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On the relative scattering of P- and S-wavesUsing a single-scattering approximation, equations for the scattering attenuation coefficients of P-body and S-body waves are derived. The results are discussed in the light of the energy-renormalization approaches of Wu (1980, 1982) and Sato (1982) to seismic wave scattering. Practical methods for calculating the scattering attenuation coefficients for various earth models are emphasized. The conversions of P-waves to S-waves and S-waves to P-waves are included in the theory. The earth models are assumed to be randomly inhomogeneous, with their properties known only through their average-wavenumber power spectra. The power spectra are approximated with piecewise constant functions, each segment of which contributes to the net frequency-dependent scattering attenuation coefficient. The smallest and largest wavenumbers of a segment can be plotted along with the wavevectors of the incident and scattered waves on a wavenumber diagram. This diagram gives a geometric interpretation for the frequency behavior associated with each spectral segment, including a transition peak that is due entirely to the wavenumber limits of the segment. For regions of the earth where the inhomogeneity spectra are concentrated in a band of wavenumbers, it should be possible to observe such a peak in the apparent attenuation of seismic waves. Both the frequency and distance limits on the accuracy of the theoretical results are given.
Document ID
19850046056
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Malin, P. E.
(California, University Santa Barbara, CA; Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States)
Phinney, R. A.
(Princeton University Princeton, NJ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Journal
Volume: 80
ISSN: 0016-8009
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
85A28207
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-080
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-78-20072
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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