Inversion of velocity models using genetic algorithm method with sigmoidal parameterization

Abstract

A seismic traveltime inversion method is proposed for building smooth velocity models using traveltime observed on irregular surface. Model parameterization in this study is described by a piecewise constant velocity field on a rectangular grid parameterized by sigmodal functions, which is beneficial for the description of irregular surface with high degree of approximation. The velocity field is defined in the rectangular grid which is used for the description of velocity distribution everywhere in the model sigmoidal interpolation. In addition, we use the simple Genetic Algorithm for the inversion procedure. Through this global scope inversion method, we provide high-resolution estimates of the model parameter and ensure that the results obtained are in accordance with the actual data. Our method is validated with synthetic examples of heterogeneous isotropic media and compared to Simulating Annealing. The inverted velocity models and approximate ray paths obtained coincide well with the trajectories simulated using the seismic ray tracing in synthetic heterogeneous isotropic media.

Keywords

• Seismic inversion
• Genetic algorithm
• Ray tracing
• Sigmoidal functions
• Velocity field parameterization