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Detecting sub‐wavelength layers and interfaces in synthetic sediments using seismic wave transmission
Author(s) -
PyrakNolte Laura J.,
Mullenbach Beth L.,
Li Xun,
Nolte David D.,
Grader Abraham S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1998gl900237
Subject(s) - wavelength , amplitude , homogeneous , layer (electronics) , diffraction , seismic wave , geology , optics , transmission (telecommunications) , materials science , seismology , physics , telecommunications , composite material , computer science , thermodynamics
The interface between two different homogeneous sediment layers, each composed of uniform grain sizes, is a region of heterogeneity comprising a thin layer with a thickness typically much smaller than a seismic wavelength. Seismic waves propagating parallel to the interface experience a reduction in both their amplitude and frequency content but the effect on group velocity is unresolvable. In the case of a single homogeneous layer bounded on both sides by homogeneous halfspaces, the ability to spatially resolve the layer thickness from amplitude or frequency information is limited by diffraction when the layer thickness is smaller than a seismic wavelength. However, the presence of a subwavelength interface or layer is always marked by a decrease in amplitude and in some cases by a decrease in frequency.