Open AccessComment on ‘The azimuthal dependence of surface wave polarization in a slightly anisotropic medium’ by T. Tanimoto
Author(s) -
Maupin Valérie
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.2004.02390.x
Subject(s) - azimuth , anisotropy , polarization (electrochemistry) , geology , overtone , geophysics , rayleigh wave , rayleigh scattering , surface wave , seismology , geodesy , physics , optics , chemistry , astronomy , spectral line
SUMMARY This comment points out that the simple azimuthal dependence of the polarization anomalies derived in a recent paper by Tanimoto may not be valid for the Love wave fundamental mode in oceanic or tectonic regions as a result of strong coupling with the first Rayleigh wave overtone. More generally, I also point out the fact that polarization anomalies reflect partly the anisotropy away from the station and that this usually complicates the azimuthal pattern observed at single stations.