Errors Due to the Common Ray Approximations of the Coupling Ray Theory

The common ray approximation considerably simplifies the numerical algorithm of the coupling ray theory for S waves, but may introduce errors in travel times due to the perturbation from the common reference ray. These travel-time errors can deteriorate the coupling-ray-theory solution at high frequencies. It is thus of principal importance for numerical applications to estimate the errors due to the common ray approximation.We derive the equations for estimating the travel-time errors due to the isotropic and anisotropic common ray approximations of the coupling ray theory. These equations represent the main result of the paper. The derivation is based on the general equations for the second-order perturbations of travel time. The accuracy of the anisotropic common ray approximation can be studied along the isotropic common rays, without tracing the anisotropic common rays.The derived equations are numerically tested in three 1-D models of differing degree of anisotropy. The first-order and second-order perturbation expansions of travel time from the isotropic common rays to anisotropic-ray-theory rays are compared with the anisotropic-ray-theory travel times. The errors due to the isotropic common ray approximation and due to the anisotropic common ray approximation are estimated. In the numerical example, the errors of the anisotropic common ray approximation are considerably smaller than the errors of the isotropic common ray approximation.The effect of the isotropic common ray approximation on the coupling-ray-theory synthetic seismograms is demonstrated graphically. For comparison, the effects of the quasi-isotropic projection of the Green tensor, of the quasi-isotropic approximation of the Christoffel matrix, and of the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times on the coupling-ray-theory synthetic seismograms are also shown. The projection of the travel-time errors on the relative errors of the time-harmonic Green tensor is briefly presented.     

Common-ray tracing and dynamic ray tracing for S waves in a smooth elastic anisotropic medium

Anisotropic common S-wave rays are traced using the averaged Hamiltonian of both S-wave polarizations. They represent very practical reference rays for calculating S waves by means of the coupling ray theory. They eliminate problems with anisotropic-ray-theory ray tracing through some S-wave slowness-surface singularities and also considerably simplify the numerical algorithm of the coupling ray theory for S waves. The equations required for anisotropic-common-ray tracing for S waves in a smooth elastic anisotropic medium, and for corresponding dynamic ray tracing in Cartesian or ray-centred coordinates, are presented. The equations, for the most part generally known, are summarized in a form which represents a complete algorithm suitable for coding and numerical applications.     

Spatial derivatives and perturbation derivatives of amplitude in isotropic and anisotropic media

Explicit equations for the spatial derivatives and perturbation derivatives of amplitude in both isotropic and anisotropic media are derived. The spatial and perturbation derivatives of the logarithm of amplitude can be calculated by numerical quadratures along the rays. The spatial derivatives of amplitude may be useful in calculating the higher-order terms in the ray series, in calculating the higher-order amplitude coefficients of Gaussian beams, in estimating the accuracy of zero-order approximations of both the ray method and Gaussian beams, in estimating the accuracy of the paraxial approximation of individual Gaussian beams, or in estimating the accuracy of the asymptotic summation of paraxial Gaussian beams. The perturbation derivatives of amplitude may be useful in perturbation expansions from elastic to viscoelastic media and in estimating the accuracy of the common-ray approximations of the amplitude in the coupling ray theory.     

Comparison of Ray Methods with the Exact Solution in the 1-D Anisotropic “Simplified Twisted Crystal” Model

The exact analytical solution for the plane S-wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the simple 1-D anisotropic simplified twisted crystal model, is compared with four different approximate ray-theory solutions. The four different ray methods are (a) the coupling ray theory, (b) the coupling ray theory with the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times, (c) the anisotropic ray theory, (d) the isotropic ray theory. The comparison is carried out numerically, by evaluating both the exact analytical solution and the analytical solutions of the equations of the four ray methods. The comparison simultaneously demonstrates the limits of applicability of the isotropic and anisotropic ray theories, and the superior accuracy of the coupling ray theory over a broad frequency range. The comparison also shows the possible inaccuracy due to the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times in the equations of the coupling ray theory. The coupling ray theory thus should definitely be preferred to the isotropic and anisotropic ray theories, but the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times should be avoided. Although the simplified twisted crystal model is designed for testing purposes and has no direct relation to geological structures, the wave-propagation phenomena important in the comparison are similar to those in the models of the geological structures.In additional numerical tests, the exact analytical solution is numerically compared with the finite-difference numerical results, and the analytical solutions of the equations of different ray methods are compared with the corresponding numerical results of 3-D ray-tracing programs developed by the authors of the paper.     

Interpolation of the coupling-ray-theory Green function within ray cells

The coupling–ray–theory tensor Green function for electromagnetic waves or elastic S waves is frequency dependent, and is usually calculated for many frequencies. This frequency dependence represents no problem in calculating the Green function, but may pose a significant challenge in storing the Green function at the nodes of dense grids, typical for applications such as the Born approximation or non–linear source determination. Storing the Green function at the nodes of dense grids for too many frequencies may be impractical or even unrealistic. We have already proposed the approximation of the coupling–ray–theory tensor Green function, in the vicinity of a given prevailing frequency, by two coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions described by their coupling–ray–theory travel times and their coupling–ray–theory amplitudes. The above mentioned prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory enables us to interpolate the coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions within ray cells, and to calculate them at the nodes of dense grids. For the interpolation within ray cells, we need to separate the pairs of prevailing–frequency coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions so that both the first Green function and the second Green function are continuous along rays and within ray cells. We describe the current progress in this field and outline the basic algorithms. The proposed method is equally applicable to both electromagnetic waves and elastic S waves. We demonstrate the preliminary numerical results using the coupling–ray–theory travel times of elastic S waves.     

Comparison of Quasi-Isotropic Approximations of the Coupling Ray Theory with the Exact Solution in the 1-D Anisotropic “Oblique Twisted Crystal” Model

The coupling ray theory bridges the gap between the isotropic and anisotropic ray theories, and is considerably more accurate than the anisotropic ray theory. The coupling ray theory is often approximated by various quasi-isotropic approximations.Commonly used quasi-isotropic approximations of the coupling ray theory are discussed. The exact analytical solution for the plane S wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the 1-D anisotropic oblique twisted crystal model, is then numerically compared with the coupling ray theory and its three quasi-isotropic approximations. The three quasi-isotropic approximations of the coupling ray theory are (a) the quasi-isotropic projection of the Green tensor, (b) the quasi-isotropic approximation of the Christoffel matrix, (c) the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times. The comparison is carried out numerically in the frequency domain, comparing the exact analytical solution with the results of the 3-D ray tracing and coupling ray theory software. In the oblique twisted crystal model, the three studied quasi-isotropic approximations considerably increase the error of the coupling ray theory. Since these three quasi-isotropic approximations do not noticeably simplify the numerical implementation of the coupling ray theory, they should deffinitely be avoided. The common ray approximations of the coupling ray theory do not affect the plane wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the 1-D oblique twisted crystal model, and should be studied in more complex models.     

Comparison of the anisotropic-ray-theory rays and anisotropic common S-wave rays with the SH and SV reference rays in a velocity model with a split intersection singularity

We describe the behaviour of the anisotropic–ray–theory S–wave rays in a velocity model with a split intersection singularity. The anisotropic–ray–theory S–wave rays crossing the split intersection singularity are smoothly but very sharply bent. While the initial–value rays can be safely traced by solving Hamilton’s equations of rays, it is often impossible to determine the coefficients of the equations of geodesic deviation (paraxial ray equations, dynamic ray tracing equations) and to solve them numerically. As a result, we often know neither the matrix of geometrical spreading, nor the phase shift due to caustics. We demonstrate the abrupt changes of the geometrical spreading and wavefront curvature of the fast anisotropic–ray–theory S wave. We also demonstrate the formation of caustics and wavefront triplication of the slow anisotropic–ray–theory S wave.Since the actual S waves propagate approximately along the SH and SV reference rays in this velocity model, we compare the anisotropic–ray–theory S–wave rays with the SH and SV reference rays. Since the coupling ray theory is usually calculated along the anisotropic common S–wave rays, we also compare the anisotropic common S–wave rays with the SH and SV reference rays.     

Kinematic hypocentre determination using the paraxial ray approximation

Summary The robust nonlinear approach by Tarantola and Valette, consisting in direct evaluation of the "probability" density function, is supplemented with the paraxial ray approximation of the travel time. A sufficiently dense 2-parametric system of rays from each receiver is evaluated only once for all hypocentre determinations. The interpolation formulae for the travel times apply to all travel-time branches. Their derivation is based on the summation of Gaussian packets. The proposed algorithm for determining the hypocentre is able to find all of its possible locations.     

计算最小走时和射线路径的界面网全局方法

用慢度分块均匀正方形模型将介质参数化，仅在正方形单元的边界上设置计算结点，这些结点构成界面网．根据Ｈｕｖｓｅｎｓ和Ｆｅｒｍａｔ原理，由不断扩张、收缩的波前点扫描代替波前面搜索，在波前点附近点的局部最小走时计算中对波前点之间的走时使用双曲线近似，通过比较确定最小走时和相应的次级源位置，记录在以界面网点位置为指针的３个一维数组中．借助这些数组通过向源搜索可计算任意点（包括界面网以外的点）上的全局最小走时和射线路径．这一方法不受介质慢度差异大小限制，占内存少，计算速度较快，适于走时反演和以Ｍａｓｌｏｖ射线理论为基础的波场计算．     

Grid travel-time tracing: Second-order method for the first arrivals in smooth media

A new computational scheme for calculating the first-arrival travel times on a rectangular grid of points is proposed. The new proposed method is of second-order accuracy. This means that the error of the calculated travel time is proportional to the second power of the grid spacing. The method should be sufficiently accurate for all applications in smooth seismic models. On the other hand, the method is not, in its present form, proposed for models with structural interfaces which make the method unstable and generate travel-time errors of the first order. Equations are also presented for the appropriate evaluation of the errors of calculated travel times to check their accuracy, and the proposed method is compared with other numerical methods. The method is developed, described and demonstrated in 2-D, but may also be extended to 3-D models and to general models with structural interfaces.     

Analysis of Observed and Predicted Tsunami Travel Times for the Pacific and Indian Oceans

I have examined over 1500 historical tsunami travel-time records for 127 tsunamigenic earthquakes that occurred in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. After subjecting the observations to simple tests to rule out gross errors I compare the remaining reports to simple travel-time predictions using Huygens method and the long-wave approximation, thus simulating the calculations that typically take place in a tsunami warning situation. In general, I find a high correspondence between predicted and reported travel times however, significant departures exist. Some outliers imply significantly slower propagation speeds than predicted; many of these are clearly the consequences of observers not being able to detect the (possibly weak?) first arrivals. Other outliers imply excessively long predicted travel times. These outliers reflect peculiar geometric and bathymetric conditions that are poorly represented in global bathymetric grids, leading to longer propagation paths and consequently increased travel times. Analysis of Δt, the difference between observed and predicted travel time, yields a mean Δt of 19 minutes with a standard deviation of 131 minutes. Robust statistics, being less sensitive to outliers, yield a median Δt of just 18 seconds and a median absolute deviation of 33 minutes. Care is needed to process bathymetry to avoid excessive travel-time delays in shallow areas. I also show that a 2×2 arc minute grid yields better results that a 5×5 arc minute grid; the latter in general yielding slightly slower propagation predictions. The largest remaining source of error appears to be the inadequacy of the point-source approximation to the finite tsunami-generating area.     

Comparison of the FORT approximation of the coupling ray theory with the Fourier pseudospectral method

The standard ray theory (RT) for inhomogeneous anisotropic media does not work properly or even fails when applied to S-wave propagation in inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic media or in the vicinity of shear-wave singularities. In both cases, the two shear waves propagate with similar phase velocities. The coupling ray theory was proposed to avoid this problem. In it, amplitudes of the two S waves are computed by solving two coupled, frequency-dependent differential equations along a common S-wave ray. In this paper, we test the recently developed approximation of coupling ray theory (CRT) based on the common S-wave rays obtained by first-order ray tracing (FORT). As a reference, we use the Fourier pseudospectral method (FM), which does not suffer from the limitations of the ray method and yields very accurate results. We study the behaviour of shear waves in weakly anisotropic media as well as in the vicinity of intersection, kiss or conical singularities. By comparing CRT and RT results with results of the FM, we demonstrate the clear superiority of CRT over RT in the mentioned regions as well as the dangers of using RT there.     

有限频率线性理论的波恩近似佯谬

对有限频率层析成像线性理论的波恩近似问题进行梳理, 用数值方法统计分析其适用范围, 结果表明波恩近似要求最大速度扰动不超过1%; 然后对相关走时一阶近似进行统计分析, 结果表明它也只适用于最大速度扰动在1%以内的情形. 然而, 结合波恩近似和相关走时一阶近似而得到的有限频率线性理论, 其适用的速度扰动范围最大可达10%. 这个表面上的逻辑悖论, 称为“波恩近似佯谬”. 此佯谬是由于不恰当地使用波恩近似造成的. 本文摒弃波恩近似, 使用泛函的Fréchet微分和隐函数定理推导得到有限频率线性理论, 圆满解释了波恩近似佯谬. 由于有限频率非线性理论早已摒弃了波恩近似, 因此波恩近似概念在有限频率层析成像理论中完全没有必要.      

Linearized rays,amplitude and inversion

In this paper, ray theoretical amplitudes and travel times are calculated in slightly perturbed velocity models using perturbation analysis. Also, test inversions using travel time and amplitude are computed. The pertubation method is tested using a 3-D velocity model for NORSAR having velocity variations up to 8.0 percent. The perturbed amplitudes are found to be in excellent agreement with the calculated ray amplitudes. Velocity inversions based on travel time and amplitude are next investigated. Perturbation analysis using linearized ray equations is efficiently used to compute amplitude derivatives with respect to model parameters. The trial linearized inversions use smaller velocity variations of 1.7 percent to avoid possible effects due to ray shift, even though the perturbation analysis is valid for larger variations. The trial 2-D inversion results show that linearized amplitude inversions are complementary and not redundant to travel time inversions, even in smoothly varying models.     

A new approximation of the velocity-depth distribution and its application to the computation of seismic wave fields

Summary A new approximation of the velocity-depth distribution in a vertically inhomogeneous medium is suggested. This approximation guarantees the continuity of velocity and of its first and second derivatives and does not generate false low-velocity zones. It is very suitable for the computations of seismic wave fields in vertically inhomogeneous media by ray methods and its modifications, as it removes many false anomalies from the travel-time and amplitude-distance curves of seismic body waves. The ray integrals can be evaluated in a closed form; the resulting formulae for rays, travel times and geometrical spreading are very simple. They do not contain any transcendental functions (such asln (x) orsin ^–1, (x)) like other approximations; only the evaluation of one square root and of certain simple arithmetic expressions for each layer is required. From a computational point of view, the evaluation of ray integrals and of geometrical spreading is only slightly slower than for a system of homogeneous parallel layers and even faster than for a piece-wise linear approximation.     

多频段组合菲涅尔带走时层析成像方法研究

针对传统射线层析存在的种种局限性,菲涅尔带走时层析成像摒弃了传统的数学射线,考虑到地震信号具有一定的频带宽度,中央射线附近的介质对地震波的传播产生不同程度的影响。本文提出了多频段组合菲涅尔带走时层析成像方法。该方法以频率域波动方程Born和Rytov近似为基础,推导出建立在带限地震波理论基础上的波动方程 Rytov 近似走时敏感核函数,实现第一菲涅尔带约束下的波动方程走时层析反演方法。同时由于多个频段的引入,充分利用低频段和高频段的特有优势,从而兼顾菲涅尔带层析的计算效率与分辨率。模型试算结果证明了本方法的有效性和稳定性。     

Analytical One-Way Plane-Wave Solution in the 1-D Anisotropic “Simplified Twisted Crystal” Model

Analytical expressions for the exact 2 × 2 one-way propagator matrix of a plane S wave, propagating along the axis of spirality in the simple 1-D anisotropic simplified twisted crystal model, are presented. The analytical equations are useful in testing the applicability and accuracy of various approximate wavefield modelling methods, especially of the coupling ray theory and of its various quasi-isotropic approximations and various numerical implementations.In addition to the exact analytical solution of the elastodynamic equation in the simplified twisted crystal model, the analytical solutions of the equations of the four ray methods are given. The ray methods are (a) the coupling ray theory, (b) the coupling ray theory with the quasi-isotropic perturbation of travel times, (c) the anisotropic ray theory, (d) the isotropic ray theory. These four approximate solutions of the elastodynamic equation are roughly compared with the exact solution. Both the exact analytical solution and the analytical ray-theory solutions in the simplified twisted crystal model are also helpful in debugging computer codes for various approximate wavefield modelling methods, especially for the coupling ray theory.     

Transformation relations for second-order derivatives of travel time in anisotropic media

In the computation of paraxial travel times and Gaussian beams, the basic role is played by the second-order derivatives of the travel-time field at the reference ray. These derivatives can be determined by dynamic ray tracing (DRT) along the ray. Two basic DRT systems have been broadly used in applications: the DRT system in Cartesian coordinates and the DRT system in ray-centred coordinates. In this paper, the transformation relations between the second-order derivatives of the travel-time field in Cartesian and ray-centred coordinates are derived. These transformation relations can be used both in isotropic and anisotropic media, including computations of complex-valued travel times necessary for the evaluation of Gaussian beams.     

Prevailing-frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory along the SH and SV reference rays in a heterogeneous generally anisotropic medium which is approximately uniaxial

The behaviour of the actual polarization of an electromagnetic wave or elastic S–wave is described by the coupling ray theory, which represents the generalization of both the zero–order isotropic and anisotropic ray theories and provides continuous transition between them. The coupling ray theory is usually applied to anisotropic common reference rays, but it is more accurate if it is applied to reference rays which are closer to the actual wave paths. In a generally anisotropic or bianisotropic medium, the actual wave paths may be approximated by the anisotropic–ray–theory rays if these rays behave reasonably. In an approximately uniaxial (approximately transversely isotropic) anisotropic medium, we can define and trace the SH (ordinary) and SV (extraordinary) reference rays, and use them as reference rays for the prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory. In both cases, i.e. for the anisotropic–ray–theory rays or the SH and SV reference rays, we have two sets of reference rays. We thus obtain two arrivals along each reference ray of the first set and have to select the correct one. Analogously, we obtain two arrivals along each reference ray of the second set and have to select the correct one. In this paper, we suggest the way of selecting the correct arrivals. We then demonstrate the accuracy of the resulting prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory using elastic S waves along the SH and SV reference rays in four different approximately uniaxial (approximately transversely isotropic) velocity models.     

Interpretation of seismic reflection records: Direct calculation of interval velocities and layer thicknesses from travel times

In reflection surveys and velocity analysis, calculations of interval velocities and layer-thicknesses of a multilayered horizontal structure are often based on Dix's equation which requires the travel times at zero offsets and a prior estimate of the root mean squared velocities.In this paper a method is presented which requires only the reflection travel-time data. A set of equations are derived which relate the interval velocity and thickness of a layer to the reflection travel time from the top and the bottom of that layer, the offset distances and the ray parameter. It is shown that the difference of the offset distances and the difference of the picked travel times of any reflected rays with the same value of ray parameter from the top and the bottom of a horizontal layer can be used to calculate the interval velocity and thickness of that layer.