the stratigraphy and structural history of the mesozoic and cenozoic ...

The post stack time-migrated seismic data were received in SEG-Y format on 4
mm DAT tapes. Processing of the data was completed by TGS-NOPEC. The data was
loaded onto a Sun Microsystems SunFire V880 server housed at Memorial University
and interpreted using Landmark® software. Data were recorded to a depth of 14 seconds
TWT. Resolution is excellent to a depth of approximately 8 sec TWT above salt and in
non-salt areas (Figure 1-4). Where salt was present the expected raypath distortion was
profound and not fully compensated for by the post-stack time-domain migration.
Two 60-fold deep crustal seismic lines, 88-1 and 88-1a of the Geological Survey
of Canada Lithoprobe dataset, located in or near the thesis study area were also
incorporated in the study (Figure 1-5). The lines run northwest-southeast slightly oblique
to the TGS-NOPEC dip lines. Line 88-1 is approximately 175 kilometers long, extending
far beyond the upper limit of the study area onto the shelf. Line 88-1a extends from the
shelf break approximately 200 kilometers, to the abyssal plane. Line 88-1 was
particularly useful in this study as it extends past the slope salt providence, imaging deep
basement structures that are not well resolved when situated below salt.
Using seismic stratigraphic principles (e.g. Vail et al., 1977a, b) key seismic
surfaces and events were identified and defined in terms of their reflection termination
patterns. The mapping and regional interpretation of sub-salt stratigraphy was limited by
poor data quality.
Mapping was based on time migrated seismic data. Thicknesses are therefore
described as isochronous and measured in two way travel-time. In order to accurately
image geometries, depths and thicknesses, the seismic data would have to be depth
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