Influence of Snow Cover on the Seismic Waves Propagation

Abstract

In this paper the mathematical modeling of seismic waves propagation in the snow based on the theory of dynamic poroelasticity is considered. The snow cover is approximated as porous medium, saturated with liquid or air, where the three elastic parameters are expressed via three elastic wave velocities. These velocities are recalculated using the elastic wave’s velocities via the Biot theory, which are expressed through elastic parameters of the snow. The obtained solutions allow the study the peculiarities of the seismic wave’s propagation in the liquid or air, which saturating snow cover. In this case, the obtained equations are used for simulation the displacement velocity of the porous frame and the saturating fluid in it, as well as the pore pressure and the stress tensor components with given elastic parameters of the medium and the velocities of propagation of transverse and longitudinal waves in a porous medium.