Characteristics of head wave in multi-layered half-space

In this article, we analyze the dynamic characteristics of head wave in multi-layered half-space media models with high-velocity layer or low-velocity layer, and the model with a continuous transition-zone between the crust and the mantle by using synthetic seismogram. It is concluded that the dynamic characteristics of head wave are sensitive to the thickness and velocity of the high-velocity layer. There is obvious diffraction phenomenon of seismic wave if the thickness of high-velocity layer is very small compared with the characteristic wavelength. In this case, the high-velocity layer cannot shield the head wave propagating along the upper interface of the media below it, and the amplitude of this head wave is proportional to the thickness or the velocity of the high-velocity layer. When the thickness of high-velocity layer is nearly identical to the characteristic wavelength of seismic wave, the wave phases reflected from the bottom of the high-velocity layer and the head wave phase may have very close arrival and weaken each other because of destructive interference. As to low-velocity layer, the amplitude of the head wave is weak and decreases with the velocity of this layer. It is also found that if a continuous transition-zone between the crust and the mantle is introduced, we can get a strong apparent head wave phase in synthetic seismogram and the amplitude of this phase increases with the thickness or velocity gradient of the transition-zone.