Three-dimensional depth transform of seismic prospecting data by use of equi-travel time planes

The present paper proposes a fast algorithm for 3-dimensional depth transform of seismic prospecting data before stack by use of equi-travel time planes. A reflection point on reflector for each pair of source and receiving point is located on an ellipsoid of which foci are source and receiving point. Consequently, reflector is determined by drawing a common tangent plane to all ellipsoids. As a result of 3-dimensional model studies, it was concluded that this algorithm reconstructed the structure with high accuracy, the short calculation time and the requirement for small size of core memory in computer.