Seismicthrough

Seismicthrough is a term used in seismology and geophysical exploration to describe an approach that emphasizes the analysis of seismic energy that travels through, rather than reflected from, subsurface structures. The concept focuses on transmitted waves that propagate across an object or region and are detected on the far side, enabling imaging of deep or complex structures.

In practice, seismicthrough involves deploying seismic sources and receivers on opposite sides of a target zone, recording transmitted waves, and applying processing and inversion techniques to extract information about velocity, density, and anisotropy along the path. This can include full-waveform inversion, travel-time tomography, and cross-correlation methods to enhance signal quality.

Applications of seismicthrough include deep crustal imaging, mantle-scale studies, and hydrocarbon exploration where transmitted energy can illuminate features not easily seen with reflection methods. It can complement conventional seismic reflection surveys by providing constraints on lithology and seismic velocities along throughgoing paths.

Challenges include uneven source-receiver coverage, attenuation of high-frequency energy, and non-uniqueness in the inverse problem. Data interpretation requires careful separation of transmitted versus reflected energy, as well as accounting for anisotropy and heterogeneity that affect wave propagation.

Note: Seismicthrough is not a universally standardized term and may be encountered in diverse geophysical literature to denote transmitted-energy–focused analyses or seam-through concepts. Related concepts include seismic tomography, seismic refraction, and full-waveform inversion.