The application of reflection seismology to the investigation of the geometry of near-surface units and faults in the Blake River Group, Abitibi Belt, Quebec

Reprocessing of part of a Lithoprobe high-resolution seismic reflection line across the southern part of the Abitibi Belt has improved the imaging of shallow reflections and allowed correlation of the data with surface geology. Enhancement of early reflections was accomplished by focusing on the high-frequency content of the data. This improved resolution of reflections at two-way traveltime as early as 0.3 s and attenuated noise such as shear waves. The shallow reflections are interpreted as impedance contrasts at the contact between a metadiabase–diorite body and metavolcanics rocks. Offsets of the reflectors correlate with faults mapped at the surface and indicate a downdropped block, which may be of interest for mineral exploration.