Hyperbolic Reflections on Beaufort Sea Seismic Records,
Abstract
Many hyperbolic reflections have been observed on marine seismic records obtained during oil exploration in the Beaufort Sea, and on USGS seismic sub-bottom profiles from the Prudhoe Bay vicinity. A hyperbolic projection system was designed to rapidly measure seismic velocities from the curves on the records. The velocities observed were approximately the velocity of sound in water. The hyperbolic signals also showed dispersion properties similar to acoustic normal modes in shallow water. These observations indicate that the signals responsible for the hyperbolic reflections propagate as normal modes within the water layer, with very limited penetration of the seabed. Determinations of the dominant frequency of these signals indicate that the penetration into the seabed has a characteristic attenuation depth (skin depth) of about 1.5m for the sub-bottom profiles and 12 m for the marine records. It therefore appears that some hyperbolic reflections may be generated by variations in materials that occur near the seabed. There is some evidence of linearity of the anomalies, possibly related to sediment-filled or open ice gouges, or other changes in material properties at shallow depths. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA099171
Entities
People
- A. Delaney
- K. G. Neave
- P. V. Sellmann
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory