Simultaneous inversion for model geometry and elastic parameters

Both traveltimes and amplitudes in reflection seismology are used jointly in an inversion to simultaneously invert for the interface geometry and the elastic parameters at the reflectors. The inverse problem has different physical dimensions in both data and model spaces. Practical approaches are proposed to tackle the dimensional difficulties. In using the joint inversion, which may properly take care of the structural effect, one potentially improves the estimates of the subsurface elastic parameters in the traditional analysis of amplitude variation with offset (AVO). Analysis of the elastic parameters estimated, using the ratio of S-wave to P-wave velocity contrasts and the deviation of this parameter from a normal background trend, promises to have application in AVO analysis. The inversion method is demonstrated by application to real data from the North Sea.