ZOEPPRITZ EQUATION

In the real world, seismic data are always acquired with a finite separation between
the source and receiver (usually termed the offset). This mean that reflection will be much
more complicated, because part of the P-wave energy will be converted into a reflected and
transmitted shear wave. The equations describing how the amplitudes of the reflected and
transmutted P- and S-waves depend on the angle incidence and the properties of media above
and below the interface were publised by Zoeppritz (1919); the amplitude depend on the
contrast in Poissons ratio across the interface, as well as the acoustic impedance change.
Figure (2.xx) show an example of how the amplitudes depend on incidence angle for a
particular interface (Bacon et. al, 200xx).

Figure 2.xx. energy partitioning at interface (Bacon et. al, )

APPROXIMATION ZOEPPRITZ EQUATION
AKI AND RICHARD APPROXIMATION
Athough Zoeppritz equations have the exact solutions for reflection coefficients, it is not easy
to directly apply Zeoppritz equations to the actual seismic data. One reason is that if the
subsurface is to be solved from Zoeppritz equations, too many unknowns exist. Secondly,
because of the complex nature of the earth, the seismic record is not composed of ideal
reflected plane waves. Equations with a simple format and good accuracy are sought by
researchers. Aki and Richards (1980) give approximations for reflection coefficients. These

approximations are simpler and more practical than Zoeppritz equations. Equation (2.xx)
expresses the reflection coefficient for an incident and reflected P-waves. Equation (2.xx)
expresses the reflection coefficient for an incident P-wave and reflected S-wave. In these
equations, Aki and Richard conventions (1980) are followed. As shown on figure (2.xx) 1,
1,and 1 are P-wave, S-wave velocity, and density of upper medium, while 2, 2, and 2 are
P-wave veolicity, S-wave velocity, and density of lower medium. The ray parameter p is
defined by equation (2.xx) (Xu, 1999).
1

RPP = ( 14 2 p2 )
+
4 2 2
2
2
2 cos i

RPS =

[(

(2.xx)

cosi cosj
cosi cosj
12 2 p 2+ 2 2
4 2 p24 2
2 cosj

(2.xx)

SHUEY APPROXIMATION
The Zoeppritz equation are rather complicated. It is easy enaough to write software to
generate curves like those shown in figure (2.xx), but it is also helpful to have
approximations that give more insight into the underlying relations between reflectivity and
rock properties. Useful approximations for the PP reflection coefficienet (i.e both incident
and reflected waves of P type, the most common situation) have been given by Aki and
Richard (1980) and by Shuey (1985). Approximately,
R ( )= A+ B sin 2 +C sin2 tan 2 (2.xx)
Where,
VP
+
VP

A=0.5

B=0.5

VP
V
2 S
VP
VP

( )(

VS
+
VS

And
C=0.5

VP
VP

Where R() is reflection coefficient at incidence angle (stricly speaking, the average of the
angle of incidence and the angle of transmission as determined by Snells Law), VP is the
average of P-wave velocity on the two sdes of the interface, VS the average S-wave velocity,
and the average density, and the quantities preceded by are differences un the relevant
parameter across the interface (Bacon et. al, ).