A seismic reflection from isotropic‐fractured fluid‐saturated layer

Average elastic properties of a fluid‐saturated fractured rock are discussed in association with the extremely slow and dispersive Krauklis wave propagation within individual fractures. The presence of the Krauklis wave increases P‐wave velocity dispersion and attenuation with decreasing frequency. Different laws (exponential, power, fractal, and gamma laws) of distribution of the fracture length within the rock show more velocity dispersion and attenuation of the P‐wave for greater fracture density, particularly at low seismic frequencies. The results exhibit a remarkable difference in the P‐wave reflection coefficient for frequency and angular dependency from the fractured layer in comparison with the homogeneous layer. The biggest variation in behaviour of the reflection coefficient versus incident angle is observed at low seismic frequencies. The proposed approach and results of calculations allow an interpretation of abnormal velocity dispersion, high attenuation, and special behaviour of reflection coefficients versus frequency and angle of incidence as the indicators of fractures.