Seismic sources with observable glut moments of spatial degree two |
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| Authors: | George E Backus |
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| Institution: | Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego A-025. La Jolla, California 92093, USA |
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| Abstract: | Let ζΛ and r Λ. be the hypocentral position and time of an extended indigenous seismic source. Backus showed that the force moment tensors of the source, Γ( m +1, n )(ζΛ, r Λ), determine and are determined by the motion which the source produces. For small m + n , only the long-period motion is relevant. The glut moment tensor Λ( m,n ) (ζΛ, r Λ.) can be calculated uniquely from γ( m +1, n )(ζΛ r Λ) only if m = 0 or m = 1. The tensor G =Λ(2,0)(ζΛ) gives the spatial variance tensor WΛ of the source, and WΛ. roughly describes the size, shape and orientation of the source region. Therefore the failure of the observed F =Γ(3,0)(ζΛ) to determine G uniquely is of seismological interest. In the present paper we show that F determines G uniquely if we assume the source to be a simple straight line source (SSLS) or an ideal fault in an isotropic medium with isotropic prestress (IFIMIP). We give tests on F which determine whether it can come from a SSLS, from an IFIMIP or from a simple plane surface source (SPSS). If we assume the source to be a SPSS then knowing F and the fault plane determines G to within an unknown scalar multiple of a certain tensor tangent to the fault plane. Moreover F determines the fault plane uniquely unless F can come from a SSLS. If it can, then F determines this virtual source line uniquely, and F permits the fault plane to be any plane containing the virtual source line. |
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