Wavefield continuation datuming using a near surface model

Abstract

When topography and low velocity zone differences vary greatly, conventional vertical static time shifts will cause wavefield distortion and influence wave equation seismic imaging for seismic data acquired on a complex near surface. In this paper, we propose an approach to datum correction that combines a joint tomography inversion with wavefield continuation to solve the static problem for seismic data on rugged acquisition topography. First, the near surface model is obtained by refracted wave tomography inversion. Second, the wavefield of sources and receivers are continued downward and upward to accomplish datum correction starting from a flat surface and locating the datum above topography. Based on the reciprocal theorem, Huygens' and Fresnel principles, the location of sources and receivers, and regarding the recorded data on the surface as a secondary emission, the sources and receivers are upward-continued to the datum above topography respectively. Thus, the datum correction using joint tomography inversion and wavefield continuation with the condition of a complex near surface is accomplished.