S-wave Velocity from P-wave Reflection Data: The Role of Surface Waves

High resolution seismic reflection surveys provide images of subsurface S-wave structures and are therefore a powerful tool for engineering problems. When SH seismic reflection cannot be gathered, shallow S-wave velocity models can be also obtained from surface wave data analysis. Surface waves (either acquired on purpose or extracted from P-wave seismic reflection gathers) can be considered a useful complement or an alternative to seismic reflection for engineering characterization of shallow layers.