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Absorption and the low velocity zone

Anderson, Don L. and Hart, Robert S. (1976) Absorption and the low velocity zone. Nature, 263 (5576). pp. 397-398. ISSN 0028-0836. doi:10.1038/263397b0. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20150217-130123503

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Abstract

It is well known that elastic wave velocities are independent of frequency only for a non-dissipative medium. In a real solid dispersion must accompany absorption. This effect has been emphasised by Randall and Liu et al. The effect is small when the seismic quality factor Q is large or unimportant if only a small range of frequencies is being considered—that is, the spectra of P waves. Even in these cases, however, the measured velocities, or inferred elastic constants, are not the true elastic properties but lie between the high frequency and low frequency limits or the so-called ‘unrelaxed’ and ‘relaxed’ moduli. The magnitude of the effect depends on the nature of the absorption band and the value of Q. When comparing data taken over a wide frequency band the effect of absorption can be considerable especially considering the accuracy of present body-wave and free-oscillation data. Thus, Jeffreys questions conclusions based on free oscillation data, particularly where they differ from body-wave results which are based on much shorter periods. Carpenter and Davies and Davies attempted to reconcile body-wave and surface-wave Earth models by allowing for physical dispersion using Futterman's and Kolsky's dispersion–absorption relationships. Jeffreys used Lomnitz' relationships. Liu et al. have shown that dispersion depends to first-order on absorption in the seismic frequency band and derived a linear superposition model that gives a Q that is independent of frequency. It can be shown that all of the above theories give equivalent absorption–dispersion relations for moderate absorption. Liu et al. and Anderson et al. have shown how to correct surface-wave and free-oscillation data for physical dispersion. Much of the support for the existence of an upper mantle low velocity zone has come from the inversion of normal mode data that have been uncorrected for physical dispersion due to absorption. In the light of these developments, we decided to re-examine the question of a shearwave low velocity zone.


Item Type:Article
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/263397b0DOIArticle
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v263/n5576/abs/263397b0.htmlPublisherArticle
Additional Information:© 1976 Nature Publishing Group. Received June 23; accepted August 4, 1976. We thank Hiroo Kanamori and Hsi-Ping Liu for discussions and Tom Jordan and Martin Smith for use of their programs. This research was supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense and was monitored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
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Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)UNSPECIFIED
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)UNSPECIFIED
Issue or Number:5576
DOI:10.1038/263397b0
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20150217-130123503
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20150217-130123503
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:54874
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:17 Feb 2015 22:18
Last Modified:10 Nov 2021 20:38

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