Acoustic-wave propagation in thin-layered media with steep reflectors

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Geophysics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1443548· OSTI ID:6870167

Deng, H L ^[1]

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1. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)

Seismic waves reflected from steep interfaces beneath layered sediments spend a significant portion of time traveling almost horizontally. Therefore, accurate imaging of steep geologic structure requires knowledge of the behavior of these horizontally propagating waves; in particular, the role of evanescence and tunneling of seismic waves propagating in thin-layered media. For thin-layered media, modeling of zero-offset reflection shows frequency-dependent amplitude and phase behavior that varies with reflector dip. Waves propagating vertically in a sequence of thin layers lose high frequencies by stratigraphic filtering. However, waves reflected from steep reflectors in a thin-layered medium are also attenuated and dispersed by the less well-known evanescent filtering. These two low-pass filtering actions depend on reflector dip and bed thickness in different ways: evanescent filtering is more severe for steeper reflectors and thicker beds, while stratigraphic filtering is more severe for flat reflectors and thinner beds. Waves traveling in layered media may suffer high-frequency loss from both these effects.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-89ER14079
• OSTI ID: 6870167
• Journal Information: Geophysics; (United States), Journal Name: Geophysics; (United States) Vol. 59:10; ISSN GPYSA7; ISSN 0016-8033
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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