Comparison of time-domain SH waveform inversion strategies based on sequential low and bandpass filtered data for improved resolution in near-surface prospecting

in: Journal of Applied Geophysics (2019)
Köhn, Daniel; Wilken, Dennis; De Nil, Denise; Wunderlich, Tina; Rabbel, Wolfgang; Werther, Lukas; Schmidt, Johannes; Zielhofer, Christoph; Linzen, Sven Peter
The full waveform inversion (FWI) of strongly dispersive Love wave data is a challenging task. Amplitude, phase and dispersion information not only depends on the density and shear modulus distribution in the subsurface, but also significantly on intrinsic damping. This is especially a problem in near surface data applications with complex underground structures and low Qs values. Therefore, the FWI of a dispersive Love wavefield demands an accurate initial visco-elastic model and careful data pre-processing. Another key ingredient of a successful time-domain FWI is the sequential inversion of frequency filtered data in order to mitigate the non-linearity of the inverse problem. Common FWI strategies are based solely on either low- or bandpass filtered data. In this study we develop an FWI workflow consisting of a combined low- and bandpass filter strategy to achieve an appropriate data fit of the low-frequency Love wave and high-frequency refracted SH-wavefield. The applicability of this FWI strategy and the importance of a visco-elastic medium description is demonstrated for SH field data from a transect over the Fossa Carolina, a silted medieval canal structure in southern Germany. The resolved canal shape and small scale structures in the inversion results are verified by an archaeological excavation.

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