Love wave
Introduction
A Love wave is a type of surface seismic wave that moves the ground from side-to-side. Named after British mathematician A.E.H. Love, who first mathematically predicted the existence of these waves in 1911, Love waves are the result of the interference of many shear waves guided by an elastic layer, which is sandwiched between a half-space and an elastic layer.
Characteristics
Love waves have the largest amplitude and are the most destructive type of surface wave. They are dispersive, meaning that different frequencies have different velocities. The phase velocity of Love waves becomes infinite at a certain frequency, known as the Airy phase velocity. This is a unique feature of Love waves and is a result of the dispersion relation.
Generation
Love waves are generated in the Earth's crust when a seismic P-wave or S-wave interacts with the surface of the Earth. They can also be generated by an earthquake or other seismic event that causes the ground to shake. The shaking generates shear stress, which then propagates as a Love wave.
Propagation
Love waves propagate horizontally, with a motion that is perpendicular to the direction of propagation and transverse to the vertical axis. This horizontal motion gives Love waves their characteristic side-to-side motion. The amplitude of Love waves decreases exponentially with depth, which means they are confined to the surface of the Earth.
Detection
Love waves are detected using seismographs. These devices measure the motion of the ground, including the side-to-side motion characteristic of Love waves. Analysis of the recorded seismic waves can provide valuable information about the source of the seismic event and the structure of the Earth's crust.
Applications
Love waves are used in seismology to study the structure of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. They are also used in earthquake engineering to assess the response of structures to earthquakes. In addition, Love waves are used in non-destructive testing to detect flaws in materials.