Theoretical and observed Rayleigh‐wave spectra for explosions and earthquakes

Theoretical source spectra that are closely tied to empirical evidence from explosions and earthquakes are presented. The effects of the transfer functions of a layered medium on these source spectra are shown and a theoretical earthquake-explosion spectral ratio is defined for Rayleigh waves. By using spectral estimates on many widely distributed events, it has been found that explosions and earthquakes can be separated by splitting Rayleigh-wave energy between 10 and 50 sec into two period bands and calculating their ratio. Explosion ratios are confined to a narrow range. Earthquake ratios have a large scatter because they depend on depth and source mechanism parameters.

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