Geological Characterization of the Dutch Wadden Sea Using Shallow Reflection Seismics

Mapping of the Dutch Wadden Sea is a major challenge as it is an intertidal zone and therefore has limited accessibility by surveying vessels. Hence, the current subsurface model of the Dutch Wadden Sea is based on a sparse density of lithological information derived from core samples and seismic data. To improve the vertical and lateral detail of the current model of the shallow subsurface of the Wadden Sea area, additional seismic surveys were performed during 2007 and 2008. Four types of source and receiver systems were deployed simultaneously to provide subsurface information at different depth ranges. Results indicate that the amount of distorting interference by deploying different seismic sources simultaneously was insignificant for the major part of the data. Lithostratigraphic horizons, as defined in the existing subsurface model, were correlated to seismic horizons. The outcomes of the study showed that the use of seismic data, in addition to core samples, provides valued information for mapping and modeling of the shallow subsurface of the Dutch Wadden Sea. As a next step, this information derived from multiple shallow reflection seismics can be used to improve the current subsurface model.