Showing papers in "Geophysical Prospecting in 1984"

A review of least-squares inversion and its application to geophysical problems*

Abstract: Geophysical inversion involves the estimation of the parameters of a postulated earth model from a set of observations. Since the associated model responses can be nonlinear functions of the model parameters, nonlinear least-squares techniques prove to be useful for performing the inversion. A common type of inversion applies iterative damped linear least squares through use of the Marquardt-Levenberg method. Traditionally, this method has been implemented by solving the associated normal equations in conventional ways. However, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) produces significant improvements in computational precision when applied to the same system of normal equations. Iterative least-squares modeling finds application in a wide variety of geophysical problems. Two examples illustrate the approach: (1) seismic wavelet deconvolution, and (2) the location of a buried wedge from surface gravity data. More generally, nonlinear least-squares inversion can be used to estimate earth models for any set of geophysical observations for which an appropriate mathematical description is available.

Linearized inversion of seismic reflection data

Abstract: This is the first of a series of papers giving the solution of the inverse problem in seismic exploration. The acoustic approximation is used together with the assumption that the velocity field has the form . The forward problem is then linearized (thus neglecting multiple reflected waves) and the inverse problem of estimating δ is set up. Its rigorous solution can be obtained using an iterative algorithm, each step consisting of a classical Kirchhoff migration (hyperbola summation) plus a classical forward modeling step (circle summation).

The use of seismic shear waves and compressional waves for lithological problems of shallow sediments

Abstract: From a great variety of in situ shear wave experiments, i.e., reflection, refraction and borehole surveys in the shallow sediments of the north German plains, several specific properties have been derived. Shear waves (S) differ from compressional waves (P) in that: Correlations have been established between V s and the confining pressure and between reduced V s values and several lithological parameters like the grain size of sandy material. More lithological and hydrological information is obtained by using S- and P-wave surveys along the same profile. The best information on a sedimentological structure is obtained by the simultaneous observation of V s , V p , Q s and Q p .

THREE‐TERM TAYLOR SERIES FOR t2 ‐ x2‐CURVES OF P‐ AND S‐WAVES OVER LAYERED TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC GROUND*

Abstract: The arrival-time curve of a reflection from a horizontal interface, beneath a homogeneous isotropic layer, is a hyperbola in the x - t -domain If the subsurface is one-dimensionally inhomogeneous (horizontally layered), or if some or all of the layers are transversely isotropic with vertical axis of symmetry, the statement is no longer strictly true, though the arrival-time curves are still hyperbola-like In the case of transverse isotropy, however, classical interpretation of these curves fails Interval velocities calculated from t 2 - x 2 -curves do not always approximate vertical velocities and therefore cannot be used to calculate depths of reflectors To study the relationship between velocities calculated from t 2 - x 2 -curves and the true velocities of a transversely isotropic layer, we approximate t 2 - x 2 -curves over a vertically inhomogeneous transversely isotropic medium by a three-term Taylor series and calculate expressions for these terms as a function of the elastic parameters It is shown that both inhomogeneity and transverse isotropy affect slope and curvature of t 2 - x 2 -curves For P-waves the effect of transverse isotropy is that the t 2 - x 2 -curves are convex upwards; for SV-waves the curves are convex downwards For SH-waves transverse isotropy has no effect on curvature

Measurements of Earth Attenuation from Downhole and Surface Seismic RECORDINGS

Abstract: Frequency-dependent attenuation of compressional waves within the earth has been estimated in the vicinity of wells from 1 spectral power ratios of the coherent events in separate time gates on the seismic section 2 matching a broadband synthetic trace with seismic data at the well, and 3 determining the operator that transforms one down(up) going pulse recorded in the well into another recorded at a deeper (shallower) level. The accuracy of estimation of all three methods was insufficient to estimate attenuation over small depth intervals, and it was not possible to distinguish between the contribution due to internal multiples and that of genuine absorption with much confidence. Spectral ratios from (1) showed a smoother variation with frequency—and one more consistent with other estimates—when they were compensated for the spectra of the reflectivities over the time gates employed, but they did not provide more than a broad indication of attenuation over a substantial depth interval. Approach (2) was hampered by the restricted durations over which synthetic trace and seismic data can be reliably matched; approach (3) gave the best results. Here matching is a much more powerful tool than the spectral-ratio techniques that are commonly applied since it can yield the form of the attenuation operator, i.e., both its amplitude and phase response, together with properly defined measures of its accuracy, while at the same time it minimizes the influence of noise and local interference effects at each recording level. For seismic target depths where internal multiple activity was low the logarithms of the amplitude responses of the estimated attenuation operators decreased approximately linearly with frequency and the phase responses showed no significant dispersion. Application of approach (3) to downgoing and upgoing waves estimated from a vertical seismic profile revealed the importance of changes in frequency-dependent geophone coupling and their effect on values of Q determined from downgoing pulses only.

VSP interval velocities from traveltime inversion

Abstract: A principal use of the vertical seismic profile (VSP) is to determine the variation of seismic velocity with depth. Presented here is a discussion of the errors involved with the time picks of a VSP survey and several methods currently used to calculate a velocity section from these time picks. Another technique is proposed, based on the least-squares inversion of the traveltimes, to arrive at a better estimate and statistical description of the velocity section. This technique uses the Levenberg-Marquardt damped least-squares formulation and ray tracing through a horizontally-layered medium to iteratively refine the velocity section. The accuracy and robustness of the procedure are investigated by inverting noisy traveltime curves and comparing these results to the original model velocity section. Agreement is found to be good. One interesting feature of the inverse procedure is that, for certain geometries, it can resolve a few velocity layers, even though there are no measurements made inside those layers. Three actual VSP surveys are analyzed and compared to their corresponding sonic logs. In two of the surveys, it appears that there is some velocity dispersion. Velocity changes associated with gas saturation are evident on one of the surveys.

On errors of fit and accuracy in matching synthetic seismograms and seismic traces

Abstract: A synthetic seismogram that closely resembles a seismic trace recorded at a well may not be at all reliable for, say, stratigraphic interpretation around the well. The most accurate synthetic seismogram is, in general, not the one that displays the smallest errors of fit to the trace but the one that best estimates the noise on the trace. If the match is confined to a short interval of interest or if the seismic reflection wavelet is allowed to be unduly long, there is considerable danger of forcing a spurious fit that treats the noise on the trace as part of the seismic reflection signal instead of making a genuine match with the signal itself. This paper outlines tests that allow an objective and quantitative evaluation of the accuracy of any match and illustrates their application with practical examples. The accuracy of estimation is summarized by the normalized mean square error (NMSE) in the estimated reflection signal, which is shown to be (/n)(PN/PS) where PS/PN is the signal-to-noise power ratio and n is the spectral smoothing factor. That is, the accuracy varies directly with the ratio of the power in the signal (taken to be the synthetic) to that in the noise on the seismic trace, and the smoothing acts to improve the accuracy of the predicted signal. The construction of confidence intervals for the NMSE is discussed. Guidelines for the choice of the spectral smoothing factor n are given. The variation of wavelet shape due to different realizations of the noise component is illustrated, and the use of confidence intervals on wavelet phase is recommended. Tests are described for examining the normality and stationarity of the errors of fit and their independence of the estimated reflection signal.

Shear waves by an explosive point-source: the earth surface as a generator of converted P-S waves

Abstract: The most common source of seismic energy is an explosion at some depth in a borehole. The radiated waves are reflected not only at the subsurface layers but also at the free surface. The earth's surface acts as a generator of both P- and S-waves. If the source depth is much less than the dominant wavelength the reflected waves resemble closely the waves generated by a single force. Theoretical seismograms were computed with different methods to look for the relevance of the surface-reflected waves. The numerical experiments show reflected shear waves even for small shotpoint—receiver distances. Due to their polarization these waves can be detected most easily on in-line horizontal geophones. The existence of these waves was examined during a conventional survey in Northern Germany. Conventional data analysis shows a large variability in the νp/νs ratio. The method used here produced a shear-wave section with a rather good signal-to-noise ratio down to 4 s S-wave reflection time.

Offset source vsp surveys and their image reconstruction

Abstract: Zero-offset-source VSP surveys provide information about the subsurface only within the Fresnel zone centered at the well. Offsetting the source location moves the reflection zones away from the well thus providing lateral cover. Conventional processing of this type of data gives rise to a distorted image of the subsurface. Using a simple ray-tracing scheme, this image may be reconstructed into the more familiar coordinate system of the surface seismic section. This simple data-independent mapping is based on the assumption of horizontal layering and requires a vertical velocity profile. The technique of placing the source away from the borehole was first applied to the single-offset-source VSP survey. However, data from any survey geometry (such as deviated well with rig source, walkaway VSP, etc.) can be mapped to the coordinate system defined by the appropriate seismic section. To obtain the best results from this type of survey the target area must be defined and simple modeling techniques used to optimize the source location(s). These pre-survey modeling methods may also be used to anticipate—and hence avoid a number of problem areas which experience has highlighted. The data from any VSP survey is the result of a realizable experiment and as such obeys the wave equation. This implies that the wave equation may be used to migrate the data to its true subsurface location. Theoretically, such a process is more secure than ray-tracing techniques, although its practice presents many difficulties.

Seismic refraction method to study the foundation rock of a dam

Abstract: Dynamic elastic moduli like E, μ, K and μ of the foundation rock of a dam have been determined by finding Vp‐ and Vs‐velocities by seismic refraction with a hammer as source. Some parameters such as “fracture frequency” and “rock quality designation” (RQD) of the foundation rock have been derived using “average regression curves” and Vp‐velocities. By comparing K/μ with Vp/Vs, a few locations showing weathered conditions have been demarcated. This compares well with RQD values of those locations.

The effect of a superparamagnetic layer on the transient electromagnetic response of a ground

Abstract: A thin superparamagnetic layer on the earth's surface greatly affects the transient electromagnetic response of a conducting ground. The effect of the layer is most evident for singleloop transient electromagnetic data where transient voltages decay as 1/t. Even when a separate transmitter and receiver are used, the effect of the superparamagnetic layer is still pronounced. In this case the effect of the 1/t term in the equation is much less. More dominant now is a 1/t2 term. The effect of the superparamagnetism can readily be seen in the analytical expressions for the apparent resistivities. If the presence of the superparamagnetic layer is not recognized, then the apparent resistivities decrease with time rather than approach the true value of the host rock.

On the origin and interpretation of self‐potential anomalies*

Abstract: The renewed interest in the self-potential method of exploration for mineral deposits gives an understanding of the self-potential mechanism new importance. The cause of SP anomalies in general lies in the interference between simultaneously occurring nonequilibrium phenomena. However, theories of the mechanism of mineral SP anomalies generally relate the SP anomaly to the equilibrium potential of the chemical reaction supposed to occur on the ore body surface. In this paper, I reformulate these equilibrium mechanisms in terms of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The result is that the SP anomaly depends not on the equilibrium potential alone, but also on the potential resulting from current transferred across the ore body—electrolyte interface. It is not possible to calculate the overpotential theoretically because of the number of complicating factors, and experimental data are not available. This does not imply that SP data are uninterpretable quantitatively. SP data may be interpreted similarly to other potential field data.

Geoelectrical model calculations for two‐dimensional resistivity distributions*

Abstract: For the calculation of geoelectrical model curves for a two-dimensional resistivity distribution, the potential equation is transformed by means of a Fourier cosine transform into a two-dimensional Helmholtz equation containing the separation parameter λ. The numerical solution of this equation for different values of λ for an irregular grid is obtained using the method of finite differences combined with the method of overrelaxation. The method by which derivatives are replaced by finite differences turned out to be very important, especially for high resistivity contrasts. After testing several methods designed to deal with any type of resistivity distribution, a method of discretization similar to that used by Brewitt—Taylor and Weaver (1976) for magnetotelluric modeling for H polarization was found the best. Examples are given of model curves for Schlumberger soundings over a vertical fault covered by overburden. The incorrect use of horizontal-layer models leads to erroneous interpretations that are more complex than the real subsurface situations.

A digital linear filter for resistivity sounding with a generalized electrode array

Abstract: This paper presents a digital linear filter which maps composite resistivity transforms to apparent resistivities for any four—electrode array over a horizontally layered earth. A filter is provided for each of three sampling rates; the choice of filter will depend on resistivity contrasts and computational facilities. Two methods of filter design are compared. The Wiener-Hopf least-squares method is preferable for low sampling rate filters. The Fourier transform method is more successful in producing a filter with a high sampling rate which can handle resistivity contrasts of 100 000: 1.

Inversion method in the slant stack domain using amplitudes of reflection arrivals

Abstract: Almost all ray-tracing methods ignore the analysis of the amplitudes of seismic arrivals and therefore utilize only half of the available information. We propose a method which is a combination of ray-tracing imaging and transformation of the amplitudes of wide-aperture data. Seismic data in the conventional X-T domain are first transformed to the domain of intercept time τ and ray parameter p to recover the plane wave response. The next step is the derivation of a series of plane wave reflection coefficients, which are mapped as a function of τ and p. The reflection coefficients R(τ, p) for two arbitrarily chosen traces can then be used in our inversion method to derive a slowness-depth and a density-depth profile. It is shown that the inclusion of amplitudes of seismic arrivals (in this method, we consider the acoustic case) makes the inverse method highly stable and accurate. In a horizontally stratified medium one can recover separate profiles of velocity and density. Since this method utilizes large-offset data, it can be used for separate recovery of velocity and density to a greater depth.

On the interpretation of airborne electromagnetic data for the two-layer case

Abstract: For helicopter-borne electromagnetic systems, the distance between the transmitting and the receiving coils is small compared with the altitude above ground. For this case, a major simplification can be made for the calculation of model curves. Some two-layer curves for the interpretation of frequency measurements are presented. A very simple procedure is demonstrated for the conversion of the relative secondary field into apparent resistivity and apparent distance for the mapping of airborne electromagnetic data. Furthermore, an approximation is described for the determination of the thickness and the resistivity of a layer lying on a perfectly conducting half-space.

Interaction between airguns

Abstract: In the design of linear airgun arrays the interaction between the airguns is usually neglected. We review the different formulae which have been proposed for the minimum separation between airguns at which the interaction is negligible. These formulae can all be approximated by a linear function of a single variable. We have analyzed a large number of measurements in order to establish the amount of interaction between two airguns of various volumes at different pressures and depths. The resulting far-field signature has been measured and compared with the sum of the signatures from the two airguns measured in the same experimental situation. The changes in primary pulse amplitude, bubble period and primary/bubble peak-to-peak amplitude ratio were computed from the measurement data as a function of airgun separation, chamber volume, chamber pressure and airgun depth. The influence of a waveshape kit was investigated, and the effects of interaction and the effects of using a waveshape kit were compared.

Statistical evaluation of mt and amt methods applied to a basalt-covered area in southeastern anatolia, turkey*

Abstract: ILKISIK, O.M. and JONES, A.G. 1984, Statistical Evaluation of MT and AMT Methods Applied to a Basalt-covered Area in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, Geophysical Prospecting 32, 706-724. The efficacy of the magnetotelluric and audiomagnetotelluric (MT / AMT) methods for detailing the structure of a hypothetical geological section is investigated by using the singu­ lar value decomposition (SVD) technique. The section is representative of southeastern Turkey, which is mostly covered by basalt and is a prime area for oil exploration. One of the geological units, the Germav shale at a depth of 600 m, is a problem layer for electromagnetic surveys because of its very low resistivity (on average 3 Om) and highly variable thickness across the area (200-900 m). In the MT frequency range (0.0004-40 Hz) its total conductance-or, since its resistivity is known from resistivity log information, its thickness­ is the best resolved model parameter. The total depth to the Germav shale and the resistivity of the Cambrian/Precambrian basement are the marginally resolved parameters. In the AMT frequency range (4-10000 Hz) the resistivity of the surface basalt layer strongly affects the resolution of the other, less important, model parameters which are the total depth to the Germav shale and the total conductance of the Germav shale. The errors in the measure­ ments determine the number of model parameters resolvable, and are also important for interpretation of the geological model parameters to within a desired accuracy. It is shown that statistical evaluation of the MT and/or AMT interpretations by using an SVD factorization of the sensitivity matrix can be helpful to define the importance of some particular stage of the interpretation, and also provides a priori knowledge to plan a pro­ posed survey. Arrangements of MT and AMT observations, together with some Schlumber­ ger resistivity soundings, on a large grid will certainly provide three-dimensional detailed information of the deep geoelectric structure of the area.

a Hybrid Method for Wave Field COMPUTATION

Abstract: A hybrid method for wave field computation in two-dimensional heterogeneous media is proposed. The proposed method is a combination of analytical and numerical techniques. The method is based upon the separation of wave propagation and scattering and upon the description of each process by the most suitable technique. The SH wave scattering problem is used to elucidate the proposed method. Examples of numerical computations using the hybrid method are considered for a number of simple models. The analysis of the results shows that the hybrid method gives both a detailed and a reasonably accurate description of the total wave field.

Induced Polarization in Electromagnetic Inductive SCHEMES

Abstract: Using homogeneous full-space and half-space models, we show that induced-polarization properties of the medium influence the inductive coupling between two circuits. It is suggested that existing methods to interpret electromagnetic sounding data should be viewed with caution if the electro-chemical dispersion is not taken into account.

In-seam seismic Love wave scattering modeled by the finite element method

Abstract: The dynamic finite-element method allows frequency-dependent reflection and transmission coefficients to be computed for Love waves scattered by two-dimensional inhomogeneities in coal seams. Clean faults of zero hade angle show a throw-dependent cross-over frequency in reflection spectra, and throw-dependent conversion from fundamental to first higher mode energy in transmission spectra. Oblique faults show mode conversion in reflection spectra which is relatable to the fault hade angle by simple Huygens-theory models. Thin fracture zones or dykes normal to the seam show a reflection maximum when thickness of the zone is of order one quarter of the seam wave wavelength. Published field data from two known faults and a dyke are compared with the modeling results and support the belief that broad-band seam-wave data are capable of characterizing a seam discontinuity (throw, hade angle, dyke thickness) as well as locating it. Development of such procedures will require extensions to existing field practice and processing. 19 references.

On the Determination of the Downgoing P-Waves Radiated by the Vertical Seismic VIBRATOR*

Abstract: It is well recognized that in order to realize the full potential of the Vibroseis technique, one needs to ensure accurate phase locking and a meaningful cross-correlation. To achieve these two important objectives we require an accurate estimate of the compressional stress wave radiated by the vibrator into the ground. In this paper a simple method (subject of a patent application) is developed for predicting the compressional stress waves radiated by a vertical vibrator. The main feature of the proposed method is that it involves the field measurement of the acceleration of the reaction mass and the baseplate, respectively. The method is illustrated by computing the compressional stress waves generated by a typical vertical vibrator radiating into ice, chalk, sand, and mud. It is shown that for a seismic vibrator radiating into hard ground the pressure of the downgoing P-wave is 180° out of phase with the baseplate velocity. It is also shown that when the driving force of the seismic vibrator has a flat amplitude spectrum, the amplitude spectrum of the downgoing P-wave falls off by 6 dB/octave towards low frequencies.

Interpretation of aeromagnetic data from the norwegian sector of the north sea

Abstract: Total magnetic intensity contour maps for the study region (between 2°E to 10°E and 56°N to 60°N) were digitized and converted to a regular grid of 285 × 285 points. The study area measures approximately 444 km × 444 km and the grid spacing is thus 1. 56 km. The International Geomagnetic Reference Field for 1975 was gridded for the above-used net, and from the two data sets a further grid of the ▵T field was generated. A large number of profiles were constructed which were suitable for depth determinations. The regular grid ▵T data is also convenient for the computation of the second vertical derivative. Using the method of vertical prisms of Vacquier et al. (1963), a large suite of curvature-depth indices was measured to complement the depths obtained from the intensity slopes and from boreholes which reach the crystalline basement. The depth to the magnetic basement has been contoured, and the resulting map is shown to be in good agreement with what is known about the deeper geology of the study area. The work reported here is part of a research project supported by Amoco Norway, BP Petroleum Development Ltd, Elf Aquitaine, Esso Exploration and Production, Norwegian Gulf, Norsk Hydro, Mobil Exploration Norway, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Royal Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (NTNF), Norske Shell, and Statoil.

Resistivity and magnetic surveys in groundwater prospecting in volcanic areas—case history maar of beaunit, puy de dome, france*

Abstract: Volcanic maar structures sometimes contain important groundwater reserves. The volcanic formations of the Beaunit maar have a much higher magnetization than their granite substrata. The structure of the maar and its volcanoclastic infill can therefore be defined by magnetic surveying and resistivity soundings. Resistivities of the geological formations present in the Beaunit maar are comparable to those recorded in other volcanic systems. The geophysical data, confirmed by drilling tests, contain useful information on the hydrogeological regime of the volcanic system under investigation.

Offset continuation in theory and practice

Abstract: Offset continuation is a technique that was recently proposed for the dip moveout correction. This correction can be carried out in the time-wavenumber domain using a proper partial differential equation that links sections with different offset. It has been shown that a single spike in a common-offset section—corresponds to a semi-elliptically shaped reflector with foci located at the source and receiver in the section migrated after dip moveout correction. The sections that result after offset continuation, stack, and migration are thus a superposition not only of semicircles, but also of semi-ellipses with different lengths of axes. This effect smears the migration alias-noise which, without offset continuation, would appear as migration circles not close enough together to interfere destructively. Offset continuation can improve the quality of seismic sections in several ways: —the velocity analyses are more readable, less dispersed and dip independent; diffraction tails arrive with the same normal moveout velocity as the apex and thus diffraction-noise can be “stacked out”; —noise produced by aliasing in the migrated section is reduced. In this paper we give a practical and conceptual interpretation of the offset continuation method, with a generalization to three-dimensional volumes of data. A critical examination of several synthetic and field data examples shows the actual possibilities and advantages of offset continuation.

A three-dimensional numerical Bottom-Hole temperature stabilization model

Abstract: The heat flow equation in cylindrical coordinates is solved numerically for any general distribution of thermal diffusivity. The temperature stabilization of a borehole is considered, and solutions for the case where thermal diffusivity is a function of radial distance from the borehole are obtained and compared to solutions for uniform diffusivity. The results are discussed in terms of thermal diffusivities that are different for the well contents and for the surrounding material. It is found that the approach to formation temperature is affected by differences between well contents and the surrounding region.

Influence of velocity errors on the focusing aspects of migration

Abstract: In migration procedures, the velocity profile of the subsurface is the most important input information. Since, in general, this information is only approximately known, errors in the migration output due to errors in the velocity input occur in all practical applications. In migration, velocity errors and depth errors can be interchanged. This interchange property is perfect in the paraxial approximation. From this result it follows that migration with incorrect velocities may still yield correctly migrated data if the imaging principle is modified. This attractive property can be used in the stripping version of migration (recursive migration).

a Numerical Direct Interpretation Method of Resistivity Soundings Using the Pekeris MODEL

Abstract: A numerical method is presented for direct interpretation of resistivity sounding measurements. The early part of the resistivity transform curve derived from field observations by standard methods is approximated by a two-layer curve. The resistivity of the first layer is determined from the arithmetic mean of the successive computations which are carried on each of three successive discrete values of the resistivity transform curve. Using this mean value of the resistivity, the thickness of the first layer is computed from the sample values in pairs of the resistivity transform curve. After these determinations, the top layer is removed by Pekeris's reduction equation. The parameters of the second layer are obtained from the discrete values of the reduced transform curve (which corresponds to the second part of the resistivity transform curve) by the same procedure as described for the first layer. The same computational scheme is repeated until the parameters of all intermediate layers are obtained. The resistivity of the substratum is determined from the reduction equation.

An operator approach to forward modeling, data processing and migration*

Abstract: The response of a seismic model to excitation by a source can be represented in terms of the action of reflection and transmission operators for portions of the structure. This approach provides a flexible framework for both modeling and processing problems. The operator development provides a physical description of the wave propagation process and, via the expansion of reverberation operators, gives a mechanism for assessing the accuracy of approximate developments. The representation suggests new ways of developing modeling algorithms by balancing the computational effort expended on minor and major features of the model. For processing problems, the operator representation shows the relation of processing stages to the seismic wave field and thereby indicates effective sequences of operations. For migration it is possible to specify an ideal pre-stack migration procedure in terms of the inverse of the propagation operators and to examine the problems which need to be overcome by practical algorithms.

Estimates of terrestrial thermal gradients and heat flow variations with depth in the hinton‐edson area of the alberta basin derived from petroleum bottom‐hole temperature data*

Abstract: There is a significant increase in terrestrial heat flow with depth in the Hinton-Edson area of the deep part of the western Canadian sedimentary basin in Alberta. This is especially true near the Rocky Mountain foothills which is an area of high relief, high hydraulic head and regional water recharge. Gravity-imposed downward movement of meteoric water through the thick sedimentary strata with velocities as low as 10/sup -10/ m/s to 0.5 X 10/sup -9/ m/s may cause an increase of heat flow with depth. Such disturbance of heat flow with depth on a regional scale in the sedimentary strata means that it is not possible to determine the background conductive steady-state heat flow associated with crustal or upper mantle heat sources in such an area from measurement of conductive heat flow in the part of the sedimentary column where water movement occurs. This is because the convective portion cannot be determined, particularly when measurements are made in only part of the regional hydrodynamic system of the basin.