Toward Creating Subsurface Camera

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept and initial prototypes of a real-time, in-situ 3D subsurface imaging system called SAMERA, which integrates sensor networks, signal processing, and geophysical imaging.

Contribution

It presents the first framework and architecture for SAMERA, a geophysical sensor network capable of real-time 3D subsurface imaging, and demonstrates initial seismic imaging prototypes.

Findings

System prototypes for seismic imaging have been built.

SAMERA can compute and record 3D subsurface images in real-time.

Envisions transformative applications in exploration and hazard monitoring.

Abstract

In this article, the framework and architecture of Subsurface Camera (SAMERA) is envisioned and described for the first time. A SAMERA is a geophysical sensor network that senses and processes geophysical sensor signals, and computes a 3D subsurface image in-situ in real-time. The basic mechanism is: geophysical waves propagating/reflected/refracted through subsurface enter a network of geophysical sensors, where a 2D or 3D image is computed and recorded; a control software may be connected to this network to allow view of the 2D/3D image and adjustment of settings such as resolution, filter, regularization and other algorithm parameters. System prototypes based on seismic imaging have been designed. SAMERA technology is envisioned as a game changer to transform many subsurface survey and monitoring applications, including oil/gas exploration and production, subsurface infrastructures and homeland security, wastewater and CO2 sequestration, earthquake and volcano hazard monitoring. The system prototypes for seismic imaging have been built. Creating SAMERA requires an interdisciplinary collaboration and transformation of sensor networks, signal processing, distributed computing, and geophysical imaging.