A seismic trace can be represented as the real part of a complex-valued signal. Attributes termed amplitude envelope (or instantaneous amplitude), instantaneous phase, and instantaneous frequency are commonly computed from the complex seismic trace and displayed as colored sections or overlays for interpretational purposes. These attributes can be collectively termed instantaneous attributes since they concisely and quantitatively describe the seismic waveform (or character) at any sample point. As such, they can be extremely useful in correlating seismic events. But there are pitfalls in attaching simple physical meanings to them and their application for interpretational inferences beyond correlation demands careful evaluation based on accurately calibrated synthetic seismograms. For example, instantaneous frequency can validly be negative.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A 1991 study studied this question.