Utilization of high-frequency Rayleigh waves in near-surface geophysics

Abstract

Rayleigh waves, surface waves that travel along a “free” surface such as the earth-air or the earth-water interface, are usually characterized by relatively low velocity, low frequency, and high amplitude. Rayleigh waves are the result of interfering P and SV waves. Particle motion of the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves in a homogeneous medium moving from left to right is elliptical in a counter-clockwise (retrograde) direction along the free surface. As depth increases, the particle motion becomes prograded and is still elliptical when reaching sufficient depth. The motion is constrained to a vertical plane consistent with the direction of wave propagation.