The generation of seismic waves

Abstract

It is assumed that an earthquake is caused by the release of deviatoric stresses, and further that the effects of their release will be represented by the radial and transverse impulsive forces acting on the surface of a spherical cavity constructed around the source of the earthquake. The motions of the P and S waves at large distances from the source are calculated theoretically, in the case when the patterns of the first motions of the waves are quadrantal. Comparisons of the results of the calculations with those of the observations are made for some deep Japanese earthquakes.