Seismic Propagation Theory

Compiled by Andri HENDRIYANA
 The 2D elastodynamic equation:

 The 2D P-SV velocity-stress formulation:
 Copyright 2004. L. Braile. Permission
granted for reproduction and use of files and
animations for non-commercial uses
Seismic Body Waves
Wave Type Particle Motion Other Characteristics
(and names)
P, Alternating compressions P motion travels fastest in materials,
Compressional, (“pushes”) and dilations so the P-wave is the first-arriving
Primary, (“pulls”) which are directed energy on a seismogram. Generally
Longitudinal in the same direction as the smaller and higher frequency than
wave is propagating (along the S and Surface-waves. P waves
the raypath); and therefore, in a liquid or gas are pressure
perpendicular to the waves, including sound waves.
wavefront.
S, Alternating transverse S-waves do not travel through

Shear, motions (perpendicular to fluids, so do not exist in Earth’s
Secondary, the direction of outer core (inferred to be primarily
Transverse propagation, and the liquid iron) or in air or water or
raypath); commonly molten rock (magma). S waves
approximately polarized travel slower than P waves in a
such that particle motion is solid and, therefore, arrive after the
in vertical or horizontal P wave.
planes.
Seismic Surface Waves
Wave Type Particle Motion Other Characteristics
(and names)
L, Transverse horizontal Love waves exist because of the Earth’s
Love, motion, perpendicular to surface. They are largest at the surface and
Surface the direction of decrease in amplitude with depth. Love waves
waves, Long propagation and are dispersive, that is, the wave velocity is
waves generally parallel to the dependent on frequency, generally with low
Earth’s surface. frequencies propagating at higher velocity.
Depth of penetration of the Love waves is also
dependent on frequency, with lower
frequencies penetrating to greater depth.
R, Motion is both in the Rayleigh waves are also dispersive and the

Rayleigh, direction of propagation amplitudes generally decrease with depth in
Surface and perpendicular (in a the Earth. Appearance and particle motion are
waves, Long vertical plane), and similar to water waves. Depth of penetration
waves, “phased” so that the of the Rayleigh waves is also dependent on
Ground roll motion is generally frequency, with lower frequencies penetrating
elliptical – either to greater depth. Generally, Rayleigh waves
prograde or retrograde. travel slightly slower than Love waves.
Wave animations
Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell, Kettering University

http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/demos.html
Seismic Wave
animations
(Developed by L. Braile)
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~braile/edumod/waves/WaveDemo.htm
Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell,
Kettering University
Direction of propagation
Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell,

Kettering University
3-D Grid for Seismic Wave Animations
No attenuation (decrease in amplitude with distance due to

spreading out of the waves or absorption of energy by the material)
dispersion (variation in velocity with frequency), or anisotropy
(velocity depends on direction of propagation) is included.
Compressional Wave (P-Wave) Animation
Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of alternating

compression and dilation. Particle motion is parallel to the
direction of propagation (longitudinal). Material returns to its
original shape after wave passes.
Shear Wave (S-Wave) Animation

transverse motion. Particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of
propagation (transverse). Transverse particle motion shown here is
vertical but can be in any direction. However, Earth’s layers tend to
cause mostly vertical (SV; in the vertical plane) or horizontal (SH) shear
motions. Material returns to its original shape after wave passes.
Rayleigh Wave (R-Wave) Animation
Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of elliptical motions

(generally retrograde elliptical) in the vertical plane and parallel to the
direction of propagation. Amplitude decreases with depth. Material
returns to its original shape after wave passes.
Love Wave (L-Wave) Animation

transverse motions. Particle motion is horizontal and perpendicular to
the direction of propagation (transverse). To aid in seeing that the
particle motion is purely horizontal, focus on the Y axis (red line) as the
wave propagates through it. Amplitude decreases with depth. Material
returns to its original shape after wave passes.
 Direct Wave
 Head wave/
Refracted Wave
 Reflected wave
 Converted wave
 Ground roll
 Multiples
Headwave
(Roth et al.,
Direct wave
Reflection
Multiple Reflections
Direct wave
Reflected wave Refracted wave

Receivers Source Receivers
Its Called Shot gather

Receivers Source Receivers
Direct wave
Reflected wave layer 1/2

Refracted wave layer 2/3
t
Reflected wave layer 2/3
Refracted wave layer 1/2

Seismic events
Non-primary events
X (m)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
0.0
R1 R2
0.2 Direct
0.4
Head wave (refraction)
T (s)
0.6
Primary
0.8
First multiple
Ground roll
1.0
Seismic events
Non-primary events
Ground-roll Dispersion
Offset (m)
Refraction
Direct wave
Reflection
High-frequency
ground roll
Time (s)
Low-frequency
ground roll
Ground-roll window
(Modified after Yilmaz, 1987)
Courtesy of BP
 Spherical divergence/geometrical spreading
Energy  1/r2
Amplitude  1/r
 Intrinsic/elastic attenuation
A r0
 exp   (r  r0 )
A0 r
 Scattering
 Interface losses (refraction,reflection,etc)
http://www.crewes.org/ResearchLinks/ExplorerPrograms/ZE/ZEcrewes.html
1 , v1 I1  1v1 I 2  I1
1 , v1 RC1 
I 2  I1
 2 , v2 I 2   2 v2
I3  I 2
RC2 
 3 , v3 I 3   3v3 I3  I 2
Normal Incidence
X
4 S  4h  X
2 2 2
Source Geophone
2 2 2
h
h
S 4S 4h X

2
 2
 2
V V V
2
X
T  X   T0  x  0  2
2 2
Velocity,V V

Seismic Propagation Theory

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Seismic Propagation Theory

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Compiled by Andri HENDRIYANA

 The 2D elastodynamic equation:

S, Alternating transverse S-waves do not travel through

R, Motion is both in the Rayleigh waves are also dispersive and the

Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell, Kettering University

Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell,

No attenuation (decrease in amplitude with distance due to

Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of alternating

Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of alternating

Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of elliptical motions

Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of alternating

Reflected wave Refracted wave

Its Called Shot gather

Reflected wave layer 1/2

Refracted wave layer 1/2

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