GEOS 465/GEOPH565: Seismic Methods

Course description Spring, 2017

GEOS 465/GEOPH565: Seismic Methods_

Instructor: Lee Liberty, Research Professor Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesday (lecture), 1:30pm-2:45pm; Friday (lab), 1:30pm-3:30pm; January 9, 2017 through May 1, 2017 Rooms: ERB-2104 (lecture/lab) Ph: (208)-426-1166 E-mail: [email protected] Office: ERB-3159 Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 1:30-2:30pm Class Notes/etc. http://cgiss.boisestate.edu/~lml/SeismicMethods

Course Description and Prerequisites:

Seismic Methods (Geos 465/Geoph565) is a comprehensive discussion of modern seismic methods for subsurface investigation and exploration of the tools/resources required for seismic data analysis. Applications are related to near surface targets and deeper targets, including geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, and imaging complex structures. We also cover exploration (mining and petroleum), earthquakes, and deep earth imaging methods. We will focus on downhole seismic, refraction, surface wave and reflection seismic methods.

Prerequisites/corequisites include GEOS 305 (Applied Geophysics) and MATH 333 (Differential Equations with Matrix Theory). However, students with math through integral calculus (MATH 175) and with two semesters of calculus based physics (PHYS 212) may enroll with permission.

Suggested Textbooks: Introduction to Applied Geophysics: Exploring the Shallow Subsurface H. Robert Burger, Anne F. Sheehan, Craig H. Jones Text for Geos 305 and overview for this class (not required)

Seismic Data Analysis Ozdogan Yilmaz, 2001, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Seismic Data Analysis” may be purchased through the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. The cost for student members is ~$150. Student membership is free. Used copies of the 1987 version were available for ~ $100. There is a copy at the BSU library. There is also an e-book available through the Boise State Library and PDF chapters can be downloaded from the SEG site (via Albertson’s library).

Seismic Data Processing with Seismic Un*x: A 2D Seismic Data Processing Primer Forel, Benz, and Pennington, SEG Course Notes Series No. 12 Available via SEG bookstore. There is also an e-book available through the Boise State Library and PDF chapters can be downloaded from the SEG site (via Albertson’s library).

“ Near Surface Geophysics” SEG Investigations in Geophysics No. 13 (D. Butler, editor), 2005 Chapter 7, “Near Surface Seismology: Wave Propagation”, J. Pelton, p. 177-217 Chapter 8, “Near Surface Seismology: Surface Based Methods”, J. Pelton, p. 219-263.

Additional readings will be distributed during class lectures or via web download Objectives: We will cover the basic principles of wave propagation, data acquisition, digital signal processing, and interpretation as applied to imaging the Earth’s subsurface with reflected, refracted, and direct seismic waves. Students will have the opportunity to acquire, process, interpret and model borehole and surface seismic data for applications related to groundwater, earthquakes, geologic mapping, and exploration targets. Student presentations and reports are an integral part of the class.

Computer Skills: Linux, shell scripting, spreadsheet (Excel, OpenOffice), SeismicUnix, ProMAX, Matlab, Surfseis, Rayfract

Grading: Quiz (3): 30% Labs (downhole, refraction, surface wave, reflection, homeworks): 40% Oral Presentation : 20% Class Participation 10%

Homeworks/Lab assignments will include both theoretical and computational exercises and reports. I encourage students to use Matlab and/or SeismicUnix for computational assignments, although spreadsheets or other programming languages may work for some labs. I will provide a template for reports.

Processing assignments will begin in labs each week, but require additional work outside of class. I will arrange for commercial software use. We will be working in a Windows and Linux computing environment. The primary reflection data processing package we will use is Seismic Unix (SU). SU is a free software package from the Center for Wave Phenomena at the Colorado School of Mines. We will also use ProMAX (oil industry standard), and SurfSeis/Rayfract packages for surface wave and refraction processing.

Mid-term presentation will be a special topics presentation by the student that will not be a part of my lectures. Topics will be discussed in class and each student is expected to give a 15-minute lecture to the class on his/her topic. Graduate students will have a more extensive presentation.

Becoming a good seismic data analyst requires both quantitative skill and observational experience. Because of this, there will be many things you learn by attending class and interacting with the instructor that will not be learned by completing the reading assignments alone. It will be to your benefit, and I strongly suggest that you attend all classes. I expect assignments to be turned in on time. Late assignments will only be accepted under special circumstances.

Code of Conduct:

The following information regarding academic dishonesty is from Article 3, Section 1, of Boise State University’s Student Code of Conduct: "Cheating or plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. The University functions to promote the cognitive and psychosocial development of all students. Therefore, all work submitted by a student must represent her/his own ideas, concepts, and current understanding. Academic dishonesty also includes submitting substantial portions of the same academic course work to more than one course for credit without prior permission of the instructor(s)." For further information regarding definitions and procedures for this and other sections in the Code of Conduct, please view the following URL: http://www2.boisestate.edu/studentconduct

We will discuss how to cite other people's work appropriately. Any student caught cheating/plagiarizing will receive a failing grade (F) for the course and an Academic Dishonesty Report Form will be submitted to the Student Conduct Officer.