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A review of finite difference methods for seismo‐acoustics problems at the seafloor
Author(s) -
Stephen Ralph A.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg026i003p00445
Subject(s) - seafloor spreading , geology , finite difference , finite difference method , acoustics , seismology , seismic wave , geophysics , physics , mathematics , mathematical analysis
Understanding seismic wave propagation in realistic seafloor environments is essential for many problems in marine seismology. Finite difference methods are becoming increasingly popular in solving propagation problems as the limitations of other techniques which apply only at high frequency or for flat‐lying media become fully appreciated. The seafloor problem, a high contrast in Poisson's ratio at a rough sharp interface, is particularly challenging, and many published formulations fail to solve it accurately. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the published finite difference formulations for the elastic wave equation and to outline their applicability to seafloor problems.