Abstract：Seismic resolution is always one of major studied problems. On the basis of expounding the difference between the seismic identifying capability and seismic resolution, the paper introduced the definition and criterion of seismic identifying capability, discussed the relationship and difference between seismic identifying capability and geologic interpretation ability and renewed the knowledge about relationship between noise and identifying capability. The study showed that seismic identifying capability is a subjective existence of seismic data that only depends on the nature of seismic wavelet and is independent to whether the noises exists or not in seismic sections. The only way to improve seismic identifying capability is to improve the nature of seismic wavelet. Improving the S/N ratio can only improve seismic-geologic interpretation ability and cannot improve identifying capability fundamentally. Under the condition of fixed seismic identifying capability, using special method (technique) can interpret the variation in thin beds that the thickness of strata is less than λ/4,but never means that the seismic identifying capability will be improved and only illustrates that the seismic-geologic interpretation ability will be strengthened.
