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Efficient hybrid numerical modeling of the seismic wavefield in the presence of solid-fluid boundaries

Author

Listed:
  • Chao Lyu

    (University of California)

  • Barbara Romanowicz

    (University of California
    Institut de Physique du Globe)

  • Liang Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yder Masson

    (University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour)

Abstract

Applying full-waveform methods to image small-scale structures of geophysical interest buried within the Earth requires the computation of the seismic wavefield over large distances compared to the target wavelengths. This represents a considerable computational cost when using state-of-the-art numerical integration of the equations of motion in three-dimensional earth models. “Box Tomography” is a hybrid method that breaks up the wavefield computation into three parts, only one of which needs to be iterated for each model update, significantly saving computational time. To deploy this method in remote regions containing a fluid-solid boundary, one needs to construct artificial sources that confine the seismic wavefield within a small region that straddles this boundary. The difficulty arises from the need to combine the solid-fluid coupling with a hybrid numerical simulation in this region. Here, we report a reconciliation of different displacement potential expressions used for solving the acoustic wave equation and propose a unified framework for hybrid simulations. This represents a significant step towards applying ’Box Tomography’ in arbitrary regions inside the Earth, achieving a thousand-fold computational cost reduction compared to standard approaches without compromising accuracy. We also present examples of benchmarks of the hybrid simulations in the case of target regions at the ocean floor and the core-mantle boundary.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Lyu & Barbara Romanowicz & Liang Zhao & Yder Masson, 2025. "Efficient hybrid numerical modeling of the seismic wavefield in the presence of solid-fluid boundaries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56530-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56530-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scott W. French & Barbara Romanowicz, 2015. "Broad plumes rooted at the base of the Earth's mantle beneath major hotspots," Nature, Nature, vol. 525(7567), pages 95-99, September.
    2. Dongdong Tian & Lianxing Wen, 2017. "Seismological evidence for a localized mushy zone at the Earth’s inner core boundary," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Baolong Zhang & Sidao Ni & Wenbo Wu & Zhichao Shen & Wenzhong Wang & Daoyuan Sun & Zhongqing Wu, 2023. "Small-scale layered structures at the inner core boundary," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Zhi Li & Kuangdai Leng & Jennifer Jenkins & Sanne Cottaar, 2022. "Kilometer-scale structure on the core–mantle boundary near Hawaii," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
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