Large Low-Shear-Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs) are large, geophysical features found in the Earth's lower mantle. These regions are characterized by significantly lower seismic shear wave velocities compared to surrounding mantle material. They are located primarily beneath the Pacific Ocean and Africa and are thought to extend over thousands of kilometers in area and up to several hundred kilometers in height.
Love wave
A Love wave is a type of surface seismic wave that travels along the Earth's surface and is named after the British mathematician A. E. H. Love, who first described them in the early 20th century. Love waves are characterized by a horizontal shearing motion that occurs in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Key characteristics of Love waves include: 1. **Motion**: Love waves involve side-to-side motion of the ground.
Magnetic anomaly detector
A Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) is a device used to detect variations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by the presence of ferromagnetic materials, such as submarines, shipwrecks, or other metallic objects. This technology is commonly employed in naval operations, particularly for anti-submarine warfare, as well as in geological surveys and archaeological investigations. ### Key Features of Magnetic Anomaly Detectors: 1. **Detection Principle**: MAD instruments measure minute changes in the Earth's magnetic field.
Mathematical Q models
Mathematical Q models generally refer to a specific type of modeling used in diverse fields such as economics, finance, and statistics. However, the term "Q models" can have different interpretations based on the context in which it's used. Here are a few common interpretations: 1. **Investment Models (Q Theory)**: In economics, particularly in the context of investment theory, the term "Q" is often associated with Tobin's Q.
Meteorite
A meteorite is a solid fragment of a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface. Meteoroids are small rocky or metallic bodies in outer space, and when they enter the atmosphere, they heat up due to friction, creating a visible streak of light called a meteoroid or shooting star. If a meteoroid is large enough to withstand this intense heat and reach the ground, it is classified as a meteorite.
Micrometeorite
A micrometeorite is a small particle from space, typically less than a millimeter in size, that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and reaches the surface of the Earth. These tiny cosmic particles can originate from various sources, including comets, asteroids, and the Moon or Mars. Micrometeorites are of significant interest to scientists because they can provide valuable information about the composition of other celestial bodies, the solar system's formation, and the processes that occur in space.
Multidimensional seismic data processing refers to the techniques and methodologies used to analyze and interpret seismic data that is collected in multiple dimensions, typically in three dimensions (3D) or even four dimensions (4D). This type of data processing is essential in geophysics, particularly in the exploration and monitoring of subsurface resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, as well as in environmental studies and engineering applications.
Near-surface geophysics
Near-surface geophysics is a branch of geophysics that focuses on the study and characterization of the Earth's shallow subsurface. This field employs various geophysical methods and techniques to investigate geological, hydrogeological, environmental, and engineering issues that occur at or near the Earth's surface, typically within depths ranging from a few centimeters to several hundred meters.
One-way wave equation
The one-way wave equation is a simplified form of the wave equation that describes wave propagation in one direction. It is particularly useful in various fields such as acoustics, optics, and fluid dynamics when the effects of wave reflection or more complex multi-directional interactions are minimal or can be neglected.
Outline of geophysics
Geophysics is a broad discipline that employs principles of physics to study the Earth and its environment. It encompasses various methods and techniques to analyze geological and geophysical phenomena. An outline of geophysics can be structured around its main branches, methods, applications, and concepts. Here’s a detailed outline: ### I. Introduction to Geophysics A. Definition of Geophysics B. Historical Development C. Importance and Applications D.
Rock magnetism
Rock magnetism is a branch of geophysics and paleomagnetism that studies the magnetic properties of rocks, sediments, and soils. It focuses on how these materials acquire and retain magnetic signals, which can provide valuable information about the Earth's past magnetic field and geological history. Key aspects of rock magnetism include: 1. **Remanent Magnetization**: Many rocks acquire a permanent magnetization that reflects the Earth's magnetic field at the time the rocks were formed.
Scientific drilling
Scientific drilling is a methodical approach used to explore and study the Earth's subsurface, including its geological, hydrological, and biological properties. This technique involves drilling boreholes to collect samples and data from various depths beneath the surface. The main objectives of scientific drilling include: 1. **Geological Research**: To understand the Earth's formation and evolution, including tectonic activity, mineral deposits, and volcanic processes.
Seismic inverse Q filtering
Seismic inverse Q filtering is a signal processing technique used in seismic data analysis to correct for the effects of attenuation or energy loss in seismic waves as they propagate through the Earth's subsurface. The term "Q" refers to the quality factor, a dimensionless parameter that quantifies how much seismic energy is lost due to scattering, absorption, and other dissipative processes.
Seismic migration
Seismic migration is a geophysical imaging technique used in the interpretation and processing of seismic data, primarily in the context of exploration geophysics, such as oil and gas exploration. The primary goal of seismic migration is to accurately position and clarify the subsurface geological structures and reflectors identified through seismic surveys.
Seismic refraction
Seismic refraction is a geophysical technique used to study the properties of subsurface materials by analyzing the behavior of seismic waves. It involves measuring the travel times of seismic waves as they propagate through different layers of the Earth's crust. The fundamental principle behind seismic refraction is that seismic waves travel at different speeds depending on the type of material they pass through, such as rock, sediment, or water.
Seismic stratigraphy
Seismic stratigraphy is a branch of geology that analyzes subsurface sedimentary layers and their geometries through the use of seismic data. This technique primarily involves the interpretation of seismic reflection data to understand the lithology, depositional environments, and history of sedimentary basins. Key components of seismic stratigraphy include: 1. **Reflection Patterns**: Seismic waves reflect off different geological layers, and by analyzing these reflections, geologists can infer the structure and composition of subsurface sediments.
Seismic wide-angle reflection and refraction techniques are geophysical methods used to explore the Earth's subsurface, particularly in the context of oil and gas exploration, mineral exploration, and geological mapping. Here’s a brief overview of each method: ### Seismic Reflection Seismic reflection methods involve sending seismic waves (usually generated by an explosion, hammer strike, or vibration) into the ground and measuring the waves that are reflected back to the surface.
Seismoelectrical method
The seismoelectrical method is a geophysical technique that combines seismic and electrical measurements to investigate subsurface structures and materials. This method relies on the principles of electromechanical coupling, where seismic waves induce electrical potentials in the ground. It is particularly useful in various applications such as groundwater exploration, resource assessment, and environmental studies.
Shale gouge ratio
The Shale Gouge Ratio (SGR) is a geologic parameter used to evaluate the potential for faulting and the associated rock mechanics in petroleum reservoirs. It quantitatively assesses the influence of shale layers within a rock sequence on the stability and behavior of faults and fractures. The SGR is defined as the ratio of the amount of shale present in a fault zone compared to the total amount of rock (including both the shale and non-shale components) that is involved in the faulting process.
Shear velocity
Shear velocity, often denoted as \( u_* \) (u-star), is a measure of the frictional velocity in a fluid, typically used in contexts related to turbulence, boundary layer flows, and sediment transport. It describes the velocity scale associated with the shear stress near a boundary (like the surface of the Earth or a water body) that influences the motion of particles and the behavior of the flow.