Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Double-Difference Seismic Tomography: Advances in the Field

Xin Yangming^{* *}Correspondence: Xin Yangming, Department of Civil Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China, Email:

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Description

Seismic tomography is a powerful tool used to image the subsurface of the Earth, providing information on the distribution of seismic wave velocities and density. This information is essential for understanding the structure and properties of the Earth's interior, as well as for exploring natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals. One of the most promising techniques in seismic tomography is double-difference seismic tomography, which has seen significant advancements in recent years.

Seismic tomography involves the inversion of seismic wave data to determine the distribution of seismic velocities and density in the subsurface. This is done by measuring the travel times of seismic waves as they propagate through the Earth, and using these measurements to infer the subsurface properties. Seismic tomography can provide images of the subsurface at various depths, providing insight into the structure and properties of the Earth's interior.

Double-difference seismic tomography is a technique that builds on traditional seismic tomography methods, but with added advantages. It involves the calculation of the relative differences in travel times between pairs of seismic events, rather than the absolute travel times. This approach helps to reduce errors caused by uncertainties in the location of seismic events and measurement errors, resulting in more accurate and precise images of the subsurface.

One of the key advantages of double-difference seismic tomography is its ability to image small-scale structures in the subsurface. Traditional seismic tomography methods struggle to image small-scale structures, as they are often obscured by largerscale features. Double-difference seismic tomography overcomes this limitation by focusing on the relative differences in travel times, which are more sensitive to small-scale structures. This allows for more detailed and accurate images of the subsurface, including features such as faults, fractures, and small-scale variations in velocity and density.

Recent advancements in double-difference seismic tomography have improved its accuracy and efficiency, making it an increasingly popular technique for imaging the subsurface. One such advancement is the use of waveform inversion, which involves the direct inversion of seismic waveforms rather than travel times. Waveform inversion allows for a more accurate determination of seismic wave velocities and density, resulting in higher-quality images of the subsurface.

Another advancement in double-difference seismic tomography is the use of large-scale parallel computing resources. Doubledifference seismic tomography involves the inversion of large datasets, which can be computationally intensive. Advances in computing power and parallel computing algorithms have enabled the rapid processing of large datasets, reducing the time required to generate seismic images of the subsurface.

Double-difference seismic tomography has also benefited from the use of advanced imaging techniques. One such technique is full-waveform inversion, which involves the inversion of the entire seismic waveform rather than just the travel times. Fullwaveform inversion provides a more detailed and accurate representation of the subsurface, allowing for the imaging of small-scale features with greater clarity.

In addition, double-difference seismic tomography has been combined with other imaging techniques such as gravity and magnetic imaging, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the subsurface. By combining multiple imaging techniques, researchers can gain a better understanding of the structure and properties of the subsurface, leading to more accurate predictions of natural resource distributions and reservoir properties.

Double-difference seismic tomography has many applications, including in the exploration and production of oil, gas, and minerals. It can be used to locate and map subsurface geological structures, such as faults, fractures, and reservoirs, providing valuable information for resource exploration and development. Double-difference seismic tomography can also be used to monitor subsurface changes, such as those caused by natural disasters or human activities like mining and drilling.