Seismic wave propagation in a porous medium

Abstract

A complete set of equations to describe low‐frequency seismic wave phenomena in fluid‐filled porous media is presented. The approach is based on the mathematics of volume‐averaging, aided by order‐of‐magnitude and physical arguments. The results are immediately utilizable by practicing seismologists. Our equations and those of Biot (1956a) are found to be largely consistent in form, and we suggest how Biot’s parameters may be defined in terms of basic physical parameters. The theory predicts two dilatational waves and two rotational waves. Under certain conditions these behave differently than would be expected on the basis of Biot’s theory.