Seismic images of deep-seated structures

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In several localities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, seismic and geological studies revealed that the present surface geology was created by collision of two ancient continents through the elimination of a major ocean between them. The seismic data also showed that below the surface, sandwiched between these collided continents, are remnants of the rocks of the ocean floor and small continental fragments. Similar results were derived by comparable investigations, in somewhat greater depths, 700 km to the south. To determine direct kinship of these isolated results and establish regional extent of the locally defined structures, segments of seismic information, collected by the oil exploration and the potash industries in the intervening region, are utilized. The first major step of the research is to develop computer techniques which eliminate the discrepancies in the various observations caused by noise interferences generated at the time of detection of the data. Then a 3- dimensional image of the interior of the Earth is assembled at least to a depth of ~ 10-12 km. The results can be highly significant; first, by showing how a 1000 km long segment of the continent was assembled through geologic times; second, by establishing the complexities of the geology of the region, assessment may be made about  potentially economic mineralizations in the area.  In the northern part of the investigated region, the highly active uranium and diamond exploration industries are anxious to learn about the nature of the Earth's interior beneath their regions of interest. In the south, recent oil discoveries indicate that the new reservoirs were formed in places where segments of the deeper parts of the Earth were disturbed. In addition, the new images may indicate structural changes, which influenced depositional environments of the potash ore deposits. Consequently the new information can help focus attention of the mining organizations to anomalous regions.  Mapping deep regional structures may help to explain how the continent was constructed and at the same time suggest recognition of important zones for new resources.