Patent ID: 7978563
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A method for seismic event mapping, comprising: a) selecting a plurality of subvolumes representing possible locations of origin of a seismic event within a selected volume of the Earth's subsurface; b) selecting, for each subvolume a plurality of possible directions of motion of subsurface formations; c) for each subvolume and for each possible direction of motion, polarity correcting seismic signals recorded at a plurality of positions proximate the selected volume of the Earth's subsurface, the seismic signals recorded by deploying at least one seismic sensor proximate each position, each sensor configured to generate an electrical or optical signal in response to detected seismic energy, the polarity correction based on the direction of motion and the position of each seismic sensor with respect to the subvolume; d) time aligning the recorded, polarity corrected seismic signal recordings; e) summing the time aligned recordings; f) determining a most likely direction of motion and subvolume position based on a selected attribute of the summed, time aligned seismic signals; and g) displaying the most likely direction of motion and subvolume position.