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Friction and seismic attenuation in rocks

Nature volume 277, pages 528–531 (1979)Cite this article

Abstract

Precise experimental results, combined with theoretical predictions, indicate that seismic energy loss caused by grain boundary friction is important only at low confining pressure and at strains greater than about 10−6. Since these conditions are generally not encountered in seismology, frictional attenuation is not important in situ. Other mechanisms such as fluid flow must dominate seismic attenuation in the upper crust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305

    Kenneth Winkler & Amos Nur

  2. Department of Physics, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4067, Australia

    Michael Gladwin

Authors
  1. Kenneth Winkler
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  2. Amos Nur
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  3. Michael Gladwin
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Winkler, K., Nur, A. & Gladwin, M. Friction and seismic attenuation in rocks. Nature 277, 528–531 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/277528a0

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