S U M M A R Y This study applies high-resolution Radon transform to a large set of SS precursors and explores the mantle reflectivity structure beneath 17 potentially ‘deep-rooted’ hotspots. The combined reduced time (τ ) and ray parameter (p) information effectively constrains the depth, spatial distribution and sharpness of upper-/mid-mantle reflectors. The olivine to wadsleyite phase boundar...

[1] Accurately inferring the radially anisotropic structure of the mantle using seismic waveforms requires correcting for the effects of crustal structure on waveforms. Recent studies have quantified the importance of accurate crustal corrections when mapping upper mantle structure using surface waves and overtones. Here, we explore the effects of crustal corrections on the retrieval of deep ma...

We report that a sharp lateral boundary exists at the southern edge of the Pacific superplume. The set of SHdiff waveforms, which graze the South Pacific, have similar features to those observed previously at the southeastern edge of the African superplume. Both waveform sets show a rapid shift of the arrival time and the broadening of the waveforms with respect to the azimuth as previously rep...

[1] Abstract: We predict plate motions from a comprehensive inversion of theoretical estimates of tectonic forces in order to evaluate the relative importance of these and the uncertainties of such models. Plate-driving forces from the mantle are calculated using global flow models that are driven by tomography and subduction-derived density fields. Observed and predicted plate velocities agree...

[1] We analyze moment tensor solutions from deep subduction zone earthquakes to determine global slab deformation patterns. Inferred strain rates are compared to predicted deformation patterns from fluid models to help constrain the first‐order radial and lateral viscosity structure of the Earth. While all slabs that reach the lower mantle are compressed at their tip, intermediate depth pattern...

[1] We image the crustal architecture of the Musgrave Province with petrophysically constrained forward models of new potential field data. These models image divergent shallow-dipping crustal scale thrusts that, at depth, link with an axial zone defined by steeper, lithospheric scale transpressional shear zones. They also show that to permit a near-surface density distribution that is consiste...

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of convection and magnetic ®eld generation in the Earth’s core now span several hundred thousand years; the magnetic ®eld created during most of this time has an intensity, structure and time dependence similar to the present geomagnetic ®eld. Five models are described here. The ®rst is a homogeneous Boussinesq model, driven steadily by heat sources on th...

Knowledge of Earth’s past mantle structure is inherently unknown. This lack of knowledge presents problems in many areas of Earth science, including in mantle circulation modelling (MCM). As a mathematical model of mantle convection, MCM’s require boundary and initial conditions. While boundary conditions are readily available from sources such as plate reconstructions for the upper surface, an...

a r t i c l e i n f o Some regions of the Earth's lowermost mantle exhibit anomalous seismic properties within a thin zone, less than tens of kilometers in thickness, that directly overlies the core-mantle boundary (CMB). These regions have been dubbed Ultra-Low Velocity Zones (ULVZs) due to their greater than 10% drop in seismic velocities. High resolution seismic array studies have found smal...