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Problems Associated with Seismic Facies Analysis of Quaternary Sediments on the Northern UK Continental Margin

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Offshore Site Investigation and Foundation Behaviour

Abstract

Seismic facies analysis is increasingly being used in the interpretation of high-resolution seismic reflection data. Existing depositional systems models, based primarily on seismic data, have been constructed on the basis that acoustic character can be directly correlated with relatively consistent lithologies and geotechnical properties. However, borehole and shallow core data from the northern UK continental margin indicate significant inconsistencies in the use of this technique as a predictive tool. Changes in acoustic texture can occur laterally and vertically, in both lithologically homogeneous and heterogeneous sequences. The successful application of this technique can only be achieved by the integration of seismic data with other subsurface information, with interpretation based on sound geological concepts and models.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, Scotland

    M. S. Stoker

  2. GEOTEAM UK Ltd., Regent House, Regent Quay, Aberdeen, ABI 2BE, Scotland

    F. S. Stewart

  3. Department of Civil and Offshore Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, Scotland

    M. A. Paul

  4. British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, Scotland

    D. Long

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  1. M. S. Stoker
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  2. F. S. Stewart
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  3. M. A. Paul
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  4. D. Long
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. British Geological Survey, Edinburgh, UK

    D. A. Ardus

  2. Ove Arup & Partners, London, UK

    D. Clare

  3. BP Exploration, Aberdeen, UK

    A. Hill  & J. M. Squire  & 

  4. Lloyds Register, London, UK

    R. Hobbs

  5. Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, London, UK

    R. J. Jardine

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Stoker, M.S., Stewart, F.S., Paul, M.A., Long, D. (1993). Problems Associated with Seismic Facies Analysis of Quaternary Sediments on the Northern UK Continental Margin. In: Ardus, D.A., Clare, D., Hill, A., Hobbs, R., Jardine, R.J., Squire, J.M. (eds) Offshore Site Investigation and Foundation Behaviour. Advances in Underwater Technology, Ocean Science and Offshore Engineering, vol 28. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2473-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2473-9_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4293-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-2473-9

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