Impact of seismic image quality on fault interpretation uncertainty

Alcalde, Juan; Bond, Clare E.; Johnson, Gareth; Ellis, Jennifer F.; Butler, Robert W.

doi:10.1130/gsatg282a.1

Cited by 32 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Building geological models from geological observations depends on the interpreter (Bond et al 2007), on the type of data (Bond, 2015) and of the quality of the data and how well it represent nature (Alcade et al, 2017). Under these conditions, rigorous prior uncertainty estimation on geological prior models is difficult to obtain even with error estimates on input data.…”

Section: Geological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncertainty reduction through geologically conditioned petrophysical constraints in joint inversion

et al. 2017

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We introduce a joint geophysical inversion workflow that aims to improve subsurface imaging and decrease uncertainty by integrating petrophysical constraints and geological data. In this framework, probabilistic geological modeling is used as a source of information to condition the petrophysical constraints spatially and to derive starting models. The workflow then utilizes petrophysical measurements to constrain the values retrieved by geophysical joint inversion. The different sources of constraints are integrated into a least-square framework to capture and integrate information related to geophysical, petrophysical and geological data. This allows us to quantify the posterior state of knowledge and to calculate posterior statistical indicators. To test this workflow, using geological field data we have generated a set of geological models, which we used to derive a probabilistic geological model. In this synthetic case study, we show that the integration of geological information and petrophysical constraints in geophysical joint inversion can reduce uncertainty and improve imaging. In particular, the use of petrophysical constraints retrieves sharper boundaries and better reproduces the statistics of the observed petrophysical measurements. The integration of probabilistic geological modeling permits more accurate retrieval of model geometry, and better constrains the solution 2 while still satisfying the statistics derived from geological data. The analysis of statistical indicators at each step of the workflow shows that 1) the inversion methodology is effective when applied to complex geology, and 2) the integration of prior information and constraints from geology and petrophysics significantly improves the inversion results while decreasing uncertainty. Lastly, the analysis of uncertainty to the integration of the conditioned petrophysical constraints also shows that, for this example, the best results are obtained for joint inversion using petrophysical constraints spatially conditioned by geological modeling. * i-th geological model cell Conditioning of petrophysical constraints

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Section: Geological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncertainty reduction through geologically conditioned petrophysical constraints in joint inversion

et al. 2017

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“…The effect of level of education and experience in seismic interpretation has been raised in the past (e.g. Bond et al, 2012;Alcalde et al, 2017b), and we suggest that this is still an area of interest for future work.…”

Section: Interpretation Resultsmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…We still suggest, however, that multiple visualisations of the data should be made, including at a scale of 1 : 1, and that care should be taken when interpretations of seismic image data have been made in a vertically exaggerated form. Other experimental work (Alcalde et al, 2017b) showed that interpreters and interpretation outcomes were influenced by seismic reflection contrast and continuity, factors that can be enhanced in vertically exaggerated seismic images. We suggest that future work should further investigate the effect of vertical exaggeration on seismic image properties and interpretation outcomes.…”

Section: Fault Dip Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Applying the appropriate conceptual models requires assessment, by the interpreter, of objective uncertainty, such as considering errors in data processing or acquisition, and of subjective elements, such as the potential biases they bring to the interpretation from their background and experience (Bond, 2015). Alcalde et al (2017c) argue that image presentation also has a subdued effect in the way seismic image data are perceived and interpreted. Here, we develop this theme investigating how presentation of vertically exaggerated seismic image data influences conceptual model choice and application, and the subsequent interpretation outcome.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fault interpretation in seismic reflection data: an experiment analysing the impact of conceptual model anchoring and vertical exaggeration

et al. 2019

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Abstract. The use of conceptual models is essential in the interpretation of reflection seismic data. It allows interpreters to make geological sense of seismic data, which carries inherent uncertainty. However, conceptual models can create powerful anchors that prevent interpreters from reassessing and adapting their interpretations as part of the interpretation process, which can subsequently lead to flawed or erroneous outcomes. It is therefore critical to understand how conceptual models are generated and applied to reduce unwanted effects in interpretation results. Here we have tested how interpretation of vertically exaggerated seismic data influenced the creation and adoption of the conceptual models of 161 participants in a paper-based interpretation experiment. Participants were asked to interpret a series of faults and a horizon, offset by those faults, in a seismic section. The seismic section was randomly presented to the participants with different horizontal–vertical exaggeration (1:4 or 1:2). Statistical analysis of the results indicates that early anchoring to specific conceptual models had the most impact on interpretation outcome, with the degree of vertical exaggeration having a subdued influence. Three different conceptual models were adopted by participants, constrained by initial observations of the seismic data. Interpreted fault dip angles show no evidence of other constraints (e.g. from the application of accepted fault dip models). Our results provide evidence of biases in interpretation of uncertain geological and geophysical data, including the use of heuristics to form initial conceptual models and anchoring to these models, confirming the need for increased understanding and mitigation of these biases to improve interpretation outcomes.

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“…14) as an amorphous mass with no internal reflections. The lack of a well-layered succession in the landslide makes recognition of faults problematic, because in seismic-reflection profiles, the existence of steeply dipping faults is usually inferred from offsets of planar layering (Alcalde et al, 2017;McCalpin, 2009;Yeats et al, 1996). Subtle bathymetric steps in the top surface of the landslide are evident in the seismic profiles, however, and these most likely are the scarps shown in Figure 14.…”

Section: Comparison Of Results With Seismic-reflection Profiles In Emmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Tahoe-Sierra frontal fault zone, Emerald Bay area, Lake Tahoe, California: History, displacements, and rates

et al. 2019

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The location and geometry of the boundary between the Sierra Nevada microplate and the transtensional Walker Lane belt of the Basin and Range Province in the Lake Tahoe area have been debated. Two options are that the active structural boundary is (1) a few km west of Lake Tahoe, along the northwest-trending Tahoe-Sierra frontal fault zone (TSFFZ) or (2) within Lake Tahoe, along the largely submerged, north-trending West Tahoe-Dollar Point fault zone (WTDPFZ). Emerald Bay, a famous scenic locality at the southwest end of Lake Tahoe, is at the juncture between the TSFFZ and the WTDPFZ. There, utilizing high-resolution, multibeam-echosounder maps and derived bathymetric profiles, detailed field studies on land are integrated with bathymetric data and remotely operated vehicle observations to clarify the existence and activity of faults and sedimentology of the bay. Results include the most detailed structural maps of glacial moraines and the bottom of Lake Tahoe ever produced. Glacial moraines on both sides of Emerald Bay clearly have been deformed by normal displacements on faults within the TSFFZ and the WTDPFZ. Tectonic geomorphic features include scarps along moraine crests, locally back-tilted crests, and tectonic reversal of moraine crests, where older, higher moraines locally lie at lower elevations than younger, lower moraines. The alignment of crests of lateral moraines shows that dextral slip has not occurred during or since late Pleistocene glaciations. On the floor of Emerald Bay, submerged youthful faults that correspond to onshore faults that displace glacial moraines have numerous distinct, well-preserved, postglacial fault scarps, for which the vertical component of slip (vertical separation) is estimated. This study clearly demonstrates that the TSFFZ is the active structural boundary of the Sierra Nevada microplate and that the TSFFZ has a higher rate of slip than the WTDPFZ. It also provides evidence for complex range-front evolution, with both zones of normal faults active concurrently at various times.

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Impact of seismic image quality on fault interpretation uncertainty

Cited by 32 publications

References 24 publications

Uncertainty reduction through geologically conditioned petrophysical constraints in joint inversion

Uncertainty reduction through geologically conditioned petrophysical constraints in joint inversion

Fault interpretation in seismic reflection data: an experiment analysing the impact of conceptual model anchoring and vertical exaggeration

The Tahoe-Sierra frontal fault zone, Emerald Bay area, Lake Tahoe, California: History, displacements, and rates

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