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THE LEADING EDGE

Covering all aspects of applied geophysics in a style appealing to a broad readership

THE LEADING EDGE complements GEOPHYSICS, SEG's peer-reviewed publication long unrivalled as the world's most respected vehicle for dissemination of developments in exploration and development geophysics. TLE is a gateway publication, introducing new geophysical theory, instrumentation, and established practices to scientists in a wide range of geoscience disciplines. Most material is presented in a semitechnical manner that minimizes mathematical theory and emphasizes practical applications. TLE also serves as SEG's publication venue for official society business.

TLE's regular features include at least four departments with periodic (usually monthly) articles on key technological aspects of geophysics. Material for each of these departments is selected and approved by a geophysicist working in the field.

• Acquisition/Processing treats the latest developments in what many consider the "hard" science part of geophysics.
• Interpreter's Corner is a major focus of TLE because SEG surveys indicate that at least 50% of its 20,000 members (representing more than 100 countries) consider interpretation of geophysical data as their primary duty. These articles emphasize seismology but are not limited to that technique.
• The Meter Reader is designed to update SEG members on the latest developments in potential-fields geophysics.
• Business Bottom Line explores commercial aspects of applied geophysics.

Some features in TLE treat areas other than technology that are likely to impact SEG members and other geoscientists. These articles have varied authorship.

• Round Table offers a forum for debate of contentious issues (technical and nontechnical) affecting geophysics and geophysicists.
• State of the Net describes the evolution of SEG's extensive and increasingly vital Web site. (This feature, not published every month, is available on the free nontechnical articles site.)
• President's Page informs the members of the Executive Committee's actions in such important areas as business office procedures, developing new or improved membership benefits, and cooperative projects with sister societies. (This feature is available on the free nontechnical articles site.)Two regular features, with the same and recognizable bylines, are From the Other Side and Writer's Block.
• From the Other Side, by former SEG President Lee Lawyer, is a popular column that keeps retired SEG members in contact with the geophysical community and each other. (This feature is available on the free nontechnical articles site.)
• Writer's Block, by Ken Mahrer, provides advice on composing technical articles.

Each issue of TLE also features a Special Section devoted to a particular area of technology, especially new techniques or methods that seem likely to have a major impact in the near future on the working routine of most practicing geophysicists. Experts, many of international renown, select articles for these special sections.

Subject Coverage
Applied geophysics is a rapidly changing field. For example, 3D seismology, already rated one of the great technological breakthroughs in the history of resource exploration, has been in routine use only for about 15 years. Although 3D seismic is the best known of the recent advances in technology, there have been many others—AVO, AVA, coherence cube, ocean-bottom seismic, 4D or time-lapse seismic, multicomponent recording and interpretation, deepwater technology, etc. Because the field is changing so rapidly and often unpredictably, TLE publishes articles on all aspects of geophysical technology well before these areas have undergone enough field testing for rigorous peer review. TLE aims to serve as a "loose filter," publishing articles deemed of interest to most exploration geophysicists, but none that run counter to the accepted laws of physics.

A complete archive of THE LEADING EDGE technical papers published since the journal's inception in 1982 is available here in GeoScienceWorld. An identical archive also is available on the Scitation platform as part of the SEG Digital Library. GSW subscribers may purchase print subscriptions to TLE for $20 off the regular price by contacting the books{at}seg.org.

More information about THE LEADING EDGE is available on the TLE page on the SEG Web site.