1. n. [Geophysics]

The path or direction along which wave energy propagates through the Earth. In isotropic media, the raypath is perpendicular to the local wavefront. The raypath can be calculated using ray tracing. Seismic energy travels through media of variable anisotropy and can propagate by diffraction, factors that complicate determination of raypaths.

See related terms: angle of approach,  angle of incidence,  anisotropy,  average velocity,  diffraction,  image,  normal incidence,  ray,  ray tracing,  reflection,  root-mean-square velocity