Introduction to the interpretation of seismic refraction data within REFLEXW

In the following the complete interpretation of seismic refraction data is described including import of
the seismic data, picking the first onsets, putting together the picked traveltimes, assigning to specific
layers and doing the layer inversion.

I. Import the data and pick the first onsets (done within the module 2D-
dataanalysis)

1. enter the module 2D-dataanalysis

2. activate the option import

3. choose the following options within the

data type: single shot

outputformat: 32 bit floating point for a

To be considered for SEGY or SEG2-data:

The following plot options should be set (the

Plotmode: Wigglemode
tracenormalize activated
XYScaledPlot activated
To be considered: REFLEXW uses the individual traceheader coordinates stored with each trace for
the further traveltime analysis. The coordinates defined above (shot-pos. and rec.start and rec.end) only
serve as so called header coordinates and may be used to actualize the traceheader coordinates (see
below).
REFLEXW automatically reads in the shot and receiver positions of the individual traces if these are
defined within the original files and stores them into the traceheader coordinates. After the import the
traceheader coordinates are automatically shown within a tabella (version 2.5 and later) .

If the traceheader coordinates are not correct (e.g. because they are not stored within the original files)
these coordinates must be defined separately:
a. within the tabella (version 2.5 and later) - use the option actualize from fileheader and then save
changes in order to actualize the traceheadercoordinates based on the entered fileheader coordinates
(shot position, rec. start and end, see above).
b. within the traceheader menu. The traceheader menu is entered within the fileheader menu using
the option ShowTraceHeader. Here different actualization options are availabe. You may choose
either fileheader, ASCII-file or tabella and then you must press the button actualize to actualize the
traceheader coordinates. For a further description of the individual options please refer to the online-
help of the traceheader menu.

4. do any processing if necessary or change the settings within the fileheader (option edit/fileheader),
eg. the start time, .....

5. pick the first arrivals and save them on file. It is recommended to use the automatic name for saving
the picks. It is not necessary to enter the layer number and the velocity within the save picks menu.
These parameters are only necessary for reflection data. The warning message may be ignored.

6. do this procedure for all wanted shots. Then the picked traveltimes are ready for interpretation.
II. interpretation of the picked traveltimes (done within the module traveltime
analysis 2D)

1. enter the module traveltime analysis 2D

2. load the wanted traveltimes which shall be interpreted together - option file/load traveltimes. Choose
all wanted pickfiles which shall be interpreted together - multiple choice using the shift or str-key.

3. use the option edit/Insert shotZerotraveltime in order to insert a zero traveltime at all shot points. -
This is useful in order to better determine the velocities of the uppermost layer.

4. enter a filename for the actually putted together traveltimes and save them on disk.

5. increase the layer-nr to 1

6. activate the option assign in order to assign the wanted traveltimes to layer 1.

7. assign the traveltimes to layer 1 by using the different possibilities - see also online help. The
traveltimes assigned to layer1 will be highlighted (default color green), save the traveltimes.

8. activate the option combine in order to do the inversion for the first layer

9. activate the option wavefront-inversion and a new window opens (the modelling window) and a
model has been automatically created consisting of one layer with the velocities taken from the linear
regression analysis of the assigned traveltimes.

10. do some changes of the model if you want - to be considered: the option topography should be
deactivated.

11. enter a modelfile name and save this model on disk

12. close the modelling window

13. increase the layer-nr. to 2

14. activate the option assign in order to assign the wanted traveltimes to layer 2.

15. assign the traveltimes to layer 2 by using the different possibilities - see also online help. The
traveltimes assigned to layer 2 will be highlighted (default color blue)

16. activate the option combine in order to do the inversion for the second layer

17. enter the forward and the reverse shot numbesr - these numbers define the range for doing the
inversion of the actual layer

18. activate the option generate when the option autocombine is choosen - a complete combined
traveltimecurve (forward and reverse) is generated and the total forward and reverse traveltimes are
shown

19. if total forward and reverse traveltimes differ significantly (e.g. more than 5 ms) activate the option
balance in order to balance the forward and reverse traveltime branches.

20. activate the option wavefront-inversion - a file choice window opens and you must choose the
modelfile containing the first layer already interpreted.

21. the choosen modelfile is shown within the modelling window- the inversion must be started
manually within the RayGroupBox on the right hand side of the model. To be considered: The max.
depth of the model must be choosen in such a way that the max. estimated depth of the layerboundary
to be inverted is smaller than this max. depth value.

22. Enter the wanted increment DeltaX for the wavefront inversion (e.g. 0.5 m)

23. Start the wavefront-inversion using the option start

24. The new layer boundary is plotted into the model. Save the model using the old or another filname.

25. extrapolate the inverted boundary to the model borders (option hor.extrap. or extrapolate) and do
some changes of the model if you want.

26. close the modelling menu.

27. repeat step 13-26 for layer 3 and so on.