The recent advent of long recording spreads and the development of new programs for digital processing have yielded large quantities of detailed information on seismic velocities along each line of recording. These advances have multiplied the ability of the geophysical interpreter to convert his seismic time data properly to more accurate depth displays for proper integration with geologic data, thus narrowing the gap in interpretation of structure and lithology between the geologist and geophysicist.

In steep dip areas of offshore California, it is imperative that the individual segments of events appearing on seismic time sections be migrated to their proper original positions. This geometric reconstruction can be approximated successfully by the proper use of velocity data in seismic wave-front methods of migration. Two-dimensional plots of seismic depth sections can be produced economically at present; such plots incorporate changing vertical and horizontal velocity data. Various methods of two-dimensional representation of structure are available.

Much greater effort must be devoted to integrated geophysical-geological interpretation of the great masses of seismic data which are being accumulated if management is to realize full return on exploration investments.

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