Multiple Reflections of Subsurface Layered Media

This paper is concerned with the problem of obtaining amplitude and delay parameters associated with the response of subsurface layered sedimentation to impulsive type acoustic excitations. The approach utilizes a model which characterizes the subsurface in terms of multilayered media. The parameters of the model are time delays associated with the wave propagation in the various layers and amplitude parameters which are functions of the reflection coefficients at the interfaces. With knowledge of the travel time in a sediment or rock layer, the thickness can be estimated if the medium velocity is known. This paper consolidates and extends theory developed by the authors. In particular a procedure to enhance the detection of reflection events is presented. The procedure utilizes the balance property as shown in the derivative of the input signal to amplify the response component due to reflection events. Computational results are given showing an improved and consistent detection of the reflections pertaining to field data.