The polarization of P-waves in anisotropic media

Summary. The paper examines P -wave propagation in anisotropic solids, and demonstrates the effect of anisotropy on the polarizations of quasi P -waves. The deviation of the polarization of the quasi P -wave from the propagation vector may be significant, but is in almost the same direction as the deviation of the group-velocity vector. Since the group-velocity, or energy propagation, vector follows seismic ray paths, the apparent deviation is the difference of the polarization and group-velocity deviations and is small. Consequently, it may be easily overlooked, hidden by noise, or attributed to the effects of inhomogeneity.