Application of reflection seismology to advanced and nontraditional problems

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Reflection seismology is a method of imaging the Earth's interior by introducing waves into the subsurface and timing the waves that are reflected back to the surface by changes in the Earth's properties. The process is similar that used by bats for echo location and to ultrasound used in medical imaging. Our research involves adapting present seismic techniques and developing new approaches to applying reflection seismology and similar geophysical tools to a range of nontraditional problems. One such problem is the characterization of heterogeneity in underground aquifers and oil reservoirs to help understand the flow of fluids through these systems. Another problem that we are working on is the need to develop new, more economical approaches for locating and evaluating deeper minerals deposits. To address this problem, we are taking advantage a state-of-the-art data acquisition system and applying antennae theory to develop a near real-time detection system designed to identify high quality targets for test drilling. At a larger scale we are developing approaches aimed at mapping the plumbing of large-scale magmatic systems with the objective of increased understanding of the evolution of the Earth's crust and the development and distribution of minerals deposits. This ongoing work has led to the first high-resolution images of large-scale intrusive bodies in the middle crust and combined with geological data provides strong evidence of significant crustal melting during the last stages of the continental collision in the Grenville orogen.