Near-Field Seismic Motion: Waves, Deformations and Seismic Moment

Abstract

The tensorial force acting in a localized seismic focus is introduced and the corresponding seismic waves are derived, as solutions of the elastic wave equation in a homogeneous and isotropic body. The deconvolution of the solution for a structured focal region is briefly discussed. The far-field waves are identified as P and S seismic waves. These are spherical-shell waves, with a scissor-like shape, and an amplitude decreasing with the inverse of the distance. The near-field seismic waves are spherical-shell waves, decreasing with the inverse of the squared distance. The amplitudes and the polarizations of the near-field seismic waves are given. The determination of the seismic-moment tensor and the earthquake parameters from measurements of the P and S seismic waves at Earth’s’ surface is briefly discussed. Similarly, the mainshock generated by secondary waves on Earth’s surface is reviewed. The near-field static deformations of a homogeneous and isotropic half-space are discussed and a method of determining the seismic-moment tensor from epicentral near-field (quasi-) static deformations in seismogenic regions is presented.