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Seismic attribute
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Reflection_seismology/SjYqC6kv">reflection seismology</a>, a seismic attribute is a quantity extracted or derived from <a href="/facts/Seismic_data/lfnay3vo">seismic data</a> that can be analysed in order to enhance information that might be more subtle in a traditional seismic image, leading to a better <a href="/facts/Geology/WGvVRIYF">geological</a> or <a href="/facts/Geophysics/ywVQ1sAQ">geophysical</a> interpretation of the data. Examples of seismic attributes can include measured time, <a href="/facts/Amplitude/aEckuXJM">amplitude</a>, <a href="/facts/Frequency/QUSbPaW8">frequency</a> and <a href="/facts/Attenuation/XP4vX360">attenuation</a>, in addition to combinations of these. Most seismic attributes are post-stack, but those that use CMP gathers, such as <a href="/facts/Amplitude_versus_offset/lbWVuVeb">amplitude versus offset</a> (AVO), must be analysed pre-stack. They can be measured along a single seismic trace or across multiple traces within a defined window. </p><p>The first attributes developed were related to the 1D <a href="/facts/Seismic_trace/PFCmDcwo">complex seismic trace</a> and included: envelope amplitude, <a href="/facts/Instantaneous_phase/fJ17zuan">instantaneous phase</a>, <a href="/facts/Instantaneous_frequency/fJ17zuan">instantaneous frequency</a>, and apparent polarity. <a href="/facts/Acoustic_impedance/FdXaKVjo">Acoustic impedance</a> obtained from <a href="/facts/Seismic_inversion/GsfGSXbv">seismic inversion</a> can also be considered an attribute and was among the first developed. </p><p>Other attributes commonly used include: <a href="/facts/Coherence_(signal_processing)/xFeuVsth">coherence</a>, <a href="/facts/Azimuth/kEyt9nJ3">azimuth</a>, <a href="/facts/Dip_(geology)/2rpJ542n">dip</a>, <a href="/facts/Instantaneous_amplitude/3JsLqPoh">instantaneous amplitude</a>, response amplitude, response phase, instantaneous bandwidth, <a href="/facts/Amplitude_versus_offset/lbWVuVeb">AVO</a>, and <a href="/facts/Decomposition_of_spectrum_(functional_analysis)/6jQ7KdsE">spectral decomposition</a>. </p><p>A seismic attribute that can indicate the presence or absence of <a href="/facts/Hydrocarbon/Dcg95Ju5">hydrocarbons</a> is known as a <a href="/facts/Direct_hydrocarbon_indicator/rzJfPw7l">direct hydrocarbon indicator</a>. </p>