Fermat's interferometric principle for target-oriented traveltime tomography

Geophysics ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. U47-U50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard T. Schuster
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Traveltime Tomography ◽  
Buried Interfaces ◽  
Transit Times ◽  
Fermat's Principle ◽  
Resolution Estimation ◽  
Oriented Approach ◽  
Whole Earth

An interferometric form of Fermat's principle is derived that allows for high-resolution estimation of the velocity distribution between deep interfaces. The data consist of reflection traveltimes from two deeply buried interfaces A and B recorded by sources and caused by receivers at the surface. Fermat's interferometric principle is then used to kinematically redatum the surface sources and receivers to interface A so that the associated reflection times correspond to localized transit times between the A and B interfaces. The velocity model above interface A does not need to be known, so the distorting effects of the overburden and statics are eliminated by this target-oriented approach. Interferometric target-oriented tomography promises to enhance the resolution of whole-earth and exploration tomograms.

scholarly journals 2D High-Resolution Crosswell Seismic Traveltime Tomography

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Chuan Li ◽  
JianXin Liu ◽  
Jianping Liao ◽  
Andrew Hursthouse
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Well Logging ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Traveltime Tomography ◽  
Reference Velocity ◽  
Velocity Information ◽  
High Resolution Reconstruction

This paper presents a method for combining the hybrid eikonal solver and the prior velocity information to obtain high-resolution crosswell imaging. The hybrid eikonal solver in this technique can ensure rapid and reliable forward modeling of traveltime field in an unsmoothed velocity model. We also utilize the sonic well logging curve to properly develop an initial reference velocity model, and use the sonic well logging data as the prior information for the inversion part, which can restrict the problem of non-uniqueness. The results of the numerical experiment of traveltime in multi-layer media showed that the hybrid eikonal solver was more accurate than the finite difference method. The case study of an oil field in eastern China demonstrated that our method can derive a high-resolution reconstruction of the subsurface structure by inverting the primary traveltime datasets. These results suggest that even though the eikonal equation is a high frequency approximation to the wavefield, the hybrid eikonal solver can provide an accurate traveltime field in the forward modelling step of seismic crosswell tomography, which is critical to ensure high-resolution invert imaging in a highly heterogeneous environment.

scholarly journals Application of Frequency-Dependent Traveltime Tomography to 2D Crosswell Seismic Field Data

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianping Liao ◽  
Zhenwei Guo ◽  
Hexiu Liu ◽  
Shixin Dai ◽  
Yanlin Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Traveltime Tomography ◽  
First Arrival ◽  
Forward And Inverse Modeling ◽  
High Resolution Reconstruction

We applied Zelt's new frequency-dependent traveltime tomography (FDTT) method to 2D crosswell seismic field data from an eastern oil field in China. The FDTT uses the frequency content in the seismic waves in both the forward and inverse modeling steps. Although FDTT only uses a 300 Hz frequency to invert the dataset, the degree of matching between the inverted layers from FDTT and that of a sonic well logging curve is high, which shows that FDTT provides a high resolution reconstruction of subsurface structure through the simple use of the first-arrival traveltime data. The case study demonstrates that the FDTT algorithm is practical and can stand up to the complexities of a real 2D crosswell dataset. Additionally, we show that the FDTT method can create a high resolution long wavelength velocity model.

Target-oriented interferometric tomography for GPR data

Geophysics ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. J1-J6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif M. Hanafy ◽  
Gerard T. Schuster
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Model ◽  
Estimation Accuracy ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Interferometric Technique ◽  
Traveltime Tomography ◽  
Transit Times ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Tomography Method ◽  
Ground Penetrating

An interferometric form of Fermat’s principle and traveltime tomography is used to invert ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data for the subsurface velocity distribution. The input data consist of GPR traveltimes of reflections from two buried interfaces, [Formula: see text] (reference) and [Formula: see text] (target), where the data are excited and recorded by GPR antennas at the surface. Fermat’s interferometric principle is then used to redatum the surface transmitters and receivers to interface [Formula: see text] so the associated reflection traveltimes correspond to localized transit times between interfaces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The overburden velocity model above interface [Formula: see text] is not required. The result after tomographic inversion is a high-resolution estimate of the velocity between interfaces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] that does not depend on the velocity model above interface [Formula: see text]. A motivation for introducing interferometric traveltime tomography is that typical layer-stripping approaches will see the slowness error increase with depth as the layers are inverted. This suggests that near-surface statics errors are propagated and amplified with depth. In contrast, the interferometric traveltime tomography method largely eliminates statics errors by taking the difference between reflection events that emanate from neighboring layer interfaces. Slowness errors are not amplified with depth. However, the method is sensitive to the estimation accuracy for the geometry of the reference interface. Both synthetic and real field data are used successfully to validate the effectiveness of this interferometric technique.

High Resolution Imaging of the South Hikurangi Subduction Zone, New Zealand, Using 2‐D Full‐Waveform Inversion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Djeffal ◽  
Ingo Pecher ◽  
Satish Singh ◽  
Jari Kaipio
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Full Waveform Inversion ◽  
Traveltime Tomography ◽  
Full Waveform ◽  
Velocity Images

<p>Large quantities of fluids are predicted to be expelled from compacting sediments on subduction margins. Fluid expulsion is thought to be focussed, but its exact locations are usually constrained on very small scales and rarely can be resolved using velocity images obtained from traditional velocity analysis and ray-based tomography because of their resolution and accuracy limitation. However, with recent advancement in computing power, the full waveform inversion (FWI) is a powerful alternative to those traditional approaches as it uses phase and amplitude information contained in seismic data to yield a high-resolution velocity model of the subsurface.</p><p>Here, we applied elastic FWI along an 85 Km long 2D multichannel seismic profile on the southern Hikurangi margin, New Zealand. Our processing sequence includes: (1) downward continuation, (2) 2D traveltime tomography, and (3) full waveform inversion of wide-angle seismic data. We will present the final high-resolution velocity model and our interpretation of the fluid flow regimes associated with both the deforming overriding plate and the subducting plate.</p>

Near-surface seismic traveltime tomography using a direct-push source and surface-planted geophones

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. G17-G25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Paasche ◽  
Ulrike Werban ◽  
Peter Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Alluvial Deposits ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Traveltime Tomography ◽  
Direct Push ◽  
Refraction Seismic ◽  
Push Technology

Information about seismic velocity distribution in heterogeneous near-surface sedimentary deposits is essential for a variety of environmental and engineering geophysical applications. We have evaluated the suitability of the minimally invasive direct-push technology for near-surface seismic traveltime tomography. Geophones placed at the surface and a seismic source installed temporarily in the subsurface by direct-push technology quickly acquire reversed multioffset vertical seismic profiles (VSPs). The first-arrival traveltimes of these data were used to reconstruct the 2D seismic velocity distribution tomographically. After testing this approach on synthetic data, we applied it to field data collected over alluvial deposits in a former river floodplain. The resulting velocity model contains information about high- and low-velocity anomalies and offers a significantly deeper penetration depth than conventional refraction tomography using surface-planted sources and receivers at the investigated site. A combination of refraction seismic and direct-push data increases resolution capabilities in the unsaturated zone and enables reliable reconstruction of velocity variations in near-surface unconsolidated sediments. The final velocity model structurally matches the results of cone-penetration tests and natural gamma-radiation data acquired along the profile. The suitability of multiple rapidly acquired reverse VSP surveys for 2D tomographic velocity imaging of near-surface unconsolidated sediments was explored.

scholarly journals Structure-controlled asperities of the 1920 Haiyuan M8.5 and 1927 Gulang M8 earthquakes, NE Tibet, China, revealed by high-resolution seismic tomography

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Sun ◽  
Shunping Pei ◽  
Zhongxiong Cui ◽  
Yongshun John Chen ◽  
Yanbing Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Seismic Tomography ◽  
High Velocity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Large Earthquake ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Tectonic Stress ◽  
Double Difference ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Large Earthquakes

AbstractDetailed crustal structure of large earthquake source regions is of great significance for understanding the earthquake generation mechanism. Numerous large earthquakes have occurred in the NE Tibetan Plateau, including the 1920 Haiyuan M8.5 and 1927 Gulang M8 earthquakes. In this paper, we obtained a high-resolution three-dimensional crustal velocity model around the source regions of these two large earthquakes using an improved double-difference seismic tomography method. High-velocity anomalies encompassing the seismogenic faults are observed to extend to depths of 15 km, suggesting the asperity (high-velocity area) plays an important role in the preparation process of large earthquakes. Asperities are strong in mechanical strength and could accumulate tectonic stress more easily in long frictional locking periods, large earthquakes are therefore prone to generate in these areas. If the close relationship between the aperity and high-velocity bodies is valid for most of the large earthquakes, it can be used to predict potential large earthquakes and estimate the seismogenic capability of faults in light of structure studies.

Imaging the Ice Sheet and Uppermost Crustal Structures with a Dense Linear Seismic Array in the Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Fu ◽  
Jingxue Guo ◽  
Junlun Li ◽  
Bao Deng ◽  
Guofeng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Dispersion Curves ◽  
Body Waves ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Prydz Bay ◽  
Larsemann Hills ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Short Period

Abstract Comprehensive geophysical surveys including magnetotelluric, seismic, and aerial gravity–magnetic surveys are essential for understanding the history of Antarctic tectonics. The ice sheet and uppermost structure derived from those geophysical methods are relatively low resolution. Although ice-penetrating radar can provide high-resolution reflectivity images of the ice sheet, it cannot provide constraints on subice physical properties, which are important for geological understanding of the Antarctic continent. To obtain high-resolution images of the ice sheet and uppermost crustal structure beneath the Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica, we conduct an ambient noise seismic experiment with 100 short-period seismometers spaced at 0.2 km intervals. Continuous seismic waveforms are recorded for one month at a 2 ms sampling rate. Empirical Green’s functions are extracted by cross correlating the seismic waveform of one station with that of another station, and dispersion curves are extracted using a new phase-shift method. A high-resolution shear-velocity model is derived by inverting the dispersion curves. Furthermore, body waves are enhanced using a set of processing techniques commonly used in seismic exploration. The stacked body-wave image clearly shows a geological structure similar to that revealed by the shear-wave velocity model. This study, which is the first of its kind in Antarctica, possibly reveals a near-vertical intrusive rock covered by an ice sheet with a horizontal extent of 4 km. Our results help to improve the understanding of the subice environment and geological evolution in the Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica.

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