Marine Seismology Symposium - High Resolution Small Source SIG

Since the 1960s, marine seismic imaging technologies have evolved towards smaller, better-tuned sources, longer arrays with denser sensors for better velocity control and 3D imaging, and higher resolution for both 2D and 3D acquisition. This technical evolution includes high-resolution multi-channel seismic systems (HR-MCS), which span subsurface imaging between very shallow (10s of m deep) investigation systems (i.e., CHIRP) and deeper (up to 10s of km) conventional 2D/3D seismic systems. New high-resolution 3D techniques provide continuous coverage complementary with high-resolution 2D techniques, allowing the full complexity inherent in subsurface geology to be more accurately studied. HR-MCS systems are now deployed to address diverse geoscience research priorities. Currently, the U.S. academic and research communities have limited access to evolving HR-MCS technology, preventing opportunities for better understanding of important geological features and processes that have direct societal interest and benefit.

The rationale for this session is to obtain community feedback on the potential establishment of a national multi-user infrastructure consortium dedicated to HR-MCS acquisition and processing - MaSIC: Marine Seismic Imaging Center. An introduction to the expertise currently offered by University of Texas at Austin (UTIG and BEG), Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Scripps Institute for Oceanography (SIO), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will be presented. These partners each have complimentary HR2D-MCS capabilities and SIO currently provides the NSF 2D high-resolution seismic facility.

Results from the companion survey to this session sent out to all symposium participants (and available here) and community feedback from this session will serve as an important baseline of community interest and needs for access to HR-marine seismic equipment, expertise, software for processing/interpretation that would enhance both education and increase science opportunities/collaborations. Key survey results will be discussed and distributed to all symposium participants.

Session Agenda (all times ET)

- Tip Meckel - Introduction
- Sean Gulick - UTIG Systems
- Jared Kluesner and Jenny McKee - USGS Systems
- Tip Meckel - Bureau of Geology-UT Systems
- Lee Ellett - SIO Systems
- John Hopper - Danish Portable System
- Sean Higgins - LDEO System
- BREAK
- Sean Gulick - Experience - Survey Results and Questions
- Sean Higgins - Obstacles - Survey Results and Questions
- Tip Meckel - HR Center - Survey Results and Questions
- Wrap Up