Seismic traveltime inversion of 3D velocity model with triangulated interfaces

Seismic traveltime tomographic inversion has played an important role in detecting the internal structure of the solid earth. We use a set of blocks to approximate geologically complex media that cannot be well described by layered models or cells. The geological body is described as an aggregate of arbitrarily shaped blocks, which are separated by triangulated interfaces. We can describe the media as homogenous or heterogeneous in each block. We define the velocities at the given rectangle grid points for each block, and the heterogeneous velocities in each block can be calculated by a linear interpolation algorithm. The parameters of the velocity grid positions are independent of the model parameterization, which is advantageous in the joint inversion of the velocities and the node depths of an interface. We implement a segmentally iterative ray tracer to calculate traveltimes in the 3D heterogeneous block models. The damped least squares method is employed in seismic traveltime inversion, which includes the partial derivatives of traveltime with respect to the depths of nodes in the triangulated interfaces and velocities defined in rectangular grids. The numerical tests indicate that the node depths of a triangulated interface and homogeneous velocity distributions can be well inverted in a stratified model.     

模拟退火方法在三维速度模型地震波走时反演中的应用

采用块状建模以及三角形拼接的界面描述方式,并通过立方体速度网格线性插值获得块体内部的速度分布。正演过程中采用逐段迭代射线追踪方法计算三维复杂地质模型中的射线走时,并采用模拟退火方法进行了三维模型中的地震波走时反演研究。模型测试结果表明,使用的射线追踪和走时反演算法有效。     

INMOD—TWO DIMENSIONAL INVERSE MODELING ALGORITHM BASED ON RAY THEORY*

Two dimensional inverse modeling, a process to be applied after standard processing and interpretation, uses interfaces picked by the user. These interfaces are transformed into an approximate subsurface model. The subsurface model is represented by curved interfaces and interval velocities. The interfaces have to be unique functions of the line coordinate. Otherwise they may be arbitrarily curved and may begin or terminate anywhere along the section, e.g., at faults, pinchouts, salt domes and the like. Interval velocities may vary laterally along the section. The inverse modeling algorithm then modifies the model until traveltimes calculated from this model match the traveltimes observed as closely as possible in a least squares sense. The traveltimes corresponding to the model are obtained through ray tracing taking exact account of refraction. The traveltimes observed are the arrival times of single impulses before stacking contributing to the interfaces. These traveltimes are provided by ANAKON, a continuous interface analysis system. The comparison of INMOD results with those of well measurements and those of classical interval velocity computation from seismic data shows the accuracy of the method. Deviations of INMOD derived interface depths are within 2% of well data.     

LIMITS OF STRUCTURAL INVERSION OF SEISMIC HORIZONS*

Time horizons can be depth-migrated when interval velocities are known; on the other hand, the velocity distribution can be found when traveltimes and NMO velocities at zero offset are known (wavefront curvatures; Shah 1973). Using these concepts, exact recursive inversion formulae for the calculation of interval velocities are given. The assumption of rectilinear raypath propagation within each layer is made; interval velocities and curvatures of the interfaces between layers can be found if traveltimes together with their gradients and curvatures and very precise V_NMO velocities at zero offset are known. However, the available stacking velocity is a numerical quantity which has no direct physical significance; its deviation from zero offset NMO velocity is examined in terms of horizon curvatures, cable length and lateral velocity inhomogeneities. A method has been derived to estimate the geological depth model by searching, iteratively, for the best solution that minimizes the difference between stacking velocities from the real data and from the structural model. Results show the limits and capabilities of the approach; perhaps, owing to the low resolution of conventional velocity analyses, a simplified version of the given formulae would be more robust.     

Characterization of dipping fractures in a transverselyisotropic background

Although it is believed that natural fracture sets predominantly have near‐vertical orientation, oblique stresses and some other mechanisms may tilt fractures away from the vertical. Here, we examine an effective medium produced by a single system of obliquely dipping rotationally invariant fractures embedded in a transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI) background rock. This model is monoclinic with a vertical symmetry plane that coincides with the dip plane of the fractures. Multicomponent seismic data acquired over such a medium possess several distinct features that make it possible to estimate the fracture orientation. For example, the vertically propagating fast shear wave (and the fast converted PS‐wave) is typically polarized in the direction of the fracture strike. The normal‐moveout (NMO) ellipses of horizontal reflection events are co‐orientated with the dip and strike directions of the fractures, which provides an independent estimate of the fracture azimuth. However, the polarization vector of the slow shear wave at vertical incidence does not lie in the horizontal plane – an unusual phenomenon that can be used to evaluate fracture dip. Also, for oblique fractures the shear‐wave splitting coefficient at vertical incidence becomes dependent on fracture infill (saturation). A complete medium‐characterization procedure includes estimating the fracture compliances and orientation (dip and azimuth), as well as the Thomsen parameters of the VTI background. We demonstrate that both the fracture and background parameters can be obtained from multicomponent wide‐azimuth data using the vertical velocities and NMO ellipses of PP‐waves and two split SS‐waves (or the traveltimes of PS‐waves) reflected from horizontal interfaces. Numerical tests corroborate the accuracy and stability of the inversion algorithm based on the exact expressions for the vertical and NMO velocities.     

INVERSION METHODS FOR τ-p MAPS OF NEAR OFFSET DATA—LINEAR INVERSION*

Conventional velocity analysis, based on the ideas of rms velocity and hyperbolic reflection events in the x-t domain, is restricted in validity to near vertical incidence. Thus analysis of near-offset datasets usually requires the muting of wide-angle reflections from shallow interfaces before the rms velocities are determined. The ray-theoretical integral for the delay time τ, which depends on the slowness p and the velocity function, is valid for all angles. The wide-angle reflections can be used to improve the accuracy of the derived velocity function in the near surface region, if the recorded x-t data are mapped into the τ-p domain. By representing the velocity function between reflectors as a series of gradient zones, i.e. regions with a uniform increase in velocity with depth, the recovery of the velocities may be posed as a matrix linear inverse problem for the slopes of the gradient zones. In order to convert the problem to a linear one, the velocity discontinuities at the reflecting interfaces must be fixed in advance. Their positions are based on the behaviour of the τ-p map of the data. Finding a stable velocity model may require several iterations with the reflecting interfaces at different positions. An understanding of the workings of the inversion algorithm allied with an analysis of the causes of instability aids the search for a stable model.     

基于异向波速模型的微震定位改进

针对波速分层的区域岩体,在异向波速模型的基础上,对垂向上的应力波按岩体波速值大小作分段区别,推导震源应力波走时关系式,建立分层速度定位目标函数,基于此提出一种由参数准备、层速度反演、微震定位三个模块组成的分层速度定位模型SV,并采用遗传算法进行优化求解.然后,对分层速度定位模型在已构建微震监测系统的白鹤滩水电站左岸岩质边坡进行验证.微震事件重定位结果表明,分层速度定位模型定位微震事件的最大、最小和平均偏离层内错动带程度指标较单一速度模型分别降低了57.17%、36.51%和57.35%,证明了定位模型在波速分层的区域岩体微震定位应用中比单一速度定位模型更加合理可靠.     

METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF VELOCITY AND DEPTH FROM SEISMIC REFLECTION DATA1

The estimation of velocity and depth is an important stage in seismic data processing and interpretation. We present a method for velocity-depth model estimation from unstacked data. This method is formulated as an iterative algorithm producing a model which maximizes some measure of coherency computed along traveltimes generated by tracing rays through the model. In the model the interfaces are represented as cubic splines and it is assumed that the velocity in each layer is constant. The inversion includes the determination of the velocities in all the layers and the location of the spline knots. The process input consists of unstacked seismic data and an initial velocity-depth model. This model is often based on nearby well information and an interpretation of the stacked section. Inversion is performed iteratively layer after layer; during each iteration synthetic travel-time curves are calculated for the interface under consideration. A functional characterizing the main correlation properties of the wavefield is then formed along the synthetic arrival times. It is assumed that the functional reaches a maximum value when the synthetic arrival time curves match the arrival times of the events on the field gathers. The maximum value of the functional is obtained by an effective algorithm of non-linear programming. The present inversion algorithm has the advantages that event picking on the unstacked data is not required and is not based on curve fitting of hyperbolic approximations of the arrival times. The method has been successfully applied to both synthetic and field data.     

Piecewise‐continuous velocity inversion

We suggest a new method to determine the piecewise‐continuous vertical distribution of instantaneous velocities within sediment layers, using different order time‐domain effective velocities on their top and bottom points. We demonstrate our method using a synthetic model that consists of different compacted sediment layers characterized by monotonously increasing velocity, combined with hard rock layers, such as salt or basalt, characterized by constant fast velocities, and low velocity layers, such as gas pockets. We first show that, by using only the root‐mean‐square velocities and the corresponding vertical travel times (computed from the original instantaneous velocity in depth) as input for a Dix‐type inversion, many different vertical distributions of the instantaneous velocities can be obtained (inverted). Some geological constraints, such as limiting the values of the inverted vertical velocity gradients, should be applied in order to obtain more geologically plausible velocity profiles. In order to limit the non‐uniqueness of the inverted velocities, additional information should be added. We have derived three different inversion solutions that yield the correct instantaneous velocity, avoiding any a priori geological constraints. The additional data at the interface points contain either the average velocities (or depths) or the fourth‐order average velocities, or both. Practically, average velocities can be obtained from nearby wells, whereas the fourth‐order average velocity can be estimated from the quartic moveout term during velocity analysis. Along with the three different types of input, we consider two types of vertical velocity models within each interval: distribution with a constant velocity gradient and an exponential asymptotically bounded velocity model, which is in particular important for modelling thick layers. It has been shown that, in the case of thin intervals, both models lead to similar results. The method allows us to establish the instantaneous velocities at the top and bottom interfaces, where the velocity profile inside the intervals is given by either the linear or the exponential asymptotically bounded velocity models. Since the velocity parameters of each interval are independently inverted, discontinuities of the instantaneous velocity at the interfaces occur naturally. The improved accuracy of the inverted instantaneous velocities is particularly important for accurate time‐to‐depth conversion.     

ESTIMATION OF REFLECTOR PARAMETERS BY THE VIRTUAL IMAGE TECHNIQUE*

The seismic interpretation process generally exploits three of the following independent basic assumptions:

• 1 Input quantities are obtained by simplification of measured data (travel time curves).
• 2 2. The geological model contains only a few parameters (for example, plane interfaces and constant interval velocities).
• 3 3. Approximate transformations may be applied.

The first two are related to the simplification of the phenomena and enhance their essential features. The transformation which establishes relations between simplified data and model is required to be unique, stable, and sufficiently accurate. Practically, the travel time curves are almost exclusively regarded as hyperbolas. We also accept this approximation. The paper presents a simple recursive algorithm for the evaluation of the depth and dip of plane reflectors and the interval velocities. It is a simple fact, that there exists a unique relationship between three hyperbolic parameters and a homogeneous dipping layer. Accordingly, two layers can be replaced by a single layer and the parameters of the lower boundary can be estimated when the upper one is known, initiating virtual shotpoints and geophone points (virtual surface). So, the case of multilayered media can be reduced in sequential steps to the case of a single homogeneous layer using a stripping type procedure. Some synthetic model examples are provided to demonstrate the abilities of the algorithm.     

三维分块倾斜界面的反演及其应用

介绍了利用反射波走时反演介质层速度和包含直立断层的三维界面的计算方法．对各层界面利用多个倾斜或平界面方程来描述．给出了数值计算实例．结果表明，反演解与真模型很接近，说明计算方法是有效的．利用该方法处理了唐山地震区的ＰｍＰ反射波资料，获得了该区域莫霍界面的三维分块形态．唐山附近莫霍界面错断与该区域１９７６年唐山地震及一系列余震的发生有密切的联系．     

PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE DETERMINATION OF 3-D STACKING VELOCITIES*

Proper stacking of three-dimensional seismic CDP-data generally requires the knowledge of normal moveout velocities in all source-receiver directions contributing to a CDP-gather. The azimuthal variation of the stacking velocities mainly depends on the dip of the seismic interfaces. For a single dipping plane a simple relation exists between the dip and the azimuthal variation of NMO-velocity. Varying strike and dip of subsequent reflectors, however, result in a complex dependency of the seismic parameters. Reliable information on the spatial distribution of the normal moveout (NMO)-velocity can be derived from a wavefront curvature estimation using a 3-D ray-tracing technique. These procedures require additional information, e.g. reflection time gradients or depth maps to show interval velocities between leading interfaces. Moreover, their application to an extended 3-D data volume is restricted by high costs. The need for a routine 3-D procedure resulted in a special data selection to create pseudo 2-D profiles and to apply existing velocity estimation routines to these profiles. At least three estimates in different directions are necessary to derive the full azimuthal velocity variation, characterized by the large and the small main axis and the orientation of the velocity ellipse. Errors are estimated by means of computer models. Stacking velocities obtained by mathematical routines (least-squares fit) and by seismic standard routines (NMO-correction and correlation) are compared. Finally, a general 3-D velocity procedure using cross-correlation of preliminarily NMO-corrected traces is proposed.     

Identifying rock blocks based on hierarchical rock-mass structure model

Rock-masses are divided into many closed blocks by deterministic and stochastic discontinuities and engineering interfaces in complex rock-mass engineering. Determining the sizes, shapes, and adjacent relations of blocks is important for stability analysis of fractured rock masses. Here we propose an algorithm for identifying spatial blocks based on a hierarchical 3D Rock-mass Structure Model (RSM). First, a model is built composed of deterministic discontinuities, engineering interfaces, and the earth’s su...     

Non‐uniqueness with refraction inversion – a syncline model study

Non‐uniqueness occurs with the 1D parametrization of refraction traveltime graphs in the vertical dimension and with the 2D lateral resolution of individual layers in the horizontal dimension. The most common source of non‐uniqueness is the inversion algorithm used to generate the starting model. This study applies 1D, 1.5D and 2D inversion algorithms to traveltime data for a syncline (2D) model, in order to generate starting models for wave path eikonal traveltime tomography. The 1D tau‐p algorithm produced a tomogram with an anticline rather than a syncline and an artefact with a high seismic velocity. The 2D generalized reciprocal method generated tomograms that accurately reproduced the syncline, together with narrow regions at the thalweg with seismic velocities that are less than and greater than the true seismic velocities as well as the true values. It is concluded that 2D inversion algorithms, which explicitly identify forward and reverse traveltime data, are required to generate useful starting models in the near‐surface where irregular refractors are common. The most likely tomogram can be selected as either the simplest model or with a priori information, such as head wave amplitudes. The determination of vertical velocity functions within individual layers is also subject to non‐uniqueness. Depths computed with vertical velocity gradients, which are the default with many tomography programs, are generally 50% greater than those computed with constant velocities for the same traveltime data. The average vertical velocity provides a more accurate measure of depth estimates, where it can be derived. Non‐uniqueness is a fundamental reality with the inversion of all near‐surface seismic refraction data. Unless specific measures are taken to explicitly address non‐uniqueness, then the production of a single refraction tomogram, which fits the traveltime data to sufficient accuracy, does not necessarily demonstrate that the result is either ‘correct’ or the most probable.     

实验室声发射三维定位软件

简要介绍了地震动力学实验室新一代声发射定位软件的主要功能、定位算法的实现方案以及定位效果的评测结果。新软件配有多种通用数据库接口,具有与设备无关的处理能力。它除了可以进行三维定位之外,还可以进行面定位与线定位。定位时,可以给定样品的波速,也可以把波速当未知数求解。定位算法的主要改进有两个方面:1)以稳健的走时绝对偏差最小作为定位目标函数;2)方程组求解优化过程采用了模拟退火法直接搜索目标函数的全局最小值。新软件显著提高了定位的精度,同时提供了一个方便快捷的数据处理平台     

P‐wave stacking‐velocity tomography for VTI media

A major complication caused by anisotropy in velocity analysis and imaging is the uncertainty in estimating the vertical velocity and depth scale of the model from surface data. For laterally homogeneous VTI (transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis) media above the target reflector, P‐wave moveout has to be combined with other information (e.g. borehole data or converted waves) to build velocity models for depth imaging. The presence of lateral heterogeneity in the overburden creates the dependence of P‐wave reflection data on all three relevant parameters (the vertical velocity V_P0 and the Thomsen coefficients ε and δ) and, therefore, may help to determine the depth scale of the velocity field. Here, we propose a tomographic algorithm designed to invert NMO ellipses (obtained from azimuthally varying stacking velocities) and zero‐offset traveltimes of P‐waves for the parameters of homogeneous VTI layers separated by either plane dipping or curved interfaces. For plane non‐intersecting layer boundaries, the interval parameters cannot be recovered from P‐wave moveout in a unique way. Nonetheless, if the reflectors have sufficiently different azimuths, a priori knowledge of any single interval parameter makes it possible to reconstruct the whole model in depth. For example, the parameter estimation becomes unique if the subsurface layer is known to be isotropic. In the case of 2D inversion on the dip line of co‐orientated reflectors, it is necessary to specify one parameter (e.g. the vertical velocity) per layer. Despite the higher complexity of models with curved interfaces, the increased angle coverage of reflected rays helps to resolve the trade‐offs between the medium parameters. Singular value decomposition (SVD) shows that in the presence of sufficient interface curvature all parameters needed for anisotropic depth processing can be obtained solely from conventional‐spread P‐wave moveout. By performing tests on noise‐contaminated data we demonstrate that the tomographic inversion procedure reconstructs both the interfaces and the VTI parameters with high accuracy. Both SVD analysis and moveout inversion are implemented using an efficient modelling technique based on the theory of NMO‐velocity surfaces generalized for wave propagation through curved interfaces.     

Stochastic analysis of ground response using non-recursive algorithm

During an earthquake, the amplitudes of seismic wave may amplify significantly as it propagates through the soil layers near the ground surface. Analysis of site amplification potential is strongly influenced by the uncertainty associated to the definition of soil thickness and its properties. In this paper, the non-recursive algorithm is used in linear and nonlinear Hybrid Frequency Time Domain (HFTD) approaches for stochastic analysis of site amplification. The non-recursive algorithm causes time reduction of analysis that is the essential base of stochastic analysis. The selected soil stochastic parameters are shear wave velocity, density, damping and thickness. The results of sensitivity analysis also show that the damping ratio is the most effective parameter in PGA at ground surface. The stochastic peak ground acceleration, response spectrum and amplification factor at the ground surface are determined by the two approaches for four sites with different average shear wave velocities. Comparison of the results shows that the nonlinear HFTD approach predicts closer response to real recorded data with respect to linear HFTD.     

Shear wave crustal velocity model of the Western Bohemian Massif from Love wave phase velocity dispersion

We propose a new quantitative determination of shear wave velocities for distinct geological units in the Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic (Central Europe). The phase velocities of fundamental Love wave modes are measured along two long profiles (~200 km) crossing three major geological units and one rift-like structure of the studied region. We have developed a modified version of the classical multiple filtering technique for the frequency-time analysis and we apply it to two-station phase velocity estimation. Tests of both the analysis and inversion are provided. Seismograms of three Aegean Sea earthquakes are analyzed. One of the two profiles is further divided into four shorter sub-profiles. The long profiles yield smooth dispersion curves; while the curves of the sub-profiles have complicated shapes. Dispersion curve undulations are interpreted as period-dependent apparent velocity anomalies caused both by different backazimuths of surface wave propagation and by surface wave mode coupling. An appropriate backazimuth of propagation is found for each period, and the dispersion curves are corrected for this true propagation direction. Both the curves for the long and short profiles are inverted for a 1D shear wave velocity model of the crust. Subsurface shear wave velocities are found to be around 2.9 km/s for all four studied sub-profiles. Two of the profiles crossing the older Moldanubian and Teplá-Barrandian units are characterized by higher velocities of 3.8 km/s in the upper crust while for the Saxothuringian unit we find the velocity slightly lower, around 3.6 km/s at the same depths. We obtain an indication of a shear wave low velocity zone above Moho in the Moldanubian and Teplá-Barrandian units. The area of the Eger Rift (Teplá-Barrandian–Saxothuringian unit contact) is significantly different from all other three units. Low upper crust velocities suggest sedimentary and volcanic filling of the rift as well as fluid activity causing the earthquake swarms. Higher velocities in the lower crust together with weak or even missing Moho implies the upper mantle updoming.