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Excitation ofT waves in the Indian Ocean between Srilanka and southern India

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Abstract

T phases of three earthquakes from the Indian Ocean region, recorded by a short-period vertical-component seismic station network located in the vicinity of Kanyakumari on the southernmost tip of India, are studied. Two of these earthquakes are located west of 90°E ridge and one in the Nicobar Island region. However, seven other earthquakes which occurred 150–200 km south of Kanyakumari in the ocean did not produceT phases. An analysis ofT-waves (tertiary waves) travel time reveals the zone ofP-wave toT-wave conversion (i.e.,PT phase) region to coincide with the western continental slope of Srilanka. Further, it is observed that the disposition of the bathymetry between Srilanka and southern India strongly favours the downslope propagation mechanism ofT-wave travel to the southern coast of India through SOFAR channel. These observations are reported for the first time from India.

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Chadha, R.K. Excitation ofT waves in the Indian Ocean between Srilanka and southern India. PAGEOPH 142, 319–328 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00879307

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00879307

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