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Seismic reflection exploration grew out of the seismic refraction exploration method, which was used to find oil associated with salt domes. [2] Ludger Mintrop, a German mine surveyor, devised a mechanical seismograph in 1914 that he successfully used to detect salt domes in Germany. He applied for a German patent in 1919 that was issued in 1926.
Seismic refraction is a geophysical principle governed by Snell's Law of refraction. The seismic refraction method utilizes the refraction of seismic waves by rock or soil layers to characterize the subsurface geologic conditions and geologic structure. Seismic refraction is exploited in engineering geology, geotechnical engineering and ...
Seismic wide-angle reflection and refraction is a technique used in geophysical investigations of Earth's crust and upper mantle.It allows the development of a detailed model of seismic velocities beneath Earth's surface well beyond the reach of exploration boreholes.
Seismic waves travelling at a critical angle (blue line) will be refracted critically with an angle of refraction equal to 90°. An illustration of seismic reflection and refraction. Seismic refraction usually requires a wide incident angle so that the refracted seismic wave can travel critically (angle of refraction equals 90°).
Seismic waves would travel in straight lines if Earth was of uniform composition, but structural, chemical, and thermal variations affect the properties of seismic waves, most importantly their velocity, leading to the reflection and refraction of these waves. The location and magnitude of variations in the subsurface can be calculated by the ...
Reflection and refraction seismic methods exploit the waves that can be produced by sledgehammer, explosives, weight drops, and vibrators to image the subsurface. The third seismic method, surface wave methods, look at the surface waves that seem to roll along the surface (ground roll). Utilization of several different seismic methods can ...
Seismic reflection and refraction techniques are the most widely used geophysical technique in hydrocarbon exploration. They are used to map the subsurface distribution of stratigraphy and its structure which can be used to delineate potential hydrocarbon accumulations, both stratigraphic and structural deposits or "traps".
In seismology, surface waves are collected along with other seismic data, but are traditionally considered noise and an impedance in interpreting deeper reflection and refraction information. Seismologists usually modify seismic equipment and experimental procedures to remove surface wave information from the data.