Moment tensor decompositions revisited

0433173 - GFÚ 2016 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Vavryčuk, Václav
Moment tensor decompositions revisited.
Journal of Seismology. Roč. 19, č. 1 (2015), s. 231-252. ISSN 1383-4649. E-ISSN 1573-157X
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GAP210/12/1491
Institutional support: RVO:67985530
Keywords : dynamics and mechanics of faulting * earthquake source observations * seismic anisotropy * theoretical seismology
Subject RIV: DC - Siesmology, Volcanology, Earth Structure
Impact factor: 1.550, year: 2015

The decomposition of moment tensors into isotropic (ISO), double-couple (DC) and compensated linear vector dipole (CLVD) components is a tool for classifying and physically interpreting seismic sources. Since an increasing quantity and quality of seismic data allow inverting for accurate moment tensors and interpreting details of the source process, an efficient and physically reasonable decomposition of moment and source tensors is necessary. In this paper, the most common moment tensor decompositions are revisited, new equivalent formulas of the decompositions are derived, suitable norms of the moment tensors are discussed and the properties of commonly used source-type plots are analysed. The Hudson skewed diamond plot is introduced in a much simpler way than originally proposed. It is shown that not only the Hudson plot but also the diamond CLVD–ISO plot and the Riedesel–Jordan plot conserve the uniform distribution probability of moment eigenvalues if the appropriate norm of moment tensors is applied.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0237416