SEISMOLOGY

Chapter 1: Types of Seismic Waves

Dr. Eng. Jamhir Safani

School of Physics, University Sains Malaysia
 Surface wave types
Rayleigh Love
SV
SH
Air P Air
Solid SH-wave
* Solid multiples

Stiff layer!

Scholte ‘Leaky’ or ‘Guided’

SV
Water P Water P-wave
* P multiples
Solid * Solid

Stiff layer!
Seismic P (compressional) and S (shear)
wave propagation (both are body waves)
 Seismic Rayleigh and Love wave
propagation (both are surface waves)
Dan Russell animations – A wave
pulse

Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell,

Kettering University
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/demos.html
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.
 The Seismic Waves program
(Windows) from Alan Jones, SUNY, Binghamton
http://www.geol.binghamton.edu/faculty/jones/
Dan Russell animations –
Transverse wave

Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell,

Kettering University
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/demos.html
 Shear Wave (S-Wave) Animation

Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of alternating

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.
 Love Wave (L-Wave) Animation

Deformation propagates. Particle motion consists of alternating

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.
In the nearest surface
Dan Russell animations – Rayleigh wave
Direction of Propagation

Elliptical
retrograde

Elliptical
prograde

Elliptical
prograde

Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell,

Kettering University
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/demos.html
 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.
 Physical explanation

SV and P waves arrive out of phase

giving retrograde motion at surface

http://www.uwm.edu/~bketter/Research/Surface_Theory/Rayleigh/rayleigh_index.html
 Combined motion
First body waves – then surface waves (0.9 Vs)

http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/visualgeology/geology101/l8awav2.htm
SV

SH
 Comparison of wave animations with wave motion recorded
on seismograms
Map of west
central South
America showing
historical Recorded
seismicity (M6+, at
1990-1999),
epicenter of
M6.5 earthquake
off the west
coast of Chile,
and location of
GSN
seismograph
station NNA
(Nana, Peru)
Three-component seismograms for the M6.5 west coast
of Chile earthquake recorded at NNA

SH

SV

SV
 Characteristics of Seismic Waves
Table 2: Seismic Waves
Type (and names) Particle Motion Typical Velocity Other Characteristics

P,Compressional, Alternating compressions VP ~ 5 – 7 km/s in P motion travels fastest in materials, so

Primary, (“pushes”) and dilations
Longitudinal (“pulls”) which are
directed in the same
direction as the wave is
propagating (along the
raypath); and therefore,
perpendicular to the
wavefront
typical Earth’s crust; the P-wave is the first-arriving energy
>~ 8 km/s in on a seismogram. Generally smaller
Earth’s mantle and and higher frequency than the S and
core; 1.5 km/s in Surface-waves. P waves in a liquid or
water; 0.3 km/s in air gas are pressure waves, including
sound waves.

S, Shear, Alternating transverse VS ~ 3 – 4 km/s in S-waves do not travel through fluids,

Secondary, motions (perpendicular to typical Earth’s crust; so do not exist in Earth’s outer core
Transverse the direction of >~ 4.5 km/s in (inferred to be primarily liquid iron) or
propagation, and the Earth’s mantle; ~ in air or water or molten rock
raypath); commonly 2.5-3.0 km/s in (solid) (magma). S waves travel slower than
polarized such that particle inner core P waves in a solid and, therefore, arrive
motion is in vertical or after the P wave.
horizontal planes
 Characteristics of Seismic Waves
L, Love, Surface Transverse horizontal
waves, Long motion, perpendicular to
waves the direction of
propagation and generally
parallel to the Earth’s
surface
R, Rayleigh, Motion is both in the
Surface waves, direction of propagation
Long waves, and perpendicular (in a
Ground roll vertical plane), and
“phased” so that the
motion is generally
elliptical – either prograde
or retrograde
VL ~ 2.0 - 4.5 km/s in Love waves exist because of the
the Earth depending Earth’s surface. They are largest at the
on frequency of the surface and decrease in amplitude with
propagating wave depth. Love waves are dispersive, that
is, the wave velocity is dependent on
frequency, with low frequencies
normally propagating at higher
velocity. Depth of penetration of the
Love waves is also dependent on
frequency, with lower frequencies
penetrating to greater depth.
VR ~ 2.0 - 4.5 km/s in Rayleigh waves are also dispersive and
the Earth depending the amplitudes generally decrease with
on frequency of the depth in the Earth. Appearance and
propagating wave particle motion are similar to water
waves.