Method for displaying seismic data

Claim 1

On a two dimensional seismic display of a cross section of subsurface earth layers, said display having a generally vertical Y axis divided into desired unit parameters of depth and an X axis generally representing horizontal distance over the surface of the earth along which are marked the locations of a plurality of data sampling points spaced apart at desired distance intervals, a method for resolving lineated data comprising the steps of: (a) beneath each data sampling point, determining along the Y axis a graph of a desired intrinsic property of said earth layers whose numerical data values change as a function of said depth parameter; (b) scanning the graphs along the Y axis of first and second adjacent data sampling points to define contour crossing points at desired unit intervals of said graphed numerical data values and determining the algebraic sign of the slope of said graph at each said contour crossing point; (c) connecting, by marked contour segments between said adjacent data sampling points, contour crossing points that match as to numerical data value and algebraic sign; (d) terminating contour segments, from one said data sampling point, at a point between said two adjacent data sampling points, when no matching contour crossing is found on the other said sampling point; (e) forming a plurality of trapezoids between said adjacent sampling points, the top and bottom boundary of each said trapezoid being defined by neighboring contour segments, the lateral boundaries being defined by the respective Y axes; and (f) applying a shading pattern, having a desired characteristic, within one such trapezoid and applying shading patterns having other desired characteristics to other such trapezoids.