The ratio of a given depth divided by the travel time to that depth, usually assuming straight ray paths and parallel layering. Thus = zn/tn, where zn is the depth of the top n layers and tn the single-travel time through those n layers. Also, = Σzi/Σti where zi and ti are the thickness of and single-travel time through the ith layer respectively, and Σ is the total thickness and total travel time respectively of the overlying layers.