Dictionary:Reflection

The energy or wave from a seismic source that has been reflected (returned) from an acoustic-impedance contrast (reflector) or series of contrasts within the earth. The objective of most reflection-seismic work is to determine the location and attitude of reflectors from measurements of the traveltime of primary reflections and to infer the geologic structure and stratigraphy. The basic reflection equations are shown in Figure R-8. See also reflectivity.