In this paper, we present a spectral element method for studying acoustic wave propagation in complex geological structures. Due to complexity (both lithological and stratigraphical), the use of numerical methods of higher accuracy and flexibility is needed to achieve the correct results. The spectral element method shows more accurate results compared to the low-order finite element, the conventional finite difference and the pseudospectral methods. High accuracy is reached even for rather long wave propagation times and dispersion errors are essentially eliminated; pirregular interfaces between different media can be well described so that numerical artifacts or noises are not at all introduced. The method is tested against analytical solutions both in the two-dimensional homogenous and heterogeneous media. The results of different simulations are presented.
