Past exam of the year 2 of the earth sciences (geology) course of the University of Oxford / 2022 / Paper 1 / 6 / g / ii

Choose shot and receiver intervals to sample the shortest relevant spatial wavelength and steepest event moveout without spatial aliasing. A simple bound isusing the smallest apparent velocity of the events one needs to retain or separate. Using $1500\mathrm{m}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ and $100$ Hz alone suggests $7.5$ m, but slower surface waves or dipping events can demand finer spacing. It is not a universal final design interval.

Also consider target depth and lateral resolution, reflector dip, near-surface heterogeneity, source strength and coupling, maximum offset and aperture, common-midpoint bin size and seismic acquisition fold, refraction crossover distances, access and budget. Receiver spacing and source spacing jointly determine coverage and cannot be selected from temporal sampling alone.