Seismic shear waves as Foucault pendulum. Issue 6 (29th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Snieder, Roel; Sens‐Schönfelder, Christoph; Ruigrok, Elmer; Shiomi, Katsuhiko
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 2576
• Page End: 2581
• Publication Date: 2016-03-29
• Subjects: seismology -- body waves; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2015GL067598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Earth's rotation causes splitting of normal modes. Wave fronts and rays are, however, not affected by Earth's rotation, as we show theoretically and with observations made with USArray. We derive that the Coriolis force causes a small transverse component for P waves and a small longitudinal component for S waves. More importantly, Earth's rotation leads to a slow rotation of the transverse polarization of S waves; during the propagation of S waves the particle motion behaves just like a Foucault pendulum. The polarization plane of shear waves counteracts Earth's rotation and rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. The rotation rate is independent of the wave frequency and is purely geometric, like the Berry phase. Using the polarization of S c S and S c S 2 waves, we show that the Foucault‐like rotation of the S wave polarization can be observed. This can affect the determination of source mechanisms and the interpretation of observed S K S splitting. Key Points: Rays of seismic waves are not affected by Earth's rotation The polarization of S waves rotates in the same way as a Foucault pendulum The rotation of the S wave polarization is a manifestation of the Berry phase