Seismic Geomorphology: Subsurface Analyses, Data Integration and Palaeoenvironment Reconstructions – an introduction

Abstract

Since the last Special Publication on Seismic Geomorphology, the application of seismic data has grown substantially, revolutionising our understanding of basin evolution in the process. The papers presented here provide an insight into the direction of travel for seismic geomorphological analyses and how the science has evolved since 2007. New methods of data collection, new methods of processing and visualisation, and the integration of new types of complementary data, all have played a role in maximising the potential palaeo-environmental insights that can be derived from such studies. The submissions range across different geological settings, consisting of glacial, fluvial, volcanic, deltaic, and slope settings. Many of these studies integrate different methods, showing what can be achieved by combining multiple datasets to understand the subsurface. As more legacy datasets become available, the observed acceleration in seismic data availability and the associated publications will likely continue. Newer methods and the greater understanding of the subsurface are yielding a greater understanding on not just the palaeo-environments, but also what generates seismic reflectivity in the subsurface. The study of seismic geomorphology remains in its infancy, and much exciting research potential is yet to be realised.