Partial derivatives of rayleigh wave particle motion

Abstract

A theory was developed for the partial derivatives of ellipticity of Rayleigh wave particle motion at the free surface. It is based on the variational principle, and the partiais are expressed in terms of eigenfunctions and an auxiliary integration of equation of motion. Model calculations for the Gutenberg crust-mantle structure show a marked difference in depth dependence between the partiais of ellipticity and those of phase velocity. The former decreases more rapidly with depth than the latter, implying a strong influence of near surface structure on the ellipticity. This characteristic is enhanced in higher modes. The new partiais may be useful for studying near surface structures with horizontal components of higher mode Rayleigh waves. © 1983, The Seismological Society of Japan, The Volcanological Society of Japan, The Geodetic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.