Analysis of RTM extended images for VTI media

Extended images obtained from reverse time migration (RTM) contain information about the accuracy of the velocity field and subsurface illumination at different incidence angles. Here, we evaluate the influence of errors in the anisotropy parameters on the shape of the residual moveout (RMO) in P-wave RTM extended images for VTI (transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis) media. Using the actual spatial distribution of the zero-dip NMO velocity (⁠$Vnmo$⁠), which could be approximately estimated by conventional techniques, we analyze the extended images obtained with distorted fields of the parameters $η$ and $δ$⁠. Differential semblance optimization (DSO) and stack-power estimates are employed to study the sensitivity of focusing to the anisotropy parameters. We also build angle gathers to facilitate interpretation of the shape of RMO in the extended images. The results show that the signature of $η$ is dip-dependent, whereas errors in $δ$ cause defocusing only if that parameter is laterally varying. Hence, earlier results regarding the influence of $η$ and $δ$ on reflection moveout and migration velocity analysis remain generally valid in the extended image space for complex media. The dependence of RMO on errors in the anisotropy parameters provides essential insights for anisotropic wavefield tomography using extended images.