SOME GEOPHYSICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE ELASTICITY THEORY OF DISLOCATIONS

Abstract

In this paper some aspects of the elasticity theory of dislocations (E.T.D.) which may be of geophysical significance are discussed. The central position of A- and B-nuclei of strain in this theory is emphasized. Applications to cracks and seismological models are indicated. Some limitations of the E.T.D. for applications to geophysics appear in the discussion of strain energy. Finally the displacement field at the surface of a semi-infinite elastic medium which contains a particular B-nucleus at depth c is discussed. Although the considerations in this paper are in several respects incomplete and of a preliminary character it is expected that the reader may recognize the analogy of the E.T.D. with potential theory and will appreciate the power of the theory to unify several isolated problems on cracks and seismological models and to suggest further applications which are of geophysical interest.