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Published December 1972 | Published
Journal Article Open

Theoretical and observed distance corrections for Rayleigh-wave magnitude

Abstract

Examination of the distance correction factor used in the widely accepted formula for surface-wave magnitude reveals that this empirically derived linear formula fails to give an accurate approximation to the theoretical nonlinear amplitude-distance relation for epicentral distances less than 15°. For epicentral distances greater than 15°, the empirical formula contains an implied oceanic-type energy-dissipation coefficient. When the original Gutenberg theoretical surface-wave magnitude formula with an appropriate continental energy-dissipation coefficient is applied to explosion data from the Nevada Test Site, a consistent surface-wave magnitude is obtained at all distances. A systematic method of normalizing Rayleigh-wave magnitudes obtained over different types of propagation paths is suggested. This normalization might provide a means for better separating natural events and explosions in the m_b—M_s plots.

Additional Information

© 1972 Seismological Society of America. Manuscript received November 8, 1971. The author would like to thank Drs. David G. Harkrider and Otto W. Nuttli for their helpful comments made during this investigation, and Drs. Brian J. Mitchell and Otto W. Nuttli for making available their papers in advance of publication. This research was supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense and was monitored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Contract No. AF-F44620-70-C-0120, Contract No. AF-F44620-69-C-0067, and Contract No. AFOSR-70-1954.

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Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 17, 2023