Recurrence relations for computing complete P and SV seismograms

Summary. A set of recurrence relations which are computationally more efficient than those of the reflection matrix method of Kennett & Kerry is presented for P - and SV -wave generation in a ( n + 1) layered medium. The recurrence relations contain no growing terms and thus provide a stable algorithm for computing complete P and SV synthetic seismograms. Our algorithm requires a fewer algebraic operations for computing the reflectivity and transmissivity coefficients, ranging from 15 per cent less for a source in the half-space to 30 per cent less for a source in the top layer, than the reflection matrix method.