Exploring Reciprocity Test in Surface Waves: Implications for 1D Velocity Inversion

Abstract This study explores the use of reciprocity in surface wave inversion, a concept more commonly applied in traveltime tomography. We compare 1D shear-wave velocity models from reciprocal shots recorded on the same seismic line to test how consistent the results are. Using field data from 121 geophones and two shots placed on opposite ends of the array, we extract and invert dispersion curves to produce velocity models. The results from both shots show good agreement, especially at greater depths, confirming that reciprocity can help validate inversion results. When differences occur, they are usually caused by noise, near-surface complexity, or overlapping wave modes. These findings suggest that while 1D inversion is reliable under simple conditions, more advanced methods like 2D inversion may be needed in complex areas.