Progress in the experimental study of seismic wave attenuation

Abstract

New impetus for the laboratory study of seismic wave attenuation was provided during the 1960s and 1970s by the publication of models for the variation of attenuation with the depth in the Earth's mantle. Interpretation of seismological observations in terms of temperature, grain-size, dislocation density, and the presence or absence of melt requires the conduct of laboratory experiments on appropriate materials, especially ultramafic rocks, under controlled conditions. The paper reviews the recent developments of such experimental capability and discusses the insights beginning to emerge into the anelastic behaviour of ultramafic rocks at high subsolidus temperatures and beyond. -from Author Show more