Using
    high-order staggering-grid finite difference method to solve the one-way
    hyperbolic scalar wave equation in inhomogeneous medium, the authors perform a
    2D seismic forward modeling for caves and thin beds. The forward modeling
    reveals that the bead-like seismic reflection is the integrated response of
    cave’s top reflection, cave’s bottom reflection and faint multiple between
    cave’s top and bottom in migrated profiles. Further study shows that the first
    three attributes transform discrete “beads” into continuous cone-shaped
    amplitude body and destruct the vertical resolution, while the P-wave impedance
    has a better vertical resolution.