Dynamic range issues and image information content when visualizing seismic data

   The purpose of this review is to discuss the problem of seismic data visualization in relation to human vision capabilities based on the seismic signal dynamic range assessment.

   The ways of increasing the information content and efficiency of visualization methods in terms of increasing their resolution are considered. The conducted analysis has shown that the dynamic range of seismic recordings exceeds the capabilities of the human eye by 2–3 orders of magnitude and the capabilities of technical visualization means by 4–5 orders of magnitude. Color vision models are considered on example of the most versatile hardware additive RGB color model. The model was chosen based on the idea of the human vision system as a set of photosensitive cones that register red, green and blue colors and the human brain, which processes and forms a color image in one’s consciousness. The relationships between monochrome and color images perceived by the human eye based on several types of sensitive receptors have been established. It is concluded that the use of a color image significantly expands information capabilities. Thus, 8 grey steps are enough for the monochrome method of information output, whereas the use of color devices allows to increase the number of steps up to 14. The methodology for solving this problem consists in the application of new technologies based on the use of large-scale and three-dimensional images providing a significant increase in the values of luminous flux, resolution and contrast based on the expansion of the dynamic range taking into consideration the limits of human vision.

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