High-resolution marine reflection profiling for engineering and environmental purposes. Part A: Acquiring analogue seismic signals

Abstract

The success of any application of high-resolution seismic profiling, whether done on land or water, depends on a sequence of activities that starts with preplanning and extends through processing and presenting the data. If optimum results are to be achieved, each element of the sequence must be performed carefully. This paper discusses technical elements associated with acquiring the analogue signal in as good a form as possible. The introductory remarks concern marine seismic profiling in general but further discussion concentrates on single-channel high-resolution methods. Basic types of marine energy sources are reviewed. Receivers are discussed and the design of hydrophone arrays relative to water depth is explained. Optimum source-receiver geometry and techniques for improving signal-to-noise ratio in the field are discussed in detail. The use of frequency filtering and electronic amplification are also discussed.