Global Optimization Methods in Geophysical Inversion

One of the major goals of geophysical inversion is to find earth models that explain the geophysical observations.

Thus the branch of mathematics known as optimization has found significant use in many geophysical applications. Both local and global optimization methods are used in the estimation of material properties from geophysical data.

As the title of the book suggests, the aim of this book is to describe the application of several recently developed global optimization methods to geophysical problems.

Although the application aspects of these algorithms are emphasized, several parts of the theory are described in sufficient detail for the reader to understand the underlying fundamental principles upon which these algorithms are based. Students, researchers and practitioners should be able to design practical algorithms to solve their specific geophysical inversion problems.

The book is virtually self-contained so that there are no prerequisites, except for a fundamental mathematical background that includes a basic understanding of linear algebra and calculus.