the input and output functions in order to determine the filter spectrum for converting apparent resistivity in one electrode configuration to any other configuration. Sine responses for determination of the derivative of apparent resistivities are given in analytical form.If the filter spectrum for converting the apparent resistivity to the resistivity transform for one electrode configuration is known, the filter spectra for transforming the apparent resistivity to the resistivity transform for any electrode configurations can be calculated by using newly derived expressions.

Notes: In the western coal-mining area of Ruhrkohle AG, reflection seismic prospecting for the Carboniferous coal measures is severely impaired by structures with halokinetic features. These structures make the interface between Mesozoic and Paleozoic layers, i.e., the top of Zechstein in general, very rugged. Unfortunately the velocity contrast at this interface is very high in that area, the ratio of velocities being 1.5 to 2.0. Therefore, migration and stacking become a problem.Three types of migration are presented:〈list xml:id="l1" style="custom"〉1(f, x)-time-migration with vertical time-to-depth conversion as a second step.2Kirchhoff migration down to a level determined approximately by the highest points of the top of Paleozoics, i.e., 0.35 s, and Kirchhoff-downward continuation for all times exceeding 0.35 s. Intermediate static corrections for these latter times with subsequent (f, k)-time-migration and final vertical time-to-depth conversion.3Direct depth migration in the (f, x)-domain using three interval velocities.In all cases an intermediate picking of the velocity interfaces is necessary. In case 2 this occurs at an earlier stage of the process than in case 1, and in case 3 at a still earlier stage.The results of the second and third migration procedures are superior to those of the first. Possibilities for misinterpretation of faults are reduced considerably when the second or third migration procedure is applied.

Notes: Airborne electromagnetic methods are most commonly used in mineral exploration. However, new developments, such as multifrequency capability and digital on-board field recording, as well as improvements in instrumentation resulting in high signal-to-noise ratios in recorded data, have made their application in geological mapping possible.A three-frequency airborne EM survey carried out over an area northwest of Timmins, Ontario, was interpreted in terms of thickness and resistivity of the layers of a two-layer earth section. Since both in-phase and quadrature components are measured, this provides six independent parameters at each point in space. Based on prior geological information and a preliminary interpretation of the field records, two two-layer models of the subsurface seemed to be appropriate for most of the survey area. An automatic computerized interpretation procedure was devised to interpret the field data at each point in terms of thickness and resistivity parameters of those two models. When the geology is more complex, the data do not fit the models and no interpretations are made. Two maps illustrating the variation of the resistivity and the thicknesses of the layers were constructed from the interpreted data. These maps agree with the known geological information about the distribution of glacial clay in the area. Areas where the layered models do not fit are known to be areas where the geology is complex with a large number of dykes and other lateral inhomogeneities. The study shows that multifrequency airborne EM surveys can be very useful in geological mapping over inaccessible terrain and can significantly help the mapping geologist where outcrops are scarce.

Notes: Shear (= S) wave studies in addition to compressional (= P) wave surveys have revealed that S-wave velocities are much more variable than P-wave velocities. This strongly affects Poisson's ratio σ, especially in young sediments. It is shown that σ has a great influence on the directivity pattern, i.e., on the radiation and receiving characteristic of horizontal sources and receivers. For their calculation, well-known surface boundary conditions and White's statement of the reciprocity relation (White 1965) are used. They also form the basis for the combination of source and receiver patterns essential for practical field work. The various combinations of horizontally and vertically arranged sources and receivers are investigated with regard to their directivity pattern, their amplitude ratio and, in general, to their usefulness in seismic prospecting.

Notes: Previously ignored characteristics of the seismic recording instrument are presently experienced as limitations as more sophisticated interpretive methods using wider frequency ranges are developed to extract stratigraphic information from seismic land data for hydrocarbon and mineral exploration. Most of these limitations arise from inadequate characteristics of the first element of the seismic instrument: the geophone. A geophone does not faithfully follow the motion of the earth for higher frequencies due to poor geophone-earth coupling. This filtering effect brings about time shifts that are dependent on the frequency and the soil type. A geophone can also produce spurious outputs, brought about by the motion of the suspended part of the geophone, with a magnitude comparable to that of the desired output. The suspension is made very compliant to obtain the required sensitivity. A compliant suspension, however, gives a large sag. The geophone can therefore only be used in one position, tolerating little tilt. A compliant suspension also widens the traveling range of the movable part. Minor sensitivity changes with travel are then noticeable as nonlinearity, since the surface wave is large with respect to the reflected wave. A compliant suspension is usually realized in the form of thin, spirally shaped spring-spiders. Such suspensions exhibit transverse or rotational resonances that are in or close to the seismic frequency band. Excited by ground roll, they can produce considerable undesirable output.The novel geophone we describe is a light-weight (17 g) acceleration-sensitive transducer which gives good ground coupling and partial correction for the increasing damping in the earth with increasing frequencies. It employs internal hybrid electronics for a magnetodynamic velocity-nulling feedback system. Velocity nulling makes the movable part of the geophone virtually rigid with respect to the housing. This makes the geophone characteristics independent of the suspension. The springs used are stiff in a transverse and rotational direction so that the suspension resonances are well outside the useful frequency band. This suspension also allows the geophone to be used in any orientation while being only sensitive to the vibration component along the main axis. The feedback system makes the sensitivity flat within 1 dB from 2 Hz to 500 Hz, with a phase tolerance smaller than 5°. The geophone is robust, has no moving internal wires, employs a current output [sensitivity 1 mA/(m s−2)] and internal gain so that the signal-to-cable-noise ratio is improved. This type of output allows parallel connection without any interaction between the geophones.

Notes: There are two types of masked layers in seismic refraction work: the velocity reversal (low-velocity layer) and the hidden layer (insufficient velocity contrast or layer thickness). On the basis of an analytical formulation of the general case of a masked layer under an overburden of plane and parallel multiple refractors the two limiting cases are discussed: the solution resulting from an uncritical interpretation of the measured time-distance curve and the blind zone solution. Between these two limiting cases there is a variety of possible masked layer solutions. These no-blind zone solutions—as well as the blind zone solution itself—are formulated separately for the velocity inversion and the hidden layer case.For the evaluation of some no-blind zone solution a diagram is presented which can be used for any case of multiple refractors in the overburden of the masked layer. However, it is only for the three- and the four-layer case that a blind zone interpretation by use of diagrams is advisable. Such diagrams are presented together with the basic sets of formulae which contain as parameters only ratios of velocities and layer thicknesses. As the velocity of the masked layer is usually unknown the diagrams are principally constructed to show the dependence on the masked layer velocity. This is useful for estimation of the largest possible error.

Notes: Wave equation migration techniques have shown the limits of traditional stacking methods with data from tectonically complicated areas. An improved stack can be obtained utilizing the dip-moveout correction technique based on offset continuation. The properties and the limits of the algorithms used are summarized briefly.Several synthetic and real data examples are shown and compared with the results obtained using conventional processing in order to show the focusing effects and the strong improvement in signal-to-noise ratios, both at the stacked and migrated section level. The possibility of exploiting this technique to transform multiple coverage into increased spatial resolution is illustrated with examples.

Notes: The far-field signatures from a comprehensive and systematic airgun pulse test have been analyzed. Empirical relations between the characteristic signature parameters and depth (5–12 m), pressure (100–137 bar = 10–13.7 MPa) and total chamber volume (0.65–9.5 l) have been derived. Also, the influence of using waveshape kits in different positions within the chamber has been tested.The results indicate that:〈list xml:id="l1" style="custom"〉1 The amplitude is proportional to chamber pressure to the power 3/4.2 The bubble period is nearly independent of the position of the waveshape plate.3 The increase in primary/bubble amplitude ratio is inversely proportional to the chamber volume above the waveshape plate.4 The amplitude is independent of airgun depth.Suggestions and comments regarding this work from Dr B. Ursin and Dr A. Ziolkowski are appreciated. The field work was supported by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate through the Continental Shelf Project at the Seismological Observatory, University of Bergen.An airgun allowing for continuous variation of the chamber volumes was supplied by GECO (Geophysical Company of Norway). The purchase of two airguns was financed by Norske Getty Exploration A/S.

Notes: The accuracy of short length digital linear filter operators can be substantially increased if the sampling interval as well as the abscissa shift are properly adjusted. This may be done by a trial and error process of adjustment of these parameters until the error made by the filter operator, applied to a suitably chosen test function, is smallest.As an illustration of the application of this method, 7-, 11- and 19-point filters for the calculation of Schlumberger apparent resistivity from a known resistivity transform are designed. Errors with the new 7-point filter are seen to be less than those with a 19-point filter of conventional design. The errors with the new 19-point filter are two to three orders of magnitude smaller than those made by the conventional 19-point filter.The new method should provide digital linear operators that allow significant improvements in accuracy for comparable computation efforts, or substantial reduction in computation for comparable accuracy of results, or something of both.

Notes: A well-known technique for the migration of normal-incidence two-way travel-time maps is extended to common-source-point travel-time data. The travel time and the travel-time gradient are used to compute the parameters defining the tangent plane of the reflecting interface. It is also shown how the curvature matrix of the received wavefront can be used to compute the curvature of the reflecting interface. The method is initially derived for common-source-point data and then extended to common-midpoint data.In a three-dimensional medium the wavefront curvature matrix is computed by solving a 2 × 2 symmetric matrix Riccati equation. In a two-dimensional medium and in a medium with constant velocity gradient, the wavefront curvature matrix is computed by solving a scalar Riccati equation and two linear equations. The migration procedures are also simplified.When the velocity function is unknown, the migration procedures cannot be used. An inverse modeling algorithm which simultaneously performs the migration and estimates the velocity function must then be applied. Two different inversion schemes are discussed briefly.

Notes: Time-domain-induced polarization (IP) laboratory measurements were performed on about 200 fine sediment samples with varying water content. The results permitted an analysis of IP properties of clays, loams, silts, and sands.Particular emphasis has been given to the analysis of the chargeability m as a function of lithotype and the water content.By analyzing decay curves, a new parameter was identified. It is a statistically specific characteristic of the lithotype and is independent of the water content. Therefore, it provides a diagnostic parameter for lithotype identification. In association with the values of chargeability and electrical resistivity, this parameter permits a reliable evaluation of water content and yields useful information about the porosity and permeability of the lithotype.

Notes: Approaches to the reduction of bias in the computation of the elements of the magnetotelluric impedance tensor have been proposed in the past by several authors. In this paper a clear distinction is made between random errors and bias errors. No effort is made to reduce either, but the emphasis is on their estimation. Both types of errors depend critically upon the polarization of the magnetic field. The random error increases with increasing noise-to-signal ratio in the electrical field, and it is rather insensitive to noise in the magnetic field. The bias error increases with increasing noise-to-signal ratio in the magnetic field. Expressions for random errors and maximum bias errors are developed and discussed using a single station set-up. Random errors with a reference station set-up are also calculated.

Notes: Dipole-dipole induced polarization (IP) data are displayed typically as multi-level profiles, or as contours on vertical sectional plots referred to as pseudo-sections. The dipole-dipole array tends to yield IP anomalies in which the most anomalous values are displaced laterally from the source body. The data patterns are fairly interpretable on pseudo-sections or on multi-level profiles but are sufficiently complex to discourage the contouring of the data in plan.A method was developed for the presentation of dipole-dipole IP data on a contour map. The method consists of a simple averaging of data which can be performed manually if desired. It yields a single output value per station which reflects all levels of the pseudo-section, and is suitable for contouring in plan. The advantage of the technique is that it provides a quantitative picture of IP anomalies in their background or regional setting.

Notes: Constant offset sections can be mapped to a fixed offset and compared in order to provide a method of velocity analysis. The direct mapping to zero offset prior to stack might provide an alternative processing procedure to NMO and stack. The main advantage of such a procedure would lie in the correct treatment of cross-dips, but interpretational advantages might also follow from the performance of partial stacks biased to either high or low offset information.

Notes: Induced polarization and resistivity model studies over thin dykes for varying resistivity contrasts, depth of burial, and dip angles show striking parallelism of the surface apparent resistivity contours with the boundary of the body. This effect may be utilized for the estimation of strike length of the body. Results show that intermediate values of the electrode spacing is satisfactory for detection under widely varying conditions of resistivity contrast and depth. The percentage frequency effect (P.F.E.) and the metal factor (M.F.) responses are found to be more sensitive to the variation in the depth of burial than the resistivity responses. Pseudosections for P.F.E. and M.F. are concentrated much closer to the body than the resistivity pseudo-sections.

Notes: A direct interpretation scheme is developed which is capable of determining most of the geological features of a ground which can be assumed to be two dimensional in structure. This scheme extends the earlier work of Pekeris (1940) and Koefoed (1968) to the case where the basal layer of a ground is undulating. It also has a limited use for finding the parameters of a dipping dyke in the lower medium. Though the top and dip of the dyke can be determined, this is not true for the thickness.

Notes: Laboratory studies of absorption-frequency behavior in rocks often use spectral ratios of digitally recorded ultrasonic signals which have been transmitted through a rock sample and a reference sample of very low absorption, respectively. It is proposed to treat the digitally recorded signals as an autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) process which, using recursive filter concepts, can be represented as a ratio of two polynomials in the z-transform variable z. The numerator polynomial contains only that part of the signal that is modified by anelastic effects, whereas the denominator contains the elastic effects of the physical apparatus such as reverberations. Examples are given which show that this separation of the recorded signal greatly facilitates the laboratory investigation of loss mechanisms and absorption-frequency behavior based on spectral ratios.

Notes: The generalized integral equation for the electric potential governed by a quasi-harmonic equation can be derived via a variational formulation. For surface current distributions it is not always a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. Numerical solutions of the general heterogeneous problem can be obtained with the “reciprocal averaging technique”, where the solution is obtained a second time after exchange of source and field points.

Notes: A method to calculate the resistivity transform of Schlumberger VES curves has been developed. It consists in approximating the field apparent resistivity data by utilizing a linear combination of simple functions, which must satisfy the following requirements: (i) they must be suitable for fitting the resistivity data; (ii) once the fitting function has been obtained they allow the kernel to be determined in an analytic way.The fitting operation is carried out by the least mean squares method, which also accomplishes a useful smoothing of the field curve (and therefore a partial noise filtering). It gives the possibility of assigning different weights to the apparent resistivity values to be approximated according to their different reliability.For several examples (theoretical resistivity curves in order to estimate the precision of the method and with field data to verify the practicality) yield good results with short execution time independent of shape the apparent resistivity curve.

Notes: We present a new method for the extraction and removal of the source wavelet from the reflection seismogram. In contrast to all other methods currently in use, this one does not demand that there be any mathematically convenient relationship between the phase spectrum of the source wavelet and the phase spectrum of the earth impulse response. Instead, it requires a fundamental change in the field technique such that two different seismograms are now generated from each source-receiver pair: the source and receiver locations stay the same, but the source used to generate one seismogram is a scaled version of the source used to generate the other. A scaling law provides the relationship between the two source signatures and permits the earth impulse response to be extracted from the seismograms without any of the usual assumptions about phase.We derive the scaling law for point sources in an homogeneous isotropic medium. Next, we describe a method for the solution of the set of three simultaneous equations and test it rigorously using a variety of synthetic data and two types of synthetic source waveform: damped sine waves and non-minimum-phase air gun waveforms. Finally we demonstrate that this method is stable in the presence of noise.

Notes: In this paper a theorem is demonstrated which allows—after the introduction of a suitable dipole kernel function or dipole resistivity transform function—to write the apparent resistivity function as an Hankel transformable integral expression.As a practical application of the theorem a procedure of quantitative interpretation of dipole soundings is suggested in which the dipole resistivity transform function obtained after inversion of the original dipole apparent resistivity data is used to control the goodness of the set of layering parameters which have been derived with our previous method of transformation of dipole sounding curves into equivalent Schlumberger diagrams.

Notes: The Hankel transform theorem can be applied to the inversion of gravity data for the buried sphere, the horizontal cylinder, and the vertical rod. This new approach leads to exact solutions of the transforms for the assumed bodies. A comparison with the classical procedure by Fourier transform reveals that for the sphere and the vertical rod, the Hankel transform is preferable.

Notes: Air guns have been used in various applications for a number of years. They were first used in coal-mining operations and were operated at up to 16000 psi charge pressures. Later, single air guns, operated at 2000 psi, found application as an oceanographic survey tool. Air gun arrays were first used in offshore seismic exploration in the mid-1960's. These early arrays were several hundred cubic inches in total volume and were operated at 2000 psi; they were either tuned arrays or several large guns of the same size with wave-shape kits. Today's arrays have total volumes greater than 5000 cu in. and are typically operated at 2000 psi. Recently, higher-pressure, lower-volume arrays operated at 4000–5000 psi have been introduced; guns used in these arrays are descendants of the coal-mining gun.On first thought one would equate increased gun pressure linearly with the amplitude of the initial pulse. This is approximately true for the signature radiated by a “free-bubble” (no confining vessel) and recorded broadband. The exact relation depends on the depth at which the gun is operated; from solution of the free-bubble oscillation equation, the relation is 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu1" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR700:GPR_700_mu1"/〉 If Pc,1= 6014.7 psia, Pc,2= 2014.7 psia and PO, 1=PO, 2= 25.8 psia (corresponding to absolute pressure at 25 ft water depth), then 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu2" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR700:GPR_700_mu2"/〉 Experiments were conducted offshore California in deep water to determine the performance of several models of air guns at pressures ranging from 2000 to 6000 psi and gun volumes ranging from 5 to 300 cu in. At a given gun pressure, the initial acoustic pulse Pa correlated with gun volume Vc according to the classical relation 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu3" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR700:GPR_700_mu3"/〉 For 1 ms sampled data the ratio 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu4" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR700:GPR_700_mu4"/〉 varied between 4.5 and 5.5 dB depending on gun model. Pulse width of the 2000 psi signatures indicated they are compatible with 2 ms sample-rate recording while pulse width of the 6000 psi signatures was greater, indicating they are less compatible with 2 ms sample-rate recording.Conclusions reached were that 2000 psi air guns are more efficient than higher pressure guns and are more compatible with 2 ms sample-rate requirements.

Notes: Numerous electrodes, already used in geophysics or just perfected by us, have been compared by measuring the three main characteristics which interest the user: noise spectrum, temperature coefficient and polarization with its stability versus time.Among the most used unpolarizable electrodes, silver-silver chloride (Ag-AgCl) are the best ones. But a systematic research of all different possible metal-salt couples, have led us to use lead-lead chloride (Pb-PbCl2) for the following reasons: noise as low as the one of Ag-AgCl at 1 Hz and even lower for the low frequencies (0.4 μV at 1 Hz and 1.2 μV at 0.01 Hz for peak to peak value and ΔF=F), temperature coefficient about ten times weaker (−40 μV/°C instead of −450 μV/°C) and also better long time stability of the polarization (1 mV/month instead of 2 at 10 mV/month).We have been using these electrodes since 1977 as “tube” electrodes which are very easy to use. They allow us to record correctly the fast variations thanks to their low noise, the very slow variations, their low temperature coefficient and their stability, and this with telluric lines only about 100 m long.

Notes: The compression of seismic signals which have propagated through a dispersive medium can be achieved by a frequency-domain transformation. This transformation is formally related to the dispersion characteristic of the medium and is independent of phase and group velocities. By defining a suitable cost-function to measure the degree of dispersion of a time- signal, an iterative technique can be employed to find that transformation which gives minimum dispersion.In this paper, we assume that the inverse of the dispersion characteristic can be adequately approximated by a finite polynomial in the region of maximum signal energy density. The coefficients of this polynomial are the parameters of dispersion of the medium. These parameters can be estimated both in the presence of noise and in the case of signals made up of multiple arrivals.The techniques developed in this paper are applied to seismic signals which have been recorded underground by a set of geophones designed to detect and map discontinuities in coal-seams. Results of dispersion estimation and signal compression are discussed for data collected in the Blackshale seam, Pye Hill Colliery, near Derby, in the United Kingdom.

Notes: Sign reversals have been observed with the one-loop version of the TEM method in an area near Cloncurry, Queensland. This is the only area in which such a response has been recorded in seven years of field surveys by the Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources.The geology of the area consists mainly of pyrrhotitic graphitic shale, which has resistivities as low as 0.1 Ωm and frequency effects up to 30%. The sign reversals could be due to magnetic phenomena, reflections from layers, or complex conductivity effects.

Notes: A crucial step in the use of synthetic seismograms is the estimation of the filtering needed to convert the synthetic reflection spike sequence into a clearly recognizable approximation of a given seismic trace. In the past the filtering has been effected by a single wavelet, usually found by trial and error, and evaluated by eye. Matching can be made more precise than this by using spectral estimation procedures to determine the contribution of primaries and other reflection components to the seismic trace. The wavelet or wavelets that give the least squares best fit to the trace can be found, the errors of fit estimated, and statistics developed for testing whether a valid match can be made.If the composition of the seismogram is assumed to be known (e.g. that it consists solely of primaries and internal multiples) the frequency response of the best fit wavelet is simply the ratio of the cross spectrum between the synthetic spike sequence and the seismic trace to the power spectrum of the synthetic spike sequence, and the statistics of the match are related to the ordinary coherence function. Usually the composition cannot be assumed to be known (e.g. multiples of unknown relative amplitude may be present), and the synthetic sequence has to be split into components that contribute in different ways to the seismic trace. The matching problem is then to determine what filters should be applied to these components, regarded as inputs to a multichannel filter, in order to best fit the seismic trace, regarded as a noisy output. Partial coherence analysis is intended for just this problem. It provides fundamental statistics for the match, and it cannot be properly applied without interpreting these statistics.A useful and concise statistic is the ratio of the power in the total filtered synthetic trace to the power in the errors of fit. This measures the overall goodness-of-fit of the least squares match. It corresponds to a coherent (signal) to incoherent (noise) power ratio. Two limits can be set on it: an upper one equal to the signal-to-noise ratio estimated from the seismic data themselves, and a lower one defined from the distribution of the goodness-of-fit ratios yielded by matching with random noise of the same bandwidth and duration as the seismic trace segment. A match can be considered completely successful if its goodness-of-fit reaches the upper limit; it is rejected if the goodness-of-fit falls below the lower one.

Notes: If the conductivity of any one of the layers of a horizontally stratified earth varies exponentially with depth with or without a discontinuity at the interface, the corresponding expressions for apparent resistivity for Wenner- and Schlumberger-sounding arrays can be formulated. The general case has been broadly divided into three categories for mathematical simplicity. All previous discussions of this problem can be regarded as particular cases of the present study.

Notes: The physical properties of the serpentinized pyroxenitic and saxonitic rocks from stratiform ultramafic complexes of Roro, Singhbhum distrct, India, are examined using principal factor (R-mode) analysis technique. The variations and inter-relations of these properties reflect the compound effects of two processes—(a) degree of serpentinization, and (b) mineralogical and other changes attendant to serpentinization. Factor analysis is thus shown to be an effective tool for petrophysical inferences.

Notes: The problem of numerical evaluation of apparent resistivity curves is treated by finite difference modeling. The models proposed are set up in cylindrical coordinates and yield the potential field due to a point source located in a radially symmetric environment. The Schlumberger configuration, widely used for surface measurements, is emphasized. However, the treatment is equally applicable to other similar situations such as the computation of synthetic electric logs when the resistivity of the borehole fluid is different from that of the surrounding uniform or stratified medium. Moreover, the individual layers may not necessarily be isotropic.The medium under investigation is discretized by using a very coarse system of horizontal and vertical grid lines whose distance from the source increases logarithmically; consequently, the physical dimensions of the medium can be made “infinite” without affecting the numerical size of the model. Finer features such as a thin but anomalously resistive or conductive bed which would ordinarily be missed in coarse discretization are accurately taken into account, since the calculations are done in terms of the Dar Zarrouk parameters derived from the exact resistivity distribution of the model. This enables one to compute the potential field by inverting a small sparse matrix. When the medium comprises only a few layers, the efficiency of the finite-difference model is comparable to that of the known analytical methods; for more complicated structures, however, the finite-difference model becomes more efficient. The accuracy of finite-difference results is demonstrated by comparing them with the corresponding analytically obtained data.

Notes: A method is given for solving the dc electric field problem of a point current source in an anisotropic 2 1/2-dimensional structural model. The surface integral equation of the field strength is given. Parallel to the strike the field strength is represented by a Fourier series. On the plane perpendicular to the strike each term of the field strength series is solved by means of the method of sub-sections, where linear behaviour of field strength over the sub-sections is assumed. Some numerical examples for different galvanic effects are given.

Notes: It is proposed that the vertical resolving power of a seismic signal is controlled by three aspects: the width of the central lobe, the side lobe ratio, and the side-tail oscillations. A comparative study of zero-phase signals covering the same frequency range shows that improvement of any one of these aspects inevitably leads to deterioration of one of the other aspects.An analytical simulation model is proposed of zero-phase signals free from side-tail oscillations, in which both the width of the central lobe and the side lobe ratio are adjustable. Analysis of the spectra of this model shows that, while the high frequency content of the spectrum is essential for obtaining a small width of the central lobe, the low frequency content of the spectrum plays an essential part in causing a low value of the side lobe ratio.

Notes: The objective of this study is to generate the separation-distance-domain (r-domain) transformation of the theoretically calculated wave number domain (m-domain) electromagnetic induction field component Bz(m, ω) of a stratified medium and to search for interpretive information which has been absent in the previously achieved numerical solutions of the problem.The r-domain kernel R̃(r, ω) function defining the induction field appears to adequately reflect the layering and electrical properties of the medium if it is expressed as a function of the frequency if the source-receiver separation r is small with respect to the thickness of the first layer. However, exact values of the conductivity cannot be distinguished from those of the neighboring values unless a resistive basement layer is present. This feature is the result of the truncation in series representation of the kernel function R̃(m, ω). However, this truncation is regarded as significant in the case of a conductive first layer. In m-domain static-zone studies, a conductive first layer slightly influences its r-domain correspondent.Although the computational cost of obtaining the kernel B(r, ω) by evaluation of the convolution in a cylindrical coordinate system is high, this semi-analytic solution is still superior to those based on the asymptotic assumptions.

Notes: A new method of estimating seismic stacking velocity from reflection seismograms is based on Fibonacci search technique and provides the highest rate of reduction of the interval of uncertainty of the stacking velocity. A review of the Fibonacci search strategy is presented, the application of the method is illustrated with synthetic and field examples.

Notes: The paper relates primarily to the borehole and the side bed correction charts for Latero-logs 3 and 7. Versions of some of these charts published by different companies—or even by the same company in different years—exhibit significant variations. Usually, such publications do not contain adequate information on how the charts were constructed and do not explain why discrepancies occur.Because of these reasons, an attempt has been made in this paper to reconstruct the borehole correction chart for Laterolog 7 and the shoulder bed correction charts for Latero-logs 3 and 7. For the latter two, the results found differ substantially from those published earlier.The paper demonstrates how departure (response) curves and correction charts for the lateral and the Laterolog 7 sondes can be computed from those for the normal sonde. An apparent resistivity formula is suggested for Laterolog 7 in which all currents that exist in the ground at the time of measurement and that produce the signal are monitored and used. Response curves and correction charts for Laterolog 7, based on such a formula, are presented as illustrations.

Notes: For horizontal layering and plane horizontal impulsive wavefronts it is theoretically possible to get rid of multiple reflections by a feedback procedure which can easily be derived using raypath philosophy. To reduce the increase of noise inherent in the method the precise theoretical formulae are altered in such a manner that a practical application becomes possible. For this purpose the autocorrelation will be used.Application of the new process to a CRP section where the shot geophone distances in the field had not been long enough to attenuate multiple reflections effectively gave favourable results.

Notes: Two in situ measurements of stress wave velocity in a granodiorite massif were made. Firstly, the velocities close to the source were investigated (for elimination of the influence of cracks), and secondly, the velocities in different horizontal directions over a large area were studied from the viewpoint of their dependence on the crack system of the medium. A correlation between the mutual orientation of the cracks and the maximum or minimum values of the stress wave velocities was obtained.

Notes: The technique of linear digital filtering as developed for the direct interpretation of Schlumberger and Wenner soundings (Ghosh 1971) has been applied here for the derivation of the resistivity transform function from the field dipole measurements as the first step in directly interpreting dipole data. Filter coefficients for this transformation have been worked out for the radial-polar, perpendicular and parallel (30°) arrays of dipole sounding. The procedure combines speed with accuracy.

Notes: Dipole soundings are more sensitive to noise caused by lateral and superficial inhomogeneities than Schlumberger soundings. However, the former are preferable for deep explorations in view of the relatively short cables required. The simple solution of carrying out the field work by means of dipole spreads, and to transform the dipole resistivity diagrams into Schlumberger ones by means of proper formulae would be valid only for smooth and regular curves; but often, owing to the presence of lateral noises, the dipole data show a considerable scatter. For such cases a “continuous dipole sounding” method is proposed for which all successive dipoles are contiguous, so that all parts of the profiles are covered and interpolation is not necessary. Obviously the moving dipoles have lengths proportional to their distances, so that they appear equal in the usual bilogarithmic scale. It follows that only polar-dipole arrays may be used. The transition from a dipole to the corresponding Schlumberger apparent resistivity diagram requires an integration constant which is not unequivocally determined. Therefore, the solution is not unique, but all possible derived Schlumberger diagrams have a common part. Similarly, they have some common interpretative results, which may be referred to the original dipole diagram obtained in the field.A special measurement technique is required since the dipole-dipole voltages to be determined are noticeably smaller than the Schlumberger ones. This is true also because dipole soundings are used for great depths and for long distances between the two dipoles.

Notes: Basic requirements for a seismic reflection system using a moderate-power controlled source are discussed. General considerations and computer modelling show promise for geophysical prospecting, especially at low penetration and very high noise level. For many applications, ranging from mineral and water prospecting, to civil and military engineering, and even archeology, a relatively cheap, small and portable device of this kind might be more convenient than conventional explosive sources or sophisticated controlled sources of the vibroseis type. The use of a simple, low frequency periodic signal facilitates rapid data processing procedures and suggests that the mechanical generator will be very simple and cheap.

Notes: A method is described to transform a dipole sounding curve, obtained with any one of the common dipole arrays over a horizontally layered earth, to the form of a Schlumberger sounding curve. Starting from the general expression which relates the dipole apparent resistivity to the Schlumberger apparent resistivity and its derivative with respect to the spacing, it is possible with some approximations to derive an easy numerical computation procedure in order to perform the transformation. The applicability of the method is discussed briefly.

Notes: Approximate deconvolution by means of Wiener filters has become standard practice in seismic data-processing. It is well-known that addition of a certain percentage of noise energy to the autocorrelation of the signal wavelet leads to a filter that does not increase, or even reduces, the noise level on the seismogram. This noise addition will, in general, cause a minimum phase signal to become mixed phase. A technique is presented for the calculation of the optimum-lag shaping filter for a contaminated signal wavelet. The advantages of this method over the more conventional approach are that it needs less arithmetic operations and that it automatically gives the filter with the optimum combination of shaping performance and noise reduction.

Notes: A set of parabolae is defined to approximate the observed gravity profile for specifying the lateral density variation in a two dimensional causative body. This variation separates the “biased” as well as “unbiased” residual anomaly structure. The method may be directly incorporated into existing numerical and graphical techniques of interpretation for subsequent delineation of structural configuration. The simple relations derived by inspection of the observed gravity profile permit universal application of the technique and in particular for the determination of the size and shape of sub-shelf structures. The suitability of the method in various problems of two dimensional interpretation has been indicated through an illustration of the Godavari Basin (India).

Notes: Decomposition of IP discharge curve into a sum of exponentials yields more information than present practice does. Such a work was performed, as a beginning, by hand, plotting the ordinates on semi logarithimic paper. It gave, according to the cases, two or three exponentials, each with an amplitude Ai and the time constant τi.Three examples of ground prospection are given, the third of which shows an anomaly, unnoticed with present technique but obvious on a profile curve with A1/A2 in ordinates.A computer processing technique is described which yields directly the time constants τi by seeking a differential equation which the IP voltage satisfies; the order of the equation is set arbitrarily. On a practical prospection record with only two exponentials, the assumption that the differential equation does not depend on charge duration (everything else being equal) has been checked (the shape of the curves would depend on boundary conditions). The assumption roughly holds for charge durations from 5 seconds to 40 seconds. We hope that a larger number of exponentials will yield better results.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉SommaireLa décomposition de la courbe de décharge en une somme d'exponentielles permet d'en tirer plus d'information que la pratique actuelle. Un tel travail a été fait, pour commencer, à la main en portant les ordonnées sur papier logarithmique; il a fourni, suivant les cas, deux ou trois exponentielles avec, pour chacune d'elles, le coefficient Ai et la constante de temps τi.On donne trois exemples de prospection sur le terrain, dont le dernier comporte une anomalie, inaperçue avec la technique actuelle, mais bien mise en évidence en traçant la courbe de A1/A2 le long du profil.On donne ensuite une technique de calcul sur ordinateur des τi, en recherchant l'équation différentielle à laquelle obéit la tension ΔVPP enregistrée, l'ordre de cette équation étant fixé arbitrairement. On a cherchéà vérifier sur un enregistrement de terrain, avec. deux exponentielles seulement, l'hypothèse suivant laquelle l'équation différentielle ne dépend pas de la durée de charge (toutes choses égales d'ailleurs). L'hypothèse se trouve grossièrement vérifiée pour les durées de charge allant de 5 secondes à 40 secondes, et nous espérons qu'un plus grand nombre d'exponentielles donnera de meilleurs résultats.

Notes: The conventional seismic technique is subject to a recording time following each transmission of energy, in which it is forbidden to release any new pulse. The recording time depends on the deepest reflection of interest, and is often 10 seconds or more in actual practice. To each transmission corresponds one record, i.e. a fixed amount of data which cannot be increased in a given time.Pulse coding allows us to go beyond this limit, by transmitting several times during the normal recording time. The procedure gives as many records as there are pulses, but they overlap, each event being repeated every time there is a pulse. It is possible to process the composite record back to its usual appearance with all events in their proper place if the time breaks are accurately known and make up a code such that the unavoidable noise generated by the process be kept, on the final section, below the ambient noise. The processing is quite similar to that of records made from vibrating sources, though faster in practice.The additional information can be devoted to a saving of time and money as the same profile may be recorded in a shorter time; or to an improvement of quality of the section due to a higher order of coverage, a multiplication of the ray paths and a closer sampling of the reflectors. It is also possible to record information in several planes at the same time, and to work out a 3-dimensional restitution, without loss of production.The process applies to all kinds of sources provided they can be triggered according to the code with sufficient accuracy. Depending on the source and conditions of implementation, the method benefits from other advantages such as better resolution, increased flexibility, and better coupling.Two different names have been given to the process, Sosie and Seiscode, which apply to slightly different parameters for the sequence of pulses. Sosie is more useful at sea, while the normal scope for Seiscode is onshore. Both names are trademarks for SNPA.

Notes: Master diagrams for electromagnetic responses of nine dipole dipole systems are presented for various depths of a vertical infinitely conducting vein. The YY system gives the minimum anomaly for both the inline and broadside arrays. Among other inline systems, it is difficult to decide the clearcut superiority of one system over the other, whereas the XX system in broadside array gives maximum anomaly.

Notes: The interpretation of Turam data is treated by means of a development of the conventional approach to this type of data. The development consists of a curve matching technique based upon a line current approximation to the true induced current pattern.The technique requires computation facilities which are readily available in modern programmable calculators.Practical examples of the use of the method illustrate that it can reveal information concerning the geometry of a conducting body which would not be gained by the conventional approach.

Notes: Two-layer type curves of apparent frequency effect for the Wenner configuration are presented. The formulation is based on the normal definition of frequency effect in terms of resistivities measured at different frequencies plus the definition of apparent resistivity over two horizontal layers as a function of first and second layer resistivities. The use of these type curves in the interpretation of multilayer apparent frequency-effect curves is described and some field examples are given.

Notes: In this paper properties of the discrete zero-phase time function are derived and compared with related properties of the discrete minimum-phase time function.The two-sided minimum-length signal is introduced and it is derived that, for any given amplitude spectrum, the two-sided minimum-length signal and the signal with zero-phase spectrum are identical signals. A comparison is made between the one-sided minimum-length signal (minimum-phase signal) and the two-sided minimum-length signal (zero-phase signal).A computational scheme is discussed which determines the zero-phase correspondent of a given signal.A method is proposed to compute zero-phase least-square inverse filters. The efficiency of minimum-phase and zero-phase least-square inverse filters is shown on signals with different phase properties.A criterion is derived which determines whether a symmetric time function has the zero-phase property. The close relationship with the minimum-phase criterion is discussed.Finally the relationship between signal length and resolving power is illustrated on numerical examples.

Notes: Empirical equalities derived from time domain induced polarization scale modelling with the gradient array over simple geometries, and from the potential field functions for equivalent simple charge configurations are similar. The function for the dyke like body is analogous to the magnetic case allowing both total and vertical magnetic field interpretation techniques to be applied to gradient array chargeability anomalies.

Notes: “Remote sensing” techniques have been used for many years as an exploration tool; broadly speaking, any method using sensors not directly connected to the earth's surface falls into this group.It is preferable, however, to use the term solely with reference to a number of new sensors which have recently become available to earth scientists for the detection of various radiations of the electromagnetic spectrum in the wave length range from 0.1 micron (UV) to some centimeters including the visible and infrared regions.Radiations artificially induced in the earth (active sensing) or spontaneous radiations (passive sensing) can be detected. Some of the bands investigated seem promising for application to geological surveys, especially using sensors on aircraft and satellites, which allow synoptic and large scale investigations.A brief account is given of the results already achieved and of future developments such as the ERTS and manned satellite (post Apollo) “earth observation” programmes.The potential role of Europe in the field is discussed.Details are given of some applications of thermal I.R. imagery to geological and vulcanological problems, with special emphasis on the research carried out in Italy.

Notes: A simple calculation procedure that gives the equilibrium temperature in geothermal measurements reduces the reading time in field work from reported 60 minutes to about 10 minutes.

Notes: Boundary-value problems in steady-state current flow were solved numerically in bispherical coordinates for a sphere of arbitrary conductivity in a half-space. Solutions for the potential on the surface of the half-space were examined for the cases where both current sources were on the surface, one source on the surface and the second between the surface and the sphere, and one source on the surface and the other in the sphere. Results show a great similarity with the layered case when the buried electrode is placed between the surface and the conducting region. Such a buried electrode configuration makes it possible to obtain an accurate measurement of the depth to the conductor in both cases. A model with the current electrode placed in a conductive sphere is compared with a three-layered model with the source in a conductive intermediate layer, and results indicate that the lateral extent of a finite anomalous zone can be estimated using these limiting curves. The validity of these theoretical calculations for buried spheres was confirmed experimentally by tests conducted on an analog model.

Notes: A checking method of digital multiple elimination and of deconvolution processing using computers and based on optical autocorrelation is first presented. Comparison between autocorrelograms before and after a single or several processing steps allows to estimate, on one hand, the strength of the deconvolution obtained, known by the study of the central parts which is in fact the signal autocorrelation, on the other hand, the multiple elimination given by the study of side parts of the autocorrelogram.Further, an optical deconvolution procedure, is presented. For this, it is supposed that the signal is known and optically reproduced in the same way as the one of a trace. This is achieved by sphero-cylindrical optics allowing trace to trace processing. Deconvolution is carried out in the spectral domain by inserting a filter in the Fourier plane of the optical unit, the transmission law of which expresses the Fourier transform of the antisignal. This filter device introduces a holographic technique called Fourier holography, in such a way phases as well as amplitudes are preserved.Several results are presented from a synthetic section and also from field sections.

Notes: The separation of regional from local gravity anomalies by means of the application of two-dimensional linear filters is analyzed. It was found that optimization of the filter in the least squares sense leads to filters that produce strong localized concentrations of the error, which may erroneously be interpreted as anomalies. For this reason the maximum absolute value of the error is a more important criterion for the quality of the filter than the root mean square error. This maximum absolute error is minimized by the minimax filter. Intermediate filters are derived which give a transition zone which comes appreciably closer to that of the optimal filter at only a small price in terms of increase of the maximum absolute error.

Notes: The Laboratory of Geophysics of the University of Arizona was presented with an exploration problem by Falconbridge, Ltd. of Canada. Massive mineralized hemispherical “pods” are in the vicinity of a tuff layer of high conductivity and induced polarization response, covered by large thicknesses of resistive volcanics. The initial approach was to utilize electrolytic tank modeling. The extreme resistivity and IP contrasts proved to be difficult to recreate. Two dimensional modeling was attempted next with conductive paper, using copper and silver paint for anomalous masses. This method also proved inadequate. Finally, mathematical equations were solved which could model any arbitrary anomalous body in any steady state electrical field. Plane waves as well as point current sources producing non-plane waves are possible. Finite difference equations were derived for the non-linear partial differential equations under consideration. The equations were solved using a digital computer. Initially, the boundary conditions had to be satisfied at the boundaries of resistivity changes, severely restricting possible geometric shapes for anomalous bodies. The final and successful solution was to apply numerical techniques to obtain solutions of equations which require only that the relative resistivities through the area be specified. The Falconbridge problem and its solution are analyzed.

Notes: For the two and three layer cases geo-electrical sounding graphs can be rapidly and accurately evaluated by comparing them with an adequate set of standard model graphs. The variety of model graphs required is reasonably limited and the use of a computer is unnecessary for this type of interpretation.For more than three layers a compilation of model graphs is not possible, because the variety of curves required in practice increases immensely. To evaluate a measured graph under these conditions, a model graph is calculated by computer for an approximately calculated resistivity profile which is determined, for example, by means of the auxiliary point methods. This model graph is then compared with the measured curve, and from the deviation between the curves a new resistivity profile is derived, the model graph of which is calculated for another comparison procedure, etc. This type of interpretation, although exact, is very inconvenient and time-consuming, because there is no simple method by which an improved resistivity profile can be derived from the deviations between a model graph and a measured graph.The aim of this paper is, on the one hand, to give a simple interpretation method, suitable for use during field work, for multi-layer geo-electrical sounding graphs, and, on the other hand, to indicate an automatic evaluation procedure based on these principles, suitable for use by digital computer.This interpretation system is based on the resolution of the kernel function of Stefanescu's integral into partial fractions. The system consists of a calculation method for an arbitrary multi-layer case and a highly accurate approximation method for determining those partial fractions which are important for interpretation. The partial fractions are found by fitting three-layer graphs to a measured curve. Using the roots and coefficients of these partial fractions and simple equations derived from the kernel function of Stefanescu's integral, the thicknesses and resistivities of layers may be directly calculated for successively increasing depths.The system also provides a simple method for the approximative construction of model graphs.

Notes: The theoretical horizontal resistivity profiles over an outcropping vertical dyke for various parameters-electrode spacing, vein-width and resistivity contrast—with inline alpha, beta and gamma-Wenner electrode systems are described. The resistivity profiles present a most bewildering variety of shapes as compared to those in resistivity soundings. The analysis of type curves suggests suitable electrode configuration for detection of wide, moderately wide, and thin veins. The negative apparent resistivity values on the gamma anomalies for resistive vein over certain vein-widths of higher positive values of resistivity reflection factor contradict the concept of apparent resistivity hitherto held.

Notes: Il est maintenant courant d'employer l'ordinateur pour interpréter les sondages électriques. Cependant, le problème à résoudre en prospection électrique n'admettant pas une solution unique, le but des traitements automatiques consiste simplement à fournir plusieurs hypothèses qui aident à bâtir une interprétation géologique des mesures géophysiques. C'est, d'ailleurs, ce qu'on recherche aussi par la comparaison visuelle des courbes de terrain avec des abaques précalculés. Mais, tandis que l'interprétation manuelle, pour conduire à des solutions qui respectent les mesures faites sur le terrain, exige un temps très long, le traitement automatique fournit immédiatement des solutions compatibles avec les courbes àétudier.Les procédés employés s'adaptent aux divers besoins de la prospection: ils peuvent traiter aussi bien la station isolée que les profils de sondages électriques. C'est ce qu'on se propose de montrer, à l'aide de quelques exemples tirés d'études récentes.

Notes: Various experiments are described in designing two-dimensional magnetic interpretation algorithms using computer curve fitting techniques.For a single anomaly the position of the anomaly maximum and the half-width of the anomaly give good initial estimates of the plate position and thickness. A nomogram and formulae for improving these estimates is given. Curves and estimates for the effects of finite depth extent of a plate show the limits, when the lower surface of the plate can be neglected in curve fitting.The combined anomaly of two parallel plates can be separated into partial anomalies with no common points using the horizontal derivative of the anomaly. The changes of the anomaly maxima and changes in anomaly half-widths are studied as a function of plate separation. The position of the maxima and the half-widths can be corrected before applying the one-plate procedure for obtaining initial estimates of plate positions and thicknesses.The performance of standard optimization methods of Powell, Davidon, and Marquardt in improving the values of the plate parameters are compared. The Powell method seems to be the most reliable for both single and multi-plate anomalies. All methods become unacceptably slow when the number of plates is greater than 2 or 3. In these cases feasible interpretation times are obtained using the partial anomalies and sequential parabolic search of the parameter values as tailored specially to the thick plate model.Experiments with three different error norms, the classical least squares, weighted least squares and minimax, show that the first norm gives the best overall performance in automatic interpretation. The behaviour of the classical least squares norm as a function of the plate parameters is also briefly described.

Notes: The growing awareness of the significance of three-dimensional interpretation of seismic reflection data carries with it a need for better understanding of the role of the velocity configuration in the production of reflection patterns. Modeling the reflection responses of a simple dipping plane reflector through velocity models of various degrees of complexity demonstrates the importance of overlying velocities in determining the reflection pattern.Modeling is accomplished using a raytracing technique which determines total travel time of the normal incidence raypath through an arbitrary iso-velocity layer model.

Notes: In a previous paper it has been shown that we can relate the transient IP electric field Ep, existing in a rock after a step wave of polarizing current, with the steady-state current density Jss during the current step wave as follows: Ep=ρ'Jss.This relation may be interpreted as a generalized Ohm's law, valid in linear cases, in which ρ’(fictitious resistivity) is defined as the product of the true resistivity ρ with the chargeability m.Supposing Ep=—grad Up and applying the divergence condition div Jss= o, one can, for a layered earth, obtain a general expression for the depolarization potential Up as a solution of Laplace's equation ∇2Up= o.Since the mathematical procedure for the solution of this last equation is identical to that used in resistivity problems, we propose now the introduction of an apparent fictitious resistivity ρ'a (defined as the product of the apparent resistivity ρa with the apparent chargeability ma) as a new parameter for the interpretations of IP soundings carried out over layered structures with a common electrode array.The most general expression of ρ'a as a function of the electrode distance turns out to be mathematically identical to the general expression of ρ'a. Therefore it is possible to interpret a ρ'a field curve using the same standard graphs for resistivity prospecting with the usual method of complete curve matching.In this manner a great deal of work is saved since there is no need to construct proper ma graphs for the interpretation of IP soundings, as it has been done up to now.Finally some field examples are reported.

Notes: Dipole sounding resistivity measurements over layered earth can be interpreted directly by adapting the procedure given by Koefoed (1968) for Schlumberger system. To carry out the first step of the interpretation leading to the determination of the raised kernel function, partial resistivity functions for the dipole method are derived and given in the form of standard curves. The second step involving the derivation of layering parameters from the kernel being independent of the electrode configurations remains unaltered. The applicability and limitations of the method are discussed.

Notes: Computations have been made for the effect of ground slope in combination with transmitter coil misorientation on different electromagnetic depth sounding systems and sets of frequency sounding master curves are presented for different angles. The effect of a thin air layer due to the elevation of coils above ground surface has been studied for different systems. Also discussed are the effects due to an error in transmitter-receiver coil separation.