TRM deviations in anisotropic assemblages of multidomain magnetite

Anisotropic assemblages of multidomain magnetite particles develop an anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), which in turn induces deviations of thermo-remanent magnetization (TRM) from the field direction. From the theories of multidomain TRM acquisition, it is shown that the TRM anisotropy tensor has its eigenvalue ratios ( T _i) related to the principal weak-field susceptibility ratios ( P _i) by the order of magnitude T _i≃ P ²_i. This relation has been experimentally verified on two sets of highly anisotropic rock samples. The exponent has been determined to be 1.94 in the samples from a Peruvian gabbro, and 1.81 in those from the granite of Flamanville (NW France). Accounting for experimental difficulties in determining the TRM anisotropy tensors, these exponents are judged to agree well with the expected one. It is therefore stressed that AMS measurements provide a good means of evaluating the magnetic field direction from deviated TRM directions, providing magnetic carriers are mainly multidomain magnetites.     

Reflection coefficients for weak anisotropic media

The interaction of plane elastic waves with a plane boundary between two anisotropic elastic half-spaces is investigated. The anisotropy dealt with in this study is of a general type. Explicit expressions for energy-related reflection and transmission coefficients are derived. They represent an approximation which is valid for a small deviation of the elastic parameters from isotropy.
Classical perturbation theory is applied on a 6times6 non-symmetric real eigenvalue problem to calculate first-order corrections for the polarization and stress of the plane waves. The explicit solution of the isotropic problem is used as a reference case. Degenerate perturbation theory is used to consider the splitting of the isotropic S -wave into two anisotropic qS-waves. The boundary conditions for two half-spaces in welded contact lead to a 6times6 system of linear equations. A correction to the isotropic solution is calculated by linearization. The resultant coefficients are functions of horizontal slowness, Lamé parameters and densities of the reference media, and of the perturbation of the elasticity tensors from isotropy.     

Anisotropic reflection coefficients for a weak-contrast interface

In this article the interaction of plane waves with a weak-contrast interface between two weakly anisotropic half-spaces is investigated. The anisotropy dealt with is of a general type. The stress–displacement vectors of the plane waves are calculated by perturbation theory. By assuming that the jump in elastic parameters and density across the interface is small, one can derive a simple expression for the R _qPqP coefficient. In cases in which the wave motion is restricted to a symmetry plane of an anisotropic medium, simple expressions for the R _qSVqSV and R _SHSH coefficients are also derived.     

ScS wave splitting of deep earthquakes around Japan

ScS wave splitting of five deep earthquakes in subduction zones near Japan is investigated using horizontal seismograms recorded al JMA stations. For each earthquake, we clearly observe uniform ScS wave splitting in all stations over Japan, especially for the events located south of Honshu in 1982, 1984 and 1993. However, the directions of fast-polarized waves of these events differed by a maximum of about 50° from one another. The orientation of fast-polarized waves in the 1982 event was NNW-SSE; those in the two later events WNW-ESE. We also recognize this discrepancy in the results of the analysis of the 1971 Sea of Okhotsk event reported by Fukao (1984). The Sakhalin Islands event in 1990 reveals a linear particle motion without such a change in direction of the second arrivals, implying no anisotropy. These observations are interpreted as indicating an anisotropic region within the slab near the earthquake sources but not beneath the receivers, since the orientations of fast-polarized waves recorded at each station are not common to all the earthquakes. Furthermore, we consider that anisotropy exists non-uniformly within the slab. The event in 1982, which occurred in almost the same area as those in 1984 and 1993, showed a fast direction different from the events in 1984 and 1993. The 1982 event was 179 km deep, but the two later events were at 398 km and 360 km, respectively. The fast direction observed from the 1982 event is parallel to the fossil plate motion, whereas those from the events in 1984 and 1993 are parallel to the compression axis within the subducting slab. The depth of 400 km is a phase boundary, where olivine changes to β spinel. We consider that the most likely cause of the change in anisotropy direction is the re-orientation of crystals associated with the phase change of olivine to β spinel due to subduction of the slab.