Open AccessDiffracted Seismic waves near the PKP Caustic
Author(s) -
Bullen K. E.,
BurkeGaffney T. N.
Publication year - 1958
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1958.tb00030.x
Subject(s) - caustic (mathematics) , diffraction , seismology , geology , range (aeronautics) , seismic wave , core (optical fiber) , optics , physics , materials science , composite material , mathematical physics
Summary An examination is made of arrival‐times of P ′ waves in the range 137° < ΔS < 142°, as recorded from four hydrogen bomb explosions of 1954. Early readings in this range are attributed to diffracted PKP waves near the caustic at 142°. The results supply a small final link in the chain of evidence for the existence of the inner core. The possibility of detecting diffracted PKP waves from studies of natural earthquakes is also examined. The results illustrate the potentiality of controlled large explosions in advancing knowledge of the Earth's deep interior.