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
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/demos.html
 Direction of propagation

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.
 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.
 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

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.
 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