Wavefront construction using waverays

Published as SEP Report, 80, 85-100 (1994)

Wavefront construction using waverays

Hector Urdaneta

Abstract:

A method for computing first arrival traveltimes and amplitudes in a general two-dimensional (2-D) velocity model is presented. The method is the result of merging two recently published ray tracing methods. The product is a very robust algorithm that is able to produce broadband wave phenomena, such as dispersion and wavelength dependent scattering. Its ability to produce broadband wave phenomena, is achieved by performing a wavelength-dependent smoothing of the velocity model across wavefronts. In the limit of high frequency, the method reduces to geometrical ray theory. The method is able to illuminate areas of large geometrical spreading where conventional ray tracing methods may give no arrivals. The method is tested on synthetic complex velocity models.