Extraction and applications of Rayleigh wave ellipticity in polar regions

Abstract Seismic Rayleigh wave ellipticity measurements are the horizontal-to-vertical ratio of particle motion, and sensitive to subsurface structure beneath a seismic station. H/V ratios measured from ambient vibrations Earth being increasingly used in glaciological applications determine glacier ice sheet thickness, velocities firn properties. Using newly developed degree-of-polarisation (DOP-E) method which exploits polarisation properties noise, we identify extract waves stations Greenland, relate them sea processes geology upper crust. Finally, provide some suggestions for future DOP-E gain greater insight into seasonal long-term variability formation breakup as well monitoring subglacial environment layers poles.