Seismic Wave Propagation and Attenuation Dynamics

Seismic waves generated by tectonic or artificial sources travel through the Earth’s interior and along its surface, carrying information about subsurface structures and physical processes. Their propagation is governed by elastic and anelastic properties of the medium, with energy redistribution arising from two principal mechanisms: scattering by heterogeneities and intrinsic absorption due to anelastic deformation. Scattering redirects seismic energy into coda waves and complicates direct waveforms, while absorption converts mechanical energy into heat, attenuating amplitudes with distance and frequency. Together, these processes shape the decay of seismic signals, influence ground‐motion estimates in hazard assessments and underpin imaging techniques for resource exploration, volcanic monitoring and crustal mapping. Advances in theoretical modelling, high‐resolution attenuation mapping and data‐driven inversion have enhanced our ability to separate scattering from absorption, quantify frequency‐dependent quality factors and reveal fluid‐rich or fractured zones. Recent work has integrated radiative transfer theory, Monte Carlo simulations and machine learning to improve spatial resolution and interpret heterogeneity at scales from sedimentary basins to deep lithosphere. These developments not only refine our understanding of energy loss and wave diffusion but also bolster practical applications in seismic hazard mitigation, geothermal exploration and civil engineering.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Research from all publishers

Multiple scattering theories formulated in the mid‐1980s applied radiative transfer to model how seismic packets diffuse through random heterogeneous media. This foundational work demonstrated that energy‐distance curves vary markedly with the ratio of scattering to absorption coefficients and established a framework for separating these effects by fitting theoretical coda envelopes to observations.

High‐resolution attenuation maps across complex orogens have been produced by combining a modified multiple‐lapse‐time‐window analysis with Monte Carlo simulations. In one study, scattering anisotropy and intrinsic absorption parameters were inverted across Taiwan in several frequency bands, revealing strong backscattering in fluid‐rich fault zones and a reversal of dominance between scattering and absorption at high frequencies. These maps correlate low wavespeeds and high velocity ratios with enhanced attenuation, indicating volatile‐saturated crustal volumes.

Machine learning regression techniques have been employed to estimate high‐frequency P- and S-wave quality factors in tectonically active regions. In the Aswan Reservoir area, supervised algorithms fitted power‐law attenuation functions, yielding frequency‐dependent Qα and Qβ values that reflect crustal heterogeneity. The clear Qα/Qβ > 1 ratio and low Q0 values underscore the network’s sensitivity to small‐scale structural variation and offer refined inputs for seismic hazard models.

Seismic Wave Propagation and Attenuation Dynamics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in seismic wave propagation and attenuation dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Seismic wave: Elastic disturbance radiating through the Earth, classified as body waves (P and S) or surface waves.

Intrinsic attenuation: Energy loss within the medium due to anelastic processes converting mechanical strain into heat.

Scattering attenuation: Redistribution of seismic energy by heterogeneities, leading to coda formation and waveform distortion.

Coda wave: Late‐arriving, diffuse seismic energy resulting from multiple scattering of direct waves.

Quality factor (Q): Dimensionless parameter quantifying attenuation; higher Q indicates lower energy loss per cycle.

Radiative transfer theory: Mathematical framework describing energy transport and scattering in random media.

References

1. Anomalous Attenuation of High‐Frequency Seismic Waves in Taiwan: Observation, Model and Interpretation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth (2023).
2. Multiple scattering and energy transfer of seismic waves — separation of scattering effect from intrinsic attenuation — I. Theoretical modelling. Geophysical Journal International (1985).
3. Machine learning regression implementation for high-frequency seismic wave attenuation estimation in the Aswan Reservoir area, Egypt. Environmental Earth Sciences (2023).