Reading and Writing SU Format Files in MATLAB

Reading and writing SU (Seismic Unix) format seismic data files in MATLAB is a common task in geophysical data processing. The SU format is a binary data format widely used for storing and exchanging seismic exploration data.

Reading SU Files MATLAB can process SU format seismic data using binary file reading functions. SU files typically contain trace headers and seismic data volumes. When reading, it's essential to correctly parse the data arrangement, which is commonly stored trace-by-trace, with each trace containing multiple sampling points. Key considerations include data byte order (typically big-endian or little-endian) and proper interpretation of critical parameters in trace headers such as sample interval and trace count. Implementation approach: Use fopen with appropriate permission flags, fread with specified precision and byte order, and structured parsing of header information. Typical functions include fread(..., 'float32' or 'int32') for data reading and bitwise operations for header extraction.

Writing SU Files When writing seismic data from MATLAB to SU format files, data must be organized according to SU standard specifications. The writing process involves constructing trace header information and data volumes, then writing to binary files with specified byte order. Essential header fields such as sample count, trace number, and data format must be correctly set to ensure compatibility with other seismic processing software. Implementation approach: Use fwrite with appropriate precision and byte order specification, structure array manipulation for header creation, and systematic file writing trace by trace. Common practice involves preallocating header structures and using fwrite(..., 'ieee-be') for big-endian format.

Application Scenarios These read/write operations are highly practical in seismic data processing for data preprocessing, format conversion, or interoperability with other seismic processing software like Seismic Unix. MATLAB's matrix manipulation capabilities facilitate efficient analysis and visualization of SU data. Code advantage: Leverage MATLAB's built-in functions like reshape, permute, and image processing toolbox for data restructuring and visualization alongside SU data handling.

Processing SU format files through MATLAB enables efficient reading, processing, and storage of seismic data, making it suitable for both research and engineering applications. The integration of MATLAB's computational power with SU format handling creates a robust environment for geophysical data analysis.