Combined inversion of seismic waveforms and traveltimes for acoustic waves

E. Manukyan, H. Maurer, A. Nuber, R. G. Pratt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Seismic full waveform inversion (FWI) is a powerful method for obtaining high resolution subsurface images, but the objective function of waveform data typically contains many local minima that may lead to inappropriate solutions. This can be avoided by choosing an initial model that is close to the true model, and by incorporating only low frequencies at an early stage of an inversion run. Here, we demonstrate that the local minima problem can also be mitigated by simultaneously inverting waveforms and first arrival travel times. Using a simple two parameter example we show, how the addition of travel time data can remove a local minimum present in the waveform misfit function. Inversions of synthetic 2D acoustic data show that our novel combined travel time and waveform inversion approach leads to superior results compared with a pure FWI inversion.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNear Surface Geoscience 2014 - 20th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics
PublisherEuropean Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
ISBN (Electronic)9789462820272
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event20th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics of EAGE's Near Surface Geoscience Division - Athens, Greece
Duration: 14 Sep 201418 Sep 2014

Publication series

NameNear Surface Geoscience 2014 - 20th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics

Conference

Conference20th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics of EAGE's Near Surface Geoscience Division
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthens
Period14/09/1418/09/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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