Extremely-High Resolution 3D Seismic Data: A Requirement for Offshore Wind along Glaciated Margins

Extremely-high-resolution three-dimensional (EHR3D) seismic data allow to characterize the challenging subsurface along glaciated margins in sufficient quality for offshore infrastructure, such as offshore windfarms. Here we show, based on EHR3D seismic data collected for offshore windfarms in the East Irish Sea, that the imaging and interpretation of such data are of particular benefit for assessing lateral variability, foundation-type analysis, micro-siting, and geohazard assessment. Characterization of glacial landforms provides information on lateral changes in soil type and strength. There is ongoing debate about how extensive and in which stage of an offshore windfarm development such EHR3D seismic data should be collected. The practice of first collecting ultra-high-resolution 2D seismic data, and later acquire EHR3D seismic data at wind turbine generator locations, might be the way forward.