Kirchhoff modeling for attenuative anisotropic media using Gaussian beams

Seismic wave propagation in attenuative media can be efficiently modeled with ray-based methods. We present a methodology to generate reflection data from attenuative anisotropic media using the Kirchhoff scattering integral and summation of Gaussian beams. The Green's functions are computed in the reference elastic model by Gaussian-beam summation, and the influence of attenuation is incorporated as a perturbation along the central ray. The reflected P-wave is obtained by substituting the approximate Green's functions into the Kirchhoff scattering integral. Numerical examples for a transversely isotropic medium above a horizontal reflector and for a structurally complex acoustic model with a salt body confirm the accuracy of the method.