Analytical expressions are derived for the error of contrasts estimated by AVO inversion. This is carried out for three approximations to the Zoeppritz equations, and for both conventional and converted-wave data. The expressions are tested against errors obtained by explicit numerical inversion. The formulae obtained show that errors in P-wave impedance contrasts are an order of magnitude smaller than those of other contrasts. The formulae for errors in shear-wave impedance contrast and density contrast are particularly accurate for linear theories and multicomponent data.
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