High-Resolution Elastic Full-Waveform Inversion for Land Data

This technical report discusses the transition from acoustic full-waveform inversion (FWI) to elastic FWI, particularly in the context of complex geological structures in the Middle East. It outlines the challenges faced by acoustic FWI due to near-surface heterogeneities and presents the potential benefits of elastic FWI, which can better simulate near-surface wave propagation. The report details two key strategies for improving land imaging with elastic FWI: joint inversion of P- and S-wave velocity models and selective attenuation of surface waves. The effectiveness of these strategies is assessed through a synthetic case study and a real data example from the Middle East, demonstrating improved resolution and accuracy in velocity model reconstruction. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the advantages of elastic FWI over acoustic FWI, emphasizing the importance of these methodologies in enhancing imaging quality in complex geological environments.