Further study of the T phase*

Abstract

Abstract New data are presented in support of the conclusion that the T phase is propagated across oceans as compressional waves in the water. T phases from many circumpacific-belt shocks were recorded at the Honolulu seismograph station and at the Kaneohe and Point Sur SOFAR Stations, permitting the determination of oceanic velocity by simple division of epicentral distance by travel time since correction for land travel was unnecessary. The signals were much sharper and less prolonged than those previously studied. Very little scatter in the velocity was observed. Divergent views on the nature of T reported by other investigators are due to complications in path, travel time, and land correction introduced by the relatively large proportion of land (or shallow water) paths involved in the shocks which they have studied.