Seismic imaging plays a key role in learning the nature of Earth, searching for natural resources (e.g., petroleum, coal, minerals and water), and mitigating geohazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and tsunamis). As one of the most effective methods for mapping subsurface structures and properties, reverse time imaging has seen a rapid growth in exploration geophysics and solid Earth geophysics in recent years. Stemming from reverse time migration in early 1980’s, reverse time imaging has provided basic observations for many exciting discoveries in Earth sciences. Following the increasing trend in seismic data and computational power, reverse time imaging has a great future in mapping seismic sources and subsurface structures, as well as in understanding the intricate relationship between extracting natural resources and the impacts on the environment and climate.
The goal of this Research Topic is to address the frontier research issues in the practice of reverse time imaging, toward advancement in Earth science knowledge, balanced extraction of natural resources, and mitigation of geohazards. To this end, we welcome manuscripts addressing all aspects of reverse time imaging, including theoretical developments in forward modeling and inverse theory, improvements in workflows, data and computational issues, image artifact and uncertainty management, and scientific findings from high-fidelity images using reverse time imaging, at a wide range of scales: from fractures to faults; from reservoirs to basins and mountains; from crustal features to subducted plates, upwelling plumes and other mantle anomalies; and from source radiations of large earthquakes to frac-induced micro-seismic clouds.
We welcome interested authors to submit manuscripts in all aspects of developing and applying reverse time imaging in solid Earth and exploration geophysics, including imaging methods, velocity model building methods, results and interpretations in solving problems in deep Earth, energy, geohazards and environmental applications.
A variety of types of manuscripts will be considered, namely: Original Research, Methods, Review, Technology and Code, and Perspective.
We especially encourage contributions dealing with:
• Advances in reverse time imaging methodology, such as developments in forward modeling and inverse theory, improvements in workflows, data and computational issues, using additional waveform signals, and developing advanced imaging conditions;
• Applications of reverse time imaging in solving various problems at a wide range of scales, especially natural applications such as in imaging crustal and mantle structures and in revealing the impacts of natural processes including land deformation and fracturing;
• Lessons learnt from applying reverse time imaging, including results and interpretations in mapping deep Earth structures, natural resources, geohazards and environmental studies;
• Reverse time imaging of seismic sources, such as earthquake radiation and rupture patterns, and frac-induced micro-seismic clouds;
• New velocity model building methods for reverse time imaging, and estimations of velocity uncertainly and impacts on image fidelity.
• Effective ways in assessing, quantifying and improving image fidelity, including uncertainty, artifacts and impacts of factors such as velocity model building and uneven seismic illumination;
• New targets for reverse time imaging, such as caves, fractures, gas hydrates, aquafers, and blue holes;
• New ways in using reverse time imaging methods, such as joint use with deconvolution, machine learning, and full waveform inversion.
Seismic imaging plays a key role in learning the nature of Earth, searching for natural resources (e.g., petroleum, coal, minerals and water), and mitigating geohazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and tsunamis). As one of the most effective methods for mapping subsurface structures and properties, reverse time imaging has seen a rapid growth in exploration geophysics and solid Earth geophysics in recent years. Stemming from reverse time migration in early 1980’s, reverse time imaging has provided basic observations for many exciting discoveries in Earth sciences. Following the increasing trend in seismic data and computational power, reverse time imaging has a great future in mapping seismic sources and subsurface structures, as well as in understanding the intricate relationship between extracting natural resources and the impacts on the environment and climate.
The goal of this Research Topic is to address the frontier research issues in the practice of reverse time imaging, toward advancement in Earth science knowledge, balanced extraction of natural resources, and mitigation of geohazards. To this end, we welcome manuscripts addressing all aspects of reverse time imaging, including theoretical developments in forward modeling and inverse theory, improvements in workflows, data and computational issues, image artifact and uncertainty management, and scientific findings from high-fidelity images using reverse time imaging, at a wide range of scales: from fractures to faults; from reservoirs to basins and mountains; from crustal features to subducted plates, upwelling plumes and other mantle anomalies; and from source radiations of large earthquakes to frac-induced micro-seismic clouds.
We welcome interested authors to submit manuscripts in all aspects of developing and applying reverse time imaging in solid Earth and exploration geophysics, including imaging methods, velocity model building methods, results and interpretations in solving problems in deep Earth, energy, geohazards and environmental applications.
A variety of types of manuscripts will be considered, namely: Original Research, Methods, Review, Technology and Code, and Perspective.
We especially encourage contributions dealing with:
• Advances in reverse time imaging methodology, such as developments in forward modeling and inverse theory, improvements in workflows, data and computational issues, using additional waveform signals, and developing advanced imaging conditions;
• Applications of reverse time imaging in solving various problems at a wide range of scales, especially natural applications such as in imaging crustal and mantle structures and in revealing the impacts of natural processes including land deformation and fracturing;
• Lessons learnt from applying reverse time imaging, including results and interpretations in mapping deep Earth structures, natural resources, geohazards and environmental studies;
• Reverse time imaging of seismic sources, such as earthquake radiation and rupture patterns, and frac-induced micro-seismic clouds;
• New velocity model building methods for reverse time imaging, and estimations of velocity uncertainly and impacts on image fidelity.
• Effective ways in assessing, quantifying and improving image fidelity, including uncertainty, artifacts and impacts of factors such as velocity model building and uneven seismic illumination;
• New targets for reverse time imaging, such as caves, fractures, gas hydrates, aquafers, and blue holes;
• New ways in using reverse time imaging methods, such as joint use with deconvolution, machine learning, and full waveform inversion.