Open AccessDetermination of source parameters by wavefield extrapolation
Author(s) -
McMechan George A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1982.tb02788.x
Subject(s) - seismogram , extrapolation , point source , finite difference , wave equation , geology , mathematical analysis , wavelength , orientation (vector space) , finite difference method , boundary (topology) , geometry , mathematics , physics , seismology , optics
Summary The extrapolation of an observed (seismogram) wavefield backward in time produces an image, in both time and space, of the source. This concept is implemented through a finite difference solution of the two‐dimensional acoustic wave equation. The seismograms themselves are used as time‐dependent boundary values that drive the finite difference mesh, Numerical examples illustrate the determination of hypocentre location and origin time for point sources and of source extent, orientation and rupture velocity for finite sources in both homogeneous and heterogeneous media. Spatial resolution of source parameters is typically one‐half wavelength of the dominant frequency generated by the source.