Since 1997, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) geoscientists have identified and mapped over 12,000 seafloor seismic amplitude anomalies (areas of anomalously high or low reflectivity response over background response) in the deep water Gulf of Mexico (GOM) using 3-D time migrated seismic surveys, with most areas having overlapping coverage by two or more surveys (a total of 156,000 square miles were interpreted). The water bottom horizon was completely mapped over these surveys using hand interpreted seed lines, and Geoframe's automatic picking program to fill in the gaps. The seismic amplitude was then displayed in plan view. Anomalously high positive and low positive/negative amplitudes were identified and outlined using polygons. The amplitude maps were cross checked with the vertical seismic profiles to verify the interpretation. Below most of the amplitude anomalies, blanking and/or visible migration pathways are visible in vertical seismic profiles in the subsurface up to the water bottom. Well over 100 of the anomalies have been confirmed as seeps using submersible, ROV, AUV, and camera sled surveys, piston cores and trawls, by BOEMRE, NOAA, and industry contractors.
About this Dataset
| Title | Seismic Water-Bottom Positive Anomalies in Deep Waters of the Western Gulf of Mexico |
|---|---|
| Description | Since 1997, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) geoscientists have identified and mapped over 12,000 seafloor seismic amplitude anomalies (areas of anomalously high or low reflectivity response over background response) in the deep water Gulf of Mexico (GOM) using 3-D time migrated seismic surveys, with most areas having overlapping coverage by two or more surveys (a total of 156,000 square miles were interpreted). The water bottom horizon was completely mapped over these surveys using hand interpreted seed lines, and Geoframe's automatic picking program to fill in the gaps. The seismic amplitude was then displayed in plan view. Anomalously high positive and low positive/negative amplitudes were identified and outlined using polygons. The amplitude maps were cross checked with the vertical seismic profiles to verify the interpretation. Below most of the amplitude anomalies, blanking and/or visible migration pathways are visible in vertical seismic profiles in the subsurface up to the water bottom. Well over 100 of the anomalies have been confirmed as seeps using submersible, ROV, AUV, and camera sled surveys, piston cores and trawls, by BOEMRE, NOAA, and industry contractors. |
| Modified | 2025-04-04T12:25:23.828Z |
| Publisher Name | N/A |
| Contact | N/A |
| Keywords | GOM Water bottom anaomalies , Outer Continental Shelf, OCS , seismic , water bottom horizon , hydrocarbon seepage , chemosynthetic , calcium carbonate , Gulf of Mexico OCS , USA , deep water |
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