ALBERT

Notes: X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns from nominally β-SiC specimens often differ from those expected for the cubic crystal structure. These differences include the presence of additional peaks, enhanced background intensities, peak broadening, changes in relative peak heights, and shifts in peak positions. It has long been recognized that they are due to the presence of stacking faults, and models relating the experimental observations to stacking fault population have continued to evolve. The presence and relative magnitude of these features vary among different β-SiC specimens. In this work, computer simulations were used to show that the variations are closely related to differences in the type and spatial distribution of stacking faults in each specimen. In these simulations, stacking sequences were generated using a selectively activated 1-D Ising model with a Boltzmann-type probability function for specifying errors, which allows a wide variety of fault configurations to be generated. Direct correlations between different features in the XRD data to the underlying fault population are demonstrated, which are discussed in this paper. It is also shown that this computer model is general, in the sense that many of the models presented in prior work can be interpreted as limiting cases of it.

Notes: This second part deals with a subject analogous to the one developed in the first part, but related to surface irregularities with a non-cylindrical structure. In this part we have taken into consideration both the effects due to potential electrodes and the effects due to current electrodes.The study of these cases has been made with the help of mathematical theory, but it has been necessary to extend this theory from the case of cylindrical bodies to the case of non-cylindrical ones.Finally, as conclusion to both parts of the paper, some pages have been dedicated to the details of the calculation procedure, in order to demonstrate its practical htness for the study of this problem.

Notes: The usual computation methods in refraction seismic in the Sahara often involve considerable shot distances. Therefore, in addition to a high consumption of explosives, difficulties of operation and interpretation arise.In order to cut down the shot distances, it was necessary to study with great care the refracted waves having the shortest possible traveling path along the marker. Such paths correspond to the zone of great relative energy resulting, on one hand, from the sudden increase of reflected energy beyond the critical angle (total reflection) and, on the other hand, from the sudden appearance of refracted energy. The proposed method is founded on correlations of traces located in this “critical zone” on the different records shot on a profile; in order to get around certain difficulties due to insufficient knowledge of the marker velocity, the interpreter is led to select a constant correlation distance, at least for sections of the profile.The paper describes in detail the setting up and utilization of the proposed method, analyses a few examples and gives an estimate of the advantages and the restrictions of this method.

Notes: It was felt that Faust's first law was the best guide in classifying data concerning velocities and their correlation with lithology, even if, on a local basis, other laws fit the observed values better.Data have been re-examined which were provided chiefly by borehole measurements, both conventional and continuous, but also by some particularly reliable velocity profiles. “Faust's coefficient” has been computed for a series of geological formations, i.e. the ratio of true velocity to the value resulting from Faust's law, according to the age and present depth of the formation.Some graphs are shown, in the first place concerning the Sahara, and especially the Palaeozoic. It can be seen that the only formation showing values notably less than I disappears.On the other hand, values greater than I can be noticed for the quartzitic Ordovician of limited thickness.This comparison has been continued on a broader basis, using, in particular, data published by Faust and Wyrobek. The data concerning the very homogeneous Westphalian result in an average value slightly less than I.The Aquitanian basin has been studied in greater detail, owing to the closer spacing of the measurements.Generally speaking, the Middle and Upper Jurassic, the Cretaceous and the Eocene-Oligocene show values notably higher than the Palaeozoic in the Sahara. This seems to be connected with the higher proportion of limestones and dolomites. Values as high as 1.7 are observed in compact dolomites.Four maps are given, concerning the Oligocene, the Eocene-Paleocene (one of them excluding the Danian) and the Upper Cretaceous (exclusive of Danian), and a cross-section showing the link with lithology.Some discrepancies with regard to data from borehole samples are discussed.The question may be raised as to whether such studies can be carried out at the very beginning of exploration of a basin, on the basis of only a few logged wells. In the Aquitaine basin, data given by velocity profiles are in close agreement with those from wells as regards the Tertiary; but as regards the Mesozoic, information is meagre. In basins of the Sahara type, synthetic records have shown that interference of true and multiple reflections with each other is a major drawback. But on the other hand, the possibilities of a combined use of reflection and refraction in order to define lateral changes in velocities may not have been fully appreciated. Some computed examples are shown, since the results of a survey at present being carried out on this basis cannot yet be published.Finally, mention is made of the part played by the determination of anisotropy, and an appeal is made for more coöperation between geophysicists in this sphere.

Notes: The vertical component of the attraction exerted by a horizontal homogeneous polygon is obtained as the sum of terms proportional to the difference, for each of the vertices, between the external angle and its spherical perspective. A set of computation charts is presented, each for a fixed value of the angle of the polygon (22° 30′, 30°, 45°, 67° 30’ and 90°). These charts give the difference between the external angle and its spherical perspective as a function of the quotient of the distance from the sides to the vertical through the station over the depth. The chart for the right angle is an alignment chart, permitting a more accurate reading; the others are graphs in rectangular coördinates.For a remote station the result would be obtained as a small difference between relatively large quantities, and consequently with a not quite satisfactory precision. For these stations it is preferable to assume the entire mass to be concentrated in the centre of gravity.

Notes: In the laboratories of the agip mineraria a new apparatus has been developed which, utilizing reflected energy collected by several groups of seismometers, provides on a single trace an indication of the total energy level. This indication is controled in time according to an exponential characteristic, thus compensating for the attenuation which is effected in the subsurface. The apparatus enables indications of successive energy levels to be obtained for different shots, thus furnishing a time section even during the routine field work.

Notes: The factors affecting the response of a velocity-sensitive well geophone are discussed and it is shown that the geophone movement in response to a seismic pulse is primarily due to the pressure difference between its ends. Several practical examples are calculated to show that the first arrival waveform recorded by a geophone depends on the distance from an interface and that these changes in recorded waveform may give errors of up to 3 msec in well-velocity surveys. These errors may be minimised by using pressure geophones or by avoiding measurements at geological interfaces.

Notes: Surface charges in seismic refraction work in the sand dunes of the Sahara have been necessitated by the many problems involved in shot hole driving. These include lost circulation, unconsolidated surface sands and gravels, caving, poor shot efficiency etc.Tests were conducted in September 1958 in an attempt to evaluate some of the problems involved in surface shooting. This method is complicated by the large number of variables, 8 major ones, influencing the shot pattern.It is difficult to evaluate each of such a large number of variables by an exhaustive and systematic test procedure due to the prohibitive number of shots that this would involve. However, two series of tests contributed greatly to an understanding of the problem, although they left some points to be cleared up.Firstly shots were fired using small charges (less than 25 kg). These gave interesting results, however, they are not applicable to the heavy charges currently in use (500-1500 kg). These results refer primarily to the use of suspended charges which gave superior results to those obtained from surface charges layed on the ground. They also tend to indicate the influence of the weight of the charge. This is manifested by a saturation in seismic energy, as the size of the charge increases.The results obtained from the shooting (200 kg) of several individual charges are not as pronounced. The following conclusions are drawn:Nitrate explosives, in current use in the Sahara for several years, give good results in refraction.– The use of suspended shots does not result in sufficient gain in energy over the ground shots to justify their more complicated utilization: preparation, partial destruction of supports, safety etc. Hence further shooting of suspended charges has been abandoned.– The detonation of individual charges by use of primacord layed parallel to the line, in preference to simultaneous electrical detonation, gave superior results from the energy point of view (especially for high frequency arrivals) and simplified lay-out procedures. Hence this method was adopted.– As for the small charges the relation between seismic energy and weight of the individual charges shows a saturation effect which is less pronounced.–The distance between the individual charges appears to be the most important variable. The relation, seismic energy-distance between charges, indicates an increase in a linear manner for distances of 5 to 20 meters. It would appear as though the beneficial effect for greater distances diminishes beyond this point.Finally, it would appear as though it would be preferable for a given overall charge to reduce the weight of the individual charges and increase the distance between the individual charges. Obviously this rule has certain practical and economic limits. If the cost of the unit of seismic energy is evaluated it is preferable to utilize large distances between charges (20 m) but also relatively large individual charges (about 25 kg).The testing program was followed by nine months of surveying in different types of terrain. The parameters were etablished from the results of the testing program.Economically the following conclusions may be drawn: The average explosives consumption increased from 1000 kg for the shot–hole shots to 1500 kg for the surface shots. This increase, costwise, represents almost exactly the cost of shot hole drilling at the present price of explosives. Efforts are being made to have the price of explosives reduced and should this realize the net result will be a definite cost advantage in favor of surface shooting.In addition, the introduction of magnetic recording in refraction work to the Sahara in 1959 appears to indicate a substantial reduction in the size of the charges needed, hence, a further advantage to surface shooting.

Notes: The electromagnetic array profiling (EMAP) exploration method can be combined with a direct one-dimensional inversion process for conversion to depth to produce a subsurface resistivity cross-section. This cross-section may then be interpreted in parallel with a seismic cross-section to enhance the prediction of rock type and structure. In complex thrust environments and areas of shallow carbonate rocks, the EMAP method is often used to provide additional data either to help the seismic processor and/or to aid the seismic interpretation. In particular, the electromagnetic (EM) data can be used to build an independent seismic velocity file for depth migration.Three EMAP test areas in the western United States are used to demonstrate such a use of EMAP as an expioration tool. The first shows how a velocity file is estimated from resistivity data for seismic depth migration processing in a complex thrust environment. In the second example, the method is applied in layer-cake geology with high seismic velocity rocks at the earth's surface. The third example is another complex thrust environment, but in this case the velocity file derived from the resistivity data is used for stacking the seismic data.

Notes: A fast inversion technique for the interpretation of data from resistivity tomography surveys has been developed for operation on a microcomputer. This technique is based on the smoothness-constrained least-squares method and it produces a two-dimensional subsurface model from the apparent resistivity pseudosection. In the first iteration, a homogeneous earth model is used as the starting model for which the apparent resistivity partial derivative values can be calculated analytically. For subsequent iterations, a quasi-Newton method is used to estimate the partial derivatives which reduces the computer time and memory space required by about eight and twelve times, respectively, compared to the conventional least-squares method. Tests with a variety of computer models and data from field surveys show that this technique is insensitive to random noise and converges rapidly. This technique takes about one minute to invert a single data set on an 80486DX microcomputer.