Trends and Techniques in Seismic Data Acquisition, Processing, and Interpretation

Seismic data remains the most widely adopted geophysical approach for subsurface imaging in both terrestrial and marine environments. The effectiveness of seismic exploration relies on the careful acquisition of high-quality data and its subsequent processing to produce accurate cross-sectional representations of the Earth. This involves not only ensuring adequate data coverage but also applying advanced processing techniques to suppress unwanted energy, such as multiples, and to correctly position significant subsurface events. At the same time, seismic operations must balance safety, environmental responsibility, cost efficiency, and timeliness. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and commonly used methods in seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. It highlights the standardized workflows that have evolved over time while also addressing the inherent challenges in designing efficient and reliable seismic data processing pipelines. The discussion aims to provide readers with a clear and structured understanding of the end-to-end seismic data workflow, serving as a foundation for further research and practical applications in geophysical exploration.