Wavelet analysis of velocity dispersion of elastic interface waves propagating along a fracture

Description/Abstract

A wavelet analysis is performed on seismic waveforms of elastic interface waves that propagate along a fracture. The wavelet analysis provides a direct quantitative measure of spectral content as a function of arrival time. The authors find that the spectral content of the interface wave signals is not stationary, but exhibits increasing frequency content for later arrival times, representing negative velocity dispersion. The dispersion increase from {minus}11 m/sec/MHz to {minus}116 m/sec/MHz as the stress on the fracture is increased from 3.5 kPa to 33 MPa. The negative velocity dispersion agrees with predictions from the displacement-discontinuity theory of the seismic response of fractures, and can be used to fit fracture stiffness. 16 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.