Rayleighwave

Rayleigh waves are a type of surface wave that travel along the Earth's surface, caused by the release of energy from an earthquake or other seismic events. They are named after Lord Rayleigh, who mathematically predicted their existence in 1885. Unlike body waves, which travel through the Earth's interior, Rayleigh waves move along the surface, causing both vertical and horizontal motion.

These waves are characterized by their elliptical particle motion, which is confined to a vertical plane. The amplitude of the wave decreases exponentially with depth, meaning that the motion is most significant at the surface and diminishes rapidly as it penetrates deeper into the Earth. This property makes Rayleigh waves particularly important in surface geophysics and seismology.

Rayleigh waves are slower than body waves, typically traveling at about 90% of the shear wave velocity. Their velocity depends on the elastic properties of the Earth's crust and the frequency of the wave. Higher frequency waves travel faster than lower frequency waves, a phenomenon known as dispersion.

The study of Rayleigh waves is crucial for understanding the structure of the Earth's crust and for seismic hazard assessment. By analyzing the characteristics of Rayleigh waves, seismologists can infer information about the subsurface, including the presence of faults, sedimentary layers, and other geological features. This information is essential for assessing earthquake risk and designing structures that can withstand seismic activity.