Application of deep-towed multichannel seismic system for gas hydrate on mid-slope of northern Cascadia margin

The Deep-towed Acoustics and Geophysics System (DTAGS) is a high frequency (220–820 Hz) multichannel seismic system towed about 300 m above seafloor. Compared to the conventional surface-towed seismic system, the DTAGS system is characterized by its shorter wavelength (<6 m), smaller Fresnel zone, and greater sampling in wavenumber space, so it has unique advantages in distinguishing fine sedimentary layers and geological structures. Given the near-bottom configuration and wide high-frequency bandwidth, the precise source and hydrophone positioning is the basement of subsequent seismic imaging and velocity analysis, and thus the quality of array geometry inversion is the key of DTAGS data processing. In the application of exploration for marine gas hydrate on mid-slope of northern Cascadia margin, the DTAGS system has shown high vertical and lateral resolution images of the sedimentary and structural features of the Cucumber Ridge (a carbonate mound) and Bullseye Vent (a cold vent), and provided abundant information for the evaluation of gas hydrate concentration and the mechanism of fluid flow that controls the formation and distribution of gas hydrate.