The resolving power of seismic amplitude data: An anisotropic inversion/migration approach

A description of the theory and numerical implementation of a 3-D linearized asymptotic anisotropic inversion method based on the generalized Radon transform is given. We discuss implementation aspects, including (1) the use of various coordinate systems, (2) regularization by both spectral and Bayesian statistical techniques, and (3) the effects of limited acquisition apertures on inversion. We give applications of the theory in which well-resolved parameter combinations are determined for particular experimental geometries and illustrate the interdependence of parameter and spatial resolutions. Procedures for evaluating uncertainties in the parameter estimates that result from the inversion are derived and demonstrated.