Elastic wave finite difference modelling as a practical exploration tool

Peter Malcolm Manning, Gary F. Margrave

Finite difference modelling of elastic wavefields is now practical for elucidating features of records obtained for exploration seismic purposes. This has become possible because of the major increase in computing power available at reasonable cost. To take advantage of this power a 2D finite difference modelling program for elastic displacements has been written in Matlab. The program has then been used to investigate the propagation of surface waves through shallow layers with lateral and vertical changes. Some distinctive effects have been seen under ideal conditions, and it is hoped that these will also appear in realistic cases and provide practical interpretation methods.