JPEG images of seismic data collected offshore of the Chandeleur Islands, LA, 2007

Processed seismic data were converted to JPEG format for ease of seismic trace display. Quality control was conducted during processing.
Data Quality Problems: Poor sea-state conditions periodically created problems with acquisition of the chirp seismic data during the ACAD07007 cruise. In most instances, heave removal processing (described in processing steps 2-4) greatly minimized the effects of sea state in the final trace data. However, the effects of particularly larger swells do remain within some of the final profiles. In the interest of preserving as much potentially interesting seafloor information as possible, we decided not to lengthen seafloor smoothing filters to the widths that would have been required to remove larger swells. We suggest viewing the JPEG image of line l44f1_000_h.jpg as a reference for the type of seismic artifacts that have been introduced as a result of excessive heave. In general, the artifacts will typically consist of a predictably undulating seafloor reflection that will often be accompanied by a reduction in along-track balance of the seismic traces (ie. vertical striping that alternates between lighter and darker groups of traces, producing a "fencepost"-like appearance). In light of these problems, we caution the interpretation of seafloor features that appear to be at the same scale of heave artifacts within profiles that are obviously affected by problematic sea states.