Compressional (P-wave) seismic velocity in rocks increases with the rigidity and density of the constituent minerals, and is generally highest in ultramafic rocks (rich in dense, stiff minerals like olivine and pyroxene, e.g. dunite) and progressively lower in mafic, intermediate, and felsic rocks, since felsic minerals like quartz and feldspar have lower elastic moduli relative to their density compared to mafic/ultramafic minerals.
P-wave velocity Vp = sqrt((K + 4G/3)/rho), where K is bulk modulus, G is shear modulus, and rho is density. Ultramafic rocks such as dunite,...
Full option-by-option analysis available to enrolled students.