Semblance-Based Anisotropy Parameter-Estimation in Layered VTI Media Using Rational Interpolation

The tau-p domain is the natural domain for anisotropy-parameter estimation in horizontally layered media. However, the need to transform the data to the \\tau-p domain or to pick traveltimes in the t-x domain, is a practical disadvantage. To overcome this, we combine a \\tau-p domain inversion technique with rational interpolation of traveltimes in the t-x domain. This combination results in a highly accurate and efficient semblance-based method for anisotropy parameter-estimation from the moveout of P-waves in layered transversely isotropic (TI) media with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI).