Generation of G-type seismic waves under initial stress (Q1083254)

The propagation of shear waves along the plane surface between two different media under initial stress is discussed. The upper layer is homogeneous while the lower medium is inhomogeneous. It is shown that a large portion of energy can flow along the interface for horizontally polarized shear waves with group velocity lower than the shear wave velocity in the upper mantle. The calculations carried out are valid up to first order of small quantities. The phase velocity curve against wave number have been drawn. The effects of initial stresses are distinctly marked.