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A novel EBSD‐based finite‐element wave propagation model for investigating seismic anisotropy: Application to Finero Peridotite, Ivrea‐Verbano Zone, Northern Italy
Author(s) -
Zhong Xin,
Frehner Marcel,
Kunze Karsten,
Zappone Alba
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl060490
Subject(s) - electron backscatter diffraction , peridotite , anisotropy , geology , seismic anisotropy , mineralogy , seismic wave , diffraction , seismology , geophysics , optics , physics , basalt , mantle (geology)
A novel electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) ‐based finite‐element (FE) wave propagation simulation is presented and applied to investigate seismic anisotropy of peridotite samples. The FE model simulates the dynamic propagation of seismic waves along any chosen direction through representative 2D EBSD sections. The numerical model allows separation of the effects of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) and shape preferred orientation (SPO). The obtained seismic velocities with respect to specimen orientation are compared with Voigt‐Reuss‐Hill estimates and with laboratory measurements. The results of these three independent methods testify that CPO is the dominant factor controlling seismic anisotropy. Fracture fillings and minor minerals like hornblende only influence the seismic anisotropy if their volume proportion is sufficiently large (up to 23%). The SPO influence is minor compared to the other factors. The presented FE model is discussed with regard to its potential in simulating seismic wave propagation using EBSD data representing natural rock petrofabrics.