Ray Method in Seismology — V. Červený, I. A. Molotkov & I. Pšenčík (1977)

Published by Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) in Prague in 1977, Ray Method in Seismology is an important early monograph on the mathematical modeling of seismic-wave propagation. The book develops the seismic ray method: an approach that treats the paths of high-frequency seismic waves through the Earth as "rays," allowing geophysicists to calculate their trajectories, travel times, amplitudes, and behavior as they encounter changing geological structures.

Ray methods became particularly important as computers made increasingly sophisticated seismic modeling practical. They have applications ranging from earthquake seismology and studies of the Earth's interior to seismic exploration for subsurface geological structures. Modern seismic ray theory remains an established method for forward and inverse modeling of seismic body waves.

Lead author Vlastislav Červený (1932–2022) became one of the major figures in the development of seismic ray theory. His work helped establish techniques including dynamic ray tracing and methods for modeling seismic waves in complex, inhomogeneous and anisotropic media. Ray Method in Seismology collected a substantial portion of this foundational work and continued to be cited in the geophysical literature for decades. Červený later produced the much larger Seismic Ray Theory for Cambridge University Press, published in 2001.

Coauthor Ivan Pšenčík likewise became a prominent researcher in theoretical seismology, particularly seismic-wave propagation and anisotropic media. The collaboration represented part of an influential Prague school of theoretical seismology that contributed significantly to modern computational methods for understanding seismic waves.

This is the original 1977 English-language edition, published in Prague by Univerzita Karlova, rather than Červený's later treatments of the subject.

Publication: Univerzita Karlova, Praha
Year: 1977
Authors: Vlastislav Červený, I. A. Molotkov & Ivan Pšenčík
Length: approximately 214 pages
Language: English
Subject: Seismology / Geophysics / Seismic Waves / Mathematical Geophysics

Condition: Vintage ex-library copy with visible library markings and label to the front cover. Cover shows edge and surface wear consistent with age and institutional use. Interior shows age-related toning and library evidence. Please refer to photographs for exact condition.

An uncommon technical monograph with particular interest for collectors of geophysics, seismology, earthquake science, and the history of computational science.