Structure and Dynamics of Earth's Core and Lowermost Mantle

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract for proposal EAR0106544 (PH # 50x) Title: Structure and Dynamics of Earth's Core and Lowermost Mantle PI's: Xiaodong Song, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign This proposal is to conduct research in the following related areas concerning the structure and dynamics of Earth's core and lowermost mantle. (1) The study will seek to constrain the inner core rotation using differential PKP travel-time measurements and joint inversion of inner core rotation and fine lateral structure of inner core and lower mantle. This study will also address uncertainties in determining inner core rotation, in particular the possibility of systematic biases from event mislocation. (2) This study will seek to constrain fine structure of the inner core by modeling of detailed waveforms and increasing lateral samples of various depths of the inner core. (3) This study will seek to constrain the structure of lowermost mantle by using differential travel times and waveforms of seismic core phases, which remove or reduce biases from upper mantle heterogeneities and source uncertainties