Patent · US Active

Method for imaging the earth's subsurface using passive seismic sensing

US7986587B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
16References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 20, 2008
Grant dateJul 26, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 5, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V2210/123
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of imaging the Earth's subsurface using passive seismic emissions includes detecting seismic signals originating from within the Earth's subsurface over a selected time period using an array of seismic sensors deployed proximate the Earth's surface. Hypocenters of seismic events in the subsurface are determined from the detected signals. Seismic signals detected at selected ones of the seismic sensors are cross-correlated to signals detected at other selected ones of the seismic sensors. The cross-correlated signals are processed to obtain a reflectivity series at a geodetic position of the selected one of the seismic sensors. A spatial distribution of at least one seismic property in the subsurface is determined using the determined hypocenters and the reflectivity series.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.