Abstract: AVO (amplitude versus offset) is a technique for studying lithology and detecting hydrocarbon seismic exploration by using amplitude information. Conventional single interface reflection coefficient can be calculated by Zoeppritz equation; however, the reflection characteristics of layered media seismic wave is not only related to incident angle, but also differences of physical property, incident wave frequency, formation thickness, thin interbedded structure, the formation non-uniformity and other factors, and all the factors related tuning effects are fully considered in the theory of propagation matrix. Based on the data calculation of high-precision synthetic seismogram in heterogeneous underground media, we compared the simulation results of Zoeppritz equation, Shuey two-term approximation equation, Shuey three-term approximate equation, and propagation matrix algorithm. The study shows that at a small incident angle, the reflection amplitude and waveforms of Zoeppritz equation, Shuey two-terms, and Shuey three-term approximation are basically the same; while at a large incident angle, those of Zoeppritz equation and Shuey three-term approximation are closer. Under the condition of small incident angles and shallow layers, the seismic responses of Zoeppritz equation and propagation matrix algorithm is almost the same, but different at large incident angles and deep layers. It is illustrated that the tuning effects and multiple wave interferences cannot be ignored.

Key words: Zoeppritz equation, Shuey equation, propagator matrix, inhomogeneous medium