Seismic modeling / Сейсмическое моделирование

Seismic numerical modeling is a technique for simulating wave propagation in the earth. The objective is to predict the seismogram that a set of sensors would record, given an assumed structure of the subsurface. This technique is a valuable tool for seismic interpretation and an essential part of seismic inversion algorithms. Another important application of seismic modeling is the evaluation and design of seismic surveys. There are many approaches to seismic modeling. We classify them into three main categories: direct methods, integral-equation methods, and ray-tracing methods.

To solve the wave equation by direct methods, the geological model is approximated by a numerical mesh, that is, the model is discretized in a finite numbers of points. These techniques are also called grid methods and full-wave equation methods, the latter since the solution implicitly gives the full wavefield. Direct methods do not have restrictions on the material variablity and can be very accurate when a sufficiently fine grid is used. Furthermore, the technique can handle the implementation of different rheologies and is well suited for the generation of snapshots which can be an important aid in the interpretation of the results. A disadvantage of these general methods, however, is that they can be more expensive than analytical and ray methods in terms of computer time. <...>