This paper introduces a frequency-domain iterative solver for numerical simulation of elastic waves in 2D isotropic heterogeneous media. The method applies a right preconditioner to the first-order system of elastic equations, ensuring convergence for Krylov subspace iterative solvers. This preconditioning step consists of elastic wavefield simulation in a vertically inhomogeneous auxiliary model performed via the reflectivity method. As a byproduct the method can yield fully decomposed elastic wavefields, including P- and S-waves, as well as upgoing and downgoing components. The solver proposed in this paper has been validated via comparisons with exact analytical solutions and a time-domain reference solver. The method demonstrates good effectiveness for elastic wavefield simulation in a media with mild lateral velocity variations.
