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Title: Finite-difference solutions of the 3-D eikonal equation

Conference ·
OSTI ID:542999
; ;  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

Prestack Kirchhoff depth migration requires the computation of traveltimes from surface source and receiver locations to subsurface image locations. In 3-D problems, computational efficiency becomes important. Finite-difference solutions of the eikonal equation provide computationally efficient methods for generating the traveltime information. Here, a novel finite-difference solutions of the eikonal equation provide computationally efficient methods for generating the traveltime information. Here, a novel finite-difference method for computing the first arrival traveltime by solving the eikonal equation has been developed in Cartesian coordinates. The method, which is unconditionally stable and computationally efficient, can handle instabilities due to caustics and provide information about head waves. The comparison of finite-difference solutions of the acoustic wave equation with the traveltime solutions from the eikonal equation in various structure models demonstrate that the method developed here can provide correct first arrival traveltime information even in areas of complex velocity structure.

DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
542999
Report Number(s):
CONF-951013-; TRN: 97:004463-0188
Resource Relation:
Conference: SEG `95: 65. annual meeting and international exposition of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), Houston, TX (United States), 8-13 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of SEG/Houston `95 - technical program; PB: 1623 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English