5. Inversion for the Stochastic Structure of Subsurface Velocity Heterogeneity from Surface-Based Geophysical Reflection Images

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessAdvances in Near-surface Seismology and Ground-penetrating Radar5. Inversion for the Stochastic Structure of Subsurface Velocity Heterogeneity from Surface-Based Geophysical Reflection ImagesAuthors: James IrvingMarie ScholerKlaus HolligerJames IrvingFormerly at University of Lausanne, Institute of Geophysics, Lausanne, Switzerland; presently at School of Engineering , University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CAInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author, Marie ScholerFormerly at University of Lausanne, Institute of Geophysics, Lausanne, Switzerland; presently at School of Engineering , University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CAInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author, and Klaus HolligerFormerly at University of Lausanne, Institute of Geophysics, Lausanne, Switzerland; presently at School of Engineering , University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CAInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch5 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract Much previous seismic and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) research has focused on investigating, theoretically and empirically, the relationship between the statistical characteristics of subsurface velocity heterogeneity and those of the associated surface-based reflection image. However, an effective and robust method for solving the corresponding inverse problem has not been presented. Assuming that waves are weakly scattered in the subsurface, a relatively simple relationship can be derived between the 2D autocorrelation of a geophysical reflection image and that of the underlying velocity field. A Monte Carlo inversion strategy based on this relationship can then be used to generate sets of parameters describing the autocorrelation of velocity that are consistent with recorded reflection data. Results of applying that strategy to realistic synthetic seismic and GPR data indicate that the inverse solution is inherently nonunique in that many combinations of the vertical and horizontal correlation lengths that describe the velocity heterogeneity can yield reflection images with the same 2D autocorrelation structure. However, the ratio of each of those combinations is approximately the same and corresponds to the aspect ratio of the velocity heterogeneity, which suggests that the aspect ratio is a quantity that can be recovered reliably from geophysical-reflection-survey data. Permalink: https://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch5FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited BySimulation of scattered seismic surface waves on mountainous onshore areas: Understanding the “ground roll energy cone”Ivan Javier Sánchez-Galvis, Jheyston Serrano, Daniel A. Sierra, and William Agudelo2 August 2021 | The Leading Edge, Vol. 40, No. 8Estimation of the 3D correlation structure of an alluvial aquifer from surface‐based multi‐frequency ground‐penetrating radar reflection data23 September 2019 | Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 68, No. 2Geostatistical inversion of seismic and ground-penetrating radar reflection images: What can we actually resolve?6 November 2010 | Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 37, No. 21 Advances in Near-surface Seismology and Ground-penetrating RadarISBN (print):978-1-56080-224-2ISBN (online):978-1-56080-225-9Copyright: 2010 Pages: 509 publication data© 2010 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisherPublisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished in print: 01 Jan 2010 CITATION INFORMATION James Irving, Marie Scholer, and Klaus Holliger, (2010), "5. Inversion for the Stochastic Structure of Subsurface Velocity Heterogeneity from Surface-Based Geophysical Reflection Images," Geophysical Developments Series : 77-96. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch5 Plain-Language Summary PDF DownloadLoading ...