Estimation of multivalued arrivals in 3D models using wavefront construction—Part I

A new 3D wavefield modelling approach based on dynamic ray tracing is presented. This approach is called wavefront construction, and it can be used in 3D models with constant or smoothly varying material properties (S- and P-velocity and density) separated by smooth interfaces. Wavefronts consisting of rays arranged in a triangular network are propagated stepwise through the model. At each time step, the differences in a number of parameters are checked between each pair of rays on the wavefront. New rays are interpolated whenever this difference between pairs of rays exceeds some predefined maximum value. A controlled sampling of the wavefront at all time steps is thus obtained. Receivers are given multiple-event values by interpolation when the wavefronts pass them. The strength of the wavefront construction method is that it is robust and efficient.