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

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

Investigators

Abstract

Grand, Stephen EAR-0073643 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 throughout 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 constraints, including geoid, topography at the Earth's surface and the core-mantle boundary, intra-plate stress, plate motions, and experimental results from mineral physics.