Parallel computing in prestack viscoacoustic pseudospectral modeling

A parallel computing of viscoacoustic numerical modeling algorithm is developed, tested and implemented for two-dimensional media. The loss mechanism is simulated according to a standard linear solid model. Numerical solution of viscoacoustic responses is obtained by solving two-dimensional heterogeneous viscoacoustic wave equations. The model is parameterized through stress, strain relaxation times, density, relaxed and unrelaxed modulus, and velocity. On constructing P- and S- velocity, Q_p, and Qs models separately, attenuated and de-coupled propagating P- and S- wave fields are synthesized. Implementation of a pseudospectral technique with staggered grid provides a more general and more accurate description of wave propagation phenomena. A near perfect linear speedup can be achieved on a distributed-memory multiple-processor system. The algorithm allows several nodes to be used to solve a single large problem at high computation to communication ratios.