Seismic Imaging — Prospects and Challenges on All Scales

Abstract

Seismic soundings of the earth’s interior comprise the reconstruction of subsurface images from reflected and backscattered waves. The recorded wavefield carries information about the medium, i.e. its rock physical parameters (velocity, density, etc.) as well as its structural inventory (geological interfaces, fault zones, etc.). This paper focuses on the illustration of imaging applications from different scales within the earth: the subduction of an oceanic plate below the South America, a paleo continent collision in Germany, a salt pillow structure within a sedimentary basin, and a study for the prediction of rock conditions around a tunnel.