Collaborative Research: The African Mantle: A Case Study of Seismic Structure, Composition and Dynamics

Suny At Stony Brook, Stony Brook NY

Investigators

Abstract

EAR-0001232 Wen, Lianxing This project will conduct a joint study of seismic structure, composition and dynamics of the mantle, with a strategic focus on Africa. Combining seismic forward waveform modeling and travel time inversion, we will attempt to map the geometry, magnitude and sharpness of seismic anomalies throughtout the mantle beneath Africa. With improved seismic models of the lower and upper mantle, we will also study the geodynamical and compositional aspects of mantle anomalies using other geophysical contraints, including geoid, topography at the Earth's surface and core-mantle boundary, intra-plate stress, plate motion, and experimental results from mineral physics.