A Three-Dimensional Radially-Anisotropic Model of Shear Velocity in the Whole Mantle - fig. 2
A Three-Dimensional Radially-Anisotropic Model of Shear Velocity in the Whole Mantle - fig. 2
Credit:
Mark Panning, Barbara Romanowicz • Berkeley Seismological Laboratory/IRIS Consortium
Description
ξ structure at four depths in the upper mantle and transition zone.
We have developed a 3D radially anisotropic shear velocity model of the whole mantle using a large three-component surface and body waveform dataset, derived primarily from IRIS GSN as well as Geoscope stations, using an iterative inversion for structure and source parameters based on Nonlinear Asymptotic Coupling Theory (NACT) (Li and Romanowicz, 1995). The model is parameterized in terms of isotropic VS and an anisotropic parameter, ξ, which is defined by ξ = V2SH/V2SV. The model shows a link between mantle flow and anisotropy in a variety of depth ranges.
The isotropic VS model matches the common features of S tomographic models. The uppermost 200 km shows tectonic features, with fast velocities in the continental interiors and slower oceans and tectonically active regions. In the transition zone, the most prominent features are the fast subducted slabs. Mid-mantle velocity anomalies are low in amplitude, and white in spectrum. In the lowermost 500 km, the amplitudes of heterogeneity increase, and show a degree 2 pattern with rings of higher velocities surrounding two lower velocity regions under the central Pacific and Africa.
In the ξ model of the upper mantle, we observe positive anomalies (VSH>VSV) starting at ~80 km under oceanic regions and ~250 km under old continents, suggesting horizontal flow beneath the lithosphere (Gung et al., 2003). We also observe a VSV>VSH signature at ~200-300 km depth beneath major ridge systems with amplitude correlated with spreading rate. In the transition zone (400-700 km), regions of subducted slab material are associated with negative ξ anomalies (VSV>VSH), while the ridge signal decreases except under the East Pacific Rise.
We also observe strong radially symmetric VSH>VSV in the lowermost 300 km (Panning and Romanowicz, 2004). The 3D deviations from this degree 0 signature are associated with the transition to the large-scale superplumes under the central Pacific and Africa, suggesting that VSH>VSV is generated in the predominant horizontal flow of a mechanical boundary layer, with a change in signature related to transition to upwelling at the superplumes.
Gung, Y., M. Panning, and B. Romanowicz, Global anisotropy and the thickness of continents, Nature, 422, 707-711, 2003.
Panning, M.P. and B. Romanowicz, Inferences on flow at the base of Earth’s mantle based on seismic anisotropy, Science, 303, 351-353, 2004.
Photographer / Contributor: Mark Panning, Barbara Romanowicz • Berkeley Seismological Laboratory
Request a Hi-Res Version of this Image / Feedback on this Image
