MATLAB Code Implementation for Seismic Data Reading

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MATLAB code implementation for reading SEG2 format seismic data with detailed technical explanations

Detailed Documentation

Implementing SEG2 format seismic data reading in MATLAB SEG2 is a common seismic data storage format widely used in geophysical exploration. Reading this type of data through MATLAB programs facilitates subsequent signal processing, visualization, and analysis workflows. The core of SEG2 data reading implementation lies in parsing the binary file structure. The SEG2 format typically consists of three parts: file headers, trace headers, and data blocks. File headers store global information such as sampling rate and number of traces; trace headers record parameters for each data trace; while data blocks contain the actual seismic waveforms. During implementation, special attention must be paid to byte order (big-endian or little-endian), which affects binary data parsing. MATLAB's fread function, when used with correct precision parameters, can accurately extract data values. Key implementation steps include: - Using fopen with appropriate file access modes - Implementing byte-order detection algorithms for header parsing - Applying structure arrays to organize trace metadata efficiently - Utilizing vectorized operations for optimal data extraction performance For large seismic data files, a chunk-based reading strategy is recommended to prevent memory overflow issues. This can be achieved through: - Implementing buffer size calculations based on system memory - Creating loop structures with incremental file position tracking - Using MATLAB's memory management functions for optimal resource utilization By reading SEG2 data, researchers can quickly access critical information such as seismic waveforms and geophone positions, providing foundational data support for subsequent processing workflows including time-frequency analysis and velocity modeling. The implementation typically involves creating custom MATLAB functions that handle format validation, error checking, and data quality verification during the reading process.