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A study was undertaken to improve the signal quality and the resolution of the velocity profile for deep downhole seismic testing. Deep downhole testing is defined in this research as measurements below 225 m (750 ft). The study demonstrated that current testing procedures can be improved to result in higher signal quality by customizing the excitation frequency of the vibrator to local site conditions of the vibrator-earth system. The earth condition beneath the base plate can be an important factor in the signal quality subject to variations with time when tests are repetitive. This work proposes a convenient method to measure the site localized natural frequency and damping ratio, and recommends using different excitation frequencies for P- and S-wave generation. Properly increasing the excitation duration of the source signal also contributes to the quality of the receiver signal. The source signature of sinusoidal vibratory source is identified. Conventional travel time analysis using vibratory source generally focuses on chirp sweeps. After testing with impulsive sources and chirp sweeps and comparing the results with the durational sinusoidal source, the sinusoidal source was then chosen. This work develops an approach to identifying the source signature of the sinusoidal source and concludes that the normalized source signature is relevant only to four parameters: the fixed-sine excitation frequency, the duration of excitation, the damping ratio of the vibrator-earth system, and the damped natural frequency of the vibrator-earth system. Two of the parameters are designated input to the vibrator and the other two parameters are measured in the field test using the proposed method in this work. A new wavelet-response technique based on deconvolution and consideration of velocity dispersion is explored in travel-time analyses. The wavelet-response technique is also used for development of a new approach to correcting disorientation of receiver tool. The improved downhole procedures and analyses are then used in the analysis of deep downhole test data obtained at Hanford, WA. Downhole testing was performed to a depth of about 420 m (1400 ft) at Hanford site. Improvements in resolving the wave velocity profiles to depths below 300 m (1000) ft are clearly shown. / text

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published_or_final_version / Earth Sciences / Master / Master of Philosophy

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<strong>Upper mantle discontinuities from PP- and SS-precursors</strong> The 410km discontinuity is examined using two global datasets of precursors to the PP and SS phases. The precursor amplitudes are used to constrain the impedance contrast, and examine lateral variations in the reflection coefficient of the discontinuity. P- and S-wave reflection amplitudes vary over different scale lengths, which could be due to the presence of melt, water or other chemical heterogeneities in the transition zone. Models for 410-topography are also derived, and the relationship between topography and transition zone seismic velocity anomalies examined. A moderate negative correlation exists between long wavelength 410-topography and transition zone velocity anomalies. However, when shorter wavelengths are included the relationship becomes more complex, and in some regions positive correlations are seen. This suggests that long wavelength variation of discontinuity topography and seismic velocity, is due to thermal effects. However, at shorter wavelengths the influence of chemical heterogeneities becomes important. Different spectra for thermal and chemical heterogeneity suggests that chemical anomalies can survive in convecting mantle. <strong>Lower mantle reflectors and S-wave scattering</strong> The lowermost mantle is investigated using a phase stripping technique and two migration methods: a backprojection, and a scheme with weights based on the Generalised Radon Transform. Resolution of the results is tested by migrating synthetic datasets. In some regions the results can be simulated using fairly simple distributions of point scatterers, but elsewhere the results require more complicated structures. The results identify several important properties of the D" region including reflectors within the D" region and a complex pattern of positive and negative scattering potentials near the core-mantle boundary. The results also show the presence of an intermittent D" discontinuity which is not a continuous, nor a global, feature. This suggests that the D" discontinuity is caused by either localised structures, such as thermal or chemical heterogeneity, or a global boundary with a variable impedance contrast.