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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists

 The Generalized Reciprocal Method
of
Seismic Refraction Interpretation

by

Derecke Palmer
Department of Mineral Resourcesand Development
Sydney, N.S.W., Australia

Edited by
Kenneth B.S. Burke
Department of Geology
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, N.B., Canada

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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists
 ISBN 0-931830-14-1

Libraryof Congress
CatalogNumber:80-52549
Societyof Exploration
Geophysicists
P.O. Box 3098, Tulsa,Oklahoma74101

1980bytheSocietyof Exploration
Geophysicists
All fightsreserved
Published 1980

Second
Printing,1981;ThirdPrinting,1986
Printed in the United States of America

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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists
 Table of Contents

Page
Foreword v

Abstract vii
1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The seismic refraction method 1
1
Interpretationmethodsand the GRM
3
Chapter2 Traveltimeexpressions
The seismic model 3

Traveltime expressions 3
7
Chapter3 Refractorvelocitydetermination
7
The velocity analysisfunction
7
Plane layers
13
Chapter4 The time-depthfunction
Der'tuition 13

The conventional time-depth 13

13
The delay time
Hales's method 14

The depth conversionfactor 14

Time-depthsnear shotpoints 15

Continuouschangeof velocity with depth 15

Chapter 5 Syntheticmodels 17

Irregular refractor surface 17

Irregular ground surface 22

Irregulargroundand refractor surface 25

Continuouschangeof velocitywith depth 29

Detail of refractor definition 29

Chapter 6 Selectionof XY-values 31

Small-scaleirregularities 31

Determination of an optimum XY-value 32

34
Summary
37
Chapter 7 Undetectedlayers
The blind zone 37
Second events 38
39
Velocity inversions
Detectionof hiddenlayers and velocity inversions 39
39
Summary

iii

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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists
 Chapter 8 Average velocity 41
Definition 41
Errors for the three-layer case 43
Comparisonwith hidden layer errors 44
Corrections for surface layers 45
Synthetic example 46
Summary 47
Chapter 9 Reciprocal time 49
Reciprocal times for distant shots 49
Corrections for errors in reciprocal times 50
The intercept time 52
Chapter 10 The time section 53
Uniqueness of the time section 53
Consistencybetween data and interpretation 54
Field data requirements 54
Chapter 11 An interpretation routine 55
Data processing 55
Interpretation 56
Depth section 57
Wavelength considerations 57
Chapter 12 A field example 59
Geologic setting 59
Seismic velocity stratification 63
Initial interpretation 63
Determination of XY-values 67
Revised interpretation 67
Small refractor irregularities 74
Accuracy of depth estimates 74
Refractor velocity variations 74
Summary 81
Chapter 13 The future 83
Acknowledgments 85
References 87
Appendix A Traveltime data 90
Appendix B Welcome reef data 93
Index 103

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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists
 Foreword

One has only to check a recenttextbook on explorationgeophysicsto appreciate

the fact that many methodshave been proposedfor the interpretation of seismic
refraction data. In this monograph, Derecke Palmer describesa new comprehen-
sive method of interpretation, the generalized reciprocal method (GRM), for
which many of the previously presented methods are special cases. It also
has the advantage of combining many of the better features of the individual
methods.
The GRM is based upon the calculation of time depth and velocity function
valuesfrom forward andreversetimes of arrival at different geophoneseparations
XY alonga refraction profile. The reciprocaltime from both directionsof shooting
is also required in the calculation.
One value of XY will be associated with arrivals from approximately the
same point on the refractor, this optimum value of XY being determined from
characteristicfeatures of plotted time depth and velocity function values. Thus,
the GRM combines the migration aspects of the delay time method (Barry,
1967) with the simplicity of computation of the reciprocal method of Hawkins
(1961).
The time section produced by plotting of the time depths of the optimum
XY separation provides the basic data for depth determinations and forms a
convenientseparationpoint betweenthe data processingand interpretationstages.
The time section is converted to a depth section using the best information
available. A comparison of XY values calculated from this depth section with
the optimum XY values used in data processingallows the detection of possible
hidden layers in the overburden. An average overburden velocity can also be
calculated from the optimum XY value. This permits accurate depth calculations
to be made even in the presence of hidden layers and continuous changes in
velocity with depth.
Thus the GRM offers many advantages over previously published methods
of seismic refraction interpretation. The best way to appreciate its capabilities
is to try it out on one of your own seismic refraction data sets, perhaps the
one that gave you most trouble in the past. I do not think you will be disappointed
with this new approach to seismic refraction interpretation.

November 15, 1979 KENNETH B. S. BURKE

Special Editor

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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists
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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists
 Abstract

The generalized reciprocal method (GRM) is a technique for delineating

undulatingrefractors, at any depth, from in-line seismicrefraction data consisting
of forward and reverse traveltimes.
The arrival times at two geophone positions, separated by a variable distance
XY, are used in refractor velocity analysis and time-depth calculations. At the
optimum XY separation, the rays to each geophone emerge from near the same
point on the refractor, and the refractor velocity analysis and time-depths are
the most detailed.
Perpendicularthicknessesare obtainedfrom time-depthsand the depth conver-
sion factor. Loci, rather than actual depth points, are determined, and the surface
of the refractor is taken as the envelope of these loci. The depth conversion
factor is independent of dip for angles up to about 20 degrees; thus depth
calculations to an undulating refractor are particularly convenient, even when
the overlying strata have velocity gradients.
The presenceof undetectedlayers can be inferred when the observed optimum
XY-value differs from that derived from the computed depth section.
The optimum XY-value can be used to form an averagevelocity which permits
accurate depth calculationswith commonly encounteredvelocity contrasts.

vii

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(c) 1980 Society of Exploration Geophysicists