Multi-mode inversion of multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) dispersion curves and high-resolution linear radon transform (HRLRT)

We analyze seismic data using multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) to invert multi-mode surface-wave dispersion curves into 1D vertical shear-wave velocity profiles. The dispersion-curve patterns of the Rayleigh wave are imaged using conventional methods and the high-resolution linear radon transform (HRLRT). Comparison of these imaging techniques shows that the HRLRT provides higher imaging resolution of the dispersion-curve pattern that can be critical for observing and interpreting fundamentaland higher-mode dispersion-curve events of surface-wave energy. The authors conclude that multi-mode dispersion-curve inversion needs to be paired with HRLRT for the correct identification and estimation of fundamentaland highermode dispersion-curve data to arrive at accurate inversion results.