Least-squares attenuation of reverse-time-migration artifacts

Abstract

Abstract Reverse-time-migration artifacts occur when diving waves, head waves or backscattered waves crosscorrelate. These events are particularly strong where high velocity contrasts exist. Simple filtering of the final image can lead to good results but might compromise the integrity of the signal of interest. We demonstrate that a better technique is to apply least-squares filtering with prediction-error filters, a method traditionally used for S/N separation.