Correlating Wave Velocities with Physical, Mechanical Properties and Petrographic Characteristics of Peridotites from the Central Greece

Knowledge of compressional and shear wave velocities is necessary to estimate the physical, dynamic and mechanical properties of rocks with an indirect, but easy, fast and economical way. Although, many attempts have been made to correlate the wave velocities with the rock characteristics, only few studies have been concentrated on ultrabasic rocks and especially on peridotites. The aim of this study is to apply correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between wave velocities and rock properties for peridotites. Thus, 35 fresh peridotite samples (non or slightly serpentinized ultrabasic rocks), taken from the western part of Othrys mt and the Kallidromo mt (central Greece) were tested. The relationships between P and S wave velocities and the rock properties are described by simple regression analyses and the confidence intervals are presented as well. The study reveals strong positive, linear correlations between the P and S wave velocities. Positive, linear relationships are also indicated between wave velocities and unit weight and mechanical properties, while the increase of effective porosity causes decrease of the wave velocities. The wave velocities are exponentially affected with serpentinization percentage, while the best fit equations between wave velocities and primary minerals are logarithmic. The wave velocities and the micropetrographic index I_ps are strongly correlated by both exponential and linear functions, but exponential trends present higher determination coefficients.