Master of Science, University of Akron, 2007, Geology-Geophysics

Reprocessing of the western-most portion of the Urals Seismic Experiment and Integrated Studies (URSEIS) survey across the southern Urals in Russia provided enhanced images of the crust and crust-mantle boundary (Moho). Shallow (less than 6 km deep), continuous subhorizontal reflections were associated with the base of the foreland basin. Those reflections appeared to shallow to the east. The middle and lower crust were generally reflective across the study area. The crust-mantle boundary (Moho) was imaged as high amplitude, continuous, subhorizontal reflections across the entire profile in the stacked section. The Moho reflections were dominated by low frequency arrivals that appeared as single and multi-cycle wavelets. Amplitude, frequency content and velocity analyses of those Moho reflections revealed that the Moho varied laterally on the kilometer-scale and vertically at the 100-meter scale. Power spectrum analyses appeared to indicate that the Moho represented a change from granulite to eclogite in a layer located at 43.8 km depth that varied in thickness from 125-200 m. Other reflections observed below Moho depths were determined to be crustal shear wave reflections based on their low stacking velocities.

Committee: David Steer (Advisor) Subjects: Geology; Geophysics

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2014, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Using well logs and AVO gradient analysis, I identify and characterize a package of reflectors associated with the Utica Shale from vibroseis data collected by Wright State University at the Gabor Gas Storage field near Canton, Ohio. I also correlate TOC measurements from wells to densities and velocities at the same depths. On the seismic data, I interpret prominent reflections from the top and bottom of the Utica Shale and an intra-Utica reflector of varying frequency content associated with a velocity/density low in well log data. I investigate the possibility that the lateral variation in frequency content and change in wavelet character of these reflections is influenced by velocity gradients, termed Wolf Ramps. A Matlab software script was written in order to approximate this behavior using synthetic wavelets, and the resulting model matched well with the seismic data. Additionally, I note a possible reverse fault within the Utica that could create fracture porosity and a migration pathway. To model the AVO response, an AVA volume was created from prestack data and reflection coefficients up to 30 degrees of incidence were calculated using the two-term Aki-Richards approximation. Large negative normal incidence reflection coefficients attenuated at higher angles of incidence (Class IV anomalies) were observed at the top of Utica reflector, a response consistent with a change from silica-rich nonsource shale to black source shale. Large positive normal incidence reflection coefficients decreasing at higher angles of incidence (Class I anomalies) were noted at the bottom of Utica reflector, consistent with a shift from low impedance source shale to higher impedance calcareous shale. To perform forward modeling, I used geophysical well logs and NS-EW vibroseis line data. Using Hampson Russell commercial software, acoustic impedance and reflectivity were computed from sonic and density logs. An average wavelet at the Utica two-way travel time was extracte (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Doyle Watts Ph.D. (Advisor); Ernest Hauser Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Dominic Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geology; Geophysics