Bayesian Full-waveform Inversion with Realistic Priors

Abstract: Seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) uses full seismic records to estimate subsurface velocity structure. This requires a highly nonlinear and nonunique inverse problem to be solved, and Bayesian methods have been used to quantify uncertainties in the solution. Variational Bayesian inference uses optimization to provide solutions efficiently. The method has been applied to solve a transmission FWI problem using data generated by known earthquake-like sources, with strong prior information imposed on the velocity. Unfortunately such prior information about velocity structure and earthquake sources is never available in practice. We present the first application of the method in a seismic reflection setting, and with realistically weak prior information. We thus demonstrate that the method can produce high resolution images and reliable uncertainties given practically reasonable prior information.