Two projects demonstrating GIS applications to landslide hazards and offshore gold deposits

Elastic sediments, shallow-water tank experiments, and recent progress on problems in shallow-water acoustics

Asst. Prof. Mathematics and Computer Science
CSM

Dr. Marte Gutierrez

Linking Geomechanics and Geophysics –
Stress-Dependent and Directional Fluid Flow in Fractured Reservoirs from Seismic Velocity

James R. Paden Distinguished
Professor of Civil Engineering
CSM

The Poorman's Guide to Depth-calibrating Seismic Data in the Presence of Allochthonous Salt

Dr. Rustom Mody

Smart Well Completions Unlock Volatility

USGS Real-time Earthquake Information Tools Related to the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response

Wendy (Wei) Zhou, Ph.D.
Department of Geology & Geological Engineering
Colorado School of Mines

January 15, 2009

Project 1: GIS-Based Approaches for Earthquake-Induced Landslide Hazard Zonation in Nueva San Salvador, El Salvador

Abstract
GIS-based deterministic and probabilistic models have been developed for slope stability analysis and earthquake-induced landslide hazard zonation.  These models combined numerical slope stability analysis with GIS spatial analysis features to map distributed landslide hazard and to evaluate shallow and deep-seated slope failures induced by seismic shaking. Earthquake triggered landslides during January 13, 2001 provide a setting to calibrate the modeling results and for prediction of seismic-induced landslide hazard in the Balsamo Ridge mountain area. The developed GIS-based approaches are feasible and cost-effective for slope instability analysis and landslide hazard zonation in Nueva San Salvador, El Salvador.

Abundant beach and offshore resources of heavy refractory minerals occur along the coast of Alaska. Nome, for example, is one of the most recently active areas of marine and beach placer mining in the State of Alaska. From as early as 1897–1962, the Nome area produced about 5 million ounces of gold. Because of the huge amount of data in variety of forms accumulated from placer gold exploration and production over the past century, the analysis and management of these data for future development of the Nome offshore gold resource is an enormous task. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is a tool well suited to meet this challenge. A GIS system is developed to manage, analyze and distribute near-shore marine mineral deposition data in Nome, Alaska. Two geodatabases, namely Integrated Geodatabase (IG) and Regularized 2.5D Geodatabase (R2.5DG), were created to store and integrate digital data sets in heterogeneous formats. The IG served as a data warehouse and used to manage various geological data, such as borehole, bedrock geology, surficial geology, and geochemical data. The R2.5DG was generated based on the IG and could be used for gold resource estimate at any given spatial domain. Based on the GIS architecture built in this research, a web-based GIS (http://uaf-db.uaf.edu/website/) was developed using ArcIMS to facilitate remote users to access the offshore marine placer data. The GIS model developed in this project can be readily adapted to mineral resource management in other study areas.

Biography
Wendy Zhou graduated with a PhD degree in geological engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (MS&T) in 2001. She also received a M.S. degree in computer science from MS&T, a M.S. degree in geological engineering from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), and B.S. degree in engineering geology from China University of Geology (CUG).

After her graduation from CUG, she worked in the Mid-South Design and Research Institute for Hydroelectric Projects (MSDRIHP) of China for about ten years.  She started at MSDRIHP as an assistant engineer, became a professional engineer 5 years later, and was eventually promoted to deputy head of Division of Geotechnical Engineering. She joined the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at UAF as a tenure-track assistant professor in September 2001 immediately after she finished her Ph.D. degree. She was promoted to the associate rank and awarded tenure in July 2006 at UAF. She moved to Golden, Colorado, and joined the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering as an associate professor at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in January 2008. Wendy’s research interests range broadly in landslide zonation, ground subsidence analysis, water resource management, mineral resource analysis, and numerical simulation of ground thermal regime and rock mass deformation, with particular focus on GIS (Geographic Information Systems) based landslide zonation, water/mineral resource assessment and management using GIS/Database, as well as ground deformation monitoring using InSAR (Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar) and PSInSAR (Permanent Scatterer InSAR) techniques. For the last few years, she has pursued those interests through several research projects funded by DOE, DNR, NASA, and EPSCoR program of NSF.

Pasquale Scaturro
Geophysicist & Adventurist
Founder & Vice-President,
Exploration Specialists

January 22, 2009

Exploration of the Great Rivers of Africa

Abstract
Throughout history the exploration of Africa has been dominated by the search for the sources of her mighty rivers. The world's greatest explorers of the 18th and 19th centuries, such exploration giants as Burton, Speke, Stanley and Livingston, risked their fortunes and lives to solve some of the greatest geographical enigmas of the ancient and modern world. It wasn't until late in the 19th century that rivers such as the Nile, Zambezi, Congo, Omo, Tekeze and others were finally explored and mapped.

Colorado based geophysicist, explorer and adventurer Pasquale (PV) Scaturro will share his experiences in exploring the Great Rivers of Africa.  After twenty years of experience in geophysical exploration in some of Africa's most remote and dangerous regions, Pasquale was
inspired to turn his energies to the geographical exploration of Africa. He has led first descent expeditions down some of Africa's wildest rivers. In 2003 he led the historical Nile First Descent Expedition, the first source-to-sea descent in history of the Blue Nile and Nile Rivers, from the Ethiopian Highlands to the Mediterranean Sea, a distance of 3,500 miles. Pasquale has also led major filming expeditions down numerous other African rivers. During
the presentation Pasquale will share pictures and experiences from this and other African river expeditions. Come and explore the Great Rivers of Africa and see what
geophysicists do in their spare time

Biograpy
Pasquale Scaturro, geophysicist, adventurer and expedition leader, is one of the most successful and accomplished mountain and river expedition leaders in the world. Pasquale received degrees in Geology and Geophysics from Northern Arizona University in 1980. He worked as Senior Geophysicist with Amoco Production Company in Denver until
1984 and as Chief Geophysicist with McMoRan Oil and Gas until 1986.In 1986 he co-founded Seismic Specialists, Inc.  In 1995 after spending several years exploring for oil and gas in Africa he founded Tricon Geophysics. Pasquale has been actively involved in
international mountaineering and river expeditions since 1986. He has been to the Himalayas many times and in 2001 he conceived, organized, and led the National Federation of the Blind NFB 2001 Everest Expedition, in which blind climber Erik Weihenmayer reached the summit of Mt Everest. Pasquale has multiple descents of major world-class rivers including the Bio Bio in Chile, rivers throughout North America, the Nile, Omo and Zambezi in Africa and many more. He is currently vice-president of Exploration Specialists in Denver, Colorado.

Dr. Jon M. Collis
Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Colorado School of Mines

January 29, 2009

Elastic sediments, shallow-water tank experiments, and recent progress
on problems in shallow-water acoustics

Abstract
A current focus of research in underwater acoustic propagation is on shallow water environments, which are characterized by significant ocean bottom interaction. Acoustic energy can reflect off or enter the bottom, be influenced by the sediment’s internal structure, and then re-enter the water column. The sediment may support more than one type of wave, such as both compressional and shear waves, and convert energy between them. It is necessary to have accurate acoustic and seismic models, for the sediment, capable of handling varying bottom topography (range-dependence), loss mechanisms in the bottom (attenuation), and sediment inhomogeneities, in order to calculate accurately or predict shallow water acoustic propagation. Such problems can now be solved accurately with the parabolic equation method, which involves factoring the governing equations of motion and only solving for the part that involves outgoing energy.

A series of tank experiments has been conducted at the Naval Research Laboratory in order to obtain high quality acoustic data in shallow-water environments with elastic bottoms. The work is part of an ongoing effort to use physical models to examine a variety of acoustic scattering and propagation phenomena involving the ocean bottom. An initial experiment demonstrated benchmark quality agreement between computed solutions and data for basic scenarios of propagation over flat or sloping ocean bottoms [J. M. Collis, et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 122]. Another experiment demonstrated good predictions for acoustic scattering off a rough elastic interface, and also the efficacy of using a physical model to test scattering phenomena [R. J. Soukup, et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 122].

Biography
Jon M. Collis is an Assistant Professor in the Mathematical & Computer Sciences department at the Colorado School of Mines. He came to CSM in the fall of 2008 from Boston University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution where he held joint positions as an ONR Postdoctoral Fellow and Guest Investigator. He completed a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2006, a M.S. in Mathematical & Computer Sciences at CSM in 2003, and a B.S. in Mathematics at New Mexico Tech in 2001. His primary research interests are in accurate and efficient acoustic and elastic wave propagation modeling.

Dr. Marte Gutierrez
James R. Paden Distinguished Professor
Division of Engineering
Colorado School of Mines

February 5, 2009

Linking Geomechanics and Geophysics: Stress-dependent and directional fluid flow in fractured reservoirs from seismic velocity

Abstract
The presentation discusses the important links between geophysics and geomechanics in determining the effects of stress on the magnitude and directionality of fluid flow in fractured reservoirs. Fractures, their distribution, geometry and hydro-mechanical properties play important role in the behavior of fractured reservoirs. Fractures can either be conduits or barriers to fluid flow, and minor changes in fracture apertures can have significant effects on the overall permeability of fractured rocks masses. Geophysical methods are essential, and most of the time, the only means available to estimate large scale fluid flow parameters in fractured reservoirs. 4D time-lapsed seismic surveys can be used to monitor changes in fluid flow properties including flow directionality due to the response of the reservoir from fluid extraction or injection. However, understanding and rigorous analysis of these changes require careful consideration of the coupled interaction between hydraulic and geomechanical response. Using experimental results, the presentation clarifies the nature of these coupled interactions in which hydraulic response affects geomechanical response and vice versa. Using experimental data, a simple model is developed to predict the stress-dependent and directional fluid flow in fractured reservoirs. A procedure is then proposed to link the model parameters to seismic velocity, and to link flow directionality to the corresponding anisotropy in shear wave velocity as detected by shear wave splitting in fractured reservoirs.

Biography
Dr. Marte Gutierrez is currently the James R. Paden Distinguished Professor at the Division of Engineering of Colorado School of Mines. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, and completed his post-doctoral studies at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). Prior to joining CSM in 2008, he was Senior Engineer at NGI for nine years, and Associate Professor and Professor at Virginia Tech for eight years. He led the Petroleum Geomechanics Group at NGI for four years. His research interests include Computational and Experimental Geomechanics, Information Technologies for Geo-Engineering, and Petroleum Geomechanics.

Dr. Craig J. Beasley
Schlumberger Fellow
WesternGeco

February 12, 2009

Geoscientists Without Borders:  A new SEG Foundation program sponsoring humanitarian applications of geophysics

Abstract
Despite the depth of knowledge and technology in the geosciences today, it is unfortunate that direct impact from the geosciences on improving the lives of the world’s underserved people still is lacking – particularly in the case of the geoscientists and technology residing in the energy sector.  This somewhat abstract concept took on real meaning when, as President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) in 2004 - 2005, I was accountable for the response of the SEG to the terrible 2004 Tsunami.  This event proved to be a catalyst and as a result of the continuing efforts of many, at the beginning of 2008, the SEG Foundation accepted a $1,000,000 donation from Schlumberger to found Geoscientists without Borders.  This program will make grants on the order of $100,000 per year over the next five years for projects involving humanitarian applications of geophysics.  The distinguishing characteristics of this program are that proposed projects must involve the application of geophysics to humanitarian needs and must include geoscience students and institutions in a significant way.  Thus, the program seeks not only to accomplish significant humanitarian goals, but also to plant seeds for the future by involving next-generation scientists in worthy causes and to foster communications on this topic among all geoscientists.  Moreover, cultural and other types of diversity are highly valued.

Biography
Craig J. Beasley completed B.S.,  M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics and then joined  Western Geophysical 1981.  He served in several capacities in the Computer Sciences, R&D and Data Processing departments including Worldwide VP of R&D and Worldwide VP of Data Processing in Western Geophysical and continued as VP, Data Processing after the formation of WesternGeco.  He has received 2 Litton Technology Awards, a Performed by Schlumberger Silver Medal and the SEG Award for Best Presentation and served as the Esso Australia Distinguished Lecturer. He received honorable mention for the Best Paper in Geophysics.  He is an Honorary Member of the Geophysical Society of Houston and Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences.  He has presented papers and published widely on a variety of topics ranging from prestack imaging, migration, acquisition and the connections between acquisition, processing and imaging.  He served as the 2001-2002 SEG 1st Vice President and as the 2004-2005 President of the SEG.  Currently, he is Vice President for WesternGeco and a Schlumberger Fellow and is serving as the Chair of the newly formed SEG Foundation Committee for Geoscientists without Borders.

Dr. Carl Weimer
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp

February 19, 2009

Laser Remote Sensing of the Earth from Space

Abstract
Laser remote sensing has been around since the advent of lasers in the 1960s and has built heavily on radar techniques. However, its use for studying the earth from space was delayed until the 1990s when the first shuttle demonstration missions were performed. Only in the last six years have two satellite missions been launched to perform more extensive studies that are used in global models. ICESat utilizes a laser altimeter to map the earth’s ice sheets, while CALIPSO is globally characterizing aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere to understand better their impact on climate.

Biography
Carl Weimer received his B.S. from Harvey Mudd College and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Colorado State University, all in Physics. His graduate and postdoctoral research was done at the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) in Boulder and involved precision optical and microwave spectroscopy for frequency standards. After NIST, he worked for OPHIR Corporation developing passive and laser –based remote sensing instruments. This included work on laser detection of hydrocarbon gases in the atmosphere over long distances. In 1996 he became OPHIR’s Director of Research.

Niven Shumaker
Geophysicist, Noble Energy Inc.
Deep Water Gulf of Mexico Group

February 26, 2009

The Poorman's Guide to Depth-calibrating Seismic Data
in the Presence of Allochthonous Salt

Abstract

It is a well known problem that depths from isotropic PSDM data generally do not match well depths. This often leads to problems using such data for well planning and resource estimation. In this talk we demonstrate the fundamental limitations of isotropic velocity analysis and how it relates to depth errors. We also demonstrate methods to correct these types of errors.

While the difference between optimal imaging velocity and vertical velocity is not apparent when imaging in time, it is clearly manifest on data imaged in depth. Not only are the depths of seismic events misrepresented on isotropic PSDM images, but the magnitude and direction of dip can be misrepresented!

In the Gulf of Mexico and West Africa apparent dip errors are most pronounced in the vicinity of salt overhangs where isotropic strata (salt bodies) are juxtaposed with anisotropic strata (shale and inter-bedded silt). Distinguishing between isotropic and anisotropic strata is the keys to characterizing the correction function required to “verticalize” the velocity field post-stack. Post-stack depth calibration examples will be presented from West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico where seismic-scale anisotropy can be approximated by a second or third order polynomial.

Biography
Adam Niven Shumaker is a geophysicist for Noble Energy Inc. in Houston where he is currently working on a development project in the Bohai Bay, China. Niven has had experience working the in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico and West Africa Business units as part of a new hire rotation program and is developing expertise in fluid pressure prediction. Prior to working at Noble Energy, Niven began his career working in the New Ventures group at Vintage Petroleum in Tulsa, OK.

Rustom K. Mody, P.E.
VP Technology
Baker Hughes

March 5, 2009

Smart Well Completions Unlock Volatility

Abstract
Reservoir monitoring implies having a reservoir model that is made consistent with what we can measure and then using the model to estimate what is happening where we can’t measure. These measurements can be pressure, flow and water cut in production or monitoring wells or other technologies like seismic, gravity, or E&M.The overall objective is to understand the characteristics of the reservoir and to increase total reserve recovery which would create significant financial benefits. Maximized reservoir recovery is achieved by intelligently managing the reservoir as a “system”. Continuous monitoring of both the well and the reservoir is essential for maximized recovery. Intelligent production systems will play an increasing role in optimizing production by insuring a timely response to dynamic conditions.
The use of Intelligent Well Systems for well bore control, monitoring and optimizing production is growing rapidly. The presentation will cover the history of Intelligent Well Systems and challenges to future growth.

Biography
Rustom K. Mody, P.E., is VP of Technology for Baker Hughes Inc., (Div Baker Oil Tools). Rustom holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration in Finance. He joined Baker Hughes in 1987. Prior to that, he worked for nine years for Smith International. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. USA.

He holds 15 patents and is the author of numerous technical publications. He has won numerous Meritorious Award for Engineering Innovation. In all, he has more than 30 years of experience in drilling and completion. Rustom is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, American Association of Drilling Engineers and International Association of Drilling Engineers and serves on various sub-committees of all three organizations.

Louise Pellerin
Green Engineering, Inc.
Berkeley, California USA

March 19, 2009

The Role of Modeling and Inversion in Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods for Hydrogeophysical Applications

Abstract
Electrical and Electromagnetic (E&EM) methods are important tools for investigation of the near surface. The typical applications include groundwater studies, natural-resource exploration, geological mapping, natural hazardous assessment, precision-agriculture applications, archeological surveys, geotechnical and engineering investigations, and buried waste and environmental characterization. E&EM are the only techniques in which the response is directly related to the ion content of the pore water, an indicator of the subsurface chemistry that can be correlated to important issues such as water quality.

Underlying the interpretation of E&EM data is the concept of a model. Whether the model is the simple half space or a complex multidimensional structure, modeling has an essential role in the processing and interpretation of E&EM data. Forward modeling is used for survey design or data analysis; inverse modeling is used to transform measurements to a model of the resistivity variation beneath the survey area. Data coverage and dimensionality, constraints within and between datasets, model regularization, model appraisal and resolution greatly affect the quality and usefulness of the geophysical model used in interpretation.

Large, dense data sets increase lateral resolution of model parameters, facilitate the discernment between good and bad data, and improve estimates of the inherent dimensionality of the survey. Data may or may not appear inconsistent if they contain features belonging to a higher dimensionality than the model used in the inversion. Higher dimensionality inversion requires substantially more data. Collinear arrays are a series of 2D data sets; cross-line terms may be required for a 3D data set, and hence the requirement of large data sets is even more pronounced in the case of 3D inversion. Most E&EM data sets are inverted with 1D and 2D models; 3D modeling is primarily restricted to the research community.

Improved resolution can be obtain by the joint inversion of two or more different data sets covering the same area. However, the solution they provide is often jeopardized by inconsistencies between data sets. Different methodologies provide a different view of the Earth because of the governing physics. In addition, all data contain errors. One way to alleviate these problems is inverting individual data sets separately, but constraining the model parameters of the individual models within the inversion. Large matrix equations involved in the inverse problem are ill-conditioned and require stabilization through regularization. Often lacking in data acquisition is the ability to specify and quantify the statistical properties of the noise, and explicitly to formulate a noise model, which is extremely important for optimal and meaningful inversion.

Comparing field data to a model’s response is a fundamental part of data interpretation, however more complete appraisal is valuable and visualization of the resolution of large datasets is difficult. The use of linear tools in appraising 2D and 3D solutions can be problematic. Modeling and inversion has greatly advanced the use of E&EM data for near-surface applications, but efforts are still needed to support the resolution and accuracy of models suitable for interpretation. An important advantage of near surface geophysical surveying is that ground truth is often available and the interpretation can thus be appraised directly. Through examples and case histories these topics we be explored and challenges for future work presented.

Biography
Dr. Louise Pellerin is the geophysical manager for Green Engineering, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska, and has a home office is in Berkeley, California. She received her BS degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her MS and PhD degrees from the University of Utah – all in geophysics. Dr. Pellerin’s expertise is in the theory, acquisition and interpretation of electrical and electromagnetic techniques, including the magnetotelluric method applied to crustal studies, geothermal problems and hydrological investigations. She has over 30 years experience in exploration geophysics, including positions as a field crew chief, a research geophysicist with the US Geological Survey, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a visiting professor at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, a consulting professor at Stanford University, and a faculty member for the Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience – a summer field camp. Working on a variety of challenging problems, she was the principle investigator on several large projects to develop innovative techniques for use in environmental applications. Since 1992 she has been working in near-surface geophysics as related to environmental and hydrological applications. Active in professional organizations, she served as the 2007-08 2nd Vice President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicist, and is currently the vice-chair of the American Geophysical Union Near-Surface Focus group.

Alicia Hotovec
MSc Student, Geophysical Engineering
CSM

April 9, 2009

Hydrogeologic Model of Groundwater Flow Within Mount St. Helens
Volcano Determined from Self-Potential and Time-Domain Electromagnetic Measurements

Abstract
Knowledge of groundwater flow due to hydrothermal circulation in volcanoes is important in evaluating the risk of volcanic activity and potential flank collapses. Indeed, hydrothermal alteration can weaken slopes and increase risk of collapse during eruptions. Unfortunately,  hydrothermal systems are complex and not well understood in volcanic areas. Self-potential measurements, which are passive electrical measurements directly related to groundwater flow, can help understand the pattern of the hydrothermal systems. The self-potential method requires only light equipment that is easy to use in the difficult field conditions of active volcanoes.

Self-potential measurements were taken on Mount St. Helens volcano in 2000, 2001, and 2007. Mount St. Helens is of particular interest because the north flank of the volcano was removed in a large-scale sector collapse in 1980, allowing a deeper look into the structure of the volcano. These measurements were accompanied by time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) measurements, which provide information about the resistivity structure. The self-potential signal combined with local geology and resistivity structure allows a rudimentary hydrogeologic model of Mount St. Helens to be built. This model was then tested using COMSOL Multiphysics to reproduce the self-potential data. Modeling indicates that the large negative anomaly (800 mV) near the dome is likely caused by downward flow through the Rampart Fault,  a structural weakness that was likely formed during the 1980 eruption or was responsible for it.

Biography
Alicia Hotovec received her B.S. in Geophysical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2007 and immediately went on to pursue an M.S.  under André Revil. She has worked part-time for the USGS National Earthquake Information Center for five years, and while she enjoys working with earthquakes, her passion lies with volcanoes. When she's not out climbing volcanoes, she spends her time drawing, singing, and practicing Aikido.
 

Anne Sheehan
Professor, CIRES Fellow, University of Colorado

April 2, 2009

Seeing Beneath Mt. Everest: Probing a Breeding Ground of
Destructive Earthquakes

Abstract
The Himalaya are the product of the largest continental collision in the world
today, and are home to large and deadly earthquakes. To understand how the
mountains were created and to help quantify the earthquake hazards of this
vulnerable region, Sheehan led a National Science Foundation funded project that
included placement of broadband seismometers throughout eastern Nepal and
southern Tibet. The seismic stations were installed in areas that are remote and
logistically difficult, with challenges including the mountains, weather,
scorpions, cobras, and political unrest and guerrilla warfare in Nepal. The
earthquake recordings collected in Nepal and Tibet produce a first-ever glimpse
of deep crustal faults beneath the Himalaya, and can be used to determine
details of the earthquake faulting process.

Biography
Anne Sheehan is Professor of Geological Sciences and Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her research focuses on the study of the crust and upper mantle of the Earth and its relation to tectonic deformation. Much of her work includes the deployment of portable seismometers that record both distant and local earthquakes.  She has led recent seismic experiments in the Himalaya, New Zealand, and the Rocky Mountains, and is principal investigator of an ongoing GPS study of the Rio Grande Rift and Southern Rocky Mountains. Sheehan has served on the Board of Directors of the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), and is on the planning committee for the 2009 EarthScope National Meeting.

David Wald

U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center &
Adjunct Associate Professor, Dept. of Geophysics
ColoradoSchool of Mines, Golden, Colorado

April 16, 2009

USGS Real-time Earthquake Information Tools Related
to the PromptAssessment of Global Earthquakes for Response

Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado, is home to a number of critical real-time earthquake information tools aimed at serving the U.S. and global communities. This presentation will be an overview these systems, with emphasis on their contribution to the developing Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) System.

Ongoing development of real-time earthquake systems is meant to address known shortcomings in rapid response capabilities for the largest earthquakes, to characterize the earthquake source more comprehensively and, critically, enhance post-earthquake situational awareness by rapidly estimated impact. The latter is discussed in the context of the loss
modeling components of the developing PAGER system. Associated, openly available, PAGER research results, tools, and datasets will also be discussed.

Biography
David Wald is a Seismologist with the U. S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines. Wald is involved in management, operations, research & development at the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden and the new Advanced National Seismic System being built by the USGS and its partners. Wald developed and manages ³ShakeMap², the Community Internet Intensity Maps (popularly, ³Did You Feel it?²), and is responsible for ongoing research & development for several other systems for post-earthquake response and pre-earthquake planning and mitigation.

Spring 2009 SEG Distinguished Lecture
Jack Bouska
BP Corporation, Muscat, Oman
April 23, 2009

Integrating seismic acquisition and processing

Abstract
Years of seismic specialization among practicing geophysicists have segregated acquisition, processing, and interpretation into separate functions, which makes it difficult for any individual to treat the whole seismic process as a single integrated system.

From experience, I have developed a sometimes elegant, occasionally cumbersome, but always effective methodology which assimilates the tasks of acquisition design, seismic processing, and interpretation into one coordinated procedure. Decisions regarding acquisition parameters, survey geometry, and processing flow must be driven by interpretation requirements. These choices are guided by analysis of acquisition and processing tests applied to existing data sets rather than the more common practice of simply replicating the parameters used on previous surveys.

This lecture will impart a concise but comprehensive introduction to the art of seismic design, data processing, and imaging with the overall goal of forging a unified system for the sole purpose of producing optimized products for pre- and poststack interpretation and attribute extraction. The lecture format will present cutting-edge case histories exposing both the philosophy underlying the whole process, as well as the specific strategy and tactical implementation of design and processing techniques used to achieve the interpretation goals.

Biography
Jack Bouska graduated with a geophysics degree from the University of Alberta (1980). He joined Seiscom Delta as a processing geophysicist in 1981, and moved to Western Geophysical’s computing science department in 1983. Joining Dome Petroleum in 1985, he remained through the merger with Amoco in 1988, and again through the merger with BP a decade later.

During his tenure with Dome, Amoco, and BP, Bouska tackled a variety of roles including seismic processing and acquisition specialist duties in various incarnations of the geophysical technology groups, as well as performing seismic interpretation in Western Canada. In 1998, he moved to London and spent nearly a decade with BP’s Exploration and Production technical team in Sunbury (U.K.). During this time he consulted on seismic acquisition and processing projects from around the globe and led the development and instruction of BP’s internal course on seismic acquisition. Bouska currently works and resides in Muscat, managing BP’s seismic acquisition and processing projects in Oman.

Bouska's innovations in acquisition design and processing have been recognized by CSEG with the Best Theme Paper award in 1995 (Sparse 3D), and Best of Session papers during the 1997 and 1998 CSEG conventions. SEG recently awarded him the Best Paper in The Leading Edge 2005, and Honorable Mention in Best Paper category, 2005 SEG Annual Meeting.  Bouska also served as an EAGE seismic acquisition short course instructor for 2007 and an EAGE Distinguished Lecturer in 2007-2008. Jack is an active member of EAGE, SEG, CSEG, and APEGGA.