AVA analysis in the eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

In the context of a reflection seismic AVA (Amplitude vs. Angle) analysis, data from the western Mediterranean Ridge have been analysed to obtain estimates on the reflection coefficient and the AVA gradient. The study put particular emphasis on the role of the Messinian evaporites, which display a characteristic amplitude signature on the AVA-sections. From the seismic attributes obtained from the Zoeppritz equations it could be infered that the material contrast at the salt/sediment interface of the Messinian evaporites is sufficient to generate converted waves, which are strong enough to survive the processes of NMO-correction and CMP stack. This mode conversion could subsequently be modelled by dynamic Ray-tracing to identify which events on the stacked data are likely to be based on converted waves and thus present some pitfalls for an imprudent interpreter.