Principles of Seismology

This new edition features a completely new chapter on digital seismic data processing, numerous examples and 100 problems.

Agustín Udías (Author), Elisa Buforn (Author)

9781107138698, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 December 2017

558 pages, 290 b/w illus. 10 tables
25.3 x 19.2 x 2.9 cm, 1.39 kg

'This heavily revised and updated edition of Principles of Seismology contains brand new chapters on Earthquakes and modern seismic Instrumentation. It also gives a detailed historical development on various aspects of seismology with many text and website references. An essential addition to one's library of seismology textbooks.' Shamita Das, University of Oxford

The second edition of Principles of Seismology has been extensively revised and updated to present a modern approach to observation seismology and the theory behind digital seismograms. It includes: a new chapter on Earthquakes, Earth's structure and dynamics; a considerably revised chapter on instrumentation, with new material on processing of modern digital seismograms and a list of website hosting data and seismological software; and 100 end-of-chapter problems. The fundamental physical concepts on which seismic theory is based are explained in full detail with step-by-step development of the mathematical derivations, demonstrating the relationship between motions recorded in digital seismograms and the mechanics of deformable bodies. With chapter introductions and summaries, numerous examples, newly drafted illustrations and new color figures, and an updated bibliography and reference list, this intermediate-level textbook is designed to help students develop the skills to tackle real research problems.

1. Seismology. The science of earthquakes
2. Earthquakes, Earth's structure and dynamics
3. Instrumentation and digital data processing
4. Basic concepts and equations of an elastic medium
5. Waves in an infinite elastic medium
6. Reflection and refraction
7. Body wave propagation in layered media
8. Ray theory. Media of constant velocity
9. Ray theory media of variable velocity
10. Ray theory spherical media
11. Travel times and the structure of the Earth
12. Surface waves
13. Wave dispersion. Phase and group velocities
14. Free oscillations of the Earth. Theory and observations
15. Anelasticity and anisotropy
16. Focal parameters of earthquakes
17. Basic theory of earthquake mechanism
18. The seismic moment tensor
19. Simple models of fracture
20. Methods of determination of source mechanisms
21. Seismicity, seismotectonics, seismic risk, and prediction.

Subject Areas: Earthquake engineering [TNCE], Geology & the lithosphere [RBG], Volcanology & seismology [RBC], Geophysics [PHVG]