| 15 Oct 2025
Enhancing 2D Deep Seismic Reflection Imaging Using Shot Domain Regularization: A Case Study from the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt, South China
Abstract. Deep seismic reflection is a key method for investigating plate tectonics, as it enables detailed imaging of lithospheric structures – particularly within the crust and upper mantle. It plays a crucial role in understanding crustal evolution and identifying mineral enrichment zones. However, during data acquisition, deviations from the planned shot and receiver locations often occur due to surface constraints or other logistical challenges. These deviations result in irregular seismic data that can introduce significant migration artifacts during processing, ultimately reducing data quality and hindering the interpretation of deep geological structures. To address this issue, we evaluated four data regularization strategies based on anti-aliasing Matching pursuit Fourier interpolation using a 2D deep seismic reflection dataset from the central Jiangnan Orogenic Belt. Among these, the method that involves regularizing and infilling shot gathers at 100-meter intervals produced the most effective results. Compared to legacy contractor-processed data, this method achieved a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved seismic resolution. The superiority of that method was further confirmed through enhanced imaging in the pre-stack time migration results. These findings highlight the importance of shot domain regularization prior to migration in deep seismic reflection surveys.
This manuscript presents a study on improving deep seismic reflection imaging through data regularization techniques. The authors evaluate four anti-aliasing Matching Pursuit Fourier Interpolation (MPFI) strategies and conclude that the approach combining shot-domain regularization and 100 m shot infilling provides the best imaging results. which often leads to migration artifacts and reduced image quality, hindering the interpretation of deep geological structures.
The manuscript addresses a relevant and practical problem in seismic data processing — the degradation of deep seismic reflection images caused by irregular shot and receiver sampling — and proposes a technical solution. The method was applied to a 200 km crooked 2D deep seismic line in the central Jiangnan Orogenic Belt (JOB), South China. The enhanced imaging provides crucial insights into the complex tectonic evolution of this region and aids in identifying major faults and potential mineral enrichment zones.
However, the manuscript would benefit from minor revisions before acceptance. In particular, the reproducibility of the proposed workflow, quantitative evaluation of the improvements, and the geological interpretation of the enhanced images should be strengthened. Please find my comments below:
1、Figure 6 shows the shot gather before and after robust surface consistent deconvolution, however, the significant difference in amplitude scaling between the panels makes it difficult to discern the key improvements brought by the deconvolution.
2、The MPFI workflow (Fig. 7) is clearly presented conceptually, but key implementation details are missing. Please specify: Number of iterations and stopping criteria, frequency band segmentation, construction of the low-frequency prior weights and their influence on alias suppression. These parameters are essential for reproducibility and scientific rigor.
3、Figures 10–11 visually demonstrate improved imaging quality, but the manuscript lacks quantitative measures to support this improvement. Please include metrics such as: Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) increase (before vs. after regularization), fold enhancement statistics, dominant frequency or resolution changes, migration noise reduction (e.g., variance or coherence measures), etc. Quantitative comparisons would significantly strengthen the validity of the proposed approach.
4、 Figures 10 and 11 are intended to show improvements in the shallow and deep sections, respectively. However, as their vertical axes share an identical time range (0.5-6.5 s), this is confusing. Please clarify the specific time intervals that define the "shallow" and "deep" sections in this context. Additionally, I suggest using boxes or arrows to highlight the key areas of improvement in these figures.
5、 Figure 12, 13, 14, 15 should in the same color to show the structure and progress in the different methods.
6、 The improved sections clearly reveal major fault zones (e.g., F1, F2), but the discussion of their geological significance is rather brief. Please elaborate on how the enhanced imaging contributes to understanding the tectonic evolution of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt and mineralization processes, citing recent geophysical or geological findings.
I recommend that the manuscript undergo a MINOR REVISION to address the above comments before further consideration for publication.