We have applied full waveform inversion to wide-aperture seismic reflection data from the southern East Pacific Rise near 14 ¿S. The data contain clear compressional wave and doubly converted shear wave arrivals that provide good constraints on the P and S-wave velocities (Vp, Vs, and hence Poisson's ratio &sgr;) and seismic attenuation (Qp, Qs) structure of seismic layer 2. Layer 2A is highly attenuating (Qp=18--30 and Qs=8--15) and layer 2B is moderately attenuating (Qp=30--50 and Qs=20--25). Our results show high &sgr; at the seafloor and in layer 2A (&sgr;=0.48). Across the top of the 2A/B transition the rapid increase in Vp is accompanied by a sharp drop in &sgr; to 0.25 within just 200 m of the seafloor. We perform simple calculations to gain an insight into the porosity and crack distribution with depth. These calculations suggest that porosity is in excess of 30% in layer 2A but reduces to 6--7% at the top of the 2A/B transition and to about 5% at a depth of 600 m below seafloor within layer 2B. Our results suggest that there is an increase in the average aspect ratio with depth across the 2A/B transition. The most likely explanation is that numerous thin cracks either mechanically close or are infilled at depth. Our results show there to be an abrupt change in the pore structure across the 2A/B transition which is consistent with a lithologic transition from extrusives to dykes but is equally consistent with a transition (mechanical or hydrothermal) within the extrusive pile. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union