Scholte wave dispersion and particle motion mode in ocean and ocean crust

The dispersion equation of the Scholte wave was reviewed using the homogeneous elastic half-space covered by a liquid layer, and the range of the Scholte wave propagation velocity was examined using the dispersion equation. The displacement expressions of the Scholte waves in liquid and solid were derived. Additionally, the mode of motion of Scholte waves in liquid and solid and their variation with depth was studied. The following results were obtained: The dispersion equation shows that the propagation velocity of the fundamental Scholte wave was greater than the P-wave in liquid and less than that of the Scholte wave in homogeneous elastic half-space. In contrast, the velocity of higher-order Scholte waves was greater than that of P waves in liquid and S-waves in solid. Only the fundamental Scholte wave has no cutoff frequency. The Scholte wave at the liquid surface moved only vertically, while the particles inside the liquid medium moved elliptically. The amplitude variation with depth in the solid medium caused the particle motion to change from a retrograde ellipse to a prograde ellipse. The above results imply the study of Scholte waves in the ocean and oceanic crust and help estimate ocean depths.