December 20, 2024
A three-day workshop on �Seismic Modeling and Migration using SeisRTM� was successfully conducted at BHU, Varanasi, from March 26th to 28th, 2025. SeisRTM is an advanced and highly customizable Reverse Time Migration (RTM) software developed by C-DAC Pune in collaboration with IIT Roorkee and IIT BHU, as part of India�s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) under MeitY. The workshop was jointly organized by Seismic Data Processing (SDP), C-DAC Pune; the Department of Geophysics, BHU Varanasi; and the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee. This event marked the third in a series of workshops planned across various institutes in India. The inaugural workshop was held at IIT Roorkee on December 6th, 2024, and received an overwhelming response.
Throughout the three-day event, participants engaged in hands-on training, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in seismic imaging techniques. The sessions covered fundamental and advanced topics, equipping attendees with the expertise to utilize SeisRTM for seismic data analysis. Additionally, the workshop featured insightful talks by Prof. Anand Joshi, Head of the Earth Sciences Department at IIT Roorkee, and Ms. Richa Rastogi, Scientist F at C-DAC Pune. The primary objective of the workshop was to expand the outreach of SeisRTM, encouraging its adoption and further development, while also advancing research and innovation in seismic imaging.
Day 01: Inauguration & Introduction to Seismic Modeling
More than 100 students enthusiastically participated in the workshop held at the Department of Geophysics, BHU Varanasi. Prof. G. P. Singh, Head, Department of Geophysics, BHU warmly welcomed the attendees, highlighting the significance of SeisRTM as a state-of-the-art and highly customizable Reverse Time Migration (RTM) software.
During the inaugural session, the Prof. Anand Joshi, Head, Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee, emphasized the wide-ranging applications of SeisRTM beyond seismology. He noted that while the workshop primarily focused on seismic studies, the software holds immense potential in mineral exploration, mineral processing, resource reserve estimation, and mineral deposit recovery.
The first day of the workshop introduced participants to foundational topics, including:
- Basic LINUX and SLURM commands
- 2D model and geometry creation
- Generating seismic data using 2D isotropic modeling
The sessions featured insights from leading experts, including a key presentation on seismic modeling and migration by Ms. Richa Rastogi, Scientist F, C-DAC Pune. The hands-on training session on SeisRTM Software was conducted by:
- Ms. Nithu Mangalath, Senior Project Engineer, C-DAC Pune
- Ms. Sneha Bidve, Project Engineer, C-DAC Pune
- Shri. Vaibhav Khonde, Project Engineer, C-DAC Pune
The interactive sessions provided participants with valuable theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
Day 2: Deep Dive into RTM and Hands-On Training
The second day of the workshop featured an insightful lecture by Prof. Anand Joshi, Head, Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee, on the theoretical aspects of Reverse Time Migration (RTM).
Prof. Joshi�s lecture provided a comprehensive overview, starting with a detailed explanation of seismic modeling fundamentals and various seismic modeling techniques. He highlighted the key applications and differences between these methods, illustrating how seismic outputs vary across different modeling approaches.The session also featured real world examples, demonstrating how seismic data is generated and interpreted.
The lecture concluded with a deep dive into Reverse Time Migration, emphasizing its critical role in imaging subsurface structures and enhancing the accuracy of seismic data interpretation. His engaging presentation sparked curiosity and discussions among participants, making complex concepts more accessible and insightful.
Practical Training & Interactive Sessions
The hands-on session kicked off with the seismic migration of previously generated data, followed by post-RTM utilities to refine the imaging process. Participants also gained practical experience in job submission on HPC systems and explored different schedulers used in high-performance computing.
Adding to the experience, a photo session was organized midway through the workshop at the Department of Geophysics, BHU Main building and the workshop venue, capturing the enthusiasm and engagement of all participants.
Day 03: Application-Focused Training & Valedictory Session
On the final day of the workshop, participants worked with SEGY data to execute RTM applications, engaging in in-depth discussions on real-world seismic processing and imaging techniques.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory session, graced by Prof. S. K. Upadhyay, Dean, Faculty of Science, BHU Varanasi. In his address, he emphasized the importance of hands-on workshops, where students gain practical exposure to cutting-edge technologies. He highlighted the impact of indigenous software like SeisRTM, developed under the NSM, in advancing technical expertise and research in seismic imaging.
