Poroelasticity Theory and Wave Attenuation in Porous Rocks

Poroelasticity theory provides a general framework for seismic wave propagation in fluid-saturated porous media. This framework entails four wave modes. The fast P- and S-waves describe the in-phase compressional and shear motions. The slow P- and S-waves describe the corresponding out-of-phase motions. In heterogeneous poroelastic media wave mode conversions can occur. The fast to fast wave conversion scattering is important for the quantification of scattering attenuation. The fast to slow wave conversion describes dissipation processes. Analysis of the slow to slow wave conversion process allows us to understand the relation between permeability and seismic attenuation.