This book is a rigorous, self-contained exposition of the mathematical theory for wave propagation in layered media with arbitrary amounts of intrinsic absorption. The theory, previously unpublished in book form, provides solutions for fundamental wave-propagation problems and corresponding numerical results in the context of any media with a linear response (elastic or anelastic). It provides new insights regarding the physical characteristics for two- and three-dimensional anelastic body and surface waves. The book is an excellent graduate-level textbook. It permits fundamental elastic wave propagation to be taught in the broader context of wave propagation in any media with a linear response. The book is also a valuable reference text. It provides tools for solving problems in seismology, geotechnical engineering, exploration geophysics, solid mechanics, and acoustics. The numerical examples and problem sets facilitate understanding by emphasizing important aspects of both the theory and the numerical results.

This second edition extends the rigorous, self-contained exposition of the theory for viscoelastic wave propagation in layered media to include head waves and general ray theory. The theory, not published elsewhere, provides solutions for fundamental wave-propagation and ray-theory problems valid for any media with a linear response, elastic or anelastic. It explains measurable variations in wave speed, particle motion, and attenuation of body waves, surface waves, and head waves induced at anelastic material boundaries that do not occur for elastic waves. This book may be used as a textbook for advanced university courses and as a research reference in seismology, exploration geophysics, engineering, solid mechanics, and acoustics. It provides computation steps for ray-tracing computer algorithms to develop a variety of tomography inferred anelastic models, such as those for the Earth's deep interior and petroleum reserves. Numerical results and problem sets emphasize important aspects of the theory for each chapter.