{
  "abstract": "We develop an adiabatic theory and practical methodology for measuring quasi-Rayleigh and quasi-Love polarization from the complete ambient noise cross-correlation tensor. The formulation allows the polarization parameters at both stations of a pair to be estimated jointly and, under sufficiently adiabatic propagation, interpreted in terms of local anisotropic structure at those locations. A new empirical processing step approximates the theoretical source-group normalization to reduce source-related amplitude effects, providing the practical link between observations and theory. In geologically relevant limiting regimes, simple relations link diagonal carrier ($TT,ZZ$) and off-diagonal polarization-sensitive ($TZ,ZT$) waveforms, yielding information complementary to conventional phase-speed observations. In numerical benchmarks, predictions of the polarization-sensitive waveforms are accurate when anisotropy varies sufficiently slowly relative to wavelength. Stronger or shorter-scale structural variations can increase conversion between the two wave types, degrading the adiabatic approximation and local interpretability of measured polarization. We present the first measurements of surface-wave polarization from ambient noise cross-correlations in Alaska, focusing on the 20--30~s period band. For relatively short paths south of the Denali Fault, repeated polarization estimates are mutually consistent and broadly consistent between the two station endpoints, supporting a local interpretation. For paths crossing the fault, boundary-transient behavior develops, waveform fits degrade on average, and the polarization parameters change systematically, consistent with a breakdown of local interpretation across a strong structural boundary. Finally, in this example, adding a single polarization constraint to an inversion of Rayleigh- and Love-wave $2\\psi$ and $4\\psi$ phase-speed observations resolves a dip-orientation nonuniqueness that remains in the phase-speed-only inversion. The alternative dip solutions correspond to distinct three-dimensional orientations of the anisotropic fabric and may have important tectonic implications.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Xiongwei Liu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Michael H Ritzwoller"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ersw86eb02xgh.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.31223/x5pb83",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "ersw86eb02xgh",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://eartharxiv.org/repository/view/15155/",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "bepress",
      "Physical Sciences and Mathematics"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1908|Seismic Waves and Analysis"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214148766",
  "pdf_url": "https://eartharxiv.org/repository/object/15155/download/26282/",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-24",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ersw86eb02xgh.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:36Z",
      "native_id": "15155",
      "source": "eartharxiv",
      "url": "https://eartharxiv.org/repository/view/15155/"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "openalex:1908|Seismic Waves and Analysis",
      "subfield": "geophysics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Ambient Noise Surface-Wave Polarization in Anisotropic Media: Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation",
  "title_text": "Ambient Noise Surface-Wave Polarization in Anisotropic Media: Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:36Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ersw86eb02xgh",
  "venue": "EarthArXiv",
  "versions": []
}