This investigation deals with resolving reflections from thin beds rather than the detection of events that may or may not be resolved. Resolution is approached by considering a thinning bed and how accurately measured times on a seismic trace represent actual, vertical two‐way traveltimes through the bed. Theoretical developments are in terms of frequency and time rather than wavelength and thickness because the latter two variables require knowledge of interval velocities. These results are compared with similar studies by Rayleigh, Ricker (1953), and Widess (1973, 1980). We show that the temporal resolution of a broadband wavelet with a white spectrum is controlled by its highest terminal frequency [Formula: see text], and the resolution limit approximates 1/(1.5 [Formula: see text]), provided the wavelet’s band ratio exceeds two octaves. The practical limit of resolution, however, occurs at a one‐quarter wavelength condition and approximates 1/(1.4 [Formula: see text]). The resolving power of zero‐phase wavelets can be compared quantitatively once a wavelet is known in the time domain.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.