Improved First-Order Approximation of Group Velocities in Weakly Anisotropic Media

A first-order approximation of the group velocity is derived for qP and qS waves in weakly anisotropic media. The formula gives an explicit expression of the group velocity in terms of elastic parameters and wave normal and is independent of any reference isotropic media. The approximated group velocity differs from the first order phase velocity in direction and in magnitude, the difference being of the first order in direction and the second order in magnitude. The accuracy of the approximate formula is tested on two examples of TI media. The formula well approximates the qS-waves group velocity surface even in the presence of triplications.