Acoustic and Elastic Properties of the Southeastern Yellow Sea Mud, Korea

Compressional wave velocity (Vp), shear wave velocity (Vs), elastic and physical properties, and electrical resistivity for two core sediments obtained from Southeastern Yellow Sea Mud (SEYSM) were measured and computed. The sediments consist of homogeneous mud (mostly silt and clay) with shells and shell fragments. As a result, the mean grain size is uniform ($7.5-8.5{\Phi}$ throughout the core sediments. However, physical properties such as wet bulk density and porosity show slightly increasing and decreasing patterns with depth, compared to the mean grain size. The compressional (about 1475 m/s in average) and shear wave (about 60 m/s in average) velocities with depth accurately reflect the pattern of wet bulk density and porosity. Electrical resistivity is more closely correlated with compressional wave velocity than physical properties. The computed Vp/Vs and Poisson's ratios are relatively higher (more than 10) and lower (approximately 0.002) than Hamilton's (1979) data, respectively, suggesting the typical characteristics of soft and fully water-saturated marine sediments. Thus, the Vp/Vs ratio in soft and unconsolidated sediments is not likely sufficient to examine lithology and sediment properties. Relationships between the elastic constant and physical properties are correlated well. The elastic constants (Poisson's ratio, bulk modulus, shear modulus) given in this paper can be used to characterize soft marine sediments saturated with seawater.