A moments approach for analyzing geophysical reflection data

TLDR: In this article, the authors present a new approach developed for analyzing geophysical acoustic reflecting data using a moments approach, which provides a simple tool for estimating source to receiver reflection path travel time for a laterally homogeneous medium with an arbitrary sound speed versus depth relationship.

Abstract: : This publication presents a new approach developed for analyzing geophysical acoustic reflecting data. The forward problem of estimating source to receiver travel time, and the inverse problem of estimating a sound speed versus depth relationship are addressed using a moments approach. The moments approach provides a simple tool for estimating source to receiver reflection path travel time for a laterally homogeneous medium with an arbitrary sound speed versus depth relationship. The moments approach also provides a useful tool for inverting reflection data to obtain an estimate of the sound speed versus depth relationship. A nearly closed form technique for estimating a linear sound speed versus depth relationship is presented. Derivation of the moments approach and numerical examples are included. (Author)