First-order ray tracing for qP waves in inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic media

Summary

Approximate ray tracing and dynamic ray tracing equations for a qP wave propagating in a smooth inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic medium are proposed. The equations are derived using the perturbation theory. The ray tracing and dynamic ray tracing equations are of the first order, travel time correction calculated along the rays to incerase accuracy of travel times is of the second order. The equations are expressed in terms of weak anisotropy parameters, which represent more natural parameterization of weakly anisotropic media than standard elastic parameters. Only 15 weak anisotropy parameters describing qP-wave propagation are used. Equations are thus considerably simpler than exact ray tracing equations. The equations further substantially reduce if media of higher symmetry are to be considered. For isotropic media, they reduce to standard, exact ray tracing equations for isotropic media.

Keywords

Ray tracing, dynamic ray tracing, second-order travel-time correction, qP wave, inhomogeneous weakly anisotropic media

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