Seismic Soundoff

“The biggest challenge for geophysicists? Learning machine learning's ‘new language’ from the world of statistics.” Machine learning is transforming geoscience, and Gerard Schuster explains how. This conversation explores key ML applications in seismic interpretation, the role of convolutional neural networks in fault detection, and why hands-on labs are essential for mastering these techniques. With real-world examples and insights from his new book, Machine Learning Methods in Geoscience, this episode delivers practical knowledge for integrating ML into geophysics. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Why ML matters for geoscientists – The demand for ML skills is growing, and Jerry shares how this shift shapes education and careers. > CNNs in action – Convolutional neural networks are used to detect rock cracks in Saudi Arabia through drone imagery. > Transformers vs. traditional neural networks – Transformers process seismic data differently by capturing long-range dependencies, offering new advantages. NEXT STEP Explore Ma