Scattering and attenuation of shear waves in the lithosphere

Journal Article · Mon Nov 10 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JB085iB11p06496· OSTI ID:6756644

AKi, K

Recent measurements of Q/sub ..beta..//sup -1/ of S waves in the lithosphere for frequency range from 0.02 to 25 Hz show a remarkable frequency dependence and systematic variation from place to place depending on the current tectonic activity. In order to test the hypothesis that the attenuation of S waves may be caused by the loss of energy by scattering due to heterogeneity, the amplitudes of S and coda waves were measured simultaneously for 900 local earthquakes in the central Japan for various frequency bands. The data were interpreted using the S to S single-scattering theory for coda waves, which is now supported by the observed agreement between Q of coda and Q/sub ..beta../, and also by the observed identical local site effect on coda and S waves. The result shows that the loss of energy from S waves required to explain coda amplitudes agrees with the attenuation of S waves within the uncertainty of measurements. This conclusion is supported by several recent studies on Q of coda, Q of Lg, A/sub ..beta../, and coda excitation by other workers.

• Research Organization: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 6756644
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:B11; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580201* -- Geophysics-- Seismology & Tectonics-- (1980-1989)
ATTENUATION
EARTH CRUST
ENERGY LOSSES
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
FREQUENCY RANGE
HZ RANGE
LOSSES
SCATTERING
SEISMIC S WAVES
SEISMIC WAVES
WAVE PROPAGATION