P-wave velocity modeling on the Gulf of Lion's margin

During the SARDINIA experiment, three coincident MCS reflection and wide-angle seismic profiles, sub-bottom high resolution (CHIRP) profiles, and bathymetry data were collected on the Gulf of Lion margin. The seismic reflection data were acquired using a 4.5 km, 360 trace digital streamer and a tuned airgun array of 8260 in3, towed at a depth of 18-28 m. A total of 57 ocean bottom seismometer/ hydrophones (OBS/OBH) from Ifremer, University of Brest, and Geomar Kiel were deployed in the Gulf of Lion, spaced every 7 Nm (~13 km). The airgun array consists of 16 airguns ranging from 100 in3 G-guns to 16 L Bolt airguns, with main frequencies centered around 10-15 Hz. The airguns were tuned to the first bubble to enhance low frequencies and ensure a good penetration. The shot interval was 60 s at an average speed of 5 knots, which translates to a trace spacing of about 140-150 m. The sample rate was 8 ms for the micrOBS, 5 ms for the Geomar’s OBS and 4 ms for the OldOBS. A total of 6160 shots (profile AB: 3032, profile CD: 1730, profile EF: 1398) were fired by the air gun array. Profile AB crosses the Gulf of Lion’s margin, parallel to the ECORS profile, from the continental shelf to Domain III. Twenty-five ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) were deployed on this profile, of 467 km in length. Twenty-two instruments were used in the wide-angle modelling, since three instruments (OBS 45, 49 and 52) did not properly record. The shots on this profile were additionally recorded by 9 land seismic stations (OSIRIS stations from the University of Brest and Geosciences Azur) that have extended the marine profile ~120 km onshore. Profiles CD and EF are 250 and 210 km long transects parallel to the margin. Profile CD was acquired using 19 OBS of which 18 yielded usable data. Profile EF was acquired using 15 OBS of which 12 yielded usable data. These two profiles cross the profile AB, respectivelyat OBS 26  and OBS 8.