Improving Seismic Sections quality by Detailed Velocity Analysis and NU-CNS: A Case Study from Jinding Zinc-Lead Mining Area

Improved Seismic Sectioins using Updated Velocity Stacks

Authors

  • Rehana Ghazi Department of Earth Sciences, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093
  • Chuandong Xue Department of Earth Sciences, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093
  • Changqing Yu Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
  • Kamal Muhammad South Asia Geophysical Services, Islamabad 04412
  • Jingkun Liu Department of Earth Sciences, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093

Keywords:

2-D seismic reflection survey, Velocity Analysis, low SNR data, mineral exploration, Jinding Zn-Pb ore deposit

Abstract

The giant Jinding Zn-Pb deposit, located in the Meso-Cenozoic Lanping Basin, SW China, is structurally controlled by complex fault systems and evaporite-related deformation. However, the deep (>500 m) geological architecture remains poorly constrained. This study presents results from 2-D seismic reflection data processed using an enhanced workflow including coherent noise attenuation, surface-consistent amplitude compensation, detailed velocity analysis, and post-stack migration. Pre- and post-processing comparisons show significant improvement in reflector continuity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Amplitude spectra analysis indicates suppression of low-frequency noise (<15 Hz) and preservation of structural frequencies between 20-45 Hz. Refined semblance analysis improved velocity picking stability, resulting in clearer imaging of reflections between 0.5-3.0 s TWT (approximately 500-3000 m depth). The processed sections reveal gently dipping stratigraphic reflections intersected by steep reverse and strike-slip faults. These structures correlate with known ore-controlling faults and suggest deep fluid migration pathways. Depth-converted sections and 3-D modeling highlight structural doming and fault intersections that likely controlled mineralization. The results refine the structural model of the Jinding deposit and demonstrate that optimized seismic processing can effectively image complex mineral systems in tectonically deformed basins.

References

Chopra, S., & Marfurt, K. J. (2007). Seismic attributes for prospect identification and reservoir characterization. Society of Exploration Geophysicists and European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers.

Huang, G., Song, Y., Zhuang, L., Xue, C., Tian, L., & Wu, W. (2024). Genesis of Gypsum/Anhydrite in the World-Class Jinding Zn-Pb Deposit, SW China: Constraints from Field Mapping, Petrography, and S-O-Sr Isotope Geochemistry. Minerals, 14(6), 564. https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060564

Leach, D. L., Song, Y., & Hou, Z. (2016). The world-class Jinding Zn–Pb deposit: ore formation in an evaporite dome, Lanping Basin, Yunnan, China. Mineralium Deposita, 52(3), 281–296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-016-0668-6

Liang, M., Yang, T., Xue, C., Xin, D., Yan, Z., Liao, C., Han, X., Xie, Z., & Xiang, K. (2022). Complete deformation history of the transition zone between oblique and orthogonal collision belts of the SE Tibetan Plateau: Crustal shortening and rotation caused by the indentation of India into Eurasia. Journal of Structural Geology, 156, 104545..

Song, Y., Hou, Z., Xue, C., & Huang, S. (2020). New mapping of the World-Class Jinding ZN-PB Deposit, Lanping Basin, Southwest China: Genesis of Ore host rocks and records of Hydrocarbon-Rock Interaction. Economic Geology, 115(5), 981–1002. https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.4721

Tang, Y., Bi, X., Fayek, M., Stuart, F. M., Wu, L., Jiang, G., Xu, L. & Liang, F. (2017). Genesis of the Jinding Zn-Pb deposit, northwest Yunnan Province, China: Constraints from rare earth elements and noble gas isotopes. Ore Geology Reviews, 90, 970-986.

Xue, C., Zeng, R., Liu, S., Chi, G., Qing, H., Chen, Y., Yang, J., & Wang, D. (2006). Geologic, fluid inclusion and isotopic characteristics of the Jinding Zn–Pb deposit, western Yunnan, South China: A review. Ore Geology Reviews, 31(1–4), 337–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2005.04.007

Yilmaz. (2001). Seismic data analysis: Processing, Inversion, and Interpretation of seismic data. Society of Exploration Geophysics.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-09

How to Cite

Ghazi, R., Xue, C., Yu, C., Muhammad, K., & Liu, J. (2026). Improving Seismic Sections quality by Detailed Velocity Analysis and NU-CNS: A Case Study from Jinding Zinc-Lead Mining Area: Improved Seismic Sectioins using Updated Velocity Stacks. Journal of Himalayan Earth Sciences. Retrieved from http://ojs.uop.edu.pk/jhes/article/view/2196

Issue

Section

Articles