Interval velocity estimation using edge-preserving regularization

Alejandro A. Valenciano, Morgan Brown, Mauricio D. Sacchi, and Antoine Guitton

valencia@sep.stanford.edu, morgan@sep.stanford.edu, sacchi@phys.ualberta.ca, antoine@sep.stanford.edu

ABSTRACT

We test two edge-preserving forms of model regularization in a least-squares implementation of Dix formula that leads to interval velocities with sharp edges in the $(\tau,x)$ plane. This characteristic in the interval velocity may be desirable in geologic environments with abrupt changes in velocity, like: carbonate layers, salt bodies, and strong faulting.