Wavelet transform‐based seismic facies classification and modelling: application to a geothermal target horizon in the NE German Basin

At the geothermal test site near Groß Schönebeck (NE German Basin), a new 3D seismic reflection survey was conducted to study geothermal target layers at around 4 km depth and 150°C. We present a workflow for seismic facies classification and modelling which is applied to a prospective sandstone horizon within the Rotliegend formation. Signal attributes are calculated along the horizon using the continuous Morlet wavelet transform. We use a short mother wavelet to allow for the temporal resolution of the relatively short reflection signals to be analysed. Time‐frequency domain data patterns form the input of a neural network clustering using self‐organizing maps. Neural model patterns are adopted during iterative learning to simulate the information inherent in the input data. After training we determine a gradient function across the self‐organizing maps and apply an image processing technique called watershed segmentation. The result is a pattern clustering based on similarities in wavelet transform characteristics. Three different types of wavelet transform patterns were found for the sandstone horizon. We apply seismic waveform modelling to improve the understanding of the classification results. The modelling tests indicate that thickness variations have a much stronger influence on the wavelet transform response of the sandstone horizon compared with reasonable variations of seismic attenuation. In our interpretation, the assumed thickness variations could be a result of variable paleo‐topography during deposition of predominantly fluvial sediments. A distinct seismic facies distribution is interpreted as a system of thicker paleo‐channels deposited within a deepened landscape. The results provide constraints for the ongoing development of the geothermal test site.BMWi, 0324065 TIB, Rissdominierte Erschließung eines tiefen geothermischen Reservoirs zur Stromerzeugung im Norddeutschen Becken - seismische Erkundung, Konzeption und bohrtechnische Planung am Standort Groß Schönebec

Seismological and Geophysical Signatures of the Deep Crustal Magma Systems of the Cenozoic Volcanic Fields Beneath the Eifel, Germany

The Quaternary volcanic fields of the Eifel (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) had their last eruptions less than 13,000 years ago. Recently, deep low-frequency (DLF) earthquakes were detected beneath one of the volcanic fields showing evidence of ongoing magmatic activity in the lower crust and upper mantle. In this work, seismic wide- and steep-angle experiments from 1978/1979 and 1987/1988 are compiled, partially reprocessed and interpreted, together with other data to better determine the location, size, shape, and state of magmatic reservoirs in the Eifel region near the crust-mantle boundary. We discuss seismic evidence for a low-velocity gradient layer from 30–36 km depth, which has developed over a large region under all Quaternary volcanic fields of the Rhenish Massif and can be explained by the presence of partial melts. We show that the DLF earthquakes connect the postulated upper mantle reservoir with the upper crust at a depth of about 8 km, directly below one of the youngest phonolitic volcanic centers in the Eifel, where CO2 originating from the mantle is massively outgassing. A bright spot in the West Eifel between 6 and 10 km depth represents a Tertiary magma reservoir and is seen as a model for a differentiated reservoir beneath the young phonolitic center today. We find that the distribution of volcanic fields is controlled by the Variscan lithospheric structures and terrane boundaries as a whole, which is reflected by an offset of the Moho depth, a wedge-shaped transparent zone in the lower crust and the system of thrusts over about 120 km length. ©2020. The Authors

3-D imaging of the Balmuccia peridotite body (Ivrea–Verbano zone, NW-Italy) using controlled source seismic data

We provide new results from a controlled-source seismic experiment on the deepest part of the Val Sesia crust–mantle section of the Ivrea–Verbano zone (IVZ) in the Italian Alps. The IVZ is a tilted, almost complete section through the continental crust and exposes gabbros and peridotites in the structurally deepest level, coinciding with high-resolution gravity anomalies imaging the Ivrea geophysical body. The seismic experiment SEIZE (SEismic imaging of the Ivrea ZonE) was conducted along two crossing profiles: an NNE-SSW profile of ∼11 km length and an E-W profile of ∼16 km length. 432 vibration points were recorded with 110 receivers resulting in 24 392 traveltime picks. Inversion methods using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques have been used to derive an isotropic 3-D P -wave velocity model based on first break traveltimes (refracted phases) from controlled source seismic data. Resulting seismic P -wave velocities ( V p ) range from 4.5 to 7.5 km s −1 , with an expected general trend of increasing velocities with depth. A sharp velocity change from low V p in the West to high V p in the East marks the Insubric Zone (ISZ), the Europe–Adria plate boundary. The most prominent feature of the 3-D tomography model is a high-velocity body ( V p increases from 6 to 7.5 km s −1 ) that broadens downwards. Its pointy shape peaks the surface East of Balmuccia at a location coincident with the exposed Balmuccia peridotite. Considering rock physics, high-resolution gravity and other geophysical data, we interpret this high-velocity body as dominantly composed of peridotite. The dimension of this seismically imaged peridotite material is far bigger than interpreted from geological cross-sections and requires a revision of previous models. The interpretation of ultramafic bodies in the IVZ as fragments of mantle peridotites interfingered in the crust during pre-Permian accretion is not supported by the new data. Instead, we re vi ve a model that the contact between the Balmuccia peridotite and the Permian mafic magmas might represent a fossil continental crust–mantle transition zone

Evidence that non-linear elasticity contributes to the seismic coda

SUMMARY Different factors might affect the propagation of seismic waves producing scattering, including heterogeneities and non-linear elasticity. A key difference between these two factors is the dependence of the strength of the scattered waves on the strength of the incident wave, being linear for the former and non-linear for the latter. A detailed study of the TIPTEQ data, where about a hundred explosions were recorded on 180 three-component stations in the distance range of approximately 0-100 km, shows that this dependence is non-linear. Data were analyzed in the following way: (i) the envelope of bandpass filtered data between 10 and 40 Hz was obtained for a large number of stations from different distance ranges and charge sizes of shots, (ii) for these distances we modeled the envelope considering the non-linear elasticity. The shapes of the theoretical and observed envelopes were in general very similar. A scale factor for each case was obtained considering the best fit of its complete envelope, and (iii) since this scale factor depends mainly on the size of the explosion, we computed the ratio (R) of the scale factor (sf ) for different sizes of explosions at the same distance. Finally, varying the distance between 0 and 50 km, (iv) we computed the power (p) of the dependence of the ratio (R) on the ratio of the charge sizes (R = ( For the complete data set we obtain a value of p = 2.5 ± 0.9, which is clearly greater than 1. This shows that non-linear 2 Calisto et al. elasticity is an important factor in the contribution to seismic wave scattering in the frequency range of 10-40 Hz

Reprozessierung der hessischen seismischen DEKORP Profile

As part of the German continental seismic reflection program (Deutsches Kontinentales Reflexionsseismisches Programm, DEKORP), three large seismic traverses (with the sub-profiles: DEKORP'84-2S and '86-2N; DEKORP'88-9N; DEKORP'90-3A and '90-3B) were measured in the state of Hesse in Germany. The main research topic of DEKORP were deep seismic studies to investigate the lithospheric structure beneath Germany. Thus, for acquisition, strong sources were used to image in these depths, resulting in an excellent S/N ratio, but the main focus was not on the uppermost kilometres. From today's perspective, however, this depth range is of great interest for a wide range of possible technical applications (including medium-deep and deep geothermal projects). The DEKORP profiles cover approx. 450 km in the state of Hesse and mostly cross areas where only insufficient geological data exist (i.e. only few deep boreholes). In order to close or reduce these knowledge gaps, these DEKORP lines were reprocessed in 2019/20. The focus of the reprocessing was on improving the resolution / mapping of geological structures down to a depth of 6 km (approx. 3 s TWT) to describe the prolongation of faults and geological structures in more detail than in previous studies. Nevertheless, deeper structures were also reinterpreted and compared to previous interpretations. The results were directly incorporated into the new geological 3D model of the state of Hesse, developed by the Technical University of Darmstadt (Hessen3D 2.0, BMWi-FKZ: 0325944). In order to achieve these goals and in view of the fact that today's processing methods have improved considerably compared to the 1990‘s, a state-of-the-art reprocessing was applied for all DEKORP profiles traversing the state of Hesse. In comparison to the original processing, additional processing steps like CRS instead of CDP stacking, turning-ray tomography and prestack depth migration were carried out. We present exemplary results of the reprocessing as well as initial geological reinterpretations for the profile DEKORP'88-9N.poste

Fruchtsaft und Obstkonsum als Erklärung hoher Methanolspiegel - Grenze der Begleitstoffanalytik in der Nachtrunkbegutachtung?

Im Falle von Nachtrunkeinlassungen ist die Begleitstoffanalyse (BGA) ein anerkanntes Instrument zu deren Überpruefung. Methanol ist einer der forensisch relevanten Begleitalkohole, die bei der Begleitstoffanalyse überprüft werden. Oft kann die BGA den Nachtrunk weder bestätigen noch ausschließen, ein erhöhter Methanolspiegel hat deshalb als Marker für eine stundenlang vorbestehende Ethylalkoholbeeinflussung von mehr als 0,5 bis 0,7 Promille eine besondere Bedeutung. Oft gehörte Einlassungen zur Erklärung erhöhter Methanolspiegel sind nach Erfahrung von Rechtsmedizinern der Genuss von Obst, so zum Beispiel Orangen, Pampelmusen, Birnen und auch Tomaten, Saftkonsum oder eine Methanolexposition am Arbeitsplatz. Es werden zwei Fallbeispiele vorgestellt, in denen diese Einlassungen experimentell überprüft wurden. Im ersten Fall wurde der Methanolspiegel mit dem Genuss verdorbenen Fruchtsafts begründet, im zweiten Fall wurde ein Nachtrunk mit Klosterfrau-Melissengeist beziehungsweise eine Diät mit Obst angegeben. Ob Methanolspiegel nach dem Konsum von Obst tatsächlich hoch ansteigen können, wurde in Probandentests untersucht. Bei einigen Probanden wurden hohe Methanolspiegel von etwa 10mg/l nach exzessivem Obst- und Fruchtkonsum vorgefunden. Bei der Bewertung dieser Spiegel als Marker für eine chronische Alkoholbelastung ist deshalb Vorsicht geboten. Verdorbener Obstsaft enthält lediglich geringe Konzentrationen von Alkohol und Methanol

Wireline distributed acoustic sensing allows 4.2 km deep vertical seismic profiling of the Rotliegend 150 °C geothermal reservoir in the North German Basin

We performed so-far-unprecedented deep wireline vertical seismic profiling at the Groß Schönebeck site with the novel method of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) to gain more detailed information on the structural setting and geometry of the geothermal reservoir, which is comprised of volcanic rocks and sediments of Lower Permian age. During the survey of 4 d only, we acquired data for 61 source positions using hybrid wireline fiber-optic sensor cables deployed in two 4.3 km deep, already existing wells. While most of the recorded data have a very good signal-to-noise ratio, individual sections of the profiles are affected by characteristic coherent noise patterns. This ringing noise results from incomplete coupling of the sensor cable to the borehole wall, and it can be suppressed to a large extent using suitable filtering methods. After conversion to strain rate, the DAS data exhibit a high similarity to the vertical component data of a conventional borehole geophone. We derived accurate time–depth relationships, interval velocities, and corridor stacks from the recorded data. Based on integration with other well data and geological information, we show that the top of a porous and permeable sandstone interval of the geothermal reservoir can be identified by a positive reflection event. Overall, the sequence of reflection events shows a different character for both wells explained by lateral changes in lithology. The top of the volcanic rocks has a somewhat different seismic response in both wells, and no clear reflection event is obvious at the postulated base of the volcanic rocks, so that their thickness cannot be inferred from individual reflection events in the seismic data alone. The DAS method enabled measurements at elevated temperatures up to 150 ∘C over extended periods and led to significant time and cost savings compared to deployment of a conventional borehole geophone string. This wireline approach finally suggests significant implications for observation options in old wells for a variety of purposes.BMWi, 0324065 TIB, Rissdominierte Erschließung eines tiefen geothermischen Reservoirs zur Stromerzeugung im Norddeutschen Becken - seismische Erkundung, Konzeption und bohrtechnische Planung am Standort Groß SchönebeckEC/H2020/691728/EU/Demonstration of soft stimulation treatments of geothermal reservoirs/DESTRESSEC/H2020/676564/EU/EPOS Implementation Phase/EPOS I

Cable reverberations during wireline distributed acoustic sensing measurements: their nature and methods for elimination

The application of distributed acoustic sensing in borehole measurements allows for the use of fibre optic cables to measure strain. This is more efficient in terms of time and costs compared with the deploying of conventional borehole seismometers. Nevertheless, one known drawback for temporary deployment is represented by the freely hanging wireline cable slapping and ringing inside the casing, which introduces additional coherent coupling noise to the data. The present study proposes an explanation for the mechanism of noise generation and draws an analogy with similar wave propagation processes and phenomena, such as ghost waves in marine seismics. This observation allows to derive a ringing noise filter function, to study its behaviour and to consider known effects of the gauge length filter. After examining existing methods aimed at eliminating ringing noise and results of their application, we propose a two‐step approach: (1) developing a denoising method based on a matching pursuit decomposition with Gabor atoms and (2) subtracting the noise model for imaging improvement. The matching pursuit method focuses on decomposing the original input signal into a weighted sum of Gabor functions. Analysing Gabor atoms properties for frequency, amplitude and position in time provides the opportunity to distinguish parts of the original signal denoting noise caused by the vibrating cable. The matching pursuit decomposition applied to the distributed acoustic sensing‐vertical seismic profiling data at the geothermal test site Groß Schönebeck provides a versatile processing instrument for noise suppression.German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energ

Vintage crustal-scale seismic profiling data made available for future applications: DEKORP 1984 – 1999

The German continental seismic reflection program DEKORP (DEutsches KOntinentales Reflexionsseismisches Programm) was carried out in the years between 1984 and 1999. The aim of DEKORP was to investigate the deep crustal structure of Germany with high-resolution near-vertical incidence (mostly vibro)seismic acquisition, supplemented by wide-angle seismic and other target-oriented piggy-back experiments, all complemented by optimized methods of data processing and interpretation. The DEKORP project was an equivalent to many other deep-seismic programs world-wide such as COCORP, BIRPS, LITHOPROBE, ECORS, CROP, BELCORP, IBERSEIS and others. The resulting DEKORP database consists of approximately 40 crustal-scale 2D-seismic reflection lines covering a total of ca. 4 700 km and one 3D-seismic survey covering ca. 400 km², recorded in close connection with the German Continental Deep Drilling Program (KTB). Nowadays, re-recording of these seismic traverses in the same extent and quality would often not be possible anymore due to increased acquisition costs and tightened permission requirements. Therefore these datasets provide unique and deep insights into the subsurface below Germany covering the earth’s crust from the surface to the upper mantle. Currently, many of the original raw data are still stored on old storage media and in formats, which can only be read by special devices, programs and experts. To prevent the final loss of this valuable geoscientific treasure an initiative at GFZ transcripts all relevant DEKORP data to modern formats and media. Over the last few years the demand for DEKORP data continuously increased. Several academic institutions and commercial companies reprocess and/or reinterpret these data, which lead to significant improvements in the quality of the results. Fields of applications are geothermal development, hazard analysis, hydrocarbon/shale gas exploration, underground gas storage, tunnel construction, disposal of nuclear waste and more. To simplify the data access for the scientific as well as for the commercial geo-community, a well-structured provision and utilisation concept is being developed. The concept includes so-called data publications with DOIs, a defined license model and automised retrieval for each of the surveys providing raw data, processed data, meta data, related links and more. The plan aims to have all relevant DEKORP datasets compiled and prepared for access via web interface till 2022.poste

Seismic reflection profiling of the Baza sedimentary basin (Betics, Southern Spain)

The Baza Basin is an intra-mountain evaporitic basin in Southern Spain. It is the largest of the Late Neogene continental basins of the Betic Cordillera. During the last 7 million years the basin alternately was flooded and fell dry. Therefore, up to 2.5 km thick lacustrine and ancillary continental deposits are found which provide an unique archive of climatic changes and paleo-climatic events.Peer Reviewe