RESEARCH PROGRAMME OF SEISMIC WAVES IN COMPLEX 3-D STRUCTURES

The research is focused primarily on the fundamental issues of high-frequency seismic wave propagation in complex 3-D isotropic and anisotropic structures, which go beyond the traditional approaches. The ray method and its recent extensions, as well as its combination with other methods are mainly applied and investigated. The emphasis is put on new, stable, more efficient and flexible algorithms for the forward and inverse numerical modelling of seismic wave fields in 3-D inhomogeneous, isotropic and anisotropic structures. Considerable attention is also devoted to applications involving S waves, converted waves, S-wave splitting and coupling in anisotropic media, particle ground motions, etc. Much more detailed information can be obtained at "http://sw3d.mff.cuni.cz".

The research programme was begun on October 1, 1993. The programme will go into its seventh year on October 1, 1999.


RESEARCH PROGRAMME FOR THE SEVENTH YEAR

October 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000

1. Program packages

Package MODEL:
Model: General 3-D layered and block isotropic or anisotropic structures, containing isolated bodies, pinchouts, etc. Inside the layers and blocks, the elastic parameters may vary in all three dimensions. Dissipation and non-planar topography can be considered.
Planned innovations: Model smoothing, data fitting by inversion, conversion of model parametrization, triangulation and visualization.

Package CRT:
Model: Using package MODEL.
Type of waves: Arbitrary type of elementary seismic body wave corresponding to the zero-order ray theory (P,S, converted).
Computations: Arbitrary position and shape of the source, initial-value ray tracing by numerical integration of ray equations, two-point ray tracing by the shooting method, travel-time computation, dynamic ray tracing, paraxial-ray propagator matrix, geometrical spreading, vectorial amplitudes, polarization vectors. The package may be applied to the evaluation of the elastodynamic ray-theory Green function, and to the computation of synthetic seismograms, including the coupling ray theory for weak anisotropy and the response of fine layers at receiver sites (program package RMATRIX by C.J. Thomson, linked to the CRT package).
Aquisition schemes: Surface seismics (land and marine), VSP, cross-hole, OBS, OBC.
Planned innovations: The package will be extended to solve various inversion problems.

Package ANRAY:
Model: 3-D laterally varying structures containing isotropic and anisotropic non-vanishing layers. Specification of elastic parameters inside individual layers either by linear interpolation between isosurfaces of elastic parameters, or by B-spline interpolation within a 3-D rectangular grid of elastic parameters.
Types of waves: Arbitrary type of elementary seismic body wave (P, S, qP, qS1, qS2, any converted wave, coupled qS waves).
Computations: Numerical integration of ray tracing and dynamic ray tracing equations, calculation of ray vectorial amplitudes, ray-theory Green function (also the Green function in the quasi-isotropic approximation for qS waves), ray synthetic seismograms, particle ground motions.
Aquisition schemes: Surface seismics (land and marine), VSP, cross-hole, OBS, OBC.
Planned innovations: (a) Further development of the quasi-isotropic approximation (introduction of reflection and transmission into the QI computations, implementation of the QI approximation for qP waves). (b) Calculation of KMAH index in anisotropic media. (c) Checks of stability of the anisotropic stiffness tensor in interpolated data. (d) Ray tracing tests with RHS specified by the polarization vectors. (e) Modifications of outputs so that the graphical software developed for the MODEL and CRT packages can be used. (f) Further debugging, removal of inconsistencies in the description of the package.

Package NET:
Model: Using package MODEL or using gridded velocities.
Types of waves: First arrivals, constrained first arrivals.
Computations: Arbitrary position and shape of the source. First-arrival travel times in the whole model are computed. The algorithm of computation is independent of the model's complexity.
Aquisition schemes: Surface seismics (land and marine), VSP, cross-hole, OBS, OBC.

Package FD:
Model: Using package MODEL.
Type of waves: Complete elastic wave field.
Computations: Presently 2-D, without fluids.
Aquisition schemes: Surface seismics (land).
Planned innovations: 3-D, hybrid methods.

Package FORMS:
Computations: Data input and output used by other packages, management and plotting of synthetic seismograms, 2-D and 3-D graphics including 3-D virtual reality, manipulation with gridded data (data cubes) and other general-purpose seismic software.
Planned innovations: Extension of manipulation with data cubes (e.g., 3-D FFT, 3-D random functions and correlation functions), programs for matrix and vector operations necessary for inversion.

2. Sample data for the program packages

Examples of the input data describing or approximating models delivered by the sponsors or other typical models will be prepared. Examples of the input data to perform calculations in such models will also be prepared.

3. Two-point ray tracing in complex isotropic 3-D structures

The two-point ray tracing code will further be tested and applied to various models. Attention will also be devoted to the calculation of two-point rays diffracted from edges and corner points, and to the possibility of calculating the corresponding amplitudes and contributions to synthetic seismograms, e.g., by the paraxial approximation of edge waves.

4. Synthetic seismograms in 3-D isotropic complex structures

Methods to calculate synthetic seismograms in complex structures will be studied, mutually compared and combined.

5. Seismic wave propagation in weakly anisotropic inhomogeneous media

Theoretical investigation of the applicability and accuracy of the coupling ray theory and of perturbations from isotropic media. Extensive tests of accuracy with programs based on the quasi-isotropic approximation. Comparison with the results of other methods for weakly anisotropic media, especially in the singular regions.

Study of the inaccuracy of the coupling ray theory due to the differences between the reference and exact rays. Estimation of frequencies at which the quasi-isotropic approximation should be replaced by the anisotropic ray theory, or by the coupling ray theory along the anisotropic ray theory rays.

6. Weak contrast R/T coefficients for weakly anisotropic media

Derivation and programming of formulae for converted and unconverted R/T coefficients for weak contrast interfaces separating weakly anisotropic media. Study of feasibility of inverting R/T coefficients for WA parameters.

7. R/T coefficients for inhomogeneous waves in dissipative elastic media

Computation of R/T coefficients at structural interfaces and thin transition layers between two isotropic dissipative media will be tested further. The main attention will be devoted to frequency-independent reference R/T coefficients.

8. Computation of ray-theory travel times, amplitudes and other quantities at the nodes of 3-D grids

Algorithms of fast calculation of ray-theory travel times in dense rectangular grids will be investigated further. The accuracy and efficiency of the interpolation of ray-theory travel times within ray cells in 3-D models will be studied further, and the relevant numerical algorithms will be improved, or new ones will be proposed. If possible, attention will also be devoted to the interpolation between different shot and receiver positions.

9. Accuracy of seismic modelling

The research will be concentrated mainly on the accuracy of travel-time calculations, on the accuracy of finite-difference modelling of seismic wave fields, and on the accuracy of other modelling methods designed or studied within the framework of the project. The main attention will be devoted to the estimation of the feasibility and costs of ray tracing, to the estimation of the Lyapunov exponents for velocity models, and to the high-frequency validity of velocity models.

10. Seismic tomography

Development of theory, algorithms and programs applicable in seismic travel-time tomography and inversion of coherency panels, with emphasis on the estimation of their accuracy.

Further development of algorithms for seismic travel-time tomography in anisotropic media (extensions to types of data other than VSP, extension to S-wave data, testing on synthetic examples). The theoretical investigation will also be aimed at the determination of the resolution of the elastic parameters with respect to the measurement geometry.

11. Migrations

Resolution and accuracy of migrations will be studied. Attention will be paid to the physical meaning of the migrated sections and to their sensitivity to the velocity model, including its anisotropy.

12. Finite-difference solutions of elastodynamic equations

The main attention will be paid to the development of a new 3-D elastic code and to the hybrid DW-FD and Ray-FD methods.

13. Concluding remarks

In addition to this programme, we will certainly be responsive to specific technical suggestions and recommendations of sponsors within the general framework of the project. The research in most directions listed above will continue into the future years of the project.
You may download PostScript file prog00.ps (61 kB) with the Research Programme.
SW3D - main page of consortium Seismic Waves in Complex 3-D Structures .