AVA

<< Click to Display Table of Contents >>

Navigation:  AVO >

AVA

 

Description

 

Computes Amplitude Versus Angle (AVA) attributes from NMO-corrected pre-stack gathers using the Shuey approximation (2-term or 3-term). For each time sample, the module performs SVD least-squares regression on the amplitude vs. angle curve to decompose the reflection response into geophysically meaningful components: Intercept (I, the zero-angle reflectivity), Gradient (G, the rate of amplitude change with angle), and optionally the C term (3-term Shuey only). The results are output as separate gather volumes for further AVO/AVA interpretation or crossplotting.

The Shuey approximation is valid for angles up to approximately 30–35 degrees. Use this module after NMO correction and offset-to-angle conversion, before AVO attribute extraction or inversion workflows. A minimum of 3 valid traces per gather is required for regression. Ensure the angle gather type (degrees or radians) matches the Input angles type parameter setting to avoid silent result corruption.

Input data

Input gather NMO

NMO-corrected pre-stack seismic gathers. The data must be fully NMO-corrected and muted before input. Residual NMO will corrupt the amplitude-vs-angle relationship and degrade attribute quality.

Input gather angles

Angle gather computed by the Vrms to Angle module, containing the incidence angle for each trace. Must be co-registered with the NMO gather (same CDP sorting). The unit (degrees or radians) must match the Input angles type parameter setting.

Parameters

Time

Two-way travel time (ms) used only for the interactive crossplot visualization display — shows the amplitude-vs-angle regression at this specific time sample. Does not affect the output volumes. Default: 0.

Max angle

Maximum incidence angle (degrees) to include in the AVA regression. Traces with angles exceeding this limit are excluded. The default value of 90 degrees includes all traces — in practice, set this to 30–40 degrees since the Shuey approximation becomes unreliable at larger angles. Using angles beyond 35° will introduce non-linear effects that corrupt the Intercept and Gradient estimates.

Approximation type

Selects the Shuey approximation order. 2Term (default) computes Intercept and Gradient only, suitable for most AVO workflows up to ~30°. 3Term additionally solves for the C curvature term, requiring wider angle coverage (typically >30°) and more traces per gather for a stable regression solution.