New Paradigms in Seismic Imaging: Advances in Localized, Precise, and Intelligent Solutions

With the remarkable increase in the complexity and concealment of target geological bodies, unprecedented challenges have been posed to conventional seismic imaging technologies. The development of seismic imaging methods has undergone a continuous evolution, progressing from ray theory to one-way wave theory and ultimately to two-way wave theory. Correspondingly, imaging techniques have advanced from two-dimensional post-stack time migration to three-dimensional pre-stack depth migration, significantly improving the accuracy of subsurface imaging. Although seismic imaging technologies have made substantial progress in enhancing imaging resolution and reliability, they still face the persistent dual challenges of imaging precision and computational efficiency. To overcome these limitations, several new paradigms of seismic imaging have gradually emerged in recent years, challenging and extending the traditional theoretical framework of pre-stack depth migration. These emerging approaches aim to improve imaging accuracy, computational efficiency, and adaptability to complex geological conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent developments in localized, precise, and intelligent seismic imaging methods. The advantages of representative techniques within these three categories are systematically summarized, with particular emphasis on their roles in improving imaging performance in complex subsurface environments. Furthermore, the future development trends of seismic imaging technologies are discussed, providing perspectives on potential directions for methodological innovation and technological advancement.