Application of Genetic Algorithms to 2 D Velocity

This paper explores the possibility of using genetic algorithms to invert seismic refraction travel time data for a two-dimensional velocity structure. The problem is usually high-dimensional, non-linear and multi-modal. Our chromosome is encoded as a two-dimensional real number array. Binary tournament selection, two-point crossover and block mutation directed by prior geological knowledge are used in this paper. Preliminary results indicate that the genetic algorithm eeciently ts the data. Given suucient data sampling, the genetic algorithm is capable of nding geologically plausible two-dimensional velocity structures.