Geophysics 445
Exploration Seismology
Spring 2004
Instructor: Harold Tobin
Office hours: T-Th 9:00 – 11:00 am
office: MSEC 358
email: tobin@nmt.edu
phone: 835-5920
Topic
A general survey of the techniques of seismic reflection and refraction imaging, with application to imaging geologic structure and detecting physical properties below the surface of the earth. Seismic reflection imaging is central to many aspects of modern studies in stratigraphy, structural geology, tectonic evolution, hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir management. Refraction is primarily used for imaging at great depth in the crust and for very shallow targets. The course emphasis will be on developing a practical understanding of the use and abuse of reflection/refraction data, including how data are acquired, processed, and interpreted.
Reading Assignments
All reading assignments will be made available for copying in the E&ES department office (MSEC 208). You are responsible for copying the originals on file there.
Do not remove the originals from the office!
Text sources you may wish to consult:
Most of the following books are available in the Geophysics Library in MSEC 351. Please only remove them from that room if you wish to make a copy, and bring them back within one hour.
Exploration Seismology, 2nd Edition Sheriff and Geldart, 1995
An Introduction to Seismic Interpretation, McQuillen, Bacon, and Barclay, 1984
Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting, Dobrin and Savit, 1988
Seismic Expression of Structural Styles, Bally (ed.), 1983
Seismic Data Processing 2nd Edition, Yilmaz, 2001
Interpretation of Three-Dimensional Seismic Data, Brown, 1996
Course Requirements and Weight
1 midterm and 1 final exam 1/2 of grade
[final and midterm count the same]
problem sets and laboratory exercises 1/2 of grade