Three-dimensional parabolic equation model for seismo-acoustic propagation: Theoretical development and preliminary numerical implementation

A three-dimensional (3D) parabolic equation (PE) model for sound propagation in a seismo-acoustic waveguide is developed in Cartesian coordinates, with x, y, and z representing the marching direction, the longitudinal direction, and the depth direction, respectively. Two sets of 3D PEs for horizontally homogenous media are derived by rewriting the 3D elastic motion equations and simultaneously choosing proper dependent variables. The numerical scheme is for now restricted to the y-independent bathymetry. Accuracy of the numerical scheme is validated, and its azimuthal limitation is analyzed. In addition, effects of horizontal refraction in a wedge-shaped waveguide and another waveguide with a polyline bottom are illustrated. Great efforts should be made in future to provide this model with the ability to handle arbitrarily irregular fluid-elastic interfaces.