Coherent noise suppression in seismic data using eigenvalue/eigenvector decomposition

A method for the suppression of coherent noise in seismic data based on the eigendecomposition of a data covariance matrix is demonstrated. Coherent noise arising from the seismic energy source is frequently a problem in seismic exploration. The resulting noise manifests itself in seismic data in a variety of forms, depending on the type of energy source, geology, and numerous other factors. Based on the Karhunen-Loeve transform, this procedure is useful against noise energy exhibiting spatial and temporal coherency. Applied to a record of marine seismic data containing backscattered source energy, this method suppresses the noise. The results indicate that this technique could have application to many of the coherent noise problems found in seismic data