• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.41-53
• /
• 2018

In the traditional seismic processing, multiple reflections are treated as noise and therefore they are eliminated during data processing. Recently, however, many studies have begun to consider multiples as signals rather than noise for seismic imaging. Multiple reflections can illuminate an area where primary reflections are not able to cover, thus it is allowed that a smaller number of shots and receivers are used for imaging large areas. In order to verify this, surface-related multiples were used for reverse-time migration (RTM), and then we compared the results with conventional RTM images which are generated from primary reflections. To utilize multiples, we separated multiples from whole seismic data using surface-related multiple elimination (SRME) method. Numerical examples confirmed that the migration using multiples can image wider area than the conventional migration, particularly in the shallow subsurface layers. In addition, the migration of multiples could eliminate the acquisition footprints.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.74-84
• /
• 2015

To yield physically meaningful images through elastic reverse-time migration, the wavefield separation which extracts P- and S-waves from reconstructed vector wavefields by using elastic wave equation is prerequisite. For expanding the application of the elastic reverse-time migration to anisotropic media, not only the anisotropic modelling algorithm but also the anisotropic wavefield separation is essential. The anisotropic wavefield separation which uses pseudo-derivative filters determined according to vertical velocities and anisotropic parameters of elastic media differs from the Helmholtz decomposition which is conventionally used for the isotropic wavefield separation. Since applying these pseudo-derivative filter consumes high computational costs, we have developed the efficient anisotropic wavefield separation algorithm which has capability of parallel computing by using GPUs (Graphic Processing Units). In addition, the highly efficient anisotropic elastic reverse-time migration algorithm using MPI (Message-Passing Interface) and incorporating the developed anisotropic wavefield separation algorithm with GPUs has been developed. To verify the efficiency and the validity of the developed anisotropic elastic reverse-time migration algorithm, a VTI elastic model based on Marmousi-II was built. A synthetic multicomponent seismic data set was created using this VTI elastic model. The computational speed of migration was dramatically enhanced by using GPUs and MPI and the accuracy of image was also improved because of the adoption of the anisotropic wavefield separation.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.131-135
• /
• 2016

Coarray is a parallel processing technique introduced in the Fortran 2008 standard. Coarray can implement parallel processing using simple syntax. In this research, we examined applicability of Coarray to seismic parallel processing by comparing performance of seismic data processing programs using Coarray and MPI. We compared calculation time using seismic wave propagation modeling and one to one communication time using domain decomposition technique. We also compared performance of parallel reverse-time migration programs using Coarray and MPI. Test results show that the computing speed of Coarray method is similar to that of MPI. On the other hand, MPI has superior communication speed to that of Coarray.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2013

The one-way wave equation migration is much more computationally efficient comparing with reverse time migration and it can provide better image than the migration algorithm based on the ray theory. We have developed the prestack depth migration module adopting (GS) propagator designed for vertical transverse isotropic media. Since GS propagator considers the higher-order term by expanding the Taylor series of the vertical slowness in the thin slab of the phase-screen propagator, the GS migration can offer more correct image for the complex subsurface with large lateral velocity variation or steep dip. To verify the validity of the developed GS migration module, we analyzed the accuracy with the order of the GS propagator for VTI media (GSVTI propagator) and confirmed that the accuracy of the wavefield propagation with the wide angles increases as the order of the GS propagator increases. Using the synthetic seismic data, we compared the migration results obtained from the isotropic GS migration module with the anisotropic GS migration module. The results show that the anisotropic GS migration provides better images and the improvement is more evident on steeply dipping structures and in a strongly anisotropic medium.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.76-83
• /
• 2016

Migration image can be distorted due to reflected waves in the source and receiver wavefields when discontinuities of input velocity model exist in seismic imaging. To remove reflected waves coming from layer interfaces, it is a common practice to smooth the velocity model for migration. If the velocity model is smoothed, however, the subsurface image can be distorted because the velocity changes around interfaces. In this paper, we attempt to minimize the distortion by reducing reflection energy in the source and receiver wavefields through acoustic impedance homogenization. To make acoustic impedance constant, we define fake density model and use it for migration. When the acoustic impedance is constant over all layers, the reflection coefficient at normal incidence becomes zero and the minimized reflection energy results in the improvement of migration result. To verify our algorithm, we implement the reverse-time migration using cell-based finite-difference method. Through numerical examples, we can note that the migration image is improved at the layer interfaces with high velocity contrast, and it shows the marked improvement particularly in the shallow part.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2011

Attention has been focused on geothermal energy as an alternative energy because it is continuously operable without external supply. Most of geothermal anomalies in Korea are related to deep circulation of groundwater through a fracture system in granite area. Therefore it is very important to understand the distribution of the fracture system which is the main channel of ground water. In this research, we constructed the velocity models with a fracture system and the layered sediments, respectively, and generated synthetic data sets with them to verify the presented vertical seismic profiling (VSP) preprocessing scheme. We compared the results from conventional VSP preprocessing flow to those from VSP preprocessing flow considering fracture system. We noticed that the preprocessing flow considering fracture system retains more sufficient signal including down-going wave than conventional preprocessing. In addition, we applied 3D VSP prestack phase screen migration to the preprocessed reversed VSP (RVSP) data from Seokmo Island so that we were able to image fracture structure of the geothermal site in Seokmo Island.