Reverse-Time Migration from Rugged Topography to Image Ground-Penetrating Radar Data in Complex Environments

John H. Bradford, Janna Privette, David Wilkins, Richard Ford

Engineering ›› 2018, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (5) : 661-666.

PDF(3011 KB)
PDF(3011 KB)
Engineering ›› 2018, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (5) : 661-666. DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2018.09.004
Research
Research Applied Geophysics—Article

Reverse-Time Migration from Rugged Topography to Image Ground-Penetrating Radar Data in Complex Environments

Author information +
History +

Abstract

In ground-penetrating radar (GPR) imaging, it is common for the depth of investigation to be on the same order as the variability in surface topography. In such cases, migration fails when it is carried out from a datum after the application of elevation statics. We introduce a reverse-time migration (RTM) algorithm based on the second-order decoupled form of Maxwell’s equations, which requires computation of only the electric field. The wavefield extrapolation is computed directly from the acquisition surface without the need for datuming. In a synthetic case study, the algorithm significantly improves image accuracy over a processing sequence in which migration is performed after elevation statics. In addition, we acquired a field dataset at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes (CPSD) in Utah, USA. The data were acquired over rugged topography and have the complex internal stratigraphy of multiply eroded, modern, and ancient eolian deposits. The RTM algorithm significantly improves radar depth images in this challenging environment.

Keywords

Ground-penetrating radar / Reverse-time migration / Sand dune / Amplitude analysis

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
John H. Bradford, Janna Privette, David Wilkins, Richard Ford. Reverse-Time Migration from Rugged Topography to Image Ground-Penetrating Radar Data in Complex Environments. Engineering, 2018, 4(5): 661‒666 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2018.09.004

References

[1]
Deng F., McMechan G.A.. True-amplitude prestack depth migration. Geophysics. 2007; 72(3): S155-S166.
[2]
Fisher E., McMechan G.A., Annan A.P., Cosway S.W.. Examples of reverse-time migration of single-channel, ground-penetrating radar profiles. Geophysics. 1992; 57(4): 577-586.
[3]
Sanada Y., Ashida Y.. An imaging algorithm for GPR data. In: editor. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems; 1999 Mar 14–18; Oakland, CA, USA. Wheat Ridge: Environment and Engineering Geophysical Society; 1999. p. 565-573.
[4]
Lehmann F., Green A.G.. Topographic migration of georadar data: implications for acquisition and processing. Geophysics. 2000; 65(3): 836-848.
[5]
Heincke B., Green A.G., van der Kruk J., Horstmeyer H.. Acquisition and processing strategies for 3D georadar surveying a region characterized by rugged topography. Geophysics. 2005; 70(6): K53-K61.
[6]
Heincke B., Green A.G., van der Kruk J., Willenberg H.. Semblance-based topographic migration (SBTM): a method for identifying fracture zones in 3D georadar data. Near Surf Geophys. 2006; 4(2): 79-88.
[7]
Zhu W., Huang Q.. Application of reverse time migration on GPR data for detecting internal structures in a sand dune. In: Proceedings of the Society of Explorations Geophysicists 85th Annual International Exhibition and Meeting; 2015 Oct 18–23; New Orleans, LA, USA. Tulsa: Society of Exploration Geophysicists; 2015. p. 2269-2274.
[8]
Yee K.. Numerical solution of initial boundary value problems involving Maxwell’s equations in isotropic media. IEEE Trans Antenn Propag. 1966; 14(3): 302-307.
[9]
Zhou D., Huang W.P., Xu C.L., Fang D.G., Chen B.. The perfectly matched layer boundary condition for scalar finite-difference time-domain method. IEEE Photonics Technol Lett. 2001; 13(5): 454-456.
Acknowledgements

The Herbette Foundation at the University of Lausanne provided support for the development of the RTM algorithm.

Compliance with ethics guidelines

John H. Bradford, Janna Privette, David Wilkins, and Richard Ford declare that they have no conflict of interest or financial conflicts to disclose.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2018 THE AUTHORS
AI Summary AI Mindmap
PDF(3011 KB)

Accesses

Citations

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/