Comment on ‘The azimuthal dependence of surface wave polarization in a slightly anisotropic medium’ by T. Tanimoto

Abstract

This comment points out that the simple azimuthal dependence of the polarization anomalies derived in a recent paper by Tanimoto may not be valid for the Love wave fundamental mode in oceanic or tectonic regions as a result of strong coupling with the first Rayleigh wave overtone. More generally, I also point out the fact that polarization anomalies reflect partly the anisotropy away from the station and that this usually complicates the azimuthal pattern observed at single stations.