Synthetic Seismic Modeling

Seismic Methods
By OgbonLab

Build an earth model, pick the right physics, and generate the seismic yourself.

Generate seismic from equations: convolutional synthetics, full wave-equation shot records, and fracture-driven anisotropy, with a Modeling Lab where you build the earth and simulate its response.

13 parts 70 sections Free, browser-native
Start reading → First up: Why Model? The Forward Problem

Table of contents

Every section is a working session: text, math, code, interactive widgets. Click any title to jump in.

Part 0: Part 0: The Forward Problem

  1. Why Model? The Forward Problem
  2. The Modeling Ladder
  3. What Synthetics Are For
  4. Assumptions and the Inverse Crime
  5. The Same Earth, Different Engines

Part 1: Part 1: Wavelets, the Source

  1. The Ricker Wavelet
  2. The Wavelet Zoo
  3. Phase Matters
  4. Sampling and Aliasing
  5. Bandwidth and Resolution

Part 2: Part 2: The Convolutional Model

  1. From Impedance to Reflectivity
  2. Convolution, the Machine
  3. Tuning and the Wedge
  4. A Synthetic from a Well Log
  5. Noise and Signal-to-Noise
  6. When Convolution Is Enough

Part 3: Part 3: 2D Models and Sections

  1. Building 2D Earth Models
  2. Faults in the Model
  3. From Geology to Impedance
  4. Convolving a Section
  5. Fault-Detection Training Pairs
  6. Where 2D Convolution Lies

Part 4: Part 4: The Acoustic Wave Equation

  1. Deriving the Wave Equation
  2. Discretizing: FD Stencils
  3. Stability and the CFL Condition
  4. Numerical Dispersion
  5. Absorbing Boundaries
  6. Shot Records

Part 5: Part 5: Beyond Convolution

  1. Diffractions
  2. Multiples
  3. Transmission and Spreading
  4. Refractions and Head Waves
  5. Velocity Pushdown
  6. Convolution vs the Wave Equation

Part 6: Part 6: Elastic and AVO

  1. P-waves and S-waves
  2. Mode Conversion
  3. Zoeppritz and Shuey
  4. The AVO Classes
  5. Synthetic AVO Gathers
  6. Acoustic or Elastic?

Part 7: Part 7: Anisotropy, the Physics

  1. What Anisotropy Is
  2. Why Rocks Are Anisotropic
  3. The Thomsen Parameters
  4. Anisotropic Moveout
  5. Azimuthal Velocity
  6. Tilt the Axis: VTI, TTI, HTI

Part 8: Part 8: Fractures and Rock Physics

  1. Cracks to Stiffness
  2. Hudson and Linear Slip
  3. Fluids in Fractures
  4. Building a Fractured Model
  5. Azimuthal AVO (AVAz)
  6. Shear-Wave Splitting

Part 9: Part 9: Earth Models at Scale

  1. Deterministic Builders
  2. Stochastic Heterogeneity
  3. Reservoir to Seismic
  4. Standard Test Models
  5. Export Your Model
  6. Model QC

Part 10: Part 10: Capstones, Fit for Purpose

  1. Fault-Detection Dataset
  2. Subtle Stratigraphic Trap
  3. Fractured Carbonate
  4. CO₂ Plume Time-Lapse
  5. Gas Cloud and Pushdown

Part 11: Part 11: Review and Final Exam

  1. Review Question Bank
  2. Final Examination

Part 12: Part 12: The Modeling Lab

  1. The Modeling Lab
  2. Fit-for-Purpose Reference Card
  3. Python Presets and Scaling Up
  4. From the Lab to Research
  5. Ask Ogbon, and the Road On

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