Seismic Soundoff

"Humanitarian geophysics isn’t separate from the industry – it’s part of what makes our profession so valuable to the world." In this episode, Geophysical Society of Houston Honoree Craig Beasley discusses the importance of the Geoscientists without Borders (GWB) program for companies interested in aligning with the UNSDGs and achieving their CSR goals. He also shares insights on how geoscientists...

“The biggest challenge for geophysicists? Learning machine learning's ‘new language’ from the world of statistics.” Machine learning is transforming geoscience, and Gerard Schuster explains how. This conversation explores key ML applications in seismic interpretation, the role of convolutional neural networks in fault detection, and why hands-on labs are essential for mastering these techniques. W...

"Reservoir characterization has evolved beyond oil and gas. It’s now central to our clean energy future." In this episode, Andrew Geary speaks with Satinder Chopra and Heather Bedle, guest editors for December’s The Leading Edge special section on reservoir characterization. They explore how this critical topic is transforming as geophysics expands its role in the global energy transition. From ca...

"Seismic attributes are not just colorful pictures; they’re meaningful tools that can guide geoscientists to more accurate interpretations." In this episode, Andrew Geary sits down with Satinder Chopra and Kurt Marfurt, authors of Essentials of Seismic Attributes and Impedance Inversion, to discuss their comprehensive guide to understanding and applying seismic attributes in geophysics. They explo...

"Physics-based methods honor our understanding of the subsurface, while machine learning fills the gaps - but combining them is key." Andrew Geary chats with Mrinal Sen, a pioneer in seismic data analysis, about his Distinguished Instructor Short Course (DISC) and forthcoming book, Physics and Data Driven Seismic Data Analysis: A Narrative of Two Approaches. Mrinal shares how blending physics-base...

"Fiber optics can thrive in the harshest environments, proving robust for oil, gas, and carbon capture projects." This episode dives into the cutting-edge world of fiber optics with Joël Le Calvez, guest editor for November 2024's The Leading Edge. Fiber optics, a technology ubiquitous in daily life, is revolutionizing geophysics, offering real-time, cost-effective, and highly precise data collect...

"Collaboration across disciplines and regions is where significant advancements in geophysics happen. It’s at these intersections that we push boundaries." President John Eastwood shares his inspiring vision for the Society of Exploration Geophysicists in 2025. From advancing the next generation of geophysicists to fostering global collaboration, John outlines his priorities for ensuring the SEG r...

"The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a wake-up call. It showed me that even the best science fails without effective communication and proactive strategies to save lives." In this episode, host Andrew Geary talks with Ron Harris, Geological Sciences Professor at Brigham Young University, about his groundbreaking work in disaster preparedness. Ron shares insights from his Global Sustainability lectur...

"The geosciences cover everything from the air we breathe to the ground we walk on, and our job is to make sure policymakers see its critical value. Our reports are about translating complex science into something everyone can understand and use." In this episode, we speak with David Wunsch to explore how geoscience can shape policy decisions that impact everyday lives. David dives into the Americ...

"Geophysics and archaeology are merging in a powerful way, helping us understand ancient communities without damaging their sites. It’s about learning from the past while honoring it." In this episode, we look at how geophysics transforms archaeology by enabling researchers to uncover hidden historical sites without digging. Guests Michael Wilt and Richard Krahenbuhl discuss incredible advances in...

“Geoethics encourages us to think beyond just technical solutions and consider the long-term social and environmental impacts. It’s about embracing humility and seeing problems through multiple lenses to find sustainable solutions.” In this episode, Andrew Geary interviews Giuseppe Di Capua, a founding member and former president of the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG). The...

"Accessibility of subsurface data is key, especially as companies move along their digital maturity journey. A lot of valuable data is still locked up in boxes, not adding value." In this episode, Patrick Meroney urges geophysicists to align technology with business goals, advocate for innovation within their organizations, and pursue change strategically to drive long-term success. Patrick Merone...

"The MTArray is changing how we explore for minerals and critical resources, and it’s paving the way for sustainable energy development." In this episode of Seismic Soundoff, host Andrew Geary speaks with Adam Schultz about completing the U.S. Magnetotelluric (MT) Array after 18 years. This groundbreaking project has mapped the electrical properties of the Earth’s crust across the contiguous Unite...

"Sustainability isn't just about the environment; it's about the economics and profitability of companies, too. We need the expertise, we need the technology - if you like solving challenges, this is the place to be." In this episode of Seismic Soundoff, host Andrew Geary sits down with Sandy Spørck to discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating a sustainable future within the oil and gas...

"The Zohr discovery is an interesting one because all of a sudden it makes everybody sort of scratch their head and go like, 'So what have we missed elsewhere?'" Dr. Walter Rietveld discusses September's The Leading Edge, which focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean. In this episode: > Discover the challenges and opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean's oil and gas exploration, a region attracti...

"Geophysics can be used as a science tool to inform and engage the community and to give them the autonomy to make educated decisions." Dr. Julia Correa discusses August's The Leading Edge, which focuses on geophysics and sustainability. In this episode, we talk about: > How applied geophysics and seismic methods are a natural fit for ensuring safe and compliant carbon capture, utilization, and st...

"We are trying to enable the geoscientists to do their work better and faster." In this episode, we explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in seismic interpretation, focusing on the advantages of a data-centric approach over the traditional model-centric method. Morten Ofstad, a computer scientist, emphasizes the limitations of pre-trained "black box" deep learning models and advocates fo...

"The critical zone are the things that impact humans and animals on the earth, more so than a lot of other parts that geophysicists might study." Kamini Singha explores the fascinating world of the Earth's critical zone. This episode uncovers the significance of this thin skin of the Earth and its profound impact on human and ecological systems. In this episode, we talk about: > The definition and...

"How could you apply your own personal knowledge of geoscience, whatever specialty it is, to help solve humanitarian problems, no matter what the scale is?" Join host Andrew Geary as he speaks with Beth Burton to explore the newly formed Geoscientists without Borders (GWB) Technical Review Subcommittee (TRSC). This episode delves into the TRSC's history, purpose, and operations, offering insights...

Get ready to immerse yourself in cutting-edge geoscience technologies and connect with industry experts. In this episode, Wenyi Hu and Ken Tubman join host Andrew Geary to discuss the upcoming IMAGE '24 conference, which promises the largest technical program to date with over 1,200 presentations. In this episode, we talk about: > The expansion and evolution of poster presentations to enhance netw...

"Sven showed us that the goal of a presentation is to transfer knowledge and insight, not to show people how smart you are." In this heartfelt episode, we honor the legacy of Sven Treitel, a beloved figure in geophysics and at SEG. Kurt Marfurt and Sam Gray join host Andrew Geary to reflect on Sven's profound impact on their work and the field. In this episode, we talk about: > How a 25 cents coff...

"Understanding the problem is sometimes more important than getting to a solution." In this episode, Dr. Eileen Martin, winner of the 2024 J. Clarence Karcher Award, shares actionable advice and resources to help you make a positive impact in your professional environment. In this episode, we talk about: > The definitions of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the context of geophysics >...

"Energy transition is everywhere. It is an underlying trend, and sustainability is something that we have to incorporate into every company's strategy." Sophie Zurquiyah, CEO of Viridien, discusses the transformation of CGG into Viridien. In this episode, we talk about: > The reasons behind CGG's rebranding to Viridien > The significance of technology and quality of service in differentiation in t...

"Understanding the problem is sometimes often more important than getting to a solution." Madhav Vyas and Dr. David Lubo-Robles discuss June's The Leading Edge on subsurface uncertainty. In this episode, we talk about: > Methods for assessing uncertainty in seismic workflows > Significant sources of subsurface uncertainty > How integrating different data sources can reduce subsurface uncertainty >...

"The energy transition has opened many new areas, many new doors, and rock physics is really at the center of that." Dr. Laurent Louis highlights rock physics in May's The Leading Edge. In this episode, we talk about: > How rock physics has improved the field of geophysics > The accuracy and applicability of Asaka's rock physics model > Discovering inaccuracies in Gassmann's equation > The develop...