On tracing seismic rays with specified end points in layers of constant velocity and plane interfaces

Abstract

A polygonal ray path connects the seismic source and detector positions when the intervening medium consists solely of constant velocity layers with plane interfaces which may have arbitrary orientation. The coordinates of the ray vertices satisfy a system of coupled equations resulting from the requirement that Fermat's principle be satisfied along the ray path. Solving the system of equations is equivalent to tracing the ray numerically. A notable feature of this approach is that a ray which is critically refracted over a segment of its path requires no special handling.