Synthetic SH-seismograms in a laterally varying medium by the discrete wavenumber method: Geophys

Summary. We present a new method to calculate the SH wavefield produced by a seismic source in a half-space with an irregular buried interface. The diffractiog interface is represented by a distribution of body forces. The Green’s functions needed to solve the boundary conditions are evaluated using the discrete wavenumber method. Our approach relies on the introduc-tion of a periodicity in the source-medium configuration and on the discreti-zation of the interface at regular spacing. The technique developed is applicable to boundaries of arbitrary shapes and is valid at all frequencies. Some examples of calculation in simple configurations are presented showing the capabilities of the method. Key words: seismology, synthetic seismograms, diffraction, vertical seismic profiles