A seismic model study of the phase velocity method of exploration

Variations in the phase velocity of earthquake-generated surface waves have been used to determine local variations in the thickness of the earth's crust. It is of interest to determine whether this method can be used to delineate structures encountered by the exploration geophysicist. A seismic model study of the effect of thickness changes, lithology changes, faults and scarps, on the phase velocity of surface waves was carried out. It is demonstrated that all of these structures produce measurable variations in the phase velocity of surface waves. Additional information is required, however, to give a unique interpretation of a given phase velocity variation in terms of a particular structure. Some remarks on the phenomenon of returning ground roll are made.