Seismic Wave Inversion

Seismic wave inversion represents a crucial technological approach that enables deeper understanding of Earth's internal structure and material composition. By analyzing the propagation velocity and paths of seismic waves through subsurface formations, we can deduce critical physical properties such as density, temperature, and pressure distribution. The inversion process typically involves solving optimization problems using algorithms like gradient descent or full waveform inversion (FWI), where misfit functions between observed and synthetic seismograms are minimized through iterative model updates. These derived parameters facilitate predictive capabilities for natural disasters including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while also illuminating Earth's evolutionary history. From an implementation perspective, seismic inversion utilizes numerical methods such as finite difference modeling and adjoint-state techniques for efficient gradient computation. Furthermore, environmental parameter inversion technology finds significant applications in petroleum exploration through reservoir characterization algorithms, groundwater resource management using hydraulic parameter estimation methods, and various other domains that contribute to both daily life and economic development.