A method includes the steps of receiving a wavefield generated by reflections in a subsurface region and recorded by a plurality of seismic receivers and compensating the recorded wavefield for amplitude attenuation. The method further includes modelling a propagation of a source wavefield forward in time, from an initial time-state to a final time-state through an earth model that is representative of the subsurface region, wherein the modelling includes phase and amplitude effects of attenuation and modelling a propagation of the compensated recorded wavefield backward in time from a final time-state to an earlier time-state through the earth model, wherein the subsurface region has an absorption characteristic that dampens the recorded wavefield wherein the modelling includes phase and amplitude effects of attenuation.