IS SEISMIC ENERGY OF DIAGNOSTIC VALUE?

Abstract

Since both the intensity of a seismic wave and its energy density are directly related to the square of the particle velocity, a quantity available as the output of a geophone, it is feasible to record energy density as a function of time and space. The energy recorded is a function of the spatial attenuation factors of the media traversed, the partition at reflection boundaries, and the geometric spreading. If a proper correction can be made for the latter two effects, it is possible to generate a function that is diagnostic of the attenuation properties of the geologic model and may be useful for lithologic interpretation. A quantity that is proportional to the logarithm of the peak absolute value of the square of the particle velocity, or the logarithm of the energy density, was recorded along a series of test profiles. Conventional reflection data were also recorded. The purpose of the field program was to gain preliminary experience in energy recording and to seek an answer to the query posed in the title. The main conclusion is affirmative. This, however, must be qualified. It is apparent that several serious impediments must be overcome. It is necessary to develop satisfactory techniques to remove the geometric and reflectivity effects from the recorded energy data, to eliminate measurement errors which can produce magnitude errors of several orders, and, above all, to develop a detailed and accurate set of in‐situ spatial attenuation factor data.