# Viscoelastic Model and Synthetic Seismic Data of Eastern Rub'Al-Khali
###### Abstract  
The Rub' Al-Khali basin in Saudi Arabia remains unexplored and lacks data availability due to its remoteness and the challenging nature of its terrain. Thus far, there are neither digital geologic models nor synthetic seismic data from this specific area accessible for testing research techniques and analysis. In this study, we build a 2D viscoelastic model of the eastern part of the Rub' Al-Khali basin and generate a corresponding dual-component seismic data set. We compile high-resolution depth models of compressional- and shear-wave velocities, density, as well as compressional- and shear-wave quality factors from published data. The compiled models span Neoproterozoic basement up to Quaternary sand dunes. We then use the finite-difference technique to model the propagation of seismic waves in the compiled viscoelastic medium of eastern Rub' Al-Khali desert. In particular, we generate vertical and horizontal components of the shot gathers with accuracy to the fourth and second orders in space and time, respectively. The viscoelastic models and synthetic seismic datasets are made available in an open-source site for prospective re-searchers who desire to use them for their research. Users of these datasets are urged to make their findings also accessible to the geoscience community as a way of keeping track of developments related to the Rub' Al-Khali desert. viscoelastic model; synthetic seismic data; eastern Rub-Al-Khali; Saudi Arabia 1  
[PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON]; Viscoelastic Model and Synthetic Seismic Data of Eastern Rub' Al-Khali. _Appl. Sci._**2021**, _11_, 1401. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/appl1031401](https://doi.org/10.3390/appl1031401)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/appl1031401](https://doi.org/10.3390/appl1031401))  
Academic Editor: [PERSON] Received: 4 December 2020  
Accepted: 26 January 2021  
Published: 4 February 2021  
**Published: 4 February 2021**  
**Published: 4 February 20  
The highest level of modeling is not practical because of the need to know many generally unknown parameters (i.e., anisotropy) about subsurface layers, in addition to being very computationally intensive. The viscoelastic wave equation offers a practical compromise, especially in large subsurface models spanning a wide range of velocities. In addition to modeling P-waves, S-waves, and surface waves, viscoelasticity also addresses an elastic wave behavior. The Rub' Al-Khali basin is situated below the Quaternary sand dunes and occupies most of the southern part of Saudi Arabia. It covers a large area that extends approximately 1300 km in the east-west direction and 300 km in the north-south direction extending from southwest Saudi Arabia toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [16] (Figure 1A). This basin is divided by the Qatar arch into two sub-basins: East and West Rub' Al-Khali sub-basins (Figure 1B). In comparison with the UAE part, Rub' Al-Khali basin in Saudi Arabia remains unexplored and lacks openly available data due to its remoteness and the challenging desert conditions. Most of the hydrocarbon fields in Saudi Arabia in the Rub' Al-Khali basin are mainly located on its northeastern portion, including Shaybah, Ramlah, North, and South Kidan fields [17]. [PERSON] et al. [18] described the main challenges and uncertainties in the interpretation of 3D seismic data in the Shaybah field due to the complex and rugged topography. They successfully improved the quality of the data and resolved the uncertainties by combining 3D seismic data and borehole seismic measurements including vertical seismic pro line (VSP) surveys. [PERSON] et al. [19, 20] carried out a study on the Mesozoic petroleum system of the Rub' Al-Khali basin, particularly the Triassic to Jurassic siliclatic reservoirs. They also described the structural evolution of the Rub' Al-Khali basin from the Precambrian to Neogene using a combination of regional seismic, gravity, and magnetic data. Thus far, there are no publicly-available synthetic seismic data nor digital geological models of the Rub' Al-Khali basin.