Abstract: Objective The discussion of Rayleigh waves in near-surface investigations is rarely based on layered anisotropymedia,even as higher-mode Rayleigh waves are a hot topic in near-surface investigation.This paper discussesthe azimuthally anisotropy of multi-mode Rayleigh waves in layered azimuthally anisotropic media.The azi-muthally anisotropy degree of 45°is the highest.In most situations,the higher modes of Rayleigh waves aremore sensitive to the azimuthally anisotropy than the fundamental mode.