Synthetic Seismogram Computation by Expansion in Generalized Rays

The exact formulation of generalized ray theory computations of synthetic seismograms for realistic Earth models is relatively complex and expensive. The expense can be reduced considerably by a proper organization of the computational procedures. The expense is reduced far more dramatically by introducing an approximation of the transmission coefficients and a careful selection of the rays to be included. The incorporation of such procedures leads to programmes which are economically feasible to use as an aid in the interpretation of body waves and near source surface and leaky mode waves.