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On attenuation of seismic waves associated with flow in fractures
Author(s) -
Vinci C.,
Renner J.,
Steeb H.
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 - 10.1002/2014gl061634
Subject(s) - attenuation , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , geology , fluid dynamics , fracture (geology) , porous medium , anelastic attenuation factor , deformation (meteorology) , seismic wave , porosity , geotechnical engineering , geophysics , physics , optics , oceanography
Heterogeneity of porous media induces a number of fluid‐flow mechanisms causing attenuation of seismic waves. Attenuation induced by squirt‐type mechanisms has previously been analyzed for aspect ratios smaller or equal to 10 3 . Using a hybrid‐dimensional modeling approach, particularly apt for large aspect ratio conduits, we numerically simulated deformation‐induced fluid flow along two intersecting fractures to investigate the physics of attenuation related to the interaction of fracture‐induced fluid flow and to leak‐off. Attenuation related to fracture flow increases in magnitude with increasing geometrical aspect ratio of the fracture. The inherent time scales of both flow mechanisms do not influence each other, but the faster process is associated with stronger attenuation than the slower process. Models relying on simple diffusion equations have rather limited potential for approximation of pressure transients.