Formulation of the multiple anisotropic scattering process in two dimensions for anisotropic source radiation

The radiative transfer theory (RTT) describes the energy transport through a random heterogeneous medium, neglecting phase information. It provides an adequate framework for modelling high-frequency seismogram envelopes. For isotropic scattering and sources, the radiative transfer equation (RTE) has been formulated analytically and numerically simulated using Monte Carlo methods for acoustic and elastic media. Here, we derive an exact analytical solution of the RTE in 2-D space for the acoustic case, including anisotropic scattering for a anisotropic point-like impulsive source. For this purpose, we generalize the path integral method, which has been used before in the isotropic case, to take into account the anisotropy of both the source radiation pattern and scattering processes, simultaneously. Then we obtain a general solution, which is written in a closed form in the Fourier space. To illustrate the theoretical results, we compute the full space and time evolution of the specific intensity for an arbitrary case. We also compare the time traces computed from our general solution with cases in which the source and/or the scattering process are isotropic. The importance of taking into account both anisotropies simultaneously becomes obvious in our examples. We also show that at long lapse time, our example approaches the solution of the diffusion equation.     

An analytical approach for the scattering of SH waves by a symmetrical V-shaped canyon: shallow case

Based on the application of the region-matching technique, an analytical approach is presented for the scattering of plane SH waves from a shallow symmetrical V-shaped canyon, and then a series solution is derived. The analysed region is divided into an enclosed and an open region by introducing a semi-circular auxiliary boundary. In each region, the displacement field can be expressed as infinite sum of appropriate wavefunctions satisfying partial boundary conditions, respectively. The unknown coefficients can be determined by enforcing the continuity conditions in connection with the Graf's addition formula. The frequency- and time-domain responses are both evaluated and displayed for several physical parameters. From graphical results, the effects of the canyon depth on surface ground motion are conspicuous. The proposed series solutions can serve as benchmark for numerical methods, in particular for those at much higher frequencies.     

Seismic coda due to non-linear elasticity

Non-linear elastic response of rocks has been widely observed in laboratory, but very few seismic studies are reported in the literature, even though it is the most natural environment where this feature could be observed. Analytic solutions to the non-linear wave propagation phenomena are not readily available, and there is a need to use approximated techniques. It is clear that when a seismic wave propagates through a homogeneous non-linear elastic media, it will be perturbed by the non-linearity. This perturbation can be treated as a source of scattering, spreading the energy of the primary wave in space and time, contributing to the seismic coda. This is in some sense similar to the effect of heterogeneities. The properties of the coda due to the non-linearity depend on the amount of non-linearity and the seismic moment. Using a perturbation approach we calculate the amplitude of the scattered waves, and show that it can describe reasonably well the main features of real seismic codas.     

The role of shear and tensile failure in dynamically triggered landslides

Dynamic stresses generated by earthquakes can trigger landslides. Current methods of landslide analysis such as pseudo-static analysis and Newmark's method focus on the effects of earthquake accelerations on the landslide mass to characterize dynamic landslide behaviour. One limitation of these methods is their use Mohr–Coulomb failure criteria, which only accounts for shear failure, but the role of tensile failure is not accounted for. We develop a limit-equilibrium model to investigate the dynamic stresses generated by a given ground motion due to a plane wave and use this model to assess the role of shear and tensile failure in the initiation of slope instability. We do so by incorporating a modified Griffith failure envelope, which combines shear and tensile failure into a single criterion. Tests of dynamic stresses in both homogeneous and layered slopes demonstrate that two modes of failure exist, tensile failure in the uppermost meters of a slope and shear failure at greater depth. Further, we derive equations that express the dynamic stress in the near-surface in the acceleration measured at the surface. These equations are used to approximately define the depth range for each mechanism of failure. The depths at which these failure mechanisms occur suggest that shear and tensile failure might collaborate in generating slope failure.     

Simulating three-dimensional seismograms in 2.5-dimensional structures by combining two-dimensional finite difference modelling and ray tracing

Finite difference (FD) simulation of elastic wave propagation is an important tool in geophysical research. As large-scale 3-D simulations are only feasible on supercomputers or clusters, and even then the simulations are limited to long periods compared to the model size, 2-D FD simulations are widespread. Whereas in generally 3-D heterogeneous structures it is not possible to infer the correct amplitude and waveform from 2-D simulations, in 2.5-D heterogeneous structures some inferences are possible. In particular, Vidale & Helmberger developed an approach that simulates 3-D waveforms using 2-D FD experiments only. However, their method requires a special FD source implementation technique that is based on a source definition which is not any longer used in nowadays FD codes. In this paper, we derive a conversion between 2-D and 3-D Green tensors that allows us to simulate 3-D displacement seismograms using 2-D FD simulations and the actual ray path determined in the geometrical optic limit. We give the conversion for a source of a certain seismic moment that is implemented by incrementing the components of the stress tensor.
Therefore, we present a hybrid modelling procedure involving 2-D FD and kinematic ray-tracing techniques. The applicability is demonstrated by numerical experiments of elastic wave propagation for models of different complexity.     

Cross-dependence of finite-frequency compressional waveforms to shear seismic wave speeds

Seismic tomography has been one of the primary tools to image the interior of the earth and other elastic structures. To date the inversions of compressional ( P ) and shear ( S ) wave speeds have been carried out separately under the assumption that P traveltimes are affected only by the P wave speed of the elastic media and S traveltimes by the S wave speed. Using numerical and analytical solutions, we show that for finite-frequency seismic waves, S wave speed perturbations may have significant effects on P waveforms. This suggests that when waveform-derived traveltime and amplitude anomalies are used in tomographic inversions, the P -wave measurements should be related to not only P wave speed perturbations but also S wave speed perturbations.     

Scattering of surface waves modelled by the integral equation method

The integral equation method is used to model the propagation of surface waves in 3-D structures. The wavefield is represented by the Fredholm integral equation, and the scattered surface waves are calculated by solving the integral equation numerically. The integration of the Green's function elements is given analytically by treating the singularity of the Hankel function at   R = 0  , based on the proper expression of the Green's function and the addition theorem of the Hankel function. No far-field and Born approximation is made. We investigate the scattering of surface waves propagating in layered reference models imbedding a heterogeneity with different density, as well as Lamé constant contrasts, both in frequency and time domains, for incident plane waves and point sources.     

A 2-D spectral-element method for computing spherical-earth seismograms—II. Waves in solid–fluid media

We portray a dedicated spectral-element method to solve the elastodynamic wave equation upon spherically symmetric earth models at the expense of a 2-D domain. Using this method, 3-D wavefields of arbitrary resolution may be computed to obtain Fréchet sensitivity kernels, especially for diffracted arrivals. The meshing process is presented for varying frequencies in terms of its efficiency as measured by the total number of elements, their spacing variations and stability criteria. We assess the mesh quantitatively by defining these numerical parameters in a general non-dimensionalized form such that comparisons to other grid-based methods are straightforward. Efficient-mesh generation for the PREM example and a minimum-messaging domain decomposition and parallelization strategy lay foundations for waveforms up to frequencies of 1 Hz on moderate PC clusters. The discretization of fluid, solid and respective boundary regions is similar to previous spectral-element implementations, save for a fluid potential formulation that incorporates the density, thereby yielding identical boundary terms on fluid and solid sides. We compare the second-order Newmark time extrapolation scheme with a newly implemented fourth-order symplectic scheme and argue in favour of the latter in cases of propagation over many wavelengths due to drastic accuracy improvements. Various validation examples such as full moment-tensor seismograms, wavefield snapshots, and energy conservation illustrate the favourable behaviour and potential of the method.     

尕海DG03孔元素地球化学特征及其环境意义

通过对柴达木盆地尕海DG03孔沉积物的Ti、V、Cr、Mn、Ni、Zn、C、N等元素含量变化以及m(C)/m(N)、m(Sr)/m(Ba)比值变化的测定,结合DG03孔沉积序列的年代学测定和沉积物分布特征,分析了尕海地区11·52ka BP以来的气候环境变化过程。研究表明尕海地区在11·52ka BP以来存在明显的气候波动;4·70kaBP以来的全新世晚期气候波动频率加大,存在5次较为明显的冷干和暖湿的气候旋回,并且表现出冷干气候时段长,暖湿气候时段短的特征。     

Processes reshaping the Nile delta promontories of Egypt: pre- and post-protection

Shoreline positions established from beach profile surveys combined with wave data are jointly analyzed, as a function of their contribution to coastal processes, to investigate the interaction between waves, shoreline orientation and coastal structures along the Nile delta promontories, Rosetta, Burullus and Damietta. Repeated beach profile surveys along the promontory sectors (64 km long in total) have been analyzed to determine rates of shoreline changes prior to construction (1971–1990) and after construction of protective structures (1990–2000). The behavior of coastline pre- and post-construction indicates that coastal erosion fronting protective structures has declined in the case of the seawalls at the tips of the Rosetta and Damietta promontories, or has been partially replaced by sand accumulation in the case of detached breakwaters at Baltim (east of Burullus promontory) and at Ras El Bar (west of the Damietta promontory). As a consequence, downdrift erosion has been initiated in local areas adjacent to these structures in the direction of longshore sediment transport. The 5-km-long seawall protecting the Rosetta promontory has stopped the dramatic erosion of this highly eroded area (formerly shoreward retreated 88 m/year), with adverse local erosion at its west and east ends, being 3 and 13 m/year, respectively. Similarly, the 6-km-long seawall built on the eastern tip of the Damietta Promontory, still under construction, has nearly stopped the severe erosion, which was formerly 10 m/year. The detached breakwaters at both Baltim and at Ras El Bar have accumulated sand at accretion rates of 37 and 14 m/year, respectively. This sand accumulation is associated with downdrift erosion of 25 and 13 m/year at Baltim and Ras El Bar, respectively. Results reaffirm that the original erosion/accretion patterns along the Nile delta promontories have been reshaped due to the massive protective structures built during the last decade. This reshaping along the examined promontories is generally controlled by the temporal variability in the intensity and reversibility of wave directions and associated longshore currents, coastline orientation and by the existing coastal protection structures.     

Ray tracing and inhomogeneous dynamic ray tracing for anisotropy specified in curvilinear coordinates

Ray tracing has recently been expressed for anisotropy specified in a local Cartesian coordinate system, which may vary continuously in a model specified by elastic parameters. It takes advantage of the fact that anisotropy is often of a simpler nature locally (and is thus specified by a smaller number of elastic parameters) and that the orientation of its symmetry elements may vary. Here we extend this approach by replacing the local Cartesian coordinate system with a curvilinear coordinate system of global extent and by applying the new approach to ray tracing and inhomogeneous dynamic ray tracing. The curvilinear coordinate system is orthogonal and is constructed so that the coordinate axes are consistent with the considered anisotropy of the medium. Our formulation allows for computation of ray attributes (e.g. ray velocity vector and paraxial ray attributes) in the curvilinear coordinate system, while rays are computed in global Cartesian coordinates. Compared to the classic formulation in terms of 21 elastic moduli in global Cartesian coordinates, the main advantages are improved efficiency, lower computer-memory requirements, and conservation of anisotropic symmetry throughout the model.