Coda Wave Interferometry

Colorado School Of Mines, Golden CO

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract for proposal EAR0106668 (PH # 49x) Title: Coda Wave Interferometry PI's: Roelof Snieder and John Scales, Colorado School of Mines In this project new technique is developed that uses multiple scattered waves as a sensitive tool for detecting changes in the Earth. This technique is called ``Coda Wave Interferometry'' because the Earth acts as an interferometer for the multiple-scattered coda waves. In this technique the changes in coda waves due to changes in the Earth are used to monitor minute changes in the Earth. In this project the technique will be applied to (i) laboratory measurements of ultrasonic waves (ii) the waveforms recorded on a volcano using an air-gun as seismic source and (iii) the changes in a reservoir in which brine is injected. Coda Wave Interferometry can have a significant impact of different areas of the geosciences as well as in other fields of science and technology. Potential applications include dam-monitoring, monitoring of landslides, detecting deformation of faults zones, and measuring changes in the amount of fracturing in reservoirs. The technique can potentially also be used for non-destructive testing applications. Coda Wave Interferometry can also play an important role in industrial geophysics because it can be used to monitor the change in hydrocarbon reservoirs during enhanced recovery operations.