f Validation of simple Q models for the inversion of frequency-dependent scattering attenuation

The magnitude of apparent attenuation is dependent on the nature of the irregularities in the earth parameters. In principle, it may be possible to detect changes in lithology from changes in measured apparent attenuation. However, it is a difficult talk to extract information on attenuation from seismic data. Earlier investigations and error analysis showed that reliable results require high resolution VSP data of excellent quality in regions with strong attenuation or low quality factors Q . Analysis techniques such as spectral ratio methods or operator matching methods aim at deriving constant Q values over the whole frequency range within the seismic bandwidth.