Project Collaborators:
Richard L. Gibson,
Huang-Liang Lai,
Jin Lee
This project involves both Computer Science and
Geo Sciences. Seismic Ray Tracing is often used to get information
about the Earth's interior. It has its applications in a number of areas in
Geosciences including oil exploration and quake fault analysis.
An efficient sequential
algorithm for ray tracing is being developed by the research group of
Dr. Gibson
of the
Department Geology and Geophysics
at Texas A&M University.
Our lab has worked on the parallel computing and performance modeling
aspects of the project. We will be working on developing an
efficient parallel algorithm for Seismic Ray Tracing. The second
phase of the project deals with implementing the algorithm in a
parallel machine using the Standard Template Adaptive Parallel
Library (STAPL) which is being developed at Texas A&M. The next
phase of the project deals with incorporating self tuning elements
in the code. A self tuning code can detect the resources available
in the system in which it is running can decide automatically the
complexity of the algorithm and parameters to be used.
We will also work on a visualization tool to allow the Geo-Physicists
a useful way of analyzing their work.
To generate ray information for a particular earth model, a source
of seismic waves is first placed at a known location on the surface
of the earth. The waves emitted from the source travel through the
earth, bending as they travel due to the varying types of media
they pass through, and eventually bounce back to the earth's surface.
Receivers (called geophones) are placed on the surface to detect the
direction and amplitude of the waves as they reach the surface.
Related Links
Dr. Richard Gibson's Home Page