A geodynamic and mineral physics model of a solid-state ultralow-velocity zone
Abstract
Recent results (Wicks et al., 2010) suggest that a mixture of iron-enriched (Mg,Fe)O and ambient mantle is consistent with wavespeed reductions and density increases inferred for ultralow-velocity zones (ULVZs). We explore this hypothesis by simulating convection to deduce the stability and morphology of such chemically-distinct structures. The buoyancy number, or chemical density anomaly, largely dictates ULVZ shape, and the prescribed initial thickness (proxy for volume) of the chemically-distinct layer controls its size. We synthesize our dynamic results with a Voigt-Reuss-Hill mixing model to provide insight into the inherent seismic tradeoff between ULVZ thickness and wavespeed reduction. Seismic data are compatible with a solid-state origin for ULVZs, and a suite of these structures may scatter seismic energy to produce broadband PKP precursors.
- Publication:
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Earth and Planetary Science Letters
- Pub Date:
- March 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.epsl.2010.12.035
- Bibcode:
- 2011E&PSL.303..193B
- Keywords:
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- Physical Sciences and Mathematics