Academic/Industrial Cooperation In Marine Seismology: An International Model
Authors: Eldholm O. , Coffin M.F. , Stoffa P.L. , Austin J.A. 
Published: October 2008

Marine geophysical measurements acquired by research vessels operated by academic institutions provided the main bulk of data that led to the "revolution in earth science" three decades ago. This mode of operation has, with some modifications and a dwindling number of state-of-the-art seismic vessels, continued until present. At the same time seismic acquisition by industry has been under continuous technological development, and has moved beyond the shelf edge into progressively deeper waters. Regrettably, this development also highlights the disparity between academia and industry in acquisition technology and equipment standards, and not at least in quality control. Advancement of our knowledge about the fundamental earth processes in general, and those that relate to societal needs such as natural resources, global change and natural hazards in particular, requires costly state-of-the-art surveying and imaging technologies. The most cost-efficient manner to achieve increased knowledge is probably a new mode of operation linking research institutions with the geophysical service and hydrocarbon industries. We envisage that such ventures may be achieved through multi-national or international research consortia working independently, or jointly with the hydrocarbon industry, contracting data acquisition and/or processing from the service industry.

Introduction

The development of marine geophysics, including marine seismology, was pioneered by academic institutions operating research vessels acquiring data at all water depths across the world's oceans (1). In particular, the development of new equipment as well as new acquisition and reduction techniques provided data that were critical in nurturing the plate tectonic paradigm that led to the plate tectonic revolution in earth science over a generation ago. The academic mode of operation has, with some modifications and a dwindling number of state-of-the-art research vessels, largely continued until the present time.

During the same period industrial marine geophysical data acquisition and processing, especially seismic, has been under continuous development resulting in a gradually widening gap between academia and industry. In fact, state-of-the-art geophysical techniques routinely employed by industry are commonly off limits to academic and governmental scientists. However, advancing our knowledge of fundamental earth processes requires access to data of the highest quality. Therefore, we argue that the global research community now needs to critically examine whether the traditional mode of academic marine geophysical research operation is viable in the 21st century.

Herein, we briefly summarize the issue and suggest a potential model of international collaboration.

Technological disparity

The technological disparity has concerned us, as well as other scientists, for some time. After discussions with a number of colleagues, we publicly raised the issue as a Forum (discussion) contribution in Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union in December 1998 (2). The idea was to initiate, and perhaps provoke, debate among academic, governmental and industrial colleagues within the international marine seismic community. The reception from these groups has been mostly positive. A consensus seems to be developing that the problem is relevant, and that a solution needs to found sooner rather than later.