On Christoffel roots for nondetached slowness surfaces

Abstract

The only restriction on the values of the elasticity parameters is the stability condition. Within this condition, we examine Christoffel equation for nondetached $qP$ slowness surfaces in transversely isotropic media. If the $qP$ slowness surface is detached, each root of the solubility condition corresponds to a distinct smooth wavefront. If the $qP$ slowness surface is nondetached, the roots are elliptical but do not correspond to distinct wavefronts; also, the $qP$ and $qSV$ slowness surfaces are not smooth.